Another view point.

[Carl East]

Hi Guy/Gals, I sat here thinking tonight, what would make a good topic, then I realised, it was staring me in the face.

What is it that makes a good thread?

Is it a question on sex, I don't think so, is it a humourous thread, or an intelectual one. No, I think it's all these things and more.

Have you ever noticed for instance, how a negative thread seems to get so many hits. Or a relatively interesting thread gets next to nothing.

What are your views on this, it should be interesting to find out.

Carl.

 

[Nicole]

What makes an interesting thread in my eyes, is the way that the person puts themselves out there in the first place.

If you were to turn to me and say "Nicole, how do you fuck"? I'm not about to answer you am I?? OR "Nicole, Wanna cyber me"? Well you are definantly not getting my attention.

I like to be asked something the right way, and if I am the one asking, then I like to take the time to think my question through. Then give an honest answer from my heart.

I really beleive that the reason that these fight threads go so well (for lack of a better word) is because they are written with so much passion.

Carl this is a good question, I hope that you recieve the answers your looking for.

Take Care

 

[Never]

There's nothing so interesting as watching the insane.

 

[Bobtoad777]

me interesting???

Never, I didnt realize i was so interesting to watch. You were referring to me whan you said insane right?

 

[Nicole]

OR Carl you could ask a really good question and have it turn into a mess by the third post

It is just one of those things, it will always happen, and nothing will change that.

Take Care

 

[Carl East]

OR Carl you could ask a really good question and have it turn into a mess by the third post

It is just one of those things, it will always happen, and nothing will change that.

Take Care

Actually Nicole, this type of interaction doesn't bother me, it's all part of what makes a good thread to me. If people want to add humour to the proceedings, it just makes the thread that more enjoyable.

Carl.

 

[Nicole]

Carl it was a JOKE!!!!

Who am I to talk? I have changed many a thread in my time here. That's what makes this board so much fun to be at. Why do you think I keep coming back???

Geesh people.

Have Fun

 

[Bobtoad777]

carl

i am sorry for screwing your thread up carl ill leave it alone now, nicole made her point my kind not invited

this was meant as a joke casue i know deep deep down everybiody here is actually madly in love with me

[Edited by bobtoad777 on 08-28-2000 at 09:47 PM]

 

[teresafannin]

I like threads that give me something to think about.I read almost all of them.Some of the really juvenile ones are fun, it's like being in junior high again, without having to live through it, the first time was bad enough. I also like the ones that make me laugh, my job is stressful enought, I don't want that when I am here. I think there are some very interesting people here, lots of different opinions on almost everything, which I enjoy. I believe that you are never too old to learn something new & I am learning some interesting things here-wink-wink-nudge-nudge.

 

[Whispersecret]

It's probably not possible to clearly define what makes a good thread a good thread, and popularity of a thread doesn't necessarily make it good. Also, "goodness" is obviously a matter of personal opinion.

Here are some of the things that affect whether I personally will click on the thread or not.

--The originator. Sometimes I will open a thread even if the title doesn't thrill me, just because a certain person started it.

--The title. Grabby titles get me too.

--The topic itself. Some topics are just inherently interesting to me. I usually can't resist the nostalgic ones about my "youth."

--If someone responds directly to what I've said, especially by name, I usually feel the need to respond in kind.


Setting aside my personal likes and dislikes, usually the threads that ask general personal questions, survey-like in nature, get a lot of responses. "What's your favorite [fill in the blank]?" "What are your hobbies?" etc.

Flirtathons/virtual parties/auctions are always popular.

On the other hand, threads where people smell newbie blood, of course, will always be well-attended.

Birthday threads get large response.

Threads about movies, with some exceptions, usually get a lot of discussion.

Topics about children and raising them seem to foster a lot of discussion.


<waves at Carl> Thanks for a neutral topic. Neutral that is, unless I have inadvertently attacked someone (without naming names, of course. That's my trademark, or so I've been told).

 

[Carl East]

Dear Nicole, isn't it funny how something so innocent can turn bad, I knew you were joking, the trouble is you couldn't see me smiling, or witness my inflections. I will always welcome you and your comments, so please come back and give us all a wiggle.hehe

Dear Bobtoad, you did not screw up my thread, no one did, so please add your comments whenever you feel like it.

Dear Whisper, thank you for being so damn nice.

Carl.

 

[Bobtoad777]

hip hip hooray i did not get in trouble

i was a good bobtoad

 

[CreamyLady]

Trying to pin me down again . . . hmmmm.

I like thoughtful threads, where a true desire for knowledge is behind the question. I don't care for questions that are asked just for the sake of asking.

Flirtations are okay, and a lot of fun for the participants. Maybe not so fun for the wallflowers at the orgy, but not harmful.

There are so many things that make a good thread, it really is hard to pick just one or two.

 

[Laurel]

I like threads with discussions, especially heated discussions (so long as no one's busting my balls, lol). I try to steer clear of threads with anger and flame wars, but I do dig it when opposing sides face off with rational arguments - not insult trading and name calling. The board would be boring if it were all sweetness and light and people agreeing with everything, but it's cooler when the energy is put into making good argument, not bashing one another.

I like personal info threads, where people tell anecdotes.

I like threads where people get all pissed off about stupid people doing stupid things in their RL.

I like threads on politics, religion, the arts - all those topics where people are bound to beat up each other's sacred cows.

I don't mind flirty threads, because people enjoy them. They're not all that exciting to read, because they're usually a string of one-line responses to one another. I can totally see how those threads are fun for the participants. I've flirted once or twice. But when you're not a participant, they're pretty boring reads.

 

[Whispersecret]

<smiles at Carl> How can I not be nice to someone as sweet as you, Carl? I'm just so thankful for a real thread that can take my mind off the nasty stuff. The "Let's all join hands and think happy thoughts" threads might help some people, but they don't work for me.

 

[Carl East]

I don't mind flirty threads, because people enjoy them. They're not all that exciting to read, because they're usually a string of one-line responses to one another. I can totally see how those threads are fun for the participants. I've flirted once or twice. But when you're not a participant, they're pretty boring reads.

So Laurel, if I suggested a good spanking session, you'd be all for it yes, (an evil grin appears on carl's face) I am after all the spanking monitor.hehe

Carl.

 

[April]

Whoah! I forgot about you being the spanking monitor! Hmm

 

[Carl East]

April, I'm very tempted to offer you a spanking but you'll have to get inline.hehe

Carl.

 

[Hecate]

*g* sorry to interrupt the fun but....

I just noticed one thing that will keep me from getting involved into a thread and thought I'd share it *g* .. and NO it isn't spankings and flirting *lol*

I noticed that I don't follow those threads that have those mega long posts (specially when the first one is like that), no matter how interesting the subject (and there were a few lately I agree) I start to loos the interest when the responses specially to complexe themes and subjects tend to become essays. Although I am aware that specially those matters NEED to be discussed in length and with more words I find them hard to read. It does HELP A LOT though, if the posts show some "bitesize" paragraphing and such.

As for the topic - I can't really say I have any special "preference". I like the serious discussion ones as much as the lighthearted flirting. It very much depends on my mood at the moment of posting. I have to admit I like the "If the Lit members were animals - which would you think they are?" threads - they are entertaingin, no more - no less.

As for more general "selection" I have to agree with Whispersecrets.
it is either the topic that grabs my attention, the title, the author (sometimes I open a thread just because the last post made on it was by someone I find interesting),and in some cases the sheer length and "persistance level" of a thread make me open it after a while even though I wouldn't have in the first place.

 

[Carl East]

Hecate: I've got to agree with you there, the long posts are something I try to avoid myself. Unless of course, the subject is one that I find particularly interesting.

I too like to break the paragraphs up a little, it helps the reader for one thing, and is not so hard to get through.

Creamylady: Pinning you down would be a pleasure.lol

Carl.

 

[Nicole]

<smiles at Carl> How can I not be nice to someone as sweet as you, Carl? I'm just so thankful for a real thread that can take my mind off the nasty stuff. The "Let's all join hands and think happy thoughts" threads might help some people, but they don't work for me.

Well Whisper I would love to know what the hell goes through your mind at times. I would love to know of some of the things that you like to talk about. I am being serious here I like to know about people and for some reason we seemed to get off to a bad start, something that I have tried on many occasion's to fix. I don't like confrontation, it's not my nature. The feel good threads may not help all but they have helped some and that is what they are designed to do.

I tried asking some questions on a few subject's all in the one thread, it made three pages and of those three pages there were very few one liners and people spoke the truth, at least I think they did.

Don't take this as an attack because it's not, and the way I feel right now, if someone was to have a go (even a small one) I could just get up and walk. Okay so someone is bound to have a go at me now LOL. I asked for that didn't I.

I also agree that the long ass threads tend to make me close it down and look for something more "My Style". I have been trying as of late not to post unless I needed to, I think I'm doing alright (apart from one or two flirts, but that is to make ME feel better not everyone else). I am also trying not to post one liners, that IS something that I have done well on.

Anyway Like I said to Whisper, what ARE some of the things that you like to discuss???

Take Care

[Edited by Nicole on 08-29-2000 at 04:29 AM]

 

[Cheyenne]

Nice thread, Carl.

I like the posts where I learn things about other people that help me realize I'm not abnormal after all. At least not compared to the rest of you.

I also like the threads where people tell short stories about things that happen to them in RL.

 

[Isabella Thorne]

Where do I queue up please?

oh dammit all Sir Carl! I thought this was your spanking thread!

 

[fahfooh]

Naked in front of the computer
That's where I like to be
Naked in front of the computer
Yep that's the life for me

I poke the keyboard with my hand
I pull my peter with my other and...

Naked in front of the computer
That's where I like to be
Naked in front of the computer
My cyber soliloquy

da da da da dum, da da da da dee

I talk to virgin teens
who are really older guys
I post an ad in personals
That's filled with tiny white lies

da da da da dum, da da da da dee

Naked in front of the computer
That's the life for me
Naked in front of the computer
Hang on, I gotta pee

 

[Never]

Bobtoad: "You were referring to me when you said insane right?"
Pardon me, do I know you?

Creamylady : "I don't care for questions that are asked just for the sake of asking."
What?

Laurel: "so long as no one's busting my balls"
I don't think you really have to be worried about that.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Don't mind me, I'm just in a meaningless mood.