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Thread: Speedy Thread Closings

  1. #1
    Veteran Member So Fine Divyne's Avatar
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    Reminder Speedy Thread Closings

    I was just wondering why some threads that are not flame threads with good opinions/dialogue going back and forth are ending up closed after limited discussion? I understand some threads where obscenities and rudeness fly back and forth that this is necessary, but I've noticed several threads that are just open discussions with conflicting opinions end up closed after a short period of time and was wondering if anyone had any idea as to why? The overweight/obese thread is one example and the sex industry racism thread was another. The SIR thread did have a bit of nasty at the beginning but turned into a really interesting thought provoking thread and all of a sudden it was done for. The overweight/obese thread seemed regular to me so idk. However, other threads that are downright nasty with multiple pages are still open. Anybody know?
    Thank Goodness I smartened up! The old me is dead and gone.

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    Featured Member FiendishGyrator's Avatar
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    Default Re: Speedy Thread Closings

    I can't give you an answer if they're in different sections, but some mods are more strict or on top of things, or perhaps just have a different viewpoint of what they want to close?

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    Banned Melonie's Avatar
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    Default Re: Speedy Thread Closings

    similar point applies to Lounge threads that were 'buried' in the Games subsection which 90% of SW readers will never visit !

    In fairness, SW readers who haven't been around for several years probably aren't aware of earlier problems and nastiness with 'Political' postings in a now no longer existing Political forum. Thus many of today's threads being closed or 'buried' is undoubtedly an attempt to prevent a recurrance of those earlier problems.

    The 'Systemic Risk - Greek Riots' thread I just posted ... while IMHO a worthy and timely topic of discussion ... also has the potential to quickly degenerate into a s#!tstorm depending on the 'civility' of any resulting discussion ( or lack thereof ). In the final analysis this is a 'stripper' website that doesn't benefit from controversy / nastiness precipitated by less than 'civil' discussions regarding 'hot button' issues. Thus I would not be a bit surprised to see this thread closed, 'buried' or deleted altogether if subsequent discussions take a turn for the worse. Is this a form of 'censorship' ... not really - it's merely an effort to maintain 'order' and maintain the true 'focus' of SW.

    Or put another way, the 'right to free speech' does not mean one can shout 'fire' in a crowded theater ... nor does it mean that EVERY controversial topic needs to be open for discussion on a website whose primary focus clearly lies elsewhere. On the other hand, the outright pre-emptive banning of all potentially controversial topics tends to make websites 'idealistic' ( 'Pleasant Valley Sunday ! ) thus a bit out of touch with the real world. Thus those who must make decisions re thread closures / thread 'burying' / thread deletions etc. deserve a lot of credit for successfully 'walking a tightrope' on a daily basis !

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    Last edited by Melonie; 06-16-2011 at 01:15 AM.

  4. #4
    Moderator Djoser's Avatar
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    Default Re: Speedy Thread Closings

    I can tell you that a thread started by someone using SW in clear and repeated violation of rules is much more likely to be closed than one started by a real live member who is not hiding behind multiple personalities, hasn't established a record of abusive or trollish posting, etc. I have sometimes left threads started by obvious or subsequently proven trolls stand, if they seem to be providing a bit of humorous entertainment without too much divisive conflict.

    Such topics as politics, religion, racism; that are likely to cause the same tired shrill screaming arguments back and forth from the same members, with no real communication or productive result, tend to be monitored and closed more frequently. When the threads are obviously deteriorating into yet another venue for opposing parties to post their pet grievances/arguments, and appear headed to a divisive state of being in which negativity outweighs the positive benefits, the threads are much more likely to be closed.

    If the same member who has in the past been reported repeatedly due to provocative posting concerning controversial issues starts posting in a thread with the same topic, the thread is more likely to be closed before they get up to a full head of vindictive steam. Especially if the mod is pressed for time due to other commitments.

    Some threads will escape such stringent criteria for any number of reasons. The mod may be busy with other things and unaware there is a problem or potential problem (very true of me). The mod may also be relying on reported posts in order to be alerted to trouble (very true of me, especially when I am busy). The mod may be sick to death of seeing yet another thread about politics, religion, or racism, and decide to close it (or move it to Games and Puzzles) at the first sign of the inevitable escalation, rather than waiting for full-blown warfare to erupt.

    Reported posts are confidential, thus there could conceivably be 15 reported posts from a thread that appears to be less troublesome to the public view, and no reported posts from a thread in which a thermonuclear exchange is clearly imminent, or already started. Guess which thread is more likely to get closed first?

    Some people will also report posts at the drop of a hat, or report the very same behavior they are prone towards. Nonetheless this can be an indicator of even more vitriolic and divisive conflict to come. Threads with multiple reports for whatever reason are much more likely to be closed.

    Sometimes people will report posting activity with potential for needless conflict, sometimes people won't.

    ETA--I know that if I am at work, for instance, or maybe packing for a road trip, leaving for a date, etc. and I see trouble brewing due to reported posts etc., I am much more likely to close the thread before it gets worse. Whereas if I am hanging out in the loft chilling on my first night off, the thread will get a lot more patient monitoring and so forth.
    Last edited by Djoser; 06-16-2011 at 06:52 AM.
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    Default Re: Speedy Thread Closings



    Quote Originally Posted by Djoser View Post

    Such topics as politics, religion, racism; that are likely to cause the same tired shrill screaming arguments back and forth from the same members, with no real communication or productive result, tend to be monitored and closed more frequently. When the threads are obviously deteriorating into yet another venue for opposing parties to post their pet grievances/arguments, and appear headed to a divisive state of being in which negativity outweighs the positive benefits, the threads are much more likely to be closed. first night off, the thread will get a lot more patient monitoring and so forth.

  7. #6
    Moderator Djoser's Avatar
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    Default Re: Speedy Thread Closings

    ^^^well it would be a damned shame for friends to argue about something they didn't really have to. I'd rather close a thread than see friendships destroyed for no good reason.

    A classic case of this was CO and I bickering in Political Poo before it got shut down. Christ Almighty we used to get into it!

    I always regretted the harsh words we exchanged over stupid political differences, when if we were sitting at the same table we'd have been laughing about it and buying another round for each other.

    Oh and I have no illusions as to infallibility. I will report myself if I think I have posted something questionable or that could cause trouble. I've done it well over a dozen times I think, over the years.
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  9. #7
    God/dess Trem's Avatar
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    Default Re: Speedy Thread Closings

    Seems like the only thing closing the political forum did was bring those threads to the lounge were they eventually get punted to the games forum.
    "Well done. Here are the test results: You are a horrible person. I'm serious, that's what it says: 'A horrible person.' We weren't even testing for that."

  10. #8
    Veteran Member So Fine Divyne's Avatar
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    Default Re: Speedy Thread Closings

    You and Melonie so totally answered my questions. Thanks.
    Thank Goodness I smartened up! The old me is dead and gone.

  11. #9
    Moderator Djoser's Avatar
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    Default Re: Speedy Thread Closings

    Glad to clear that up for you So Fine Divyne.

    Quote Originally Posted by Trem View Post
    Seems like the only thing closing the political forum did was bring those threads to the lounge were they eventually get punted to the games forum.
    Yeah but punting them to Games forum works. The people that are dead set on arguing about politics (and I confess I have failed to 'just let it go' a few times) can still argue to their hearts' content--unless it gets really nasty in which case I close the threads down. But that's rare.

    Everybody else just lets it go.
    You must have chaos within you to give birth to a dancing star.
    Friedrich Nietzsche

    Free your mind, and your ass will follow.
    George Clinton

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