@roflwofl wrote:
Don't PM me, either. I won't answer. Most of the threads on our forum go off-topic and I think that's what makes it fun. If a moderator moderated all posts that went off-topic, we would have very few threads unmoderated.
Just a quick note about PM'ing. I personally have no problem speaking out in the open, in terms of what people want to say to me on any topic. I do always like to offer to PM, however, when it comes to personal concerns, because I am not sure the same is felt on the other side. And, I, myself, prefer it to be private too (but don't require it). ...And, as people always remind me on this forum, it is populated with schedulers/editors/MSC reps., who are always watching us and may know who we are based on details we give of ourselves (and possibly other means). So, there may be repercussions to our employment opportunities if something we say is held against us (as has happened before to blacklisted posters on this forum). I think for anyone who needs ms-ing for vital income in his or her life, it's best to not make public private, personal concerns, as it first is just no one else's business, but could also have a negative, unintended effect on their livelihood. I would feel absolutely horrible if things went bad and led to something like that (and am reminded of it by other posters here).
As for moderated threads to keep things on-topic, I've seen it aggressively done on academic/school forums and also career forums too. I am part of a faith forum as well and it is sometimes done there too. But, there are degrees to it and I see it as beneficial in some instances and not so much in others.
I respect your view and definitely see how it can limit organic, natural flowing discussion. I am sure it is frustrating to have to take a break suddenly when things might be interesting to you. One thing I would mainly want to point out is that I wasn't suggesting that people NOT talk about x/y/z, but rather to talk about it elsewhere if that makes sense. I, too, would oppose not being able to talk about something at all (unless it made sense to stop it - like promoting something immoral or horrific - say, some racist thread devoted to hating one group of people). In my case, I was asking that the discussion be held in a different thread, mainly to preserve the original intent of the thread. Sometimes people wander in and see a "weird" discussion going on and would have to flip through several pages (if they had the patience) to get to the content that they came for. In extreme cases, that could mean 10's of pages - I've seen that too! That's one reason for a "keeping things on topic" desire by some forums.
I guess I stand in the camp of:
a.) It's good to keep things on track (notwithtsanding occasional meanderings that are short-lived) in a thread for the sake of making it easy for readers to get the information they want.
b.) It's good to respect the wishes of an OP and let them "direct traffic" in their own thread, as they sort of have a "conductor" role oftentimes.
I am not so rigid on these preferences that I would forcefully impose them on others. I regret writing in a dramatic fashion the way that I did to ask people to have side conversations elsewhere. I wish I had written in a more toned down way that final request. (Albeit, I had asked or suggested calmly previously that we not derail the thread with discussion of slavery or comparing Five Guys burger calories to those of other fast food places too. So, there was that precedent - and I've done the same in other threads when things have gotten off-topic - so maybe I figured it was time to "ramp it up" a little in terms of my request, having asked multiple times already. But, it was also me just writing in my excited fashion too.)
Regardless, I can see how my tone could have been taken as "bossy." I really do! I wish things had not gotten heated and personalized in some ways. I do have some thoughts on the "personal side" of matters that I may or may not write into this thread. I'll take some time to consider whether or not I want to go there. Again, it's always tough when considering the consequences of talking about personal matters in a public setting. I don't want to make anyone feel bad (any more than I may already have) in a public way and I tend to find these topics potentially fodder for those who have a perverse desire to see "fighting" or arguing amongst others (or just nosy people).
Hopefully, you guys can walk away with the following:
1.) I prefer being able to corral a thread back to its OP topic if it gets off-track.
2.) I, myself, am guilty of going off the rails and don't mind being corralled.
3.) I don't expect a forceful transfer of meandering discussions to other threads - just to be able to request it on my part. If it is not part of MSF rules, then I recognize it is not enforceable and I am fine with that. I just hope people don't view my requests as "bossy" or controlling, because I really am not thinking in those terms. I am thinking in terms of keeping threads on track for ease of readers to obtain information now and later. That's what I've been personally used to in forums, but I recognize this forum may have different rules and/or preferences and I am okay with that (and learning as we speak).
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 11/17/2018 09:18PM by shoptastic.
Inappropriate post removed.