Joined: 04 May 2006
Posts: 238
Location: Your mom's house.
| Posted: Sat May 17, 2008 7:31 am Post subject: low reply rates | |
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Sorry ladies and gents. The previous thread on this topic was locked because it was posted in the wrong section. Believe it or not, talking about the politics forum itself is not a subject that belongs in the politics forum. The obvious reason is because it isn't about politics or religion...It's about the section itself...which happens to be about politics, religion and/or sociology. While one could easily make the argument that this is a sociological topic, specifically: social relationships and the collective behaviors of the groups of people on this forum...I won't beat a dead horse.
Therefore, I am pretty sure this is the proper place for this topic. Sorry for the inconvenience. Why, in the politics schmolitics forum, are there a low number of reply rates? It seems to me that there are plenty of views on various topics that would signify at least a moderate number of replies to various topics. Yet, we see little to none. Why do you think this is? If you don't regularly post in that section and all you do is read the topics, now is your chance to voice your opinion and give some insight as to why you do not actively engage in discussion. What could be done differently that would make you want to participate? A lighter tone? A strict adherence to topics? So far one theory is is that a certain member replies to all the threads posted in there which subsequently ends all discussion. For those of you who do not post, is this true? I have noticed a different trend. There really only seems to be two dominant thread creators in that section and two dominant posters. I have also noticed that only one of them responds in the other's threads. Without this poster, the majority of the threads would not recieve comments at all. The reason there is an abrupt end to posting in threads after an individual makes a comment is because there were only two people talking in it...one of which doesn't seem to be interested in discussion in his threads or otherwise. So the question is, am I entirely off base in my assumptions? Do you agree or disagree? Has any individual felt alienated from posting on a topic either due to deviations from the topic or from the posters themselves? Do you feel you lack a fundamental understanding of the subjects and simply don't wish to be attacked for agreeing or disagreeing? If you perceive a problem which prevents you from actively engaging in disussion, what would you like to see changed? Is there anyone out there who is actually reading any of the material in there and just doesn't feel like replying? or is it just a simple fact that nobody reads or responds in that section because this is a site largely dedicated to retail workers (not political science majors) and that even the active members in that category are of a small population? If this is true, we probably won't be seeing any replies in this thread. Again, this topic is primarily seeking responses from those who do not actively participate in the politics schmolotics forum...but all opinions are welcome. |
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Joined: 04 May 2006
Posts: 238
Location: Your mom's house.
| Posted: Mon Jun 02, 2008 3:52 pm Post subject: Re: low reply rates | |
| Bueller......Bueller.......Bueller........ | |
Joined: 09 Feb 2008
Posts: 1292
Location: Brand Central
| Posted: Wed Jun 04, 2008 9:16 pm Post subject: | |
Well, given that you have 'ruffled feathers' by not hewing directly to the exact topic and the prescribed point of view, you should have expected this thread to have gone unreplied.
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Joined: 04 May 2006
Posts: 238
Location: Your mom's house.
| Posted: Thu Jun 05, 2008 4:10 am Post subject: | |||
I still think this thread was better categorized in the section it is actually referencing. Seems like a no brainer. But what are you going to do right? I honestly don't think we would have seen a whole lot of anything either way but it's worth a shot if we can actually get more than three to four people commenting in any particular thread. It ridiculous how empty it is in here. |
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Joined: 09 Feb 2008
Posts: 1292
Location: Brand Central
| Posted: Thu Jun 05, 2008 1:21 pm Post subject: | |
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thats because in certain threads, you are only allowed to reply to the exact thread topic proscribed, and in the exact manner as expected, else you will be labeled a 'troll'.
conversational freedom is prohibited by oligarchical group consensus.
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Joined: 04 May 2006
Posts: 238
Location: Your mom's house.
| Posted: Sat Jun 07, 2008 2:39 am Post subject: | |||
That's kind of ironic considering oligopolies seem to get a bad wrap around here. |
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Joined: 09 Feb 2008
Posts: 1292
Location: Brand Central
| Posted: Sat Jun 07, 2008 3:13 pm Post subject: | |
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i was thinking the same thing ... remember that bit in Animal Farm?
"All animals are equal, but some are more equal than others" |
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Joined: 06 Jul 2003
Posts: 7085
Location: Central CA
| Posted: Sun Jun 15, 2008 5:27 pm Post subject: | |||
Well gosh guys, attempting to divert attention from the original subject of a thread is one of the classic definitions of trolling". Sorry, but it's been that way for the 20 plus years that I've been doing this at least. Nobody made it up just for YOU. Im sure, in your own minds, that's really a cogent analysis you've been putting out in these tiny little threads in which you're forced to talk to each other because nobody else cares that much what you think.. But it still leaves the question wide open however, as to why you guys don't start your own threads in regard to the things YOU want to talk about instead of patrolling the boards waiting for someone else to post on a subject they're interested in and then attempting to divert THAT thread to what you want to talk about? I've deliberately stopped posting here for a week or so at a time on occasion over the past couple of months and virtually been a case of not a flipping peep out of either one of you(except for little private conversations between the two of you, kind of like this one)... then had you pop out of the woodwork with your usual almost the minute I did post something new. The answer is so simple, I'm amazed that you two sexual intellectuals haven't figured it out yet. Again, in case you're still unable to get it...just post on something you're interested in and wait for responses to YOUR post. If anybody gives a rat's ass what YOU think, I'm sure they'll let you know by responding to YOUR post(s). In the meantime, there's no need to FORCE yourself on people who are trying to talk about something else entirely just because nobody does respond to YOUR posts. You wouldn't walk up to a group of complete strangers in a restaurant or theater and start that crap (or at least ordinary people wouldn't.). Why the hell do you think it should be OK here? |
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Joined: 09 Feb 2008
Posts: 1292
Location: Brand Central
| Posted: Mon Jun 16, 2008 1:33 am Post subject: | |
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actually
i've been busy renovating my condo and working, so i haven't been popping in as much and well, we missed you, obviously. 
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Joined: 06 Jul 2003
Posts: 7085
Location: Central CA
| Posted: Mon Jun 16, 2008 1:36 am Post subject: | |
| Nice smartassed reply but it didn't really answer anything, did it? But then, what's new? | |
Joined: 09 Feb 2008
Posts: 1292
Location: Brand Central
| Posted: Mon Jun 16, 2008 1:53 am Post subject: | |
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OK
- if no one cares what we think, then why did you reply in this thread? - this forum is open to retail workers, and thats what we are... you don't even work for a retailer any more, and yet you assume its OK for your opinion to be aired, but no one elses i refer to Mr Orwell's quote again: "All animals are equal, but some are more equal than others" does it hurt that the elitism inherent applies to you? |
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Joined: 04 May 2006
Posts: 238
Location: Your mom's house.
| Posted: Mon Jun 16, 2008 7:21 am Post subject: | |||||||||||||
well gee gosh golly whiz, I didn't know they went back in time 20 years ago and changed the definition of a troll. Let's flash forward and see what it looks like today: troller. Diverting attention away from the subject has nothing to do with it. Further, conversations follow a progression. They will always inevitably go off topic
That's a great question. In fact, it's the one this thread is trying to address. Why is it that nearly 50% of Nofsdad's threads go unreplied? If anybody cares about what he thinks, why aren't they replying? Also, why do 80% of Nofsdad's threads go unreplied if we don't count the responses of MA or myself? I mean, if anybody cares what he thinks... Why would someone post a topic on here that they know has nearly a 50% chance of going unreplied and then complain about the subject going off topic over half the time that it actually illicits a response? It doesn't seem to make a whole lot of sense unless this site is supposed to be a personal blog.
So we haven't been talking at all except for the time that we have been talking and the minute you posted a bunch of new threads we were the only accounts that replied to you...Those are some pretty revealing findings. Perhaps you should continue to try and test your theory.
Wait a tic...are you coming onto me?
Nobody is forcing anyone on anybody. Unfortunately the problem seems to be that nobody gives a "rats ass" about the majority of the threads in that section (most of which you posted). I am suprised you haven't drawn this connection already. Perhaps your intellect isn't as "sexual" as mine? I would like to see this change. Unfortunately I think a hostile forum may largely be the source of the problem.
This is a forum. This is not a restaurant where everyone sits at private tables or a place where people go to watch movies. In case you haven't noticed, talking in a theater is frowned upon even if it's just you talking to yourself. This is not a blog where you simply broadcast your opinions for the purpose of self gratification with the desire for no response. This is not a private chat where you simply have conversations with the people you choose. A forum is a place where complete strangers try to engage eachother in a discussion. I guess they went back in time and changed the definition of a forum 20 years ago as well? I would advise you update yourself because the analogy you are attempting to make is poor at best. If any newbies or oldies have checked out the politics schmolitics section please feel free to post your thoughts (off topic or not). What is it that discourages you from posting in that section? What would entice you to post there more frequently or do you simply just like reading the threads every once in a while? |
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Joined: 09 Feb 2008
Posts: 1292
Location: Brand Central
| Posted: Mon Jun 16, 2008 1:43 pm Post subject: | |||
i made that same point a couple of times... but apparently in these forums, if you create the thread, then you own it, and you can and must direct and guide the conversation to cover only those approved opinions and topics of said conversation. if a conversation takes on a life of its own, covering tangental subjects and/or subjects not originally approved by the thread 'owner', then the thread must die... hence my Animal Farm allusion... Orwell recognized that leftist/proletariat totalitarianism is just as bad as that from the right. Thank goodness I went to public school and studied that book extensively in 9th grade Civics. I've noticed that leftist types really hate it when their 'free speech' hypocrisy is exposed for the authoritarianism that it truly is. OH WAIT lest i wander off topic
on your original post subject... i would actually reply to more of Nofs threads, but I've realized that he posts them not to begin an actual discussion of the points inherent in the topic, but merely to publish those things that stir his rancor. those times that i have actually participated, all i have gotten in return is anger, ridicule and bile. and its a shame really, i rather like a nice discussion about politics with someone i disagree with, as it is usually enlightening and makes me much sharper in my opinions ... as much as i respect the opposing point of view, you simply cannot have a conversation with someone who does not respect your opinion in turn. |
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Joined: 04 May 2006
Posts: 238
Location: Your mom's house.
| Posted: Mon Jun 16, 2008 4:03 pm Post subject: | |||||||
Who cares if it's off topic. It's still relevant. Who could have possibly guessed that discussion in this thread could lead into politics? Oh...right...that was me.
That's what I have observed as well. But I am less concerned with Nofsdad's motives and more concerned with why others aren't participating. Do the attitudes of the thread creators discourage other posters as it does you? We still have yet to hear from anyone who doesn't regularly post in the section.
I agree. It's why I would like to see more people posting in there. |
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Joined: 09 Feb 2008
Posts: 1292
Location: Brand Central
| Posted: Mon Jun 16, 2008 11:43 pm Post subject: | |
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well, every time i reply to a post, i'm accused of 'trolling' or 'being off topic'
which i translate into "does not agree with the politically correct prevailing local point of view" kinda stifles a freewheeling discussion, although thats what the "politics" forum is supposed to be about... at least thats what is advertised... |
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Joined: 24 Feb 2005
Posts: 479
| Posted: Tue Jun 17, 2008 1:29 am Post subject: | |
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Inane
http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/inane I keep clicking on this thread. shame on me |
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Joined: 06 Jul 2003
Posts: 7085
Location: Central CA
| Posted: Tue Jun 17, 2008 2:08 am Post subject: | |||
Well, I'm certainly not going to contribute to it anymore. |
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Joined: 09 Feb 2008
Posts: 1292
Location: Brand Central
| Posted: Tue Jun 17, 2008 2:24 am Post subject: | |
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funny
this word pops up for me http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/smug |
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Joined: 04 May 2006
Posts: 238
Location: Your mom's house.
| Posted: Fri Jun 20, 2008 2:37 am Post subject: | |||
Well apparently when you go into the politcs forum it's like walking into a movie theater. You are allowed to watch but you aren't allowed to say anything. |
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Joined: 04 May 2006
Posts: 238
Location: Your mom's house.
| Posted: Fri Jun 20, 2008 2:40 am Post subject: | |||
Click away. While you are at it, why don't you post in the politics forum more often? Dictionary references aren't enough to communicate what you want to say in there? |
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Joined: 04 May 2006
Posts: 238
Location: Your mom's house.
| Posted: Fri Jun 20, 2008 2:43 am Post subject: | |||||
I don't blame you after that last attempt. |
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Joined: 09 Feb 2008
Posts: 1292
Location: Brand Central
| Posted: Fri Jun 20, 2008 3:24 am Post subject: | |||||
LOL... excellent observation. tragically, its a newsreel that just repeats...
really? as if the previous attempts were 'contributions' ? 
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Joined: 11 Apr 2007
Posts: 353
| Posted: Sat Jun 21, 2008 6:04 am Post subject: | |
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This is all getting a little harsh and rather ridiculous, isn't it?
It'd really be cool if we could just all get along, right? Today, kids, why don't we work on that? |
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Joined: 04 May 2006
Posts: 238
Location: Your mom's house.
| Posted: Sun Jun 22, 2008 10:01 pm Post subject: | |||
Why, whatever do you mean? We've got some marshmellows ready and roasting sticks out by a campfire. We're singing Kumbaya if you wish to join us. "Someone's laughing, Lord, kumbaya..." |
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Joined: 26 Aug 2005
Posts: 1454
| Posted: Mon Jun 23, 2008 2:56 am Post subject: | |||||
Not true. It's according to who's listening. |
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