Idea: Allow Topics To Stray Off Topic

[Fizz. 1,078]

This sounds like a horrible idea in the name, because...because we all know going off topic is bad. Right?

 

 

But why is it? The problem with this place is that, out of so many forums and message boards that I've been to, this is the only area that seems to strictly enforce the on topic rule. And there really isn't any need to!

 

For example, in a thread about, "Why is Pinkie Pie's Hair So Bouncy?", why is it a problem if the conversation evolves into a discussion about, say, Pinkamina? Isn't that the entire point of a conversation? I mean, as long as someone doesn't completely derail a thread with something completely off topic and irrelevant, what's wrong with the direction of the conversation completely changing over time?

 

If anything, it only opens the community up more, allowing intense discussions to last pages upon pages. Rather than, post your opinion on something, maybe argue with someone for a page or two and then you're done. The game threads have more community interaction than actual discusson.

 

Even more to the point, usually the off topic ends at a certain point, and then we don't need a mod to go around and clean it up. If you let the community just talk things around, they'll probably sort themselves out. The only time you really need administrators to step in is when people are having a flame war or someone posted something illegal/completely irrelevant to any current conversation/etc. Why erase a perfectly good chance at the community to bond simply because of some stupid rule that only exists because other communities have it?

 

A topic shouldn't just be the only thing to talk about, it should be a starting point in a conversation.

 

An exception would be if the OP decided s/he didn't want the topic to stray off and would rather keep everything on the point. Like this thread.

 

>inb4 funny guys attempt to derail this thread

[Shankveld 4,949]

I hate to agree with Fizzy

but I agree.

Normal conversation strays into different conversations and there is no problem with that.

There is only so much one can discuss how bouncy a pony's hair is

and forums are bread for discussion ~

[NavelColt 22,879]

Dat line between harmless off-topic and dereailed thread is the key. I don't believe in locking topics for going slightly off topic for a little while, say two to seven posts max, before a mod asks it be put back on track seems like a good idea to me. personally I haven't found myself seeing this as a big issue, only had seen it once or twice when I first got here.

[Doctor XFizzle 8,669]

>inb4 funny guys attempt to derail this thread

Hey, I'm a funny guy. I'm going to derail this thread.

 

I don't necessarily disagree, but from what I've seen, most of the time when a topic gets locked for being off-topic, it's because it REALLY got off-topic with either spam or non-thought-out one word or short responses and the like.

[Nas 2,873]

Makes sense. Though, it can be hard to differentiate what is on topic or off topic discussion on and on topic or off topic thread, this might help save frustration and confusion.

 

+1 brohoof for you.

[Lady Rarity Pony 4,892]

And what happens to all the people that actually want to talk about what the title mentions?

 

I don't see enough reason to allow threads to go off-topic. You can always create a separate thread should you really want to discuss something. This idea would also make the follow this topic feature entirely useless. Who wants to follow a thread on one topic only to get notifications about irrelevant replies?

 

Thread titles would become completely useless if you can discuss something other than what it tells you. People would also abuse this to hell and back. Imagine this thread deviating into some irrelevant topic about how awesome Spongebob quotes are? Would this thread really be worth keeping alive if it went that way?

 

We do have a general discussion thread. I see no significant reason why we should be allowed to go off-topic and turn the forums into a spam mess.

[MVC NVMXD JVRXD 2,406]

What if... the people who start off topic...start a new thread for their off topic?!!

 

 

[Fizz. 1,078]

And what happens to all the people that actually want to talk about what the title mentions?

 

I don't see enough reason to allow threads to go off-topic. You can always create a separate thread should you really want to discuss something. This idea would also make the follow this topic feature entirely useless. Who wants to follow a thread on one topic only to get notifications about irrelevant replies?

 

Thread titles would become completely useless if you can discuss something other than what it tells you. People would also abuse this to hell and back. Imagine this thread deviating into some irrelevant topic about how awesome Spongebob quotes are? Would this thread really be worth keeping alive if it went that way?

 

We do have a general discussion thread. I see no significant reason why we should be allowed to go off-topic and turn the forums into a spam mess.

 

Then they TALK ABOUT WHAT THE TITLE MENTIONS. If other users aren't going to talk about that in the first place, then no one would reply to those people! Multiple conversations can be in the same thread.

 

The problem with creating new topics is we're spammed with almost identical threads because the topics are linked but a bit too different to discuss in one thread.

 

That is completely opposite of my point. For one, I believe I said that the posts should NOT be useless, random, irrelevant crap. But the posts shouldn't only have to be what the topic said. Quite frankly, I fail to see what is wrong with a conversation being allowed to stem. And even more so, how in God's name would a thread about, say, cucumbers deviate into useless horseapple? I'm not saying people should be able to spout whatever, THAT'S for the general discussion thread, I'm saying the conversation should be allowed to mold outside the original borders. Do you see the threads here? All people do is post a little, like something then move on. The little discussion we have is only arguments because you cannot expand upon the original idea.

 

What if... the people who start off topic...start a new thread for their off topic?!!

 

 

 

Maybe because, I dunno, the people wanting to discuss slightly off topic stuff don't want to have their conversation interrupted?

 

You're failing to see the idea that I'm not saying people should be allowed to change what is going on, I'm saying that if the discusson flows a different path, we shouldn't block it because that restricts conversation. You can't make a thread from an ongoing discussion, that's ridiculous.

 

I hate to agree with Fizzy

 

;_; I like to agree with you! ;_;

[Croaks 251]

I'm gonna have to disagree.

 

Every forum I've ever joined strictly enforced the off topic rule.

If you want something to change different topics in one thread, that's what post pits and chat threads are for.

[Lady Rarity Pony 4,892]

Speaking of threads asking for changes to the forums. Who wants a change on the profanity rules?

 

 

 

 

See this ^^^

I'm stemming! Completely irrelevant to the actual topic here. No one clicked on this thread to read about "stemmed" or "branched" topics. All this would do is disrupt the topic because I'd be talking about an irrelevant topic and making the people who clicked on this thread have to dig for the actual topic-related posts.

 

If anything, members should on their own, make threads with wider discussion. For example, making a thread on one specific aspect or moment in a video game is probably not gonna result in much discussion, and maybe should have been a general discussion on the entire game. But I don't think loosening the rules on all threads would do much good.

[Fizz. 1,078]

Speaking of threads asking for changes to the forums. Who wants a change on the profanity rules?

 

 

 

 

See this ^^^

I'm stemming! Completely irrelevant to the actual topic here. No one clicked on this thread to read about "stemmed" or "branched" topics. All this would do is disrupt the topic because I'd be talking about an irrelevant topic and making the people who clicked on this thread have to dig for the actual topic-related posts.

 

If anything, members should on their own, make threads with wider discussion. For example, making a thread on one specific aspect or moment in a video game is probably not gonna result in much discussion, and maybe should have been a general discussion on the entire game. But I don't think loosening the rules on all threads would do much good.

 

>fails to read thread

 

>fails to read post

 

>fails at arguing

 

 

An exception would be if the OP decided s/he didn't want the topic to stray off and would rather keep everything on the point. Like this thread.

 

Oh look, OPs can request their threads to be single topic only! How nice! If you read, you'd notice this. It's so obvious you didn't it hurts.

 

Not to mention I said people completely changing the topic would still be illegal, and rather if the topic floated to another discussion over time THAT is the difference.

 

Is this not a community discussion forum? Why should we limit what we can say to extremely limited discussions? Honestly, you're forgetting something I've said: This community is so unattatched because we limit conversation too much. Give a bit more freedom. I'm not saying go completely off topic, that's not right. But if someone isn't discussing the exact issue/question/statement the thread starts with, we shouldn't completely end that discussion! That's counter productive!

[Lady Rarity Pony 4,892]

I did in fact read your post. I just don't see it as rational of an idea as you do.

[Fizz. 1,078]

I did in fact read your post. I just don't see it as rational of an idea as you do.

 

No you didn't, if you would of you would've noticed 2 things:

 

 

- You cannot just randomly change the thread idea

- If OP requests a thread stay specific, it stays specific.

 

If you would have noticed either of those two things, you would have not posted this statement that spits in the face of everything I've said

[Lady Rarity Pony 4,892]

No you didn't, if you would of you would've noticed 2 things:

 

 

- You cannot just randomly change the thread idea

- If OP requests a thread stay specific, it stays specific.

 

If you would have noticed either of those two things, you would have not posted this statement that spits in the face of everything I've said

 

I pointed out the downsides of what would happen if we used your proposed rules. I don't see much wrong with that.

 

I highly doubt we're gonna have a rule saying "Stay on-topic, but go a little off-topic if you want, but not if the OP says stay on-topic, but on top of this, all off-topic posts must be somewhat related to something in the OT".

 

I prefer our current rule. Everything on-topic and clean.

Edited May 22, 2012 by Lady Rarity Pony

[NavelColt 22,879]

I pointed out the downsides of what would happen if we used your proposed rules. I don't see much wrong with that.

 

I highly doubt we're gonna have a rule saying "Stay on-topic, but go a little off-topic if you want, but not if the OP says stay on-topic, but on top of this, all off-topic posts must be somewhat related to something in the OT".

 

There'd be no such rule, anyway. It'd be an unspoken rule that's just followed upon by staff to not jump on threads that have one or two off-topic posts :3

[Fizz. 1,078]

I pointed out the downsides of what would happen if we used your proposed rules. I don't see much wrong with that.

 

I highly doubt we're gonna have a rule saying "Stay on-topic, but go a little off-topic if you want, but not if the OP says stay on-topic, but on top of this, all off-topic posts must be somewhat related to something in the OT".

 

I prefer our current rule. Everything on-topic and clean.

 

Or how about a general unwritten rule of thumb that is basically: Do not stray too far off topic on a thread, keep the general idea alive, and if OP requests it, stay strictly aligned to the subject/question/issue in the first post.

 

Or we could ruin potential conversations by demanding every adhere to the latter part of the post.

[Whiteshade 1,426]

Thank you for your generous donation insightful post, you have my support.

 

Speaking of threads asking for changes to the forums. Who wants a change on the profanity rules?

 

The profanity rules are quite open atm, so I think its fine for now. If there is no offensive intent, I don't see why... colorful vocabulary must be outlawed.

 

So how about that Rangers-Devils game?

[Scoot-scootaloo 11]

I think it's okay to get just a little of topic but it cant be to derailed from the conversation cause then its a whole other beast we are talking about. for example say it goes from pinkies hair to pinkaminas hair then thats okay but if it rolls all the way from pinkaminas hair to slenderpony and what you think his cutie mark should be then I think you should start a new topic and set that one on track for pinkies hair. so basicly I thik its okay until it reaches something different. Nice idea though FizzyDoo

[Starshine 16,333]

This thread's title was just too misleading

 

I personally don't that this forum's moderators ever tried to enforce such "be 100% on topic or we will smack the hay out of your flank" rule.

 

There's a whole lot of threads in this place that somehow evolved from the OP's point to an another thing that seemingly too far stretched, but it makes sense if you followed the discussion. It's like that single thread about your opinion on capital punishment, and the last few post was about the correlation between murder rates and execution. The discussion flowed that way, but it's hardly off-topic.

I'm pretty sure there's many more better examples, but I'm too lazy to search it

 

But if the discussion somehow 'jumped', like when the people were talking about the curliness of Pinkie Pie's hair is caused by her severe case of bed-mane and lack of hygiene, then suddenly someone popped in and said "hey! how does she take a dump when her tail's so curly?"

Now that's the kind of off-topic that shouldn't be allowed imo

[Twilight Sparkle ✨ 8,526]

First off, I'd like to clear up a little misconception. We wrote all of our rules from scratch to specifically suit our vision for MLP Forums. Any similarities to rules on other forums are purely coincidental.

 

We don't have any formal policy or rule to define when a topic has officially gone "off-topic". However, topics are generally "cleaned up" if a moderator comes across it and feels that sight has been lost of the OP's intention for the topic. If the OP created the topic with the intention of getting an answer to a question, such topics will also usually be locked once the question is answered.

 

If there are any specific incidents where you believe a topic was locked or "cleaned up" unfairly, please let me know (we keep a historical log of all deleted posts, so it is something that I can investigate).

 

I would like to point out that we do not arbitrarily encourage people to separate out distinct topics into... well, different forum topics. That's what they're for! Keeping a forum topic relatively focused prevents visitors who are reading the topic for the first time from coming across something completely unrelated and experiencing the "WTF?!" effect. It's less of an issue for existing members who are already familiar with the site and their fellow users, but it can be a mighty deterrent for guests (read: prospective members). Search engines work the same way - if they find a topic that stays on-topic, they will generally rank it higher, increasing the likelihood that a guest will come across MLP Forums while searching for information.

 

Taking the suggestion here to the extreme, we could logically crush the entire site together into a single megathread with fifteen thousand pages. Sure, an extremely tightknit community of regulars will come to form within it. But will anyone visiting the site (or even just the thread) for the first time have a hope of finding the 30 or so posts in it discussing the physics of the sonic rainboom? No, they will not.

 

If a discussion evolves into something distinctly different from the OP's intended topic, there's nothing wrong with splitting the "off-topic" posts into a new forum topic and letting the old one die. It's natural for topics in which there is nothing left to discuss to sink into the depths of our archives - and most certainly more organized than keeping as much cruft as possible within a single topic.

[Fizz. 1,078]

If a discussion evolves into something distinctly different from the OP's intended topic, there's nothing wrong with splitting the "off-topic" posts into a new forum topic and letting the old one die. It's natural for topics in which there is nothing left to discuss to sink into the depths of our archives - and most certainly more organized than keeping as much cruft as possible within a single topic.

 

But when has that ever happened? Rather, in most cases everypony starts discussing something off the road and a moderator comes in and shuts it down. No new thread is ever made, no discussions are made.

 

As for your last part, once again, I never said people should be allowed to go into whatever. I said that we should be allowed to simply discuss. What's so confusing about having a topic deviate? I know that when the main idea is completely lost we should definetly stop, but it's different if we just let it bounce around a bit. Are guests viewing the forums going to start at page 15 of a topic, or page 1?

[Killian Jones 2,655]

I want to say one thing. I agree with Feld0 on strictly abiding by staying on topic. Personally it depends on how broad the topic is, If the topic is Pinkie Pie, you can talk about many aspects of Pinkie Pie, and veer off to personality, colour scheme. And have natural discussions, it lies within the limits of the topic 'Pinkie Pie'. But suddenly talking about Fluttershy would be terribly off topic. Even if it naturally veered towards it.

 

The point is, if you are talking about the bounciness of Pinkie Pie's hair, you should go off on the tangent on her "fourth wall breaking powers". that would be reserved for another topic.

 

You have to remember, the forum has built in features to make it easier to find discussions on certain topics, using the search feature, the tags feature. They all help in guiding people to correct topics. Additionally veering off topics may serve to alienate members joining in the discussion. While it is generally appreciated to read a whole topic before posting, there are members who may choose to skim more often and find themselves confused when you reach a discussion point.

 

So I would say no, please don't go off topic. it serves no real purpose and makes the forum more difficult to get into and more difficult to moderate.

[Aureity 3,055]

It depends on how off-topic it gets. If the original topic is why Pinkamena's hair is bouncy, I see nothing wrong with the conversation evolving into a discussion of her personality, since that discussion may contribute to the original topic. It's when the conversation derails into "Pinkie Pie makes cupcakes out of RD" where the posts have absolutely no correlation whatsoever that I consider the thread completely derailed, and something to abandon

[Doctor XFizzle 8,669]

Every topic should eventually end with Kevin Bacon

 

Pinkie Pie has a pet alligator

Who is friends with Tank

Who is owned by Rainbow Dash

Who during a pet race got hit by a boulder and was trapped

Which is the name of a 2002 film starring Kevin Bacon!

[Typhoid Libby 1,265]

I R has Brohoof'd all OP.

#Opinion.

 

Anyway, you can always quote to another thread.

Like one that has no topic assigned to it.

 

http://mlpforums.com/topic/12522-general-chat-thread/#entry382432