Off topic "Off topic discussion" thread discussion

[SinbadEV]

Sooooo... as a "Moderator" I sometimes come across an thread where the discussion has diverged from the original posters topic... The best thing to do in these cases, typically, is to figure out where the topic derailed and split the subject off to a new thread... but in the case of the "Off topic" sub-forum we often seem to get good discussion going when topics hit an interesting tangent and, if the goal is to foster intelligent conversation, the change of subject is often a good thing.

For Example, a thread starts talking about the NASA "discovery" that you could convince bacteria to use arsenic molecules in place of phosphorus molecules in certain circumstances leads to a discussion about evolution which leads to a discussion about to theories about the "genesis" of life which leads to the discussion about creationism and intelligent design which leads to an argument on the scientific method and empiricism VS magical thinking which leads to a rant about religion which leads to a counter rant about atheism which leads to a discussion about the "literality" of the Bible... etc.

Or a thread about HighSchool Memories leading to a discussion about college life leading to a discussion about tuition fees which leads to a discussion about different public funding schemes which leads to a discussion about healthcare... etc.

In these cases it could be said that the development of the discussion would have been "hindered" if the topic had stayed the same all the way through... and NOW I was to post something about healthcare and don't know if I should start a new thread or just post in the one about HighSchool... so I'm posting this topic instead.

So, how would you feel the best way to deal with this situation is... are ALL OffTopic threads essentially ALLOWED to diverge from their original topic? Should an additional sub-forum called "Really Off Topic Discussion" be created and threads should be graduated to that area if they go too far off the rails? Should I update the thread's topic to reflect the change in subject?

OR Should I really just find the break, split the thread as I would in any other sub-forum and link to it? If I do this will it scare people away from interesting lines of discussion?


Now technically, the only people who can REALLY make this decision is the moderation staff and since this forum is not exactly a democracy (more of an republic I guess) so while your recommendations may be accepted if they are good, don't take this discussion as a referendum.

For Now, I think I'm going to start a new topic.

[dizekat]

ask the OP maybe? I'm fine with derail of highschool thread.

[Jazcash]

In the case of Off-Topic topics, just allow it to derail unless the OP asks otherwise. After all, it is "Off-Topic".

[BaNa]

I like the organic way you look at it. Sometimes its a derail, sometimes its just the way the conversation goes.

[lurker]

Has to have rails to derail.

[FireStorm_]

I think it is only natural that discussions and conversations evolve. If whoever started the thread feels the topic (or ofcourse he or she personally) is not respected or honoured by the other participants/conversationalists, he/she can say so.

If this feeling is ignored by the other participants/conversationalists, well, I think that is the moment a moderator could best intervene (or perhaps even wait until asked by whoever starter the thread.)

IMO moderation should not be about keeping information in neat formats, but it should occur when others feel sabotaged in this.

One would still have to use ones own judgement in big long standing threads, but those often have an obvious enough purpose. (i.e. Random WIP)

[Panda]

I think that it's alright if the thread is naturally derailed because of conversational conventions as long as it doesn't bother the person who initially made the post and it isn't being done on purpose (as in to troll people). After all, sometimes you just feel like you should answer another person's post even if what they said isn't exactly on topic or if you're response isn't exactly on topic. You don't really have anywhere else that you can answer the post, so you would have to answer in the same thread. Plus, it does tend to kill the conversations or at least make them less interesting if you are always trying to focus on keeping every thread strictly on topic all the time.

[knorke]

In the case of Off-Topic topics, just allow it to derail unless the OP asks otherwise. After all, it is "Off-Topic".

like this. its not like anybody every reads the ot threads again.
in other forums split as needed.

[Wombat]

ya it was always quite funny, why mods lock offtopic threads when they go offtop, it makes no sense :D

[Gota]

mods makes no sense :D

[TradeMark]

ya it was always quite funny, why mods lock offtopic threads when they go offtop, it makes no sense :D

Well, they need to look like they are doing something, so locking threads / banning some random people once in while is a must, or they will become ex-moderators.

Respect!

[PicassoCT]

Its all Jazcashs fault, he started it, oh, wait its not a flamewar, something is terribly wrong here

[Jazcash]

If something derails, turns into a flamewar, gets locked or turns into a hot topic, just remember, it's my fault

[TradeMark]

Lol? your fault? I am the one who to blame!

Have you even got banned while you have been off the forums for 2 weeks? No you havent.

[Jazcash]

Have you even got banned while you have been off the forums for 2 weeks? No you havent.

Maybe not, but this dog has a cool haircut.

[smoth]

that is an ugly dog

[Wombat]

urmom ?