GasBuddy Blog

Message Forum - Read Message

Category: Off Topic > Topics	Add to favorite topics Post New Topic

Author	Topic: Five things that will get a topic closed	Topic is locked Back to Topics

GM Moderator	Message Posted: May 3, 2006 12:16:32 PM Ignore GM Report Abuse There are three major things that will get a thread closed: 1) The number one thing that will get a thread closed is that it turns into another “us vs. them” thread. The moderators have to read every topic reported on this board. Some of us have been here for years. That means we've read the Iraq argument about a thousand times. Threads on this forum have a tendency to break down into “us vs. them” (Liberal vs. Conservative, Bush supporters vs. anti-Bush supporters). To be honest, that gets boring as hell and accomplishes nothing. The very best discussions on here are the ones where people avoid automatically falling into the political boxes. Those are the ones that will not be closed. Automatically turning the thread into an “us vs. them” thread is like giving a 15 year old the keys to your car and a case of beer. It might be okay, but most likely there is going to be a wreck. The platonic ideal of a thread would be one where people can discuss what THEY think without resorting to sound-bites or standard positions. 2) The thread turns into a different thread. If the subject is apples and suddenly we are talking about Iraq, the thread is probably going to be closed, unless we are talking about apple imports in Iraq. 3) The thread turns ugly. Moderating is a pain. If people start bordering on breaking the rules and it looks like we are going to have to start issuing warnings, we'll probably - to quote Deputy Phife- "Nip it in the bud.". A thread never gets closed because the moderators are trying to win some imaginary political game. Nowhere is there a big scoreboard where the liberals and conservatives are battling to break 100 first. Threads get closed more or less for the reasons above. Posters can insure the long and happy lives of their threads by avoiding these pitfalls. 4) The initiation of any Wal-Mart based threads, Bell-ringer threads, pit bull, and or Pro/Anti-smoking topics. They are not allowed. 5) Bumping old, inactive topics. If a topic has been dead for two months or more, please do not post to it. [Edited by: GM at 9/4/2008 6:59:02 PM EST]

Moderator

Message Posted: May 3, 2006 12:16:32 PM

Ignore GM Report Abuse

There are three major things that will get a thread closed:

1) The number one thing that will get a thread closed is that it turns into another “us vs. them” thread.

The moderators have to read every topic reported on this board. Some of us have been here for years. That means we've read the Iraq argument about a thousand times. Threads on this forum have a tendency to break down into “us vs. them” (Liberal vs. Conservative, Bush supporters vs. anti-Bush supporters). To be honest, that gets boring as hell and accomplishes nothing. The very best discussions on here are the ones where people avoid automatically falling into the political boxes. Those are the ones that will not be closed. Automatically turning the thread into an “us vs. them” thread is like giving a 15 year old the keys to your car and a case of beer. It might be okay, but most likely there is going to be a wreck.

The platonic ideal of a thread would be one where people can discuss what THEY think without resorting to sound-bites or standard positions.

2) The thread turns into a different thread.

If the subject is apples and suddenly we are talking about Iraq, the thread is probably going to be closed, unless we are talking about apple imports in Iraq.

3) The thread turns ugly.

Moderating is a pain. If people start bordering on breaking the rules and it looks like we are going to have to start issuing warnings, we'll probably - to quote Deputy Phife- "Nip it in the bud.".

A thread never gets closed because the moderators are trying to win some imaginary political game. Nowhere is there a big scoreboard where the liberals and conservatives are battling to break 100 first. Threads get closed more or less for the reasons above.

Posters can insure the long and happy lives of their threads by avoiding these pitfalls.

4) The initiation of any Wal-Mart based threads, Bell-ringer threads, pit bull, and or Pro/Anti-smoking topics. They are not allowed.

5) Bumping old, inactive topics. If a topic has been dead for two months or more, please do not post to it.

[Edited by: GM at 9/4/2008 6:59:02 PM EST]

REPLIES (newest first)Ignore Short Messages

ododriver Sophomore Author Waterbury Posts:106 Points:22,525 Joined:May 2007	Message Posted: May 10, 2007 1:18:55 PM Ignore ododriver Report Abuse As a person new to the site, are abusive people blocked? I think there's no need for rudeness in any aspect of life. Yet on my first day registered with the site, I was called stupid for something that I admittedly said I didn't know much about. Just seems strange that people are so mean to others over ridiculous things.
Czarcaztic Champion Author Virginia Posts:8,064 Points:1,548,985 Joined:May 2005	Message Posted: May 7, 2007 9:03:18 AM Ignore Czarcaztic Report Abuse Sooooo....what about these purorted apple imports into Iraq?
Peejer All-Star Author Colorado Posts:535 Points:71,800 Joined:May 2007	Message Posted: May 6, 2007 10:12:53 PM Ignore Peejer Report Abuse I wonder how many will read this and obey the rules ??
Takeshi All-Star Author Vancouver Posts:562 Points:79,055 Joined:May 2007	Message Posted: May 6, 2007 9:20:36 PM Ignore Takeshi Report Abuse Your wisdom is exemplary.
SMA1 Champion Author Indiana Posts:12,321 Points:2,389,545 Joined:May 2006	Message Posted: May 3, 2007 7:08:51 AM Ignore SMA1 Report Abuse Thanks for the guidelines.
SanDiegoMOMof5 Veteran Author San Diego Posts:284 Points:16,545 Joined:Apr 2006	Message Posted: Apr 26, 2007 6:54:54 PM Ignore SanDiegoMOMof5 Report Abuse Ha.....reading the posts was quite amusing. This topic definitely got everyone going!
Teddybear1950 Champion Author London Posts:2,103 Points:199,995 Joined:Feb 2007	Message Posted: Apr 26, 2007 10:22:08 AM Ignore Teddybear1950 Report Abuse Walmart thread ???????? Is that when you get like 50 spools in a bag for $2.00
la1brat Rookie Author New Orleans Posts:3 Points:310 Joined:Apr 2007	Message Posted: Apr 11, 2007 11:20:25 PM Ignore la1brat Report Abuse got it
Bau Rookie Author Jacksonville Posts:7 Points:340 Joined:Apr 2007	Message Posted: Apr 10, 2007 12:05:58 AM Ignore Bau Report Abuse Name calling??? By this you mean one race calling another race names but if the other race calls the first race or even insinuates anything towards that person and it could be interpreted as a reflection of their race it is considered raciest. Imaagine that!!!
portmich2000 Veteran Author Michigan Posts:321 Points:503,540 Joined:Jul 2006	Message Posted: Apr 6, 2007 10:57:30 PM Ignore portmich2000 Report Abuse I will honor these rules.
PICKLEHIMER Champion Author Kentucky Posts:2,343 Points:489,635 Joined:Jun 2004	Message Posted: Apr 4, 2007 1:15:38 PM Ignore PICKLEHIMER Report Abuse AIGHT THEN!
mckenzi01 Champion Author Twin Cities Posts:35,659 Points:2,731,030 Joined:Mar 2005	Message Posted: Apr 1, 2007 7:25:41 AM Ignore mckenzi01 Report Abuse So there are a bunch of "Wal-Mart" threads out there?
shepherds Champion Author Ontario Posts:3,108 Points:330,855 Joined:May 2004	Message Posted: Mar 26, 2007 3:26:30 AM Ignore shepherds Report Abuse People who resort to name calling and profanity only do so because they have nothing more intelligent to contribute.
memory_of_max Champion Author Little Rock Posts:7,302 Points:1,057,020 Joined:Mar 2007	Message Posted: Mar 24, 2007 8:44:27 PM Ignore memory_of_max Report Abuse I'm kind of new - what is a Wal-Mart-based thread?
zqtchas Champion Author Virginia Posts:5,173 Points:1,021,355 Joined:Oct 2006	Message Posted: Mar 21, 2007 5:40:01 PM Ignore zqtchas Report Abuse Well O K pilgrim.
Travelpet Champion Author Omaha Posts:9,817 Points:1,606,615 Joined:May 2004	Message Posted: Mar 19, 2007 5:38:20 PM Ignore Travelpet Report Abuse I'm curious...I can see the reasoning behind the first 3 ... I think a blind man could see that. I don't get the reasoning behind #4 unless you are assuming (and we all know what that means) that they will turn into a shouting, name calling match (like they may well). But isn't that judging the situation before it happens. There really are people who can discuss those topics without calling those who disagree with them names. I've seen it go both ways, and I have to say...when they are real discussions, they can be both interesting and informative.
gas345 Champion Author California Posts:1,559 Points:149,885 Joined:Mar 2007	Message Posted: Mar 19, 2007 4:23:15 PM Ignore gas345 Report Abuse got it as well i am new
skybid Champion Author Durham Posts:250,750 Points:2,151,260 Joined:Mar 2007	Message Posted: Mar 15, 2007 10:41:27 AM Ignore skybid Report Abuse got it!
GasFaerie Rookie Author Phoenix Posts:2 Points:290 Joined:Mar 2007	Message Posted: Mar 9, 2007 11:45:45 PM Ignore GasFaerie Report Abuse Wow this topic turned into a different topic like 5 times! I think this topic already broke at least 3 of the rules!! What's that saying? Oh yeah: "Rules are meant to be broken". But I agree with all of them.. I like Wally World (Wal-Mart)!
ont69 Champion Author Ontario Posts:6,036 Points:815,660 Joined:Jan 2007	Message Posted: Mar 9, 2007 1:38:01 PM Ignore ont69 Report Abuse I couldn't agree more.
Donio Rookie Author Vermont Posts:74 Points:1,400 Joined:Feb 2007	Message Posted: Mar 1, 2007 10:34:07 AM Ignore Donio Report Abuse I don't get the thing about wal-mart. I shop there for a lot of things.
LRPharm54 Champion Author Kentucky Posts:2,819 Points:29,065 Joined:May 2005	Message Posted: Feb 28, 2007 5:58:25 PM Ignore LRPharm54 Report Abuse I couldn't agree more. I find many times, however, when a person is adamant about a topic and feels strongly about an issue that name calling and finger pointing can occur. It is the right of every person in the forum to express their opinions, likes, dislikes, and observations and that specifically applies to each person on what they view as acceptable. The cornerstone of good debate and civil argument must impart the avoidance of profanity, mud-slinging, and being insulting. Each person is entitled to their opinion as long as that opinion is not expressed in a manner inconsistent with good behavior and not being hateful or destructive in delivering that opinion. Rules are rules, and sometimes people have strong feelings on such topics as smoking, the right to not wear seat belts, and disliking pickups. I have a feeling that there will always be one person at least who will come back with guns going off and screaming evil metaphors at the person who has simply stated their opinion. The Terms of Service of this forum is fine with me and I have learned to keep my comments on a civil level and it has created a more useful and enjoyable process. Each to their own I say, and individuals will always be different in their views and observations, so let it be. I enjoy the comments in any event.
ohyeah537 Champion Author Raleigh Posts:46,175 Points:2,269,870 Joined:Aug 2006	Message Posted: Feb 27, 2007 9:06:40 PM Ignore ohyeah537 Report Abuse I like the day you posted this Mr. Moderator....it's my birthday !
kauzi Champion Author Orlando Posts:1,556 Points:647,090 Joined:Jan 2006	Message Posted: Feb 25, 2007 5:16:04 PM Ignore kauzi Report Abuse Freedom of speech???????
MsDrPepper Rookie Author Wichita Posts:49 Points:55,600 Joined:May 2005	Message Posted: Feb 4, 2007 5:20:42 PM Ignore MsDrPepper Report Abuse Ooops I noticed Coke vs Pepsi is not allowed. But what about me? Am I banned just because I used to drink DrPepper (still love it but I'm too fat to drink it now, I drink water now.)? Or is it just understood that from now on, DrPepper rules, forget about Coke vs Pepsi? ;-) I'm just kidding!! ;-) Go Dallas Cowboys!! Time to go put my Cowboys shirt on and head off to my mom's for the pre-bowl Festivities and food. MsDrPepper
Rizzo Champion Author St. Louis Posts:2,346 Points:898,645 Joined:Jul 2004	Message Posted: Jan 30, 2007 7:38:54 PM Ignore Rizzo Report Abuse Go Target!
ClancyME Champion Author Georgia Posts:14,505 Points:2,367,765 Joined:Sep 2006	Message Posted: Jan 21, 2007 6:56:05 AM Ignore ClancyME Report Abuse Thought the only apples Iraq had were road apples?
sarge57 Champion Author Cleveland Posts:7,729 Points:1,573,740 Joined:Jul 2004	Message Posted: Jan 17, 2007 8:01:51 PM Ignore sarge57 Report Abuse Understood.
YKnot05 Champion Author Pennsylvania Posts:22,500 Points:2,385,415 Joined:Sep 2005	Message Posted: Jan 16, 2007 12:35:21 PM Ignore YKnot05 Report Abuse Sometimes a topic is created so many times it becomes ridiculous. Those topics almost always end up being contentious. WalMart threads are a classic example of this. It has been done to death and beyond and always ends up in a virtual pssing match. Topics about pitbulls, smoking, Coke vs Pepsi, handguns and Iraqi apples are all verboten for the same reasons.
Tamas2evil Champion Author Pennsylvania Posts:6,623 Points:1,140,245 Joined:Sep 2006	Message Posted: Jan 16, 2007 10:17:50 AM Ignore Tamas2evil Report Abuse Yeah... why is that about the Walmart thing... we can talk about so many more things and yet not Walmart why?
waylane Champion Author Tucson Posts:6,042 Points:1,018,770 Joined:May 2004	Message Posted: Jan 8, 2007 11:24:31 AM Ignore waylane Report Abuse thanks
renodave Champion Author Iowa Posts:1,035 Points:33,925 Joined:Jan 2007	Message Posted: Jan 5, 2007 12:27:29 PM Ignore renodave Report Abuse I don't shop at Wally mart but why are Wal Mart topics off line??
deejai Champion Author Florida Posts:8,949 Points:1,068,370 Joined:Aug 2004	Message Posted: Dec 28, 2006 12:52:06 PM Ignore deejai Report Abuse Tis the season to lock Christmas topics Fa La La La Laaa La La La La Laaaaaaaa!
Slant6 Rookie Author Florida Posts:84 Points:1,480 Joined:Sep 2005	Message Posted: Dec 15, 2006 11:04:34 AM Ignore Slant6 Report Abuse That's good cuz our dog is Rottweiler and Lab mixed. I would hate to be banned from talking about my own dog. 'Sup with that? I refuse to shop at K-mart and the "W" store is my favorite. I can't talk about it though.
jgh28792 Champion Author North Carolina Posts:3,556 Points:1,131,125 Joined:Sep 2005	Message Posted: Dec 14, 2006 8:18:19 AM Ignore jgh28792 Report Abuse Thanks for the info
Glasman Champion Author South Carolina Posts:6,188 Points:750,000 Joined:Nov 2006	Message Posted: Dec 12, 2006 10:45:51 PM Ignore Glasman Report Abuse why the anti smoking thread in the off topic category. thought they were supposed to be locked. With all due respect.
HokieHeel50 Rookie Author Virginia Posts:46 Points:14,885 Joined:Feb 2006	Message Posted: Dec 12, 2006 9:35:22 AM Ignore HokieHeel50 Report Abuse Huge task you mods undertake. Thank you!
ZZTop2559 Champion Author Philadelphia Posts:11,658 Points:1,249,055 Joined:Jul 2004	Message Posted: Dec 10, 2006 4:15:27 PM Ignore ZZTop2559 Report Abuse I noticed a couple of topics I started and they have been locked. One is in the memory of John Lennon. I was wondering why this is.
kcindallas Rookie Author Dallas Posts:48 Points:16,835 Joined:Apr 2004	Message Posted: Dec 5, 2006 5:13:41 PM Ignore kcindallas Report Abuse wow, what a huge job moderating all these topics! Keep up the good work!
Bill Poster Champion Author Halifax Posts:5,827 Points:961,855 Joined:Jan 2004	Message Posted: Dec 1, 2006 8:45:41 AM Ignore Bill Poster Report Abuse Why Anti-smoking topics ?
Service66 Champion Author Indianapolis Posts:25,657 Points:2,024,140 Joined:Mar 2004	Message Posted: Nov 24, 2006 5:19:33 AM Ignore Service66 Report Abuse Why are these threads -- the ones that always locked at the top of page 1 -- now at the bottom of page 1?
Traciekl Champion Author Edmonton Posts:21,571 Points:4,057,470 Joined:Aug 2001	Message Posted: Nov 20, 2006 11:19:21 PM Ignore Traciekl Report Abuse Sorry GM, SO was trying to help me out yesterday, and posted in the wrong thread :( ;) [Edited by: Traciekl at 11/20/2006 11:20:46 PM EST]
yz450moto Sophomore Author Vermont Posts:110 Points:35,555 Joined:Oct 2006	Message Posted: Nov 19, 2006 7:47:37 PM Ignore yz450moto Report Abuse what is wrong with wal mart????
Scotty69mets Champion Author New York Posts:2,084 Points:410,560 Joined:Sep 2005	Message Posted: Nov 11, 2006 12:18:30 PM Ignore Scotty69mets Report Abuse Though you would really be creative if you could use all 4 no-nos in one post.
Red_PT All-Star Author Wilmington Posts:569 Points:210,055 Joined:May 2005	Message Posted: Nov 10, 2006 8:53:08 AM Ignore Red_PT Report Abuse we appreciate you guys
plastic Champion Author Virginia Posts:46,795 Points:2,838,145 Joined:May 2004	Message Posted: Nov 3, 2006 7:37:41 AM Ignore plastic Report Abuse Accepting comments from the peanut gallery now? <EL>
TigKargman Champion Author Virginia Posts:17,882 Points:1,727,345 Joined:Aug 2004	Message Posted: Nov 1, 2006 3:20:23 PM Ignore TigKargman Report Abuse Just curious why rule #4 is there. # 2 explains why FL-girls "I'm going to NYC" got closed. [Edited by: TigKargman at 11/1/2006 3:21:09 PM EST]
LilBlueElement Champion Author San Bernardino Posts:1,412 Points:147,970 Joined:Jul 2006	Message Posted: Oct 31, 2006 5:05:08 PM Ignore LilBlueElement Report Abuse K-mart and rottweilers are OK though? ;)