Lynn B - Improper Closing of newscrasher's thread [Archive]

D_Odds

10-03-2006, 08:29 AM

Lynn,
I think you should reconsider newscrasher's tread closing. It was obvious that he wasn't commenting on any of the individual stories, but on the fact that one can watch 4 separate news stations and only the same 1/2 dozen or so stories repeated ad nauseum. It was a pit of the homogenous nature of our main infotainment sources.

Cheesesteak

10-03-2006, 08:45 AM

I didn't read his thread that way, though on re-reading it, I can see where you're coming from. It's certainly a valid complaint, and a valid pitting, if not the clearest way to say it. If newcrasher confirms that this is his complaint, I think it should be reopened.

Squink

10-03-2006, 08:50 AM

If newcrasher confirms that this is his complaint, I think it should be reopened.Nah, let him rewrite it so that we don't have to be inordinately perceptive to figure out why it isn't just some random crap he chose to dump into the pit.

Contrapuntal

10-03-2006, 08:50 AM

Polycarp

10-03-2006, 08:53 AM

Lute Skywatcher

10-03-2006, 08:56 AM

Linkages?In case you haven't tried going back to the BBQ page and scrolling down a couple of lines. (http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=390720)

D_Odds

10-03-2006, 09:06 AM

Sorry, Contra, my cerebral flatulence; thanks Lute. Polycarp, I don't recognize any posting pattern of newscrasher, so I'll take your work for it. I was reading that OP in a vacuum. Squink, I don't feel a SDMB poster has to write to the lowest common denominator; however, if the OP of the original thread does have a pattern of obtuse posting, I can understand the closing.

newcrasher

10-03-2006, 10:14 AM

newcrasher

10-03-2006, 10:16 AM

For the record, I had not seen this thread when I posted my own OP protesting the closing.

Contrapuntal

10-03-2006, 10:17 AM

In case you haven't tried going back to the BBQ page and scrolling down a couple of lines. (http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=390720)Gratuitous smartass tone duly noted. Now I'll have to add requesting a link the the List of Things Not To Do Lest Lute Get All Pantytwisted.

Ponder Stibbons

10-03-2006, 10:21 AM

Hmmm. Somehow, like newcrasher, I missed the existence of this thread.

It was obvious that he wasn't commenting on any of the individual stories, but on the fact that one can watch 4 separate news stations and only the same 1/2 dozen or so stories repeated ad nauseum.
As I noted in the other complaint thread, I don't see this at all. He noted the stories, but not the fact that they're repeated ad nauseum.

Anyway, maybe if someone asks nicely the thread could be re-opened -- with perhaps an explanation from someone as to what the actual point is.

samm

10-03-2006, 10:22 AM

I can understand that maybe it didn't sound pitty or it was too vague. If that is the case, why not just move it to MPSIMS? I also don't understand the comment that it was on the wrong board?

Little Nemo

10-03-2006, 10:41 AM

If that is the case, why not just move it to MPSIMS? I also don't understand the comment that it was on the wrong board?
I think it was a case of "itchy trigger finger" as newscrasher called it in his own thread. The intent of the OP wasn't obvious; Lynn was having a bad day; and the mods have the power to make snap decisions without consequences.

D_Odds

10-03-2006, 10:47 AM

Hmmm. Somehow, like newcrasher, I missed the existence of this thread.

As I noted in the other complaint thread, I don't see this at all. He noted the stories, but not the fact that they're repeated ad nauseum.

Anyway, maybe if someone asks nicely the thread could be re-opened -- with perhaps an explanation from someone as to what the actual point is.
A difficulty with an online medium is tone. The reader applies his or her own tone to a post, which quite often isn't the poster's tone. In conversation, I would have pretty much said things the way newscrasher did. I would expect my audience to make the leap in reasoning, based not just on the words but on the delivery. That's harder to do in a printed medium, but as a constant user of sarcasm, I spotted it in nc's OP right away. I have found that there is a sizable minority of the SDMB who fail to recognize sarcasm, even in less nuanced forms than nc's. This isn't a personal indictment, Ponder; I really can't 'name names' as I don't pay attention. It's just a general observation from my sarcastic postings.

Oakminster

10-03-2006, 10:59 AM

Sarcasm my ass. His locked OP said nothing. No comment worthy of discussion, no observation, no rant. No value added. If he's got something to say, he needs to do a better job of saying it.

D_Odds

10-03-2006, 11:05 AM

Sarcasm my ass. His locked OP said nothing. No comment worthy of discussion, no observation, no rant. No value added. If he's got something to say, he needs to do a better job of saying it.
Except that I read it, understood the rant, and agreed with the rant. It said something; it just wasn't there, on the page, in black and white.

fluiddruid

10-03-2006, 11:09 AM

I can't speak for Lynn, but before seeing her response and closure, I myself was planning to close the thread myself. The OP had no real content, and if newcrasher had intended to make some commentary about the national news -- well, he should have made it rather than saving it for later or waiting for other posters to do so. Stating an observation does not make a Pit thread, and frankly we already had threads about most of the individual news topics newcrasher mentioned.

What Exit?

10-03-2006, 11:13 AM

Except that I read it, understood the rant, and agreed with the rant. It said something; it just wasn't there, on the page, in black and white.
So, Lynn chose to close an obscure thread that was not even a proper pit thread. Instead of protesting it, I think newcrasher could put in energy into starting a new thread, with a more obvious point and put it in an appropriate forum.

I read the closed Op before I saw this pit thread thread, and while Lynn could re-open it, it would be just as easy for the new thread to be created.

Jim

Antinor01

10-03-2006, 11:20 AM

Except that I read it, understood the rant, and agreed with the rant. It said something; it just wasn't there, on the page, in black and white.

That right there is what the problem is. Isn't one of the expectations of this board that what you want to say will be there, on the page, in black and white?

WhyNot

10-03-2006, 11:23 AM

So, Lynn chose to close an obscure thread that was not even a proper pit thread. Instead of protesting it, I think newcrasher could put in energy into starting a new thread, with a more obvious point and put it in an appropriate forum.

I read the closed Op before I saw this pit thread thread, and while Lynn could re-open it, it would be just as easy for the new thread to be created.

JimHell, I already did it for him (in a now closed thread), using his own words (well, two of mine.):

(from this OP (http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showpost.php?p=7833299&postcount=1) and this OP. (http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showpost.php?p=7833796&postcount=1) )

I was at the gym this morning so I got to watch CNN, Fox, NBC and CBS all at the same time. I was on the treadmill for over an hour, so I got it all. I feel uniquely qualified to bring you the news of the world today.

There was a shooting in an Amish school house. Tragic. Very sad.

A Republican Congressman sent naughty emails to a Page. He resigned.

According to some channels, there was weather.

A large black man is sorry he stomped on the face of another large black man a few days ago. They were playing some sport at the time. Maybe Rugby.

[I despise] the way the networks all seem to have the same sources and how they are all really just mirror images of each other. ..the incompetence or complicity of the media is a viable and valid discussion.

That is all.

True, it's probably more MPSIMSy, rather than Pit material, but I'm pretty sure it's a valid thread that would stay open, since it has, you know, a point.

Watchoo think, fluiddruid, would this tiny change have made it acceptable?

newcrasher

10-03-2006, 11:30 AM

Given that it's not the first time he's shown up, given facile one-sentence summaries of current news stories, and then pulled a "hit-and-run OP" with them, I personally think that Lynn was under no obligation to attribute a particular motive to him, but rather well within her rights to do a lockdown.

So my OP was not very well constructed. Whatever. I forget sometimes I am dealing with message board divas (not everyone, but if the shoe fits...)

At this point I could care less about the OP.

But Polycarp, back up your statement. I request either a cite or an apology, but expect neither.

You know, IRL, I can make my points and hold my own in most debates. Somehow that doesn't translate well to posting on a message board. I would dare say that the personality and gravitas and boldness enjoyed by the most erudite of posters here does NOT translate into RL. They would either have no one who chose to be in their presence or have cauliflower ear.

But you know what? Many of you (not all, not all) are self righteous pricks. Self important demi-gods who have carved out a fifedom on a message board. You are petty and you never miss a chance at self aggrandizement or belittlement of others. I would say you are mean. I cannot imagine you try this IRL. Maybe you do.

I know. Don't let the door hit me on the way out...

hajario

10-03-2006, 11:32 AM

I know. Don't let the door hit me on the way out...

Buh bye. Don't forget to write.

Your OP was lame and without substance. I probably wouldn't have closed it but it was marginal.

EddyTeddyFreddy

10-03-2006, 11:41 AM

Self important demi-gods who have carved out a fifedom on a message board. :: hangs head in shame ::

It's.......... It's true. I DO toot my own horn sometimes.

:: abases self ::

Uvula Donor

10-03-2006, 11:44 AM

But you know what? Many of you (not all, not all) are self righteous pricks. Self important demi-gods who have carved out a fifedom on a message board. You are petty and you never miss a chance at self aggrandizement or belittlement of others. I would say you are mean. I cannot imagine you try this IRL. Maybe you do.

You wanna Kleenex?

What Exit?

10-03-2006, 11:49 AM

...snip...
But you know what? Many of you (not all, not all) are self righteous pricks. Self important demi-gods who have carved out a fifedom on a message board. You are petty and you never miss a chance at self aggrandizement or belittlement of others. I would say you are mean. I cannot imagine you try this IRL. Maybe you do.
I have not been here as long as you, but I do not see a lot of what you just claimed. I would change "Many of you" to "Some of you" for starters and I find most posters are nice, and most are more prone to tease than belittle except for in a few cases of extreme nuisance.

You seem to be very upset with a simple thread closure. Why? It would be so easy to start a new thread to make your point.

I do agree Polycarp should back up his statement or apologize. That is only fair.
------------------------------------------------
EddyTeddyFreddy: I have heard abasement is good for the soul but tough on the knees. How do you find it? What kind of horn do you play? ;)

Jim

Ghanima

10-03-2006, 11:52 AM

If the OP had been a bit clearer about the intended topic, the thread would not have been closed. It's just not that big of a deal. (OMG did I just defend a mod's actions?)

D_Odds

10-03-2006, 12:32 PM

I guess I'm in the minority. I came to the original thread with no preconceived notions about the poster, read the thread, and understood. That's likely because I agree, and it is how I would converse such a topic. I don't necessarily agree that everything should always be spelled out on the page, but I know I've been doing it more often to try to head off misunderstandings. Given that I seem to be the only one who understood newscrasher's post, he should have made more of an effort to make his point.

DeadlyAccurate

10-03-2006, 01:20 PM

I came to the same impression you did, D_Odds, and I even briefly considered emailing Lynn to see if it could be reopened. But I found I didn't really care enough to bother.

Polycarp

10-03-2006, 01:32 PM

Lute Skywatcher

10-03-2006, 01:46 PM

Gratuitous smartass tone duly noted.Better than being a dumbass. ;)

Lynn Bodoni

10-03-2006, 02:35 PM

If the OP had been a bit clearer about the intended topic, the thread would not have been closed. It's just not that big of a deal. (OMG did I just defend a mod's actions?) You're quite correct, if the OP had been clearer, I wouldn't have locked that thread.

I tend to lock threads rather than move them because they're generally not really suited for another forum. Since I had no way of telling what the OP was about, not being a mind reader, I chose the simplest path and locked the thread. I expect posters to put forth a little effort when starting a thread, I don't think that just putting a few random observations is good enough. That goes for any forum of this board, by the way, not just the Pit.

Excalibre

10-03-2006, 02:45 PM

Looked like a joke thread to me. Sure, it was sarcastic. It was also lame and uninteresting. Good call, Lynn.

But you know what? Many of you (not all, not all) are self righteous pricks. Self important demi-gods who have carved out a fifedom on a message board. You are petty and you never miss a chance at self aggrandizement or belittlement of others. I would say you are mean. I cannot imagine you try this IRL. Maybe you do.

I know. Don't let the door hit me on the way out...
I've noticed, reading your posts, that you're a gigantic fucking moron. Maybe you should do what you can to remedy that situation. I'm not expecting much, but just maybe you can improve to the point of being simply useless.

Leviosaurus

10-03-2006, 03:17 PM

Many of you (not all, not all) are self righteous pricks. Self important demi-gods who have carved out a fifedom on a message board. You are petty and you never miss a chance at self aggrandizement or belittlement of others. I would say you are mean. I cannot imagine you try this IRL. Maybe you do.
Big words from the guy who took it upon himself to arrogantly proclaim he was the most famous doper (http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=284668). Whatever will we do without you to grace our presence. :rolleyes:

newcrasher

10-03-2006, 03:25 PM

Big words from the guy who took it upon himself to arrogantly proclaim he was the most famous doper (http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=284668). Whatever will we do without you to grace our presence. :rolleyes:

Ah, another "kick 'em while they're down-er". Ah well. the below quote is from the last post in the thread you reference. But I am glad you didn't miss an opportunity to be rude or unkind to someone you have never met, and who has done very little to impact you negatively. I guess it is a kind of therapy for some. :rolleyes:

Confession of a Message Board Attention Whore

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

When I first posted this OP, long ago, it was an impulse.

I was bored. I was feeling punchy. It was a silly thing to do. I guess if I had malicious intentions, it could be considered trolling. I sincerely did not mean for it to run afoul of the SDMB ethos.

If it did, I apologize.

Often it is referenced to discredit or belittle things I have posted. And I deserve it.

But for the record...I am not famous. Not even near it.

Sometimes I forget how seriously people take this message board. It is not like others, where you can romp and frolic about, without consequence. SDMB is more than just "a message board". I neglected that fact when I posted this stupid, silly OP. And I am sorry.

And to those lighthearted few who took this in its intended spirit from the start, keep on smilin'!

What Exit?

10-03-2006, 03:37 PM

Ah, another "kick 'em while they're down-er". Ah well. the below quote is from the last post in the thread you reference. But I am glad you didn't miss an opportunity to be rude or unkind to someone you have never met, and who has done very little to impact you negatively. I guess it is a kind of therapy for some. :rolleyes:
You know, if you expect people to be nice to you, maybe you should respond to those that are nice or neutral towards you and not just those that show hostility.
Many others and I are aware of the referenced thread and did not bother to comment about it. Call it water under the bridge if you like or consider that we accepted your apology.

Getting self righteous and cursing out people and make large accusations about the membership of the board is not only not a good way to get people to treat you seriously, but encourages those who like to get a rise out of people.
Polycarp very honorably apologized to you and instead of accepting it, you respond to the person who came in just to bash you.
This was not terribly mature in my opinion.

Jim

Leviosaurus

10-03-2006, 03:41 PM

Ah, another "kick 'em while they're down-er". Ah well. the below quote is from the last post in the thread you reference. But I am glad you didn't miss an opportunity to be rude or unkind to someone you have never met, and who has done very little to impact you negatively. I guess it is a kind of therapy for some. :rolleyes:
The difference between you and me (well, one of the many differences,) is that I know I'm a self righteous prick. You claim a moral high ground when in fact you occupy the same gutter as the rest of us. In fact, you're an even bigger guttersnipe - there's three BBQ threads up on page 1 either started by you or about you.

IMO you look pretty silly up there on that cross you've nailed yourself to, but if that's how you get your kicks, have fun.

newcrasher

10-03-2006, 03:42 PM

newcrasher, I recall a series of one-line news story summaries in OPs in Great Debates, which ended up going nowhere and were I think locked down after a while. Whoever did them never returned to them. If that was not you, as appears to be the case, then I do owe you an apology, and you have it, here and now. I regret accusing you of something which someone else did, whom your post made me think was you. It was inappropriate and you have my regrets.

Thank you Polycarp. I appreciate your consideration. I may be having what is known is scientific circles as a "bad day". I apologize to you and everyone else for taking it out on this forum and its participants.

What Exit?

10-03-2006, 03:46 PM

Thank you Polycarp. I appreciate your consideration. I may be having what is known is scientific circles as a "bad day". I apologize to you and everyone else for taking it out on this forum and its participants.
Sorry, this will sound condescending, but:
That is much better. Really, for some if not most of us, an apology raises the apologizers esteem in our eyes. It really does. It is not universal, but I think most people agree with me. I mean this as a positive statement and I hope you take it in kind.

Jim

Contrapuntal

10-03-2006, 03:50 PM

Better than being a dumbass. ;)Oh yeah? So's your old man. That is, when he's not polishing your old lady's combat boots.

Gangster Octopus

10-03-2006, 03:54 PM

I guess my only issue with closing the thread is that it probablywould have been dead of it'sown accord within a few hours anyway.

EddyTeddyFreddy

10-03-2006, 04:05 PM

------------------------------------------------
EddyTeddyFreddy: I have heard abasement is good for the soul but tough on the knees. How do you find it? What kind of horn do you play? ;)
I find it by opening the cellar door, of course. It's not so tough on the knees if you put down carpeting, though. A hornpipe, what else?

Wildfire**MM

10-03-2006, 05:51 PM

interesting

I'm not the only one

Merhouse

10-03-2006, 05:58 PM

interesting

I'm not the only one

No, but you'll always be my favorite.

Smeghead

10-03-2006, 10:51 PM

interesting

I'm not the only one
No, but you are the dumbest.

Revtim

10-04-2006, 08:35 AM