# Demeaning post by IvoryTowerDenizen **URL:** \ **Category:** About This Message Board\ **Created:** [August 8, 2017, 6:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/demeaning-post-by-ivorytowerdenizen/793113 "2017-08-08T18:01:02Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![Princhester](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/3e96dc/32.png) [@Princhester](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Princhester)\ **Post date:** [August 9, 2017, 9:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/demeaning-post-by-ivorytowerdenizen/793113/41 "2017-08-09T09:26:03Z")
Poor moderation. Calling Tweeters “Twits” was unnecessarily snarky but there has never been any hard rule about being snarky towards third parties (as opposed to thread participants). Further, if **ITD** had admonished that and stopped there, we would not be having this teapot encapsulated storm. But instead **ITD** muddled the issue by calling it threadshitting. There is not one single part of \*\*Turble’s \*\*post that offends the threadshitting rule as stated by **CKDH**. Let’s parse: > [@](#): > > basically, shitting on a discussion… Nope, **Turble** shat on Twitter as not being worthwhile. The OP was (in significant part) whether twitter was worthwhile. \*\*ITD \*\*(and frankly other mods in this thread who should know better) seem to have got confused between the subject of the discussion (whether Twitter was worthwhile, to which \*\*Turble’s \*\*post was precisely on point) and the discussion itself. > [@](#): > > by belittling the topic… Nope. \*\*Turble \*\*did not suggest that the OP should not have raised the topic or that it wasn’t worth talking about. > [@](#): > > or the people discussing it. Nope, \*\*Turble \*\*did not belittle the posters in the thread, \*\*Turble \*\*belittled Twitter users, and to the extent there is overlap that’s not the point of the threadshitting rule. It’s not threadshitting to say “yes I think conservatives are ignorant” in a thread about whether conservatives are ignorant, just because there are conservatives participating in the discussion. > [@](#): > > It typically takes the form of a dismissive comment, like “Who cares?” or “This is stupid!” or similar. Nope. \*\*Turble \*\*was quite clearly answering the OP’s very question, not suggesting that the question itself was stupid or not worth caring about. > [@](#): > > The implication of the threadshitter is that discussion of such a topic is beneath them, and should be beneath everybody else. As above. Clear moderating fail. And really my dissection of the issue isn’t even required. \*\*Snowboarder Bo \*\*said “+1” and wasn’t moderated. \*\*jz78817 \*\*said “I don’t, and nobody.” which was if anything even more explicitly dismissive than **Turble** , and wasn’t moderated. Which tells you it wasn’t about threadshitting it was about being insulting at an incredibly low level (is there a more minor insult than “twit”?). Confusing moderation that hasn’t been thought through leads to unnecessary disputation. If the OP was “Olive stuffing: is it worth the effort?” does anyone here believe that \*\*ITD \*\*would have modded someone who said “I choose not to be an olive duffer and don’t care to do any olive duffing”? Course not. Why not? Well, I think we know the answer to that. ---
**Author:** ![Johnny\_Bravo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_bravo/32/493_2.png) [@Johnny\_Bravo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_Bravo)\ **Post date:** [August 9, 2017, 12:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/demeaning-post-by-ivorytowerdenizen/793113/42 "2017-08-09T12:11:06Z")
nm I find myself caring not even a little. Good moderation on ITD’s part. ---
**Author:** ![cochrane](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cochrane/32/10441_2.png) [@cochrane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cochrane)\ **Post date:** [August 9, 2017, 12:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/demeaning-post-by-ivorytowerdenizen/793113/43 "2017-08-09T12:17:07Z")
Jeez. I could understand making such a big deal of this if **Turble** had gotten a warning, but it was just a mod note. His posting privileges aren’t in jeopardy here. Let’s step back and put it in its proper perspective. This is why I wouldn’t to be a mod here. ---
**Author:** ![Peter\_Morris](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/peter_morris/32/359_2.png) [@Peter\_Morris](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Peter_Morris)\ **Post date:** [August 9, 2017, 12:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/demeaning-post-by-ivorytowerdenizen/793113/44 "2017-08-09T12:23:13Z")
It’s the wrong type of mod note. As Princhester points out, it isn’t threadshitting. I agree with his reasoning. However, the user of the word “twits” is rude and hostile, and worth a note to “dial it back” or “knock it off” > [@Johnny\_Bravo](#): > > If I started a thread declaring my intention to join the Republican party and asked for resources and advice, and somebody immediately came in to tell me that Republicans are morons and they don’t care to engage with morons, that would also be threadshitting. Wrong analogy. Suppose that you asked for resources and advice, and invited opinions if they are worth joining in the first place. That’s a better fit for the original question. ETA - JB has changed his post, deleting the words that I quoted. ---
**Author:** ![IvoryTowerDenizen](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ivorytowerdenizen/32/17937_2.png) [@IvoryTowerDenizen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/IvoryTowerDenizen)\ **Post date:** [August 9, 2017, 12:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/demeaning-post-by-ivorytowerdenizen/793113/45 "2017-08-09T12:26:24Z")
> [@Peter\_Morris](#): > > It’s the wrong type of mod note. > > As Princhester points out, it isn’t threadshitting. I agree with his reasoning. > > However, the user of the word “twits” is rude and hostile, and worth a note to “dial it back” or “knock it off” I disagree with those who are arguing this position. The issue is not that the OP expressed an opinion about the worth of using Twitter. The issue is that he did so in manner that was demeaning to the topic. Basically he was saying that Twitter was so foolish that it’s users are all twits. Therefore a thrradndiscussing how to use Twitter is foolish, because Twitter itself is foolish. That is threadshitting because it’s dismissive of the topic as a whole. Twits was rude on its own, but the effect was to also become demeaning of the topic. It’s fine that others may see it differently, but threadshitting was definitely an interpretation in my judgement. ---
**Author:** ![Peter\_Morris](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/peter_morris/32/359_2.png) [@Peter\_Morris](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Peter_Morris)\ **Post date:** [August 9, 2017, 12:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/demeaning-post-by-ivorytowerdenizen/793113/46 "2017-08-09T12:50:05Z")
We’re not really disagreeing. It isn’t that I object to the moderation _per se_, I just think you’ve attached the wrong label. ---
**Author:** ![IvoryTowerDenizen](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ivorytowerdenizen/32/17937_2.png) [@IvoryTowerDenizen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/IvoryTowerDenizen)\ **Post date:** [August 9, 2017, 1:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/demeaning-post-by-ivorytowerdenizen/793113/47 "2017-08-09T13:19:13Z")
I understand that. I was clarifying why I thought it was the correct label. It’s all good, man ---
**Author:** ![Princhester](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/3e96dc/32.png) [@Princhester](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Princhester)\ **Post date:** [August 9, 2017, 1:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/demeaning-post-by-ivorytowerdenizen/793113/48 "2017-08-09T13:26:17Z")
> [@IvoryTowerDenizen](#): > > The issue is that he did so in manner that was demeaning to the topic. It’s not apparent that you are recognising the distinction between demeaning the topic and demeaning the subject matter of the topic. Suggesting that the latter is threadshitting is obviously wrong; it would mean that 2/3rds of the posts in any Trump thread (for example) would be threadshitting. When the subject matter of the thread is in relevant part whether Twitter is worthwhile, saying it isn’t is not demeaning the topic, it’s demeaning the subject matter of the topic. > [@](#): > > Basically he was saying that Twitter was so foolish that it’s users are all twits. Therefore a thrradndiscussing how to use Twitter is foolish, because Twitter itself is foolish. That is threadshitting because it’s dismissive of the topic as a whole. Your first sentence is accurate but not threadshitting. Your second sentence is pure fiction. You know damn well that the OP asked whether Twitter was worth bothering with. Saying it is not is precisely on point. I know it is hard to concentrate over the bellowing of that ox being gored. ---
**Author:** ![Peter\_Morris](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/peter_morris/32/359_2.png) [@Peter\_Morris](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Peter_Morris)\ **Post date:** [August 9, 2017, 1:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/demeaning-post-by-ivorytowerdenizen/793113/49 "2017-08-09T13:35:02Z")
NM. ---
**Author:** ![Peter\_Morris](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/peter_morris/32/359_2.png) [@Peter\_Morris](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Peter_Morris)\ **Post date:** [August 9, 2017, 1:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/demeaning-post-by-ivorytowerdenizen/793113/50 "2017-08-09T13:42:44Z")
Example of threadshitting: The\_OP : How do I use Twitter? Reply: Don’t bother. I consider it to be a pointless waste of time. Example of NOT threadshitting. The\_OP : How do I use Twitter? Does it get annoying? Is it worth the effort?Also, who is worth following? Reply: Don’t bother. I consider it to be a pointless waste of time. Spot the difference? ---
**Author:** ![IvoryTowerDenizen](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ivorytowerdenizen/32/17937_2.png) [@IvoryTowerDenizen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/IvoryTowerDenizen)\ **Post date:** [August 9, 2017, 1:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/demeaning-post-by-ivorytowerdenizen/793113/51 "2017-08-09T13:48:50Z")
> [@Peter\_Morris](#): > > Example of threadshitting: > > The\_OP : How do I use Twitter? > > Reply: Don’t bother. I consider it to be a pointless waste of time. > > Example of NOT threadshitting. > > The\_OP : How do I use Twitter? Does it get annoying? Is it worth the effort?Also, who is worth following? > > Reply: Don’t bother. I consider it to be a pointless waste of time. > > Spot the difference? Toss in a demeaning comment about Twitter as being inherently stupid by comparing its users to twits and you’d be closer to what happened. That’s what made it threadshitting. Which I’ve explained. So your “spot the difference game” doesn’t really apply. ---
**Author:** ![watchwolf49](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/e9c0ed/32.png) [@watchwolf49](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/watchwolf49)\ **Post date:** [August 9, 2017, 2:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/demeaning-post-by-ivorytowerdenizen/793113/52 "2017-08-09T14:09:04Z")
We can’t thrradndiscussing anymore now? ---
**Author:** ![IvoryTowerDenizen](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ivorytowerdenizen/32/17937_2.png) [@IvoryTowerDenizen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/IvoryTowerDenizen)\ **Post date:** [August 9, 2017, 2:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/demeaning-post-by-ivorytowerdenizen/793113/53 "2017-08-09T14:43:14Z")
> [@watchwolf49](#): > > We can’t thrradndiscussing anymore now? You again. ---
**Author:** ![IvoryTowerDenizen](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ivorytowerdenizen/32/17937_2.png) [@IvoryTowerDenizen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/IvoryTowerDenizen)\ **Post date:** [August 9, 2017, 3:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/demeaning-post-by-ivorytowerdenizen/793113/54 "2017-08-09T15:07:01Z")
FWIW I’m posting from my phone on crappy hotel wifi while deciding to upend my professional life. Typos will happen! ---
**Author:** ![Inner\_Stickler](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/inner_stickler/32/318_2.png) [@Inner\_Stickler](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Inner_Stickler)\ **Post date:** [August 9, 2017, 3:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/demeaning-post-by-ivorytowerdenizen/793113/55 "2017-08-09T15:29:59Z")
Good luck on the professional life upending! I hope everything works out for the best. ---
**Author:** ![Sailboat](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sailboat/32/461_2.png) [@Sailboat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sailboat)\ **Post date:** [August 9, 2017, 4:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/demeaning-post-by-ivorytowerdenizen/793113/56 "2017-08-09T16:06:34Z")
> [@IvoryTowerDenizen](#): > > Funny, funny boy. I’m keepin’ my eye on you. One does not simply walk into the Straight Dope. Its Black Gates are guarded by more than just mods. There is evil there that does not sleep, and the Great Eye is ever watchful. Its BBQ Pit a barren wasteland, riddled with flames and trolls, the very air you breathe is a poisonous fume. ---
**Author:** ![Drunky\_Smurf](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/drunky_smurf/32/449_2.png) [@Drunky\_Smurf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Drunky_Smurf)\ **Post date:** [August 9, 2017, 4:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/demeaning-post-by-ivorytowerdenizen/793113/57 "2017-08-09T16:55:34Z")
**ITD** said this in that thread. > [@](#): > > Calling those who do use it “twits” as part of your declaration that you don’t use it, crosses the line. [http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showpost.php?p=20399690&postcount=48](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showpost.php?p=20399690&postcount=48) I thought it was allowed to disparage a group even if members of this board are a part of said group. i.e. Conservatives, liberals, Christians etc. When did this change? ---
**Author:** ![kaylasdad99](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kaylasdad99/32/3398_2.png) [@kaylasdad99](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kaylasdad99)\ **Post date:** [August 9, 2017, 5:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/demeaning-post-by-ivorytowerdenizen/793113/58 "2017-08-09T17:13:30Z")
> [@samclem](#): > > Flounce if you will. Just don’t unflounce. > [@Happy\_Lendervedder](#): > > Now I \*must \*unflounce. Is this good, or do I need to wear special pants? If your pants have flounces, I’d venture to opine that they’re ALREADY pretty special… ---
**Author:** ![DSYoungEsq](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/c6cbf5/32.png) [@DSYoungEsq](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DSYoungEsq)\ **Post date:** [August 9, 2017, 5:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/demeaning-post-by-ivorytowerdenizen/793113/59 "2017-08-09T17:13:56Z")
> [@Drunky\_Smurf](#): > > **ITD** said this in that thread. > > [http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showpost.php?p=20399690&postcount=48](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showpost.php?p=20399690&postcount=48) > > I thought it was allowed to disparage a group even if members of this board are a part of said group. i.e. Conservatives, liberals, Christians etc. > > When did this change? Good God, what part of this is a complicated calculation??? It’s THREADSHITTING. He’s not warned for insulting posters. If he had been warned for insulting posters, your question would have relevance. I sometimes think that there are posters on this Board who simply cannot stand to see authority used in any way, and MUST try and question it. :smack: ---
**Author:** ![kaylasdad99](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kaylasdad99/32/3398_2.png) [@kaylasdad99](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kaylasdad99)\ **Post date:** [August 9, 2017, 5:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/demeaning-post-by-ivorytowerdenizen/793113/60 "2017-08-09T17:22:04Z")
> [@Peter\_Morris](#): > > Example of threadshitting: > > The\_OP : How do I use Twitter? > > Reply: Don’t bother. I consider it to be a pointless waste of time. > > Example of NOT threadshitting. > The\_OP : How do I use Twitter? Does it get annoying? Is it worth the effort?Also, who is worth following? > > Reply: Don’t bother. I consider it to be a pointless waste of time. > > Spot the difference? You left out the part where the application’s name lends itself to, and in the view of some, practically INVITES, an unfortunate insulting nickname for those who use it. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/demeaning-post-by-ivorytowerdenizen/793113.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/demeaning-post-by-ivorytowerdenizen/793113.md?page=4)