There are threads asking for favorites, best, worst etc. I was just looking at one that asks for “TV Shows that you have quit watching”.
Do we know of OPs actually using such lists? Perhaps information for a blog or some such?
I have started any number of threads, including the one you cited, where I have asked for lists and such. For the most part I start them for discussion purposes, since many will respond with more than just the list requested.
Sometimes I will summarize the contents of the thread (within the thread) just to have the summary as an additional sub-topic.
I also start threads with polls. They often have responses that are off-topic.
I don’t have a blog and rarely use the data for anything outside the thread.
For what it’s worth, I also respond to other people’s threads of a similar nature.
I’ve started a couple of music-related threads like that, and I used the results to pick new music to purchase – and ultimately to build some enjoyable new playlists.
A similar thread I started (it wasn’t actually a list thread in the beginning) ended up being the genesis of a brand-new product (Mr. Excellent’s Post-Apocalyptic Earl Grey Tea) at my tea bar.
I often start them because I’d like to find more works, like for instance I was interested in checking out fantasy or sci fi from countries other than the USA and European sources.