# Do you start threads, or just respond? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [October 4, 2000, 7:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-start-threads-or-just-respond/35665 "2000-10-04T19:33:32Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![MysterEcks](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f475e1/32.png) [@MysterEcks](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MysterEcks)\ **Post date:** [October 5, 2000, 3:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-start-threads-or-just-respond/35665/21 "2000-10-05T03:39:43Z")
I went and counted the threads I’ve started–11, plus one started by **Oat Willie** when he briefly impersonated me. Most of these were when I was relatively new–a grand total of two of them went over a dozen replies, excluding myself, so eventually I got the hint. Nowadays I almost never start threads…but as you can see from my post count, I still haven’t shut up in other people’s threads. **Anti Pro** said: > [@](#): > > Though, what I find interesting is why some people’s names are just turn offs to even opening the thread at all. I generally go by the thread titles, but there are some reservations to that–I do have my mental list of those whose threads I’m less likely to look at regardless of title. And the opposite, as well–there are those whose threads I’m _more_likely to look at, regardless of title. **Jester** said: > [@](#): > > Is anybody listening? Fear not, Jester. We’re listening–maybe not talking, but listening. There are many threads I read that I don’t post in, simply because I have nothing that would add to it–even smartass comments must be appropriate, or I don’t do them. I try to make it a point to post to condolence threads, birthday threads, and post part threads, when I see them–such things need positive feedback, I think–but other stuff I’m likely to enjoy silently. If it helps, I’ll mention that I’ve found you quite worthwhile to read, so keep up the good work…and I’ll try to type a little more. ---
**Author:** ![Anti\_Pro](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/8e7dd6/32.png) [@Anti\_Pro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Anti_Pro)\ **Post date:** [October 5, 2000, 3:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-start-threads-or-just-respond/35665/22 "2000-10-05T03:46:36Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by MysterEcks \* > \*\* I try to make it a point to post to condolence threads, birthday threads, and post part threads, when I see them–such things need positive feedback, I think–but other stuff I’m likely to enjoy silently. If it helps, I’ll mention that I’ve found you quite worthwhile to read, so keep up the good work…and I’ll try to type a little more. \*\* Ummm, \*\* MrTerminatorEcks \*\* you DO realize, I’ll have to tell Scotti all about this, right??? Do you think even I,[YOUR PERSONAL PR scare tactic person] will be able to get past THIS kind of positive, sensitive, nurturing [yuck, patooie, spppptt] you just said??? You might as well start selling those flowers you’ve been hiding behind your back all along!! ::::::::::grumble, grumble, grumble::::::::::::::::::::::: ---
**Author:** ![porcupine](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/ac91a4/32.png) [@porcupine](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/porcupine)\ **Post date:** [October 5, 2000, 4:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-start-threads-or-just-respond/35665/23 "2000-10-05T04:01:36Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Zenster \* > Hey my spiney friend. You are **so** welcome here it ain’t funny. > > _(Keep posting your great threads!)_ > \*\* 😊 Thanks :). I feel so…assimilated. You’re not confusing me with Spiny Norman, are you? You know, hedgehogs and porcupines… 😉 ---
**Author:** ![DRY](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/a87d85/32.png) [@DRY](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DRY)\ **Post date:** [October 5, 2000, 6:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-start-threads-or-just-respond/35665/24 "2000-10-05T06:42:42Z")
And I think I’ve started something like 6-8 threads–All birthday, anniversary, or sympathy/congratulatory threads for the few posters foolish enough to call me their friend. I mostly respond. That’s right, I bumping your threads, selflessly boosting the egos of the various OPs. Or something like that. ---
**Author:** ![Scotticher](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e9c0ed/32.png) [@Scotticher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Scotticher)\ **Post date:** [October 5, 2000, 7:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-start-threads-or-just-respond/35665/25 "2000-10-05T07:51:32Z")
HEY! My momma didn’t raise no FOOL, boy! ---
**Author:** ![DRY](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/a87d85/32.png) [@DRY](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DRY)\ **Post date:** [October 5, 2000, 8:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-start-threads-or-just-respond/35665/26 "2000-10-05T08:03:49Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Scotticher \* > \*\*HEY! My momma didn’t raise no FOOL, boy! \*\* Well, geez…didn’t expect you so soon. Making up for lost time? 😉 Ahem…at least I answered the OP… ---
**Author:** ![Typo\_Negative](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/typo_negative/32/484_2.png) [@Typo\_Negative](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Typo_Negative)\ **Post date:** [October 5, 2000, 9:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-start-threads-or-just-respond/35665/27 "2000-10-05T09:15:31Z")
I started a few threads, which were largely ignored. Mostly, I make responses that are largely ignored. ---
**Author:** ![lolagranola](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/ea5d25/32.png) [@lolagranola](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lolagranola)\ **Post date:** [October 5, 2000, 1:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-start-threads-or-just-respond/35665/28 "2000-10-05T13:08:55Z")
I notice a lot of people say their threads get largely ignored. That’s probably why I don’t start many threads myself. I would hate to see it sink like a stone. Including myself, it looks like the totals are running something like: People who mostly or always respond: around 8, give or take. People who start threads: around six or so. **Zenster** has an interesting point. I wonder if we all feel like we know the thread starters better then the responders. ---
**Author:** ![tatertot](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/c37758/32.png) [@tatertot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tatertot)\ **Post date:** [October 5, 2000, 1:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-start-threads-or-just-respond/35665/29 "2000-10-05T13:26:55Z")
I’ve been on this board for a year now, and it seems like it’s harder for a thread, even a good interesting thread, to stay on the first page…and once it’s hit the second page, it’s pretty much gone. So all y’all who feel like your threads are being ignored, please don’t feel bad, there is just so much stuff on the boards these days, a lot of times I can’t even read half way down the first page! And there is nothing wrong with bumping your own thread once or twice, if you feel like it’s been shortchanged. Or, you could be sneaky like me and get your friend to do it! One of these days, I’m going to have to do some sort of chart on what threads do best at what times of day, since I definately can see a pattern. Maybe I’ll make it a project for school or something. ---
**Author:** ![JimmyNipples](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/eb9ed0/32.png) [@JimmyNipples](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JimmyNipples)\ **Post date:** [October 5, 2000, 2:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-start-threads-or-just-respond/35665/30 "2000-10-05T14:19:26Z")
I’ve started some threads that were fairly well received. Others have nearly created a sonic boom as they approach the speed of sound. There is a certain amount of anxiety when you start a thread. Does the header have enough of a hook? Is the topic of the thread compelling? Do people see my name as the thread starter and skip it without giving it a second glance? Is my penis large enough? Will the monkeys punish me? So many questions…so little time. ---
**Author:** ![Feynn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/ecb155/32.png) [@Feynn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Feynn)\ **Post date:** [October 5, 2000, 3:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-start-threads-or-just-respond/35665/31 "2000-10-05T15:56:15Z")
After a non-exhaustive search it looks like I have started between 15 to 20 threads, participated in almost 500 topics and think my total post count is around 550. (I don’t pay attention to my PC that much). I would start more threads if it wasn’t for the people who start “my” topics before I do… with so many people here it is understandable that someone else is thinking like me. That’s a scary thought actually, if you really knew what went on my head sometimes. ---
**Author:** ![ladybug](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/46a35a/32.png) [@ladybug](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ladybug)\ **Post date:** [October 5, 2000, 4:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-start-threads-or-just-respond/35665/32 "2000-10-05T16:10:41Z")
I’ve started only one thread on the SDMB, and that was to ask a question over in ATMB. Honestly, I’m still so new here that I really don’t feel comfortable starting threads yet. I’d much rather post to existing threads until I really get a feel for the place. ---
**Author:** ![Tabithina](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/f04885/32.png) [@Tabithina](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tabithina)\ **Post date:** [October 5, 2000, 4:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-start-threads-or-just-respond/35665/33 "2000-10-05T16:17:00Z")
I mostly just respond to other people’s threads. I’ve started two, and they both did okay for a while, but I’m a newbie yet, and I don’t want to make a pest of myself. I did want to start a couple more of them soon, though. I’m just trying to pace myself, since I DO spend a lot of time here.😉 ---
**Author:** ![Scotticher](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e9c0ed/32.png) [@Scotticher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Scotticher)\ **Post date:** [October 5, 2000, 4:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-start-threads-or-just-respond/35665/34 "2000-10-05T16:18:29Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Anti Pro \* > \*\*Ummm, \* MrTerminatorEcks \* you DO realize, I’ll have to tell Scotti all about this, right??? Do you think even I,[YOUR PERSONAL PR scare tactic person] will be able to get past THIS kind of positive, sensitive, nurturing [yuck, patooie, spppptt] you just said??? You might as well start selling those flowers you’ve been hiding behind your back all along!! > > ::::::::::grumble, grumble, grumble::::::::::::::::::::::: > \*\* (Pssst, Anti Pro-don’t tell **MysterEcks,** but I knew his secret all along. I just didn’t want to let on. See, I was sneaking a peek at his…ahem… the BACK of his tshirt, and I saw the flowers. But I say, let the man have his illusions!) ---
**Author:** ![Bumbazine](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bumbazine/32/362_2.png) [@Bumbazine](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bumbazine)\ **Post date:** [October 5, 2000, 4:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-start-threads-or-just-respond/35665/35 "2000-10-05T16:20:43Z")
I’ve started two threads, neither terribly successful. But the problem I have with posting to other people’s threads is that when I find one that I think is interesting, and I want to post to, I read the other posts, and discover 3 other people have already posted what I would have said. **And** said it much better than I could have. So I end up just posting some wise-assed comment in a pathetic attempt to say: _“hey, I wanna be one of the gang too, I may not be smart, but I’m kinda funny.”_ BTW, I only wandered into this place about 5 weeks ago, (took a wrong turn from reading the archives, and then lurked for 3 of them) and, looking back over the posts, there isn’t one of you whose name I don’t recognize and have started to form an impression about. I’ll bet you’re a lot more visible than you think. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Many\_Crows](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/35a633/32.png) [@Many\_Crows](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Many_Crows)\ **Post date:** [October 5, 2000, 4:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-start-threads-or-just-respond/35665/36 "2000-10-05T16:38:22Z")
I mostly lurk k. =^…^= ---
**Author:** ![Finagle](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/b19c9b/32.png) [@Finagle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Finagle)\ **Post date:** [October 5, 2000, 5:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-start-threads-or-just-respond/35665/37 "2000-10-05T17:46:18Z")
Threads I respond to often linger for a short time. Threads I start code immediately with a DNR. So I mostly just respond. ---
**Author:** ![cornflakes](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/9d8465/32.png) [@cornflakes](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cornflakes)\ **Post date:** [October 5, 2000, 6:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-start-threads-or-just-respond/35665/38 "2000-10-05T18:18:40Z")
> [@](#): > > Do you start threads, or just respond? No. ---
**Author:** ![Zenster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/cdc98d/32.png) [@Zenster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zenster)\ **Post date:** [October 5, 2000, 9:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-start-threads-or-just-respond/35665/39 "2000-10-05T21:21:31Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Ukulele Ike \* > **\ I LOVE recipe threads and drop into a lot of them to argue and wrangle and swap ideas, but the thought of ONE THREAD covering EVERYTHING is exhausting. I don’t know if the latest recipe is going to be for Caesar Salad or Canard a l’Orange or Fudge Brownies. And if your mouth is all set for a brownie and you get lamb shanks braised in sherry vinegar…well, you know. \** Hey **Ike** , and what exactly is wrong with a Caesar Salad, Duck with Orange sauce and brownies for dessert? As for you **Jimmy Nipples** , if everyone answered all of the questions you ask in your quote, the boards would be even more fun. I like your style _(damn monkeys!)_. > [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by JimmyNipples \* > \*\*I’ve started some threads that were fairly well received. Others have nearly created a sonic boom as they approach the speed of sound. > There is a certain amount of anxiety when you start a thread. > > Does the header have enough of a hook? > > Is the topic of the thread compelling? > > Do people see my name as the thread starter and skip it without giving it a second glance? > > Is my penis large enough? > > Will the monkeys punish me? > So many questions…so little time. \*\* ---
**Author:** ![Cervaise](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cervaise/32/16693_2.png) [@Cervaise](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cervaise)\ **Post date:** [October 6, 2000, 1:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-start-threads-or-just-respond/35665/40 "2000-10-06T01:16:29Z")
> [@](#): > > Will the monkeys punish me? 😃 😃 😃 As far as the OP: I’m almost exclusively a responder, although in the last month I’ve probably started more threads than in the whole year previously. My thing is, I come up with what I think might be a good idea, and then I chew on it for a while. I browse the archives, I check the general trend of board conversations, I reassure myself it’ll be received well. Then, maybe, I post it, or I don’t. Often, the mental review takes so long somebody else gets to it first. The topic of this thread, for example. I was about three-quarters of the way through my mental review on posting this **exact** question when lolagranola beat me to it. Sigh… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-start-threads-or-just-respond/35665.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-start-threads-or-just-respond/35665.md?page=3)