# How do you stop thread derailment? **URL:** \ **Category:** About This Message Board\ **Created:** [November 10, 2014, 4:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-stop-thread-derailment/704247 "2014-11-10T16:17:27Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![grude](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e47774/32.png) [@grude](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/grude)\ **Post date:** [November 10, 2014, 4:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-stop-thread-derailment/704247/1 "2014-11-10T16:17:27Z")
I’ve seen threads with actually interesting and non offensive questions get totally derailed, how do you stop this? It even happens in GQ sometimes. I’d like to not have it happen to myself, unless it is intentional. One I remember was basically a alternate history question where I made explicitly clear I made no judgments about any historical person’s actions and just wanted to talk about what if and it derailed into posts seeming to think I was doing what I just explicitly said I was not. ---
**Author:** ![Knorf](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/58956e/32.png) [@Knorf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Knorf)\ **Post date:** [November 10, 2014, 4:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-stop-thread-derailment/704247/2 "2014-11-10T16:21:22Z")
You have to just think of every thread as its own angsty teenager, likely to storm off in a huff and engage in risky behaviors behind the gym. ---
**Author:** ![kayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayaker/32/441_2.png) [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Post date:** [November 10, 2014, 4:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-stop-thread-derailment/704247/3 "2014-11-10T16:29:48Z")
[Interesting Wikipedia article discussing derailment.](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Derailment) ---
**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:** [November 10, 2014, 4:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-stop-thread-derailment/704247/4 "2014-11-10T16:33:40Z")
My favorite Brownie recipe. [http://www.kingarthurflour.com/recipes/wicked-easy-fudge-brownies-recipe](http://www.kingarthurflour.com/recipes/wicked-easy-fudge-brownies-recipe) Wait- what were talking about? (sorry) ---
**Author:** ![Leaffan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/leaffan/32/299_2.png) [@Leaffan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leaffan)\ **Post date:** [November 10, 2014, 4:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-stop-thread-derailment/704247/5 "2014-11-10T16:34:19Z")
> [@kayaker](#): > > [Interesting Wikipedia article discussing derailment.](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Derailment) Priceless. ---
**Author:** ![silenus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/silenus/32/166_2.png) [@silenus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/silenus)\ **Post date:** [November 10, 2014, 4:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-stop-thread-derailment/704247/6 "2014-11-10T16:36:03Z")
> [@grude](#): > > I’ve seen threads with actually interesting and non offensive questions get totally derailed, how do you stop this? It even happens in GQ sometimes. Shouldn’t “non offensive” be hyphenated? ---
**Author:** ![Peremensoe](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/ce7236/32.png) [@Peremensoe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Peremensoe)\ **Post date:** [November 10, 2014, 4:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-stop-thread-derailment/704247/7 "2014-11-10T16:38:10Z")
> [@silenus](#): > > Shouldn’t “non offensive” be hyphenated? “Inoffensive” would be more correct. ---
**Author:** ![lost4life](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/c4cdca/32.png) [@lost4life](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lost4life)\ **Post date:** [November 10, 2014, 4:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-stop-thread-derailment/704247/8 "2014-11-10T16:45:25Z")
> [@kayaker](#): > > [Interesting Wikipedia article discussing derailment.](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Derailment) Really? You’re going to use Wikipedia for information? ---
**Author:** ![Jonathan\_Chance](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jonathan_chance/32/701_2.png) [@Jonathan\_Chance](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jonathan_Chance)\ **Post date:** [November 10, 2014, 4:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-stop-thread-derailment/704247/9 "2014-11-10T16:49:50Z")
Very occasionally I get a report about a thread being derailed. Not often, but sometimes. My instinct is to leave it be. As mentioned upthread, threads, once born, move on and grow and die on their own. The times I do intervene are when the derailment is due to some hard feelings or intentional. Someone, for whatever reason, is actively trying to hijack the thread. Even then, I’ll just give a redirect of my own and tell them to take it to a new thread. I suppose if they continue I could warn them, but that would likely be it. ---
**Author:** ![kayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayaker/32/441_2.png) [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Post date:** [November 10, 2014, 4:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-stop-thread-derailment/704247/10 "2014-11-10T16:52:20Z")
> [@lost4life](#): > > Really? You’re going to use Wikipedia for information? Sorry, I’ll admit to being lazy. It’s Monday, after all. My primary source: Iwnicki, Simon, ed. (2006). Handbook of Railway Vehicle Dynamics. Boca Raton, Fl: Taylor and Francis. ISBN 978-0-8493-3321-7. ---
**Author:** ![Amateur\_Barbarian](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/59ef9b/32.png) [@Amateur\_Barbarian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Amateur_Barbarian)\ **Post date:** [November 10, 2014, 4:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-stop-thread-derailment/704247/11 "2014-11-10T16:53:10Z")
Most derailments come fairly late, after the primary question or topic has had its time and is either resolved or is determined to have no easy resolution. I think it’s unrealistic to expect a thread to stick to the OP topic after dozens of posts and a reasonable slate of answers or opinions have been given. ---
**Author:** ![elbows](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/b3f665/32.png) [@elbows](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elbows)\ **Post date:** [November 10, 2014, 4:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-stop-thread-derailment/704247/12 "2014-11-10T16:54:44Z")
Lots of people say, “With all due respect…”, and then go right ahead and be disrespectful. Likewise, “I’m not a racist/sexist but…”, it’s not derailment to point out that they are, in fact, being very racist/sexist. Saying something doesn’t make it so. But you could always try reporting it. I often see the mods telling everyone to get back on topic. Doesn’t seem so hard. Of course there is no guarantee they’ll agree with you about what’s a derailment and what’s not, but they seem real approachable, maybe just ask? ---
**Author:** ![Colibri](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/colibri/32/1841_2.png) [@Colibri](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Colibri)\ **Post date:** [November 10, 2014, 5:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-stop-thread-derailment/704247/13 "2014-11-10T17:09:34Z")
As far as things that are under your control, try to be as clear in the OP as possible as to what exactly you are looking for. When people post things that are what your intention was, it’s OK to point this out. (However, you should avoid doing this too rudely or aggressively.) But for a hypothetical question, it can be tough to figure out where a thread will go. As you note, however, posters often don’t read the OP very carefully (sometimes they only read the title), and no matter how clear you make things some posters will post things that obviously aren’t what you intended. Outside of GQ, there’s not too much you can do about this. In GQ, there can be a fine line between an interesting digression and a hijacking. I tend to mostly moderate comments or discussion that is sending the thread in a direction more appropriate for another forum, such as IMHO or GD. ---
**Author:** ![Joey\_P](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/919ad9/32.png) [@Joey\_P](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Joey_P)\ **Post date:** [November 10, 2014, 5:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-stop-thread-derailment/704247/14 "2014-11-10T17:12:30Z")
> [@IvoryTowerDenizen](#): > > My favorite Brownie recipe. [http://www.kingarthurflour.com/recipes/wicked-easy-fudge-brownies-recipe](http://www.kingarthurflour.com/recipes/wicked-easy-fudge-brownies-recipe) > Wait- what were talking about? > (sorry) I won’t even click on that. King Arthur flour is too expensive. Why should I buy that instead of the generic stuff? ---
**Author:** ![Cinnamon\_Imp](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/58956e/32.png) [@Cinnamon\_Imp](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cinnamon_Imp)\ **Post date:** [November 10, 2014, 5:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-stop-thread-derailment/704247/15 "2014-11-10T17:28:37Z")
> [@grude](#): > > I’ve seen threads with actually interesting and non offensive questions get totally derailed, how do you stop this? How do you feel about thead hijacking, and threadsplitting? ---
**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:** [November 10, 2014, 5:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-stop-thread-derailment/704247/16 "2014-11-10T17:45:12Z")
> [@Joey\_P](#): > > I won’t even click on that. King Arthur flour is too expensive. Why should I buy that instead of the generic stuff? Let’s discuss the factors involved in the valuation flour. Workforce cost? Milling requirements? etc. Plus the recipe is really good with any old flour, so click away. ---
**Author:** ![lost4life](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/c4cdca/32.png) [@lost4life](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lost4life)\ **Post date:** [November 10, 2014, 5:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-stop-thread-derailment/704247/17 "2014-11-10T17:46:51Z")
> [@kayaker](#): > > Sorry, I’ll admit to being lazy. It’s Monday, after all. > > My primary source: > > Iwnicki, Simon, ed. (2006). Handbook of Railway Vehicle Dynamics. Boca Raton, Fl: Taylor and Francis. ISBN 978-0-8493-3321-7. You do realize that Iwnicki is British? ---
**Author:** ![grude](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e47774/32.png) [@grude](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/grude)\ **Post date:** [November 10, 2014, 5:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-stop-thread-derailment/704247/18 "2014-11-10T17:51:18Z")
> [@Colibri](#): > > As far as things that are under your control, try to be as clear in the OP as possible as to what exactly you are looking for. When people post things that are what your intention was, it’s OK to point this out. (However, you should avoid doing this too rudely or aggressively.) But for a hypothetical question, it can be tough to figure out where a thread will go. > > As you note, however, posters often don’t read the OP very carefully (sometimes they only read the title), and no matter how clear you make things some posters will post things that obviously aren’t what you intended. Outside of GQ, there’s not too much you can do about this. > > In GQ, there can be a fine line between an interesting digression and a hijacking. I tend to mostly moderate comments or discussion that is sending the thread in a direction more appropriate for another forum, such as IMHO or GD. It only bugs me in GQ and GD, anywhere else I’m basically cool with it. Thanks to the mods who replied. ---
**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:** [November 10, 2014, 5:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-stop-thread-derailment/704247/19 "2014-11-10T17:55:20Z")
Short answer: You can’t. Derailments and hijacking are inherent in any discussion, whether online or offline and it isn’t always possible (or desirable) to tell someone to STFU. ---
**Author:** ![GrandWino](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/grandwino/32/67_2.png) [@GrandWino](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GrandWino)\ **Post date:** [November 10, 2014, 5:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-stop-thread-derailment/704247/20 "2014-11-10T17:57:00Z")
> [@grude](#): > > It only bugs me in GQ and GD, anywhere else I’m basically cool with it. > > Thanks to the mods who replied. You’re lucky… In my day we would have _dreamed_ of just having a single mod reply to us. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-stop-thread-derailment/704247.md?page=2)