# How much input does/should the OP have in controlling a thread?

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-input-does-should-the-op-have-in-controlling-a-thread/941000>\
**Category:** About This Message Board\
**Created:** [April 28, 2021, 10:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-input-does-should-the-op-have-in-controlling-a-thread/941000 "2021-04-28T22:47:58Z")\
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**Author:** ![Heffalump\_and\_Roo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/heffalump_and_roo/32/7691_2.png) [@Heffalump\_and\_Roo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Heffalump_and_Roo)\
**Post date:** [April 30, 2021, 2:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-input-does-should-the-op-have-in-controlling-a-thread/941000/24 "2021-04-30T14:49:34Z")

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> [@Atamasama](#):
>
> I’ve seen this attempted and failed. I’ve seen a GD thread where the OP basically disallows disagreements and therefore the thread was locked.

The way I’m reading this thread is that it’s about what posters want, not what’s currently happening. I disagree with the handling of that thread along with the people in this thread linked here.

> [@Is this grounds for thread closure?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-this-grounds-for-thread-closure/939061):
>
> I started a thread seeking forward thinking constructive and practical ideas for a way out of our current gun violence health crisis. It was quickly taken over by a usual suspect who was modded, in that thread and others, for bad faith and dishonest debate tactics. When I mentioned that I, as an individual, would no longer reply to this other specific individual, What\_Exit pointed to that as grounds to close the thread entirely. I’m genuinely confused. Doesn’t this just mean that whoever hija…

I guess that brings up the hypothetical possibility that someone could tailor their OP so narrowly that no discussion is possible. For instance, in an existence of God thread, an atheist might start a thread asking for proof of the existence of God using only science and no quotes of the Bible are allowed. Or conversely, a religious person might ask for the non-existence of God but only Bible quotes are allowed.

That’s a fair discussion, but I don’t think it’s a big deal. If people want to engage in that kind of discussion, they will. If they don’t, the thread will die off the page.

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