# I Hate SDMB List Threads! **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [January 24, 2003, 4:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-hate-sdmb-list-threads/150637 "2003-01-24T16:59:48Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![WordMan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/e8c25b/32.png) [@WordMan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WordMan)\ **Post date:** [January 24, 2003, 4:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-hate-sdmb-list-threads/150637/1 "2003-01-24T16:59:48Z")
This is the first Pit thread I have started - sorry in advance if I violate some basic rule of etiquette… I _hate_ list threads. There is one going in Cafe Society about celebrities who loath each other. The damn thread is at least 2 pages long and consists pretty much exclusively of people contributing a handful of pairs of celebrities who loath each other. Is this funny? No. Is there a point to the thread? Other than, “look, we can make a list!”, No. Does it take an interesting position that leads to worthwhile discussion? For example, arguing for which celebrities have the worst relationship and why? No, and there is rarely ANY discussion on this type of silly-ass thread, just lists and lists and lists (not that I think that particular stand would be interesting, but hopefully you see where I am trying to go with this). Is there any trivia-laden bonus value? Rarely. Mostly, someone just posts their list, with no additional context about what they added… I see a handful of List Threads on most boards most days. We are better than this, Dopers! I propose the following: - If you see a List Thread - declare it to be one and challenge posters to do SOMETHING to make the thread interesting or just don’t post to it. - If you are about to post a thread that could devolve into a List Thread, stop yourself and make sure you take a position that people can discuss. Thank you for your time. ---
**Author:** ![Trion](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/ccd318/32.png) [@Trion](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Trion)\ **Post date:** [January 24, 2003, 5:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-hate-sdmb-list-threads/150637/2 "2003-01-24T17:05:43Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by WordMan \* > \*\* > I propose the following: > > - If you see a List Thread - declare it to be one and challenge posters to do SOMETHING to make the thread interesting or just don’t post to it. > \*\* I understand where you’re coming from **WordMan** , really I do. I’m not a big fan of list threads either. But if you expect me to go in and piss on someone’s picnic just because you don’t like the kind of fun they’re having … well … no. ---
**Author:** ![Meatros](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/b4bc9f/32.png) [@Meatros](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Meatros)\ **Post date:** [January 24, 2003, 5:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-hate-sdmb-list-threads/150637/3 "2003-01-24T17:07:17Z")
What are you talking about? Can you give me a list of examples?😃 ::Runs out of the room:: ---
**Author:** ![porcupine](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/ac91a4/32.png) [@porcupine](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/porcupine)\ **Post date:** [January 24, 2003, 5:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-hate-sdmb-list-threads/150637/4 "2003-01-24T17:07:22Z")
I actually found the Cafe Society thread to be very entertaining. ---
**Author:** ![Homebrew](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/c89c15/32.png) [@Homebrew](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Homebrew)\ **Post date:** [January 24, 2003, 5:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-hate-sdmb-list-threads/150637/5 "2003-01-24T17:09:13Z")
Then don’t read them, dipshit. ---
**Author:** ![Giraffe](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/giraffe/32/129_2.png) [@Giraffe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Giraffe)\ **Post date:** [January 24, 2003, 5:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-hate-sdmb-list-threads/150637/6 "2003-01-24T17:09:14Z")
I hate lots of things: 1. Pit threads which can hope to elicit only tired cliches, such as “don’t read threads you don’t like” 2. Rude people 3. Hairy backs 4. Predictable responses ---
**Author:** ![roadrunner70](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e19b73/32.png) [@roadrunner70](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/roadrunner70)\ **Post date:** [January 24, 2003, 5:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-hate-sdmb-list-threads/150637/7 "2003-01-24T17:09:47Z")
Hi Wordman! Nope, just don’t have the same ring to it… ---
**Author:** ![Homebrew](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/c89c15/32.png) [@Homebrew](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Homebrew)\ **Post date:** [January 24, 2003, 5:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-hate-sdmb-list-threads/150637/8 "2003-01-24T17:10:29Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Giraffe \* > \*\*I hate lots of things: > > 1. Hairy backs > \*\* HEY! ---
**Author:** ![DeadlyAccurate](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/ac91a4/32.png) [@DeadlyAccurate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DeadlyAccurate)\ **Post date:** [January 24, 2003, 5:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-hate-sdmb-list-threads/150637/9 "2003-01-24T17:19:34Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by porcupine \* > \*\*I actually found the Cafe Society thread to be very entertaining. \*\* Me too. And it’s 4 pages long, not 2. And I’ve read all four pages. And I hope it’ll get longer. When I see threads I don’t find interesting, instead of bitching about them, I just don’t bother to read them. I’m weird that way. ---
**Author:** ![WordMan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/e8c25b/32.png) [@WordMan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WordMan)\ **Post date:** [January 24, 2003, 5:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-hate-sdmb-list-threads/150637/10 "2003-01-24T17:23:02Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Homebrew \* > \*\*Then don’t read them, dipshit. \*\* Hey, now - in the spirit of civilized discourse, that’s “_Mr._ Dipshit” to you! 🙂 But to your point, of course you are correct; when I realize that a thread is a List Thread, I am outta there. What I am referring to is when I come across a thread title that could be interesting, only to find that it is only a List Thread - THAT’s what I am PITting about… And **porcupine** , I am glad you found the thread in Cafe Society interesting. In the spirit of interesting discussion, I’m interesting in what you found entertaining about it - no sarcasm intended; I am genuinely curious. And **Trion** - I respect your unwillingness to rain on anyone else’s parade. I suppose I am just venting a bit… ---
**Author:** ![porcupine](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/ac91a4/32.png) [@porcupine](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/porcupine)\ **Post date:** [January 24, 2003, 5:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-hate-sdmb-list-threads/150637/11 "2003-01-24T17:31:08Z")
**WordMan** , I think it’s because I’m so used to celebraties on interview shows never saying anything nasty about anyone they’ve worked with, even if they might to, so I found hearing dirty a nice change of pace. Also, I found the thought of some of these people sitting down to dinner together and ragging on each other funny. ---
**Author:** ![Polycarp](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/82dd89/32.png) [@Polycarp](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Polycarp)\ **Post date:** [January 24, 2003, 5:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-hate-sdmb-list-threads/150637/12 "2003-01-24T17:32:42Z")
I’d just like to observe that to the best of my knowledge, **OpalCat** does not have a hairy back. And since that was the third item in a list, traditionally reserved for her… 😉 ---
**Author:** ![Giraffe](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/giraffe/32/129_2.png) [@Giraffe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Giraffe)\ **Post date:** [January 24, 2003, 5:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-hate-sdmb-list-threads/150637/13 "2003-01-24T17:34:03Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Homebrew \* > \*\*HEY! \*\* Bear in mind that I’m a straight guy. So as long as you don’t rub your hairy back up against me, you’re OK. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Giraffe](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/giraffe/32/129_2.png) [@Giraffe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Giraffe)\ **Post date:** [January 24, 2003, 5:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-hate-sdmb-list-threads/150637/14 "2003-01-24T17:35:27Z")
i.e. hairy backs are only gross if I have to come into contact with them. ---
**Author:** ![Meatros](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/b4bc9f/32.png) [@Meatros](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Meatros)\ **Post date:** [January 24, 2003, 5:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-hate-sdmb-list-threads/150637/15 "2003-01-24T17:37:35Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Giraffe \* > \*\*i.e. hairy backs are only gross if I have to come into contact with them. \*\* Uh…are you saying you’ve come in contact with hairy _female_ backs? eeeeewwwww…:eek: ---
**Author:** ![dwc1970](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/a183cd/32.png) [@dwc1970](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dwc1970)\ **Post date:** [January 24, 2003, 5:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-hate-sdmb-list-threads/150637/16 "2003-01-24T17:38:15Z")
I happen to like list threads. Here are the types of threads I don’t like, and therefore don’t bother to read: Birthday announcement threads. Unless I know the person pesonally, I don’t care that it’s his or her birthday. Post-count celebration threads. Again, don’t care. “ID this song” threads. Chances are I won’t know the song from the lyrics alone since I mostly listen to the instrumental part of most songs. LOTR/Simpsons threads. They are _waaay_ overdone. Sports-related threads. I don’t see anything wrong with such threads, but the whole topic of sports just doesn’t interest me. “Ask the \_\_\_\_\_” threads that get out of hand, that is, when it seems like everyone wants to start one, howver mundane it may be. I can tolerate these in smaller doses, though. My one gripe against list threads is that they invariably invite someone who thinks he’s being clever or funny to include the very much overdone-to-the-point-of-being-cliché “Hi Opal!” entry in the list. :rolleyes: ---
**Author:** ![porcupine](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/ac91a4/32.png) [@porcupine](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/porcupine)\ **Post date:** [January 24, 2003, 5:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-hate-sdmb-list-threads/150637/17 "2003-01-24T17:41:24Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by dwc1970 \* > \*\*My one gripe against list threads is that they invariably invite someone who thinks he’s being clever or funny to include the very much overdone-to-the-point-of-being-cliché “Hi Opal!” entry in the list. :rolleyes: \*\* Heh. Even in this thread. I agree, BTW; I think it’s the most overdone and least amusing in-joke on this board. ---
**Author:** ![Bubba\_Ray](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/e19adc/32.png) [@Bubba\_Ray](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bubba_Ray)\ **Post date:** [January 24, 2003, 6:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-hate-sdmb-list-threads/150637/18 "2003-01-24T18:08:21Z")
List of predicted lame jokes that will appear in this thread: 1. Bandname 2. Bring Pie 3. Hi Opal 4. If… the terrorists already have won 5. worst. list. ever ---
**Author:** ![Bubba\_Ray](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/e19adc/32.png) [@Bubba\_Ray](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bubba_Ray)\ **Post date:** [January 24, 2003, 6:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-hate-sdmb-list-threads/150637/19 "2003-01-24T18:08:53Z")
List of predicted lame jokes that will appear in this thread: 1. Bandname 2. Bring Pie 3. Hi Opal 4. If… the terrorists already have won 5. worst. list. ever. ---
**Author:** ![Wilson](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/96bed5/32.png) [@Wilson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wilson)\ **Post date:** [January 24, 2003, 7:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-hate-sdmb-list-threads/150637/20 "2003-01-24T19:51:34Z")
Bring Pie… that would make a great band name! [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-hate-sdmb-list-threads/150637.md?page=2)