# Moderators changing thread titles **URL:** \ **Category:** About This Message Board\ **Created:** [June 10, 2022, 2:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/moderators-changing-thread-titles/965980 "2022-06-10T14:31:46Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**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:** [June 10, 2022, 8:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/moderators-changing-thread-titles/965980/21 "2022-06-10T20:36:40Z")
> [@engineer\_comp\_geek](#): > > I don’t agree. I do agree (with Reimann), her thread titles are borderline meaningless. Can you guess what any of these threads might be about? - Bad, bad, bad Comatose mistaken ideas - BIG, bad bad bad ways to go home (yes, you can go home again!) - Wait just a dang minute. Bad bad bad Ms. Beck-brain, we gotta talk - Bad, bad, bad Beck-da-wrek is on (as in dependent on) Goof-o-da-balls. Uh-oh! - Hey! There’s this thing I really really really love (And, naturally, Discourse requires a bunch of extra steps to copy text that also happens to be a link. ) > [@engineer\_comp\_geek](#): > > Some of her topics are definitely more towards the mundane and pointless side of the forum, which is fine. For example, her post on “winning” has a vague title, but it’s a very vague post (which is fine for MPSIMS). The rules from MPSIMS, explicitly state that you cannot have vague thread titles. > [@Forum Rules for MPSIMS - Please Read Before Posting](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/forum-rules-for-mpsims-please-read-before-posting/438786/6): > > Descriptive Thread Titles Please make sure your thread titles are descriptive. Ambiguous titles such as “Guess What?” will be edited by a moderator to help give the readers an inkling of what the thread is about. ---
**Author:** ![Riemann](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/riemann/32/3133_2.png) [@Riemann](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Riemann)\ **Post date:** [June 10, 2022, 8:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/moderators-changing-thread-titles/965980/22 "2022-06-10T20:40:51Z")
Indeed. Can a Mod please explain the difference between the thread title “Guess What?” that is explicitly prohibited in the rules, and the thread title “Hey! There’s this thing I really really really love” that is fine? ---
**Author:** ![engineer\_comp\_geek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/engineer_comp_geek/32/504_2.png) [@engineer\_comp\_geek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/engineer_comp_geek)\ **Post date:** [June 10, 2022, 8:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/moderators-changing-thread-titles/965980/23 "2022-06-10T20:41:47Z")
Let’s not make this a “hey let’s pick on beckdawreck” thread. Does anyone have any non-beck examples they would like to discuss? ---
**Author:** ![Riemann](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/riemann/32/3133_2.png) [@Riemann](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Riemann)\ **Post date:** [June 10, 2022, 8:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/moderators-changing-thread-titles/965980/24 "2022-06-10T20:44:25Z")
> [@engineer\_comp\_geek](#): > > Let’s not make this a “hey let’s pick on beckdawreck” thread. I object to _all_ non-informative thread titles. It’s the mods who are making it about one poster by deciding that the rule does not apply to one poster. ---
**Author:** ![engineer\_comp\_geek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/engineer_comp_geek/32/504_2.png) [@engineer\_comp\_geek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/engineer_comp_geek)\ **Post date:** [June 10, 2022, 8:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/moderators-changing-thread-titles/965980/25 "2022-06-10T20:54:14Z")
> [@Joey\_P](#): > > Can you guess what any of these threads might be about? With the first four, and knowing Beck, yes I have a pretty good idea of what I would be clicking on. If someone had reported the 5th one I would have edited the title. Was it reported? ---
**Author:** ![Riemann](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/riemann/32/3133_2.png) [@Riemann](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Riemann)\ **Post date:** [June 10, 2022, 8:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/moderators-changing-thread-titles/965980/26 "2022-06-10T20:57:30Z")
> [@engineer\_comp\_geek](#): > > and knowing Beck And this really is _not_ the way moderation should work. ---
**Author:** ![engineer\_comp\_geek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/engineer_comp_geek/32/504_2.png) [@engineer\_comp\_geek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/engineer_comp_geek)\ **Post date:** [June 10, 2022, 8:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/moderators-changing-thread-titles/965980/27 "2022-06-10T20:58:43Z")
The MMP works the same way. If you don’t know what the MMP is then you won’t know what the thread is about. Do you object to the MMP also or is it just Beck’s posts? ---
**Author:** ![Riemann](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/riemann/32/3133_2.png) [@Riemann](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Riemann)\ **Post date:** [June 10, 2022, 9:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/moderators-changing-thread-titles/965980/28 "2022-06-10T21:01:55Z")
> [@engineer\_comp\_geek](#): > > Do you object to the MMP also The MMP is a Board tradition. I think that’s quite different from selectively deciding that the rules do not apply to one specific poster. I think it’s detrimental to Board culture to allow clickbait titles - and I’m pretty sure that’s why the rule exists. So in my opinion these thread titles clearly violate the _intent_ of the rule. ---
**Author:** ![Thudlow\_Boink](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thudlow_boink/32/320_2.png) [@Thudlow\_Boink](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Thudlow_Boink)\ **Post date:** [June 10, 2022, 9:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/moderators-changing-thread-titles/965980/29 "2022-06-10T21:04:50Z")
> [@Riemann](#): > > The MMP is a Board tradition Arguably so is bad, bad, bad Beck. ---
**Author:** ![engineer\_comp\_geek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/engineer_comp_geek/32/504_2.png) [@engineer\_comp\_geek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/engineer_comp_geek)\ **Post date:** [June 10, 2022, 9:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/moderators-changing-thread-titles/965980/30 "2022-06-10T21:05:35Z")
> [@Riemann](#): > > The MMP is a Board tradition. So is Beck’s “bad bad bad”. Again, if you have a problem with one specific poster, take it to the Pit. ---
**Author:** ![Riemann](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/riemann/32/3133_2.png) [@Riemann](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Riemann)\ **Post date:** [June 10, 2022, 9:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/moderators-changing-thread-titles/965980/31 "2022-06-10T21:07:30Z")
> [@engineer\_comp\_geek](#): > > Again, if you have a problem with one specific poster, take it to the Pit. I resent you evading the issue by mischaracterizing my objection as a personal attack. I have made it very clear what I’m objecting to, and it’s the failure of moderators to enforce clear violations of a clearly stated rule. It’s _you_ who have made it about one poster, not me. If your response is just that you’re selectively not enforcing it with this specific poster because you regard it as a “Board tradition” to do that, there’s not much I can say. But don’t compound your failure to moderate objectively and consistently by mischaracterizing my objection. ---
**Author:** ![What\_Exit](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/what_exit/32/10652_2.png) [@What\_Exit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/What_Exit)\ **Post date:** [June 10, 2022, 9:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/moderators-changing-thread-titles/965980/32 "2022-06-10T21:11:04Z")
This objection probably should have been raised 3-4 years ago and maybe it was. But at this point, “Bad, bad, bad” pretty much has clear meaning. It really is like MMP as several of us have now said. I think I recall her being told to tone down the titles 3 years ago or so? It was before I was a mod and back on vB. I never followed her threads or much of MPSIMS so I’m not sure. ---
**Author:** ![Riemann](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/riemann/32/3133_2.png) [@Riemann](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Riemann)\ **Post date:** [June 10, 2022, 9:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/moderators-changing-thread-titles/965980/33 "2022-06-10T21:12:06Z")
> [@What\_Exit](#): > > This objection probably should have been raised 3-4 years ago I did object when this started, and got exactly the same response. To claim that it is now fine because it’s a Board tradition is a little disingenuous. ---
**Author:** ![What\_Exit](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/what_exit/32/10652_2.png) [@What\_Exit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/What_Exit)\ **Post date:** [June 10, 2022, 9:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/moderators-changing-thread-titles/965980/34 "2022-06-10T21:14:36Z")
Can you link to the objection? Not that I’m an MPSIMS mod, but I vaguely recall her threads titles being worse when she first arrived. Now they’re pretty consistent most of the time I thought. ---
**Author:** ![Riemann](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/riemann/32/3133_2.png) [@Riemann](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Riemann)\ **Post date:** [June 10, 2022, 9:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/moderators-changing-thread-titles/965980/35 "2022-06-10T21:16:42Z")
> [@Uninformative thread titles](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/uninformative-thread-titles/848387): > > Rule 12: Thread Titles – Do not use vague thread titles. Use descriptive thread titles. Why isn’t this being enforced with respect to Beckdawrek’s excessive use of uninformative “teaser” thread titles that tell you absolutely nothing about the content? A recent selection: She’s a valued and actively contributing member of the forum, but - even in MPSIMS, which I don’t think is exempt from the rule - when I go down the page I want to see titles that give me some idea of the topic of the threa… ---
**Author:** ![What\_Exit](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/what_exit/32/10652_2.png) [@What\_Exit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/What_Exit)\ **Post date:** [June 10, 2022, 9:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/moderators-changing-thread-titles/965980/36 "2022-06-10T21:19:56Z")
Looks like you got your answer then: > [@Uninformative thread titles](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/uninformative-thread-titles/848387/26): > > I will continue to mod this loosely and on a case by case basis. YMMV > [@Uninformative thread titles](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/uninformative-thread-titles/848387/53): > > The rule for thread titles has always been loosely enforced, and like Loach, I also intend to continue to enforce it loosely and on a case by case basis. I have never said anything to you about it because I haven’t seen it as a problem yet. Sure, some of your titles could stand to be a bit more descriptive, but in general, as others have already pointed out, even though they are a bit vague, you have been around long enough that most people know what to expect with your threads. It’s like the… ETA: As a poster I agree with this post from that thread: > [@Uninformative thread titles](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/uninformative-thread-titles/848387/65): > > Where have you been? It’s 2020, the clench is the default condition. If the Mods prefer to give a broader leeway on the specific forum for the “Mundane and Pointless”, I’m chill with that. ---
**Author:** ![engineer\_comp\_geek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/engineer_comp_geek/32/504_2.png) [@engineer\_comp\_geek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/engineer_comp_geek)\ **Post date:** [June 10, 2022, 9:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/moderators-changing-thread-titles/965980/37 "2022-06-10T21:20:29Z")
> [@What\_Exit](#): > > This objection probably should have been raised 3-4 years ago and maybe it was. It was. Her original titles were too vague. She promised to do better, and for the most part she has. ---
**Author:** ![Riemann](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/riemann/32/3133_2.png) [@Riemann](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Riemann)\ **Post date:** [June 10, 2022, 9:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/moderators-changing-thread-titles/965980/38 "2022-06-10T21:24:19Z")
> [@engineer\_comp\_geek](#): > > Her original titles were too vague. She promised to do better, and for the most part she has. Ask someone who is _not_ friends with her to try to predict the contents of any of the recent threads posted above and see what they say. Anyway, I’m done here. You’re going to do what you’re going to do. ---
**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:** [June 10, 2022, 10:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/moderators-changing-thread-titles/965980/39 "2022-06-10T22:48:08Z")
> [@Riemann](#): > > Ask someone who is _not_ friends with her to try to predict the contents of any of the recent threads posted above and see what they say. I very rarely read those ‘bad bad bad’ threads and because of that, I couldn’t even remotely guess what a single one of them is about based on the title. Of course, since I don’t read them, I guess the clarity of the title isn’t really of any importance to me, but still. It’s always nice when the rules are consistent. So, this explicit rule is moderated based on…something. On the other hand, the mods came down pretty hard on whoever the poster was that was using green text (not the grapist, this was someone else). It was made clear that there was nothing against the rules about, they just didn’t like it because it seemed like the poster was saying “look at me”. In this case, it was explicitly not against any rule, but moderated based on…something. ---
**Author:** ![wolfpup](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wolfpup/32/10618_2.png) [@wolfpup](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wolfpup)\ **Post date:** [June 10, 2022, 11:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/moderators-changing-thread-titles/965980/40 "2022-06-10T23:12:22Z")
> [@Riemann](#): > > Look at every one of Beckdawreck’s thread titles. Apparently she is exempt from the rule. That’s a ridiculous accusation. **Beckdawreck** ’s thread titles intentionally reflect the general tone of the threads themselves, which are whimsical, playful, and fun. They are playful and fun even when she’s reporting on a serious personal health issue, bless her, because she’d rather bring cheer to the board than sympathy and sorrow. There may or may not be issues with how thread titles have been changed, but picking on **Beck** ’s threads as an example of alleged inconsistent modding is both irrelevant and uncalled for. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/moderators-changing-thread-titles/965980.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/moderators-changing-thread-titles/965980.md?page=3)