Multiple threads on the same subject.

I’m talking about the Comments on Cecil’s Columns forum. Why the fuck do we need four threads to discuss his column on how Muslims find Mecca? There are also four discusssing the “Suffocating Child” Column. Jesus on a keyboard, can’t you clowns first look at the forum and see if there is a thread already on the subject? If there is no new thread, then, fine, make a new one. If there is a thread, post there, but don’t make an unnecessary new thread!

JAB1,

that same complaint has been done before. I suggest you look here http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?threadid=42474 before posting.

Oh, sometimes I kill me…

'Course, we often have first-time posters show up. I agree that veterans should be expected to post in existing threads instead of creating new ones, but visitors can hardly be expected to know, eh?

Some people don’t like threads being “raised”, so you have to appologize when you do, to show it wasn’t out of ignorance.

C’mon, andros, it’s really just common sense (or should be, particularly among those who are attempting to fight ignorance). Other than someone who comes to the SDMB never having been involved in any message board or listserv, people should know to lurk at least for a little while before posting to get a feel for the way things work. There should be one thread per topic, and anyone should read a thread that might cover a proposed topic to see if that topic’s covered before starting a new thread.

But maybe that’s just me.

Yup, I think it is.

In all of Cecil’s columns (and the Mailbag’s) is a big ol link reading “Comment on This Answer.” It’s soliciting comments, plain and simple. It’s not asking people “Hey, come to this site and lurk for a while, then comment.”

I’t hard to believe, but there are a lot of people who read http://www.straightdope.com and don’t post on any message board. And yes, many of them are unfamiliar with message boards in general and this one in particular. They read the column, want to make a comment, click the link, and comment. Simple as that.

In the past ten days, there have been 32 active columns in the Comments on Cecil’s Columns forum. Of those, fully 15 have been started bu people who now have 15 or fewer posts. Of those, eight were started by people who now have fewer than 3 posts.

You can call it hit and run, if you like. I call it advertising, customer service, and fighting ignorance.

And free balloons for the kids.

Maybe they can be combined?
If you moved the posts into the other thread’s directory?
(I’m guessing how things are organized.)
(If not possible, just ignore this comment)

If this thread is an intentional duplicate, then…
Um…
Don’t really make any difference one way or the other that I can see.

I’ve seen some people start repeat threads because their first one was hijacked.

Don’t you just hate hijackers?

Got any good hijacking stories?

I think there are one or two here http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?threadid=42314

Isn’t hijacking against the rules?

Say, what are the rules?

Is there a list of hints anywhere?

And speaking of hints, does anybody know how to get out a clubsoda stain?