# Not participating in my own thread -- legal? **URL:** \ **Category:** About This Message Board\ **Created:** [December 27, 2020, 7:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/not-participating-in-my-own-thread-legal/929032 "2020-12-27T19:01:21Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Trinopus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/2bfe46/32.png) [@Trinopus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Trinopus)\ **Post date:** [December 27, 2020, 7:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/not-participating-in-my-own-thread-legal/929032/1 "2020-12-27T19:01:21Z")
I’m thinking of posting an (original!) essay in GD, which I would intend to stand by itself. I don’t care to debate it fully; it would pretty much say what I want to say. What the hell _could_ I say, in response to attacks? “I covered that in paragraph fourteen, thank you…” My reason is that the topic is one that has (recently) shown not a little nastiness in its contention, and I want to state my belief, but I don’t want to get down into the pig-shit, and that’s where such topics ALWAYS go. Is it legal for me to post in GD, here’s my opinion, with all the reasons I can think of, and then just leave? It isn’t exactly trolling, and the intent is the exact opposite of threadshitting… Bad idea? ---
**Author:** ![Si\_Amigo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/si_amigo/32/2877_2.png) [@Si\_Amigo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Si_Amigo)\ **Post date:** [December 27, 2020, 7:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/not-participating-in-my-own-thread-legal/929032/2 "2020-12-27T19:05:51Z")
Since you don’t intend to debate why place it in GD? Sounds more like a Cafe Society post to me. ---
**Author:** ![SmartAleq](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/smartaleq/32/163_2.png) [@SmartAleq](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SmartAleq)\ **Post date:** [December 27, 2020, 7:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/not-participating-in-my-own-thread-legal/929032/3 "2020-12-27T19:14:59Z")
Put it in MPSIMS where it belongs and you can feel all good about yourself because you Said Your Piece and everyone else can feel free to let it sink into oblivion. Especially if it has fourteen (or more) paragraphs–might want to put a TL;DR on it while you’re at it. ---
**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:** [December 27, 2020, 7:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/not-participating-in-my-own-thread-legal/929032/4 "2020-12-27T19:23:16Z")
Sounds bloggish. What you’re describing is something I would close or move to MPSIMS. ---
**Author:** ![The\_Other\_Waldo\_Pepper](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/the_other_waldo_pepper/32/12370_2.png) [@The\_Other\_Waldo\_Pepper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Other_Waldo_Pepper)\ **Post date:** [December 27, 2020, 7:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/not-participating-in-my-own-thread-legal/929032/5 "2020-12-27T19:28:43Z")
On a related note, I’ve been tempted to start the occasional thread precisely _because_ I honestly can’t decide between two sides of — well, what sure seems to _me_ to be a debate, but how would that look? I’d put a topic out there, and then _not_ debate it? I’d put a topic out there, and then play contrarian by inconsistently debating folks who take either side? Figure either approach could get me warned or banned, and so I’ve just kept shrugging. ---
**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:** [December 27, 2020, 7:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/not-participating-in-my-own-thread-legal/929032/6 "2020-12-27T19:30:23Z")
The purpose of Great Debates is to debate. This strikes me as like posting an answer in General Questions, rather than asking a question. Basically all you are doing is stating your personal opinions, rather than engaging in debate. Also, I think that you have already dealt with all reasonable objections to your statements is very likely to be wrong. ---
**Author:** ![Trinopus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/2bfe46/32.png) [@Trinopus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Trinopus)\ **Post date:** [December 27, 2020, 7:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/not-participating-in-my-own-thread-legal/929032/7 "2020-12-27T19:36:00Z")
> [@SmartAleq](#): > > might want to put a TL;DR on it while you’re at it. Oh, yes, absolutely. It would open with a very short precis, and a fair warning. ---
**Author:** ![Trinopus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/2bfe46/32.png) [@Trinopus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Trinopus)\ **Post date:** [December 27, 2020, 7:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/not-participating-in-my-own-thread-legal/929032/8 "2020-12-27T19:38:24Z")
> [@Colibri](#): > > Also, I think that you have already dealt with all reasonable objections to your statements is very likely to be wrong. Not in this case. It’s really a “yes or no” issue, and I’ve got the “no” of it. People are going to _disagree,_ but they aren’t really going to have a meaningful or valid “response.” Probably MPSIMS is the right answer. (Also, I don’t know how to multiquote – old system you’d check the responses you wanted to respond to. Here, I don’t get it yet.) ---
**Author:** ![Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/left_hand_of_dorkness/32/7156_2.png) [@Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Left_Hand_of_Dorkness)\ **Post date:** [December 27, 2020, 7:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/not-participating-in-my-own-thread-legal/929032/9 "2020-12-27T19:46:17Z")
> [@The\_Other\_Waldo\_Pepper](#): > > On a related note, I’ve been tempted to start the occasional thread precisely _because_ I honestly can’t decide between two sides of — well, what sure seems to _me_ to be a debate, but how would that look? I put a topic out there, and then _don’t_ debate it? I put a topic out there, and then play contrarian by inconsistently debating folks who take either side? I think the slight majority of my threads in GD have been of this sort. I’m pretty opinionated on most topics, but don’t care to start threads on most of the things I’m opinionated about. It’s the issues where I’m of two minds that I’m most interested in generating discussions. Of these threads, I think I’ve only had one moved, and it was more than a decade ago, and I may not even be remembering properly. ---
**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:** [December 27, 2020, 7:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/not-participating-in-my-own-thread-legal/929032/10 "2020-12-27T19:49:33Z")
> [@Trinopus](#): > > Not in this case. It’s really a “yes or no” issue, and I’ve got the “no” of it. People are going to _disagree,_ but they aren’t really going to have a meaningful or valid “response.” I don’t see the point of it in any forum, then. The thought of an “essay” that has a simple yes or no answer doesn’t make sense to me. ---
**Author:** ![The\_Other\_Waldo\_Pepper](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/the_other_waldo_pepper/32/12370_2.png) [@The\_Other\_Waldo\_Pepper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Other_Waldo_Pepper)\ **Post date:** [December 27, 2020, 7:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/not-participating-in-my-own-thread-legal/929032/11 "2020-12-27T19:53:01Z")
> [@Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](#): > > > [@The\_Other\_Waldo\_Pepper](#): > > > > On a related note, I’ve been tempted to start the occasional thread precisely _because_ I honestly can’t decide between two sides of — well, what sure seems to _me_ to be a debate, but how would that look? I put a topic out there, and then _don’t_ debate it? I put a topic out there, and then play contrarian by inconsistently debating folks who take either side? > > I think the slight majority of my threads in GD have been of this sort. I’m pretty opinionated on most topics, but don’t care to start threads on most of the things I’m opinionated about. It’s the issues where I’m of two minds that I’m most interested in generating discussions. Okay, but: what do you then _do?_ I’m guessing that someone would soon enough make a point you dispute in favor of Side A, and someone else would then make a point you dispute in favor of Side B; have you argued with first one poster and then the other, saying stuff that you’re of two minds about each time? Or do you stand back to watch the debate play out as a nonparticipant? ---
**Author:** ![Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/left_hand_of_dorkness/32/7156_2.png) [@Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Left_Hand_of_Dorkness)\ **Post date:** [December 27, 2020, 8:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/not-participating-in-my-own-thread-legal/929032/12 "2020-12-27T20:00:46Z")
> [@The\_Other\_Waldo\_Pepper](#): > > Okay, but: what do you then _do?_ A little bit of all of those, plus asking questions or clarifying my own question. ---
**Author:** ![k9bfriender](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/k9bfriender/32/3283_2.png) [@k9bfriender](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/k9bfriender)\ **Post date:** [December 27, 2020, 8:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/not-participating-in-my-own-thread-legal/929032/13 "2020-12-27T20:01:01Z")
You start by pointing out your own ambivalence towards the matter. Then make an argument for the merits of one side, then an “on the other hand” argument for the merits of the other. Support the positive points that you have for either position if they are questioned. ---
**Author:** ![Trinopus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/2bfe46/32.png) [@Trinopus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Trinopus)\ **Post date:** [December 27, 2020, 8:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/not-participating-in-my-own-thread-legal/929032/14 "2020-12-27T20:09:42Z")
> [@Colibri](#): > > I don’t see the point of it in any forum, then. The thought of an “essay” that has a simple yes or no answer doesn’t make sense to me. Because it’s very (VERY!) heavily contentious. And that’s why I don’t want to participate in the debate, because I know (long experience!) that it will become dirty, nasty, foul, and uncontrolled. Bless the moderators, but this one just isn’t containable. I have an opinion, and would like to state it. I’m not getting down in the pigshit with “the usual suspects.” ---
**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:** [December 27, 2020, 8:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/not-participating-in-my-own-thread-legal/929032/15 "2020-12-27T20:11:42Z")
With all due respect, the way you describe it makes it sound like trolling. I would strongly advise against posting it. You may wish to state your opinion. However, it sounds like you think most people won’t want to hear it. It doesn’t sound like a productive thread. ---
**Author:** ![Trinopus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/2bfe46/32.png) [@Trinopus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Trinopus)\ **Post date:** [December 27, 2020, 8:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/not-participating-in-my-own-thread-legal/929032/16 "2020-12-27T20:13:13Z")
How is it trolling? Essay: “I really prefer white chocolate to dark or milk. I know this is not widely agreed, but it’s my honest opinion.” Trolling? Not in the slightest! ---
**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:** [December 27, 2020, 8:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/not-participating-in-my-own-thread-legal/929032/17 "2020-12-27T20:14:38Z")
If you are going to post facetious responses, I don’t think this thread will be very productive either. ---
**Author:** ![Trinopus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/2bfe46/32.png) [@Trinopus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Trinopus)\ **Post date:** [December 27, 2020, 8:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/not-participating-in-my-own-thread-legal/929032/18 "2020-12-27T20:17:10Z")
It was a serious response. REALLY! Honestly! It was a light-hearted example, but it was a real and meaningful example. I guess one of the things I’d like to ask here is that the mods do a better job of controlling when threads get nasty. It is a situation where I am honestly afraid to state my opinion. (And, no, it isn’t scientific racism! Closer, really, to the Star Trek Transporter debate than perhaps anything else.) ---
**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:** [December 27, 2020, 8:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/not-participating-in-my-own-thread-legal/929032/19 "2020-12-27T20:20:43Z")
You refer to “nastiness,” “getting down in the pigshit,” and to expecting getting attacked in the OP. This does not appear to correspond to the examples you’ve just given. The kind of thread you described in the OP sounds highly problematic to me. You are presumably seeking moderator opinions on the matter, but don’t seem to be willing to accept them. ---
**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:** [December 27, 2020, 8:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/not-participating-in-my-own-thread-legal/929032/20 "2020-12-27T20:27:00Z")
Your descriptions of the proposed thread here are so vague and contradictory that it is difficult to assess it. At the risk of drawing the ire of the GD mods on me, I would suggest you send a copy of your proposed post to them and get their input directly. Speaking purely for myself, I would not see the value of such a thread in any forum. The purpose of this messageboard is the exchange of ideas. If you merely want to state your own ideas, without caring about other’s opinions, what you need is a blog. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/not-participating-in-my-own-thread-legal/929032.md?page=2)