# Protest against thread closing **URL:** \ **Category:** About This Message Board\ **Created:** [March 28, 2023, 6:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/protest-against-thread-closing/981799 "2023-03-28T18:21:27Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 1\ **Showing post:** 34
**Author:** ![Atamasama](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/atamasama/32/12961_2.png) [@Atamasama](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Atamasama)\ **Post date:** [March 29, 2023, 8:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/protest-against-thread-closing/981799/34 "2023-03-29T20:48:12Z")
> [@Exapno\_Mapcase](#): > > I do not understand your distinction between opinions and debate GD is set up to not be simply something along the lines of, “What is your opinion on tipping at restaurants?” That is what IMHO is for. Rather, a GD thread should have a specific premise to debate (and opinions should be on topic). For instance, GD might say, “Working for tips leads to situations where people are underpaid when people don’t tip, and if you make tipping mandatory you might as well increase a worker’s salary and charge customers more for meals and eliminate the tips.” Then people can argue back and forth in support or opposition to the premise, whether that is through cited studies, personal opinions, anecdotes, cited articles, statistics on restaurant revenue, etc. > [@New Rules for Great Debates and Elections – January 2020](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-rules-for-great-debates-and-elections-january-2020/845726/1): > > **Type of threads appropriate for Great Debates and Elections** > > \*\*Keep threads specific and debatable. \*\* No wide omnibus threads. We want to see clear, specific topics and thread titles. Large omnibus threads are actively detrimental to the long-term success of the boards. A thread entitled, “Tax Policy” is too broad. One entitled, “Should a National Sales Tax be enacted” is better. Keep it clear and specific. This also requires participants in the thread to remain on specific topics as well. --- _[View the full topic](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/protest-against-thread-closing/981799)._