# Uninformative thread titles **URL:** \ **Category:** About This Message Board\ **Created:** [February 23, 2020, 5:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/uninformative-thread-titles/848387 "2020-02-23T05:56:48Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**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:** [February 23, 2020, 9:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/uninformative-thread-titles/848387/41 "2020-02-23T21:37:31Z")
> [@bucketybuck](#): > > So the rule regarding descriptive titles serves no purpose? > > Why does it exist then? Why not just remove it from the rules? You’re posting on the Durp and agonizing over why there are irrelevant rules? Have you been here before? 😃 ---
**Author:** ![bucketybuck](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/898d66/32.png) [@bucketybuck](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bucketybuck)\ **Post date:** [February 23, 2020, 9:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/uninformative-thread-titles/848387/42 "2020-02-23T21:40:00Z")
> [@SmartAleq](#): > > You’re posting on the Durp and agonizing over why there are irrelevant rules? Have you been here before? 😃 That is not an answer to the question asked. ---
**Author:** ![needscoffee](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/needscoffee/32/1076_2.png) [@needscoffee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/needscoffee)\ **Post date:** [February 23, 2020, 9:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/uninformative-thread-titles/848387/43 "2020-02-23T21:41:59Z")
> [@SmartAleq](#): > > I don’t use Tapatalk because if you click into any thread it marks the entire board as read, which fucks over using “new posts” on a computer. And yet, I simply adapt and move on, tailoring my use to my own preference rather than making a big fuss because other people don’t do everything exactly the way I do. Funny how that can actually be useful as a general life strategy. Nobody suggested you should use it. Just pointed out that the mouseover doesn’t happen for all the people who do use it. ---
**Author:** ![needscoffee](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/needscoffee/32/1076_2.png) [@needscoffee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/needscoffee)\ **Post date:** [February 23, 2020, 9:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/uninformative-thread-titles/848387/44 "2020-02-23T21:43:45Z")
> [@CarnalK](#): > > But the subject of the story is clear enough in broad terms for MPSIMS. You know it’s going to be some “quirky” interaction she had in her day to day. Yes, she might get different clicks if she made it clear it was quirky encounter at the DMV rather than Pier 1 but who cares? So many of her threads have interchangeable titles. She’s smart. I’m sure she’ll have no trouble adding just a bit of context. ---
**Author:** ![Little\_Nemo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/little_nemo/32/3120_2.png) [@Little\_Nemo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Nemo)\ **Post date:** [February 23, 2020, 9:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/uninformative-thread-titles/848387/45 "2020-02-23T21:50:34Z")
> [@bucketybuck](#): > > Its not difficult, we just still haven’t seen a single reason that the rule is not applied other then “we like this person so its ok”. I disagree. It’s not a case of liking somebody. It’s about whether the topic of the thread can be summarized in a single line. Beck tells amusing personal anecdotes about her life. And I get that from the titles. Would you want her to title them all “Another Story” instead? This is the reason the MPSIMS forum exists. It’s for threads that don’t really have a topic. ---
**Author:** ![bucketybuck](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/898d66/32.png) [@bucketybuck](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bucketybuck)\ **Post date:** [February 23, 2020, 9:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/uninformative-thread-titles/848387/46 "2020-02-23T21:52:44Z")
Will that apply to everybody? ---
**Author:** ![Razncain](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/9d8465/32.png) [@Razncain](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Razncain)\ **Post date:** [February 23, 2020, 9:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/uninformative-thread-titles/848387/47 "2020-02-23T21:55:36Z")
Let’s give her credit, at least she knows where it goes, MPSIMS. I clicked on that crazy thread, _Maybe I shouldn’t tell this. Aw, heck! Why not?_ and after reading it, if someone can give a descriptive concise title that is more accurate to what it was all about, then they are ahead of me. Don’t recall any correspondence with Reimann or Beckdawrek, no beef with either, she’s seems both harmless and amusing, and a perfect fit for MPSIMS which is exactly for \* frivolous chatter to deep thoughts; from harmless diversions to life-changing announcements\* of which is right under the topic title. She seems to be having fun, along with all the others that participate in her threads. > [@Sunny\_Daze](#): > > Addressing the “Bad, Bad, Bad” threads specifically, it seems to me there is sufficient history at this point to establish what the thread is likely to be: a humorous commentary from **Beck**. That’s my take on it. ---
**Author:** ![nelliebly](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/nelliebly/32/5422_2.png) [@nelliebly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nelliebly)\ **Post date:** [February 23, 2020, 10:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/uninformative-thread-titles/848387/48 "2020-02-23T22:05:26Z")
The MPSIMS board has a language and culture all its own. It may take a bit to figure out what NOS or NOT stands for, but when people don’t get it, they ask, and the culture is so friendly and patient, nobody ever replies with eye rolls. It’s the neighborly side of the SDMB. If that’s not your thing, then don’t go there. Except…that’s where the breaking news threads are. Frankly, those probably belong somewhere else. When there’s a disaster in the news, it’s certainly neither mundane nor pointless. ---
**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:** [February 23, 2020, 10:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/uninformative-thread-titles/848387/49 "2020-02-23T22:19:48Z")
> [@bucketybuck](#): > > So the rule regarding descriptive titles serves no purpose? > > Why does it exist then? Why not just remove it from the rules? Are you on a mission to remove the rule, or on a mission to have absolute no-exceptions robotic enforcement of it? It’s obvious why the rule is important in most forums and all serious posts, and I gave my personal opinion on why there should be exceptions in post #23. The moderator gave his ruling in post #26, which ought to end the matter. I don’t know why you’re still going on about it, or why it upsets you and **Riemann** so much. > [@needscoffee](#): > > So many of her threads have interchangeable titles. She’s smart. I’m sure she’ll have no trouble adding just a bit of context. Why? I don’t see interchangeable titles. I see a lot of different creative teasers that lead to harmless amusing anecdotes. Honestly, I feel bad that **Beck** is being subject to this pointless harassment, especially as a prolific contributor to the board. ---
**Author:** ![Acsenray](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/acsenray/32/4519_2.png) [@Acsenray](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Acsenray)\ **Post date:** [February 23, 2020, 10:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/uninformative-thread-titles/848387/50 "2020-02-23T22:23:30Z")
My view is that all thread titles should be reasonably clear to a first time visitor who knows nothing about the traditions of the various forums or the personalities of the regulars. ---
**Author:** ![bucketybuck](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/898d66/32.png) [@bucketybuck](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bucketybuck)\ **Post date:** [February 23, 2020, 10:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/uninformative-thread-titles/848387/51 "2020-02-23T22:28:42Z")
> [@wolfpup](#): > > Are you on a mission to remove the rule, or on a mission to have absolute no-exceptions robotic enforcement of it? It’s obvious why the rule is important in most forums and all serious posts, and I gave my personal opinion on why there should be exceptions in post #23. The moderator gave his ruling in post #26, which ought to end the matter. I don’t know why you’re still going on about it, or why it upsets you and **Riemann** so much. > > Why? I don’t see interchangeable titles. I see a lot of different creative teasers that lead to harmless amusing anecdotes. Honestly, I feel bad that **Beck** is being subject to this pointless harassment, especially as a prolific contributor to the board. I am simply curious why the rule does not get applied, because a rule that is applied selectively should not be a rule at all. It is interesting though how emotive some of the replies have been. ---
**Author:** ![Razncain](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/9d8465/32.png) [@Razncain](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Razncain)\ **Post date:** [February 23, 2020, 10:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/uninformative-thread-titles/848387/52 "2020-02-23T22:39:12Z")
With the rules, I’m not much a law of the letter, more of a spirit of it esp for MPSIMS. The subtitle below it should let everyone, including newcomers have a good idea of what it is all about. They should pick up on it fairly quick. ---
**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:** [February 23, 2020, 10:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/uninformative-thread-titles/848387/53 "2020-02-23T22:49:57Z")
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. > [@Beckdawrek](#): > > Oh, man. I’m sorry. > I thought I was doing ok with titles. No mod has ever said anything to me about it. > I’ll endeavour to try and do better. > Jeez Louise, I feel bad now. 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 MMP in that respect. The title isn’t descriptive, but it doesn’t need to be. If you participate in MPSIMS you know what to expect from the thread already. > [@bucketybuck](#): > > So the rule regarding descriptive titles serves no purpose? > > Why does it exist then? Why not just remove it from the rules? Many rules are enforced differently in different forums. I guess we should just remove all of the rules then, eh? Similarly, police don’t usually immediately pull you over for going 1 mph over the speed limit. I guess speed limits should be completely abolished? I would prefer to moderate based on common sense rather than silly hyperbole. > [@nelliebly](#): > > Except…that’s where the breaking news threads are. Frankly, those probably belong somewhere else. When there’s a disaster in the news, it’s certainly neither mundane nor pointless. Death announcements belong in MPSIMS as well, even though they also are neither mundane nor pointless. There’s a lot of stuff that falls under MPSIMS, and while most of it is just fun stuff, some of it can be much more serious. That’s why the forum description is " from frivolous chatter to deep thoughts; from harmless diversions to life-changing announcements". MPSIMS doesn’t have to only be for fun stuff. It’s just evolved so that most of the stuff there is the fun stuff. As for Beck’s posts, they are in the “fun stuff” group. They are supposed to be fun. Singling out Beck because you don’t like her posting style is definitely not fun and definitely not what MPSIMS is supposed to be about. If her posting style bothers anyone that much, 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:** [February 23, 2020, 10:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/uninformative-thread-titles/848387/54 "2020-02-23T22:50:13Z")
> [@wolfpup](#): > > The moderator gave his ruling in post #26, which ought to end the matter. I don’t know why you’re still going on about it, or why it upsets you and Riemann so much. I don’t know why you’re still going on about it, or why it upsets you and **Riemann** so much. I’m not remotely upset. I started an ATMB thread because that’s the place for it - not disrupting her actual threads and/or junior modding. I think the board is easier to interact with if threads titles are informative - and since a rule exists, whoever wrote the actual rules presumably had that view too. I also made quite clear that I respect Beck as a valuable contributor, and it’s just the narrow issue of uninformative titles. Beck’s immediate response was understanding and accommodating. Why didn’t the thread end _there_? Why is everyone _else_ getting so upset, white knighting about fabricated animosity, and insisting that because we all like her she doesn’t have to follow this rule, or that a sensible practical rule should be changed for no credible reason? ---
**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:** [February 23, 2020, 10:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/uninformative-thread-titles/848387/55 "2020-02-23T22:54:22Z")
> [@engineer\_comp\_geek](#): > > Singling out Beck because you don’t like her posting style is definitely not fun and definitely not what MPSIMS is supposed to be about. If her posting style bothers anyone that much, take it to the Pit. That’s a straw man. I made it abundantly clear that’s not the case. Anyway, I guess you’ve answered the question - you don’t intend to enforce the rule in MPSIMS. ---
**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:** [February 23, 2020, 11:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/uninformative-thread-titles/848387/56 "2020-02-23T23:10:30Z")
> [@Riemann](#): > > Anyway, I guess you’ve answered the question - you don’t intend to enforce the rule in MPSIMS. Loach and I both said that we will continue to enforce the rule loosely, on a case by case basis. Not enforcing the rule to your satisfaction is not the same as not enforcing the rule. The rule will continue to be enforced, as it has been, and this applies to all posters, not just Beck, as it always has. I personally am not seeing a compelling reason to change the way that MPSIMS has been moderated for decades yet in this thread. ---
**Author:** ![Spiderman](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spiderman/32/230_2.png) [@Spiderman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spiderman)\ **Post date:** [February 23, 2020, 11:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/uninformative-thread-titles/848387/57 "2020-02-23T23:17:14Z")
> [@Riemann](#): > > Well, this has graduated from just the irrelevant to the frankly bizarre. Please enlighten us as to why? ---
**Author:** ![Razncain](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/9d8465/32.png) [@Razncain](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Razncain)\ **Post date:** [February 23, 2020, 11:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/uninformative-thread-titles/848387/58 "2020-02-23T23:19:49Z")
> [@Riemann](#): > > That’s a straw man. I made it abundantly clear that’s not the case. > > Anyway, I guess you’ve answered the question - you don’t intend to enforce the rule in MPSIMS. You only made it clear you didn’t have anything against her personally, but you did have a problem with titles being more specific, even in MPSIMS, and I believed you used all of hers to make a point of it. What would be an appropriate title for that one thread that you pointed out of hers that’s going to satisfy everybody? _Maybe I shouldn’t tell this. Aw, heck! Why not?_ Go ahead, give it a shot. Rules are often not black and white, and engraved in stone, if it was that easy, we wouldn’t need human intervention, just a computer program to decide it for us. Not happening. ---
**Author:** ![bucketybuck](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/898d66/32.png) [@bucketybuck](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bucketybuck)\ **Post date:** [February 23, 2020, 11:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/uninformative-thread-titles/848387/59 "2020-02-23T23:21:06Z")
> [@engineer\_comp\_geek](#): > > Many rules are enforced differently in different forums. I guess we should just remove all of the rules then, eh? > > Similarly, police don’t usually immediately pull you over for going 1 mph over the speed limit. I guess speed limits should be completely abolished? > > I would prefer to moderate based on common sense rather than silly hyperbole. That quote was a response to a poster saying that the mouseover gave all the information needed, with the implication being so that descriptive thread titles were not necessary. So that question was to him. You appear to be using it in a different context. Even apart from that, you say rules are enforced differently in different forums, when my curiosity was rules enforced differently for different people. And the answer remains clear on that point. ---
**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:** [February 23, 2020, 11:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/uninformative-thread-titles/848387/60 "2020-02-23T23:28:04Z")
> [@bucketybuck](#): > > I am simply curious why the rule does not get applied, because a rule that is applied selectively should not be a rule at all. Many if not most of the rules are subject to discretionary interpretation, leading to sanctions ranging from nothing to a mod note to a warning to a temporary suspension. The “descriptive title” rule strikes me as one having among the highest degrees of discretionary interpretation, essentially a strong suggestion intended to keep the board organized, whose interpretation depends on the forum and the nature and context of the thread. Both mods in MPSIMS have now ruled that most of **Beck** ’s thread titles are entirely appropriate in the context in which they were made. You also suggested that she was being favored because people like her. This reminds me of the accusations that some posters are treated better or worse because of their ideologies. There has never been any evidence to support any of these kinds of accusations. I feel bad for **Beck** that this ever became an issue and I hope she knows that her contributions are appreciated and that I for one – and I’m sure many others – hope she continues posting as she always has. > [@Riemann](#): > > Beck’s immediate response was understanding and accommodating. Why didn’t the thread end _there_? Her response was “understanding and accommodating” because that’s the kind of person she is. I would have told you instead why your criticism was inappropriate. The thread didn’t end there because a bunch of us came to her defense. > [@Riemann](#): > > Anyway, I guess you’ve answered the question - you don’t intend to enforce the rule in MPSIMS. That’s not at all what he said. I’m sure that if a serious informational post appears in MPSIMS with a misleading or uninformative title, it will be dealt with according to the rules. ETA: **ECG** said essentially the same thing before I had a chance to reply. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/uninformative-thread-titles/848387.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/uninformative-thread-titles/848387.md?page=4)