We’ve done threads on what type of poster you are (and threads like this one too I’m sure) but what about when it comes to starting a thread.
In looking at some previous threads I’ve started it seems most are like this one. I usually think of a topic that I think will generate a simple, open sharing of ideas that a lot of posters will respond to. For that reason, most of my threads are in MPSIMS or IMHO.
I have never started a Pit thread nor a Great Debates thread though I remember one of my questions being moved there.
I will only start a GQ thread if it’s something I truly need an answer for and after my obligatory attempts through the search engines.
So, how would you characterize your thread-starting motives?
Most of the time I’ll just start a thread because something kind of cool occurred to me.
I’ve started a few GQs, though I don’t really remember what they are, and my last GQ was an accident. I thought I was in MPSIMS. It’s been shut down, so I’ll probably start the thread here.
I’ve started several in IMHO and GD, and one pit rant. The pit thread started when I read an article so stupid that I just needed to rant about it. The other threads I’ve started are usually about stuff that I found interesting and wanted to share my opinion about.
I don’t usually start threads. I’m too insecure. I mean, what if I started a thread and nobody came? The ensuing dejection from the rejection… Oh shoot, I don’t know where I’m going with this.
I generally am a thread-abortionist; I get to the ‘start new thread’ button, type out the opening post, look at it, and deem it worthless, so I delete it and forget it. Were it not so, I’d have over 75 posts… (laughs at himself for his statement) As for replying to a thread, I only reply if I have something important to offer (or have an acerbic piece of wit that I must share). So it’ll be well into February when I break the 100-post barrier…
I occaisionally have something I think might be funny. Or I have a few serious questions. One time, and this was really embarassing, I started a thread but was making dinner at the time, so I only typed in the first half, my binger went off, I clicked preview and went to check the food, only it was preview, it was start. The thread made no sense and I didn’t come back for a day, certain I’d start a pit thread about it. Still haven’t checked it. I’m sure it died a quick and painless death though.
Although I have thought about starting a thread titled “Lost” and a link to this webpage here and challenge them to get back to the start thread. But I haven’t had the guts to yet. Maybe somebody here could?
I seem to have started quite a few threads, maybe I could have quietly researched the question myself, but discussion and debate has a quality that the mere written word somehow lacks.
I generally start a thread when I notice a dark corner in my mind that needs opening up.
I tend to start most of my threads in GQ, though I occasionally start threads in IMHO or MPSIMS. Oddly enough, that’s exactly opposite of my general posting pattern. I guess that means I’ve got more questions than answers.
I’ve only started one in GD, but it was really more of a GQ that I put in GD because of the subject matter (religion) and the fact it had the potential to turn into a real GD (which it did).
I may have started one in ATMB (not sure), and I’ve never started a thread in the Pit, or either Comments forums.
I predominantly post in GD, but I’ve yet to start a “super thread” that lasts for more than 3 pages. I can’t wait… then everyone will know the name erislover!
MWA HA HAHAHAHA
Oh, er…
And I open a few IMHO up. I have yet to start a thread in MPSIMS, and I’m not much of a Pit kinda guy. I’ve only ever had one thread get moved-- from GD to here-- and I’ve also managed to stay out of being “dragged” into the pit. Somehow.
All around, your average high-poster-but-not-a-thread-starter SDMBer…
10 threads in General Questions
5 threads in In My Humble Opinion
4 threads in Great Debates
1 thread in Mundane Pointless Stuff I Must Share
1 thread in the BBQ Pit
1 thread in Comments on Staff Reports.
I’ve found starting threads is usually fun, although sometimes it can be tough to figure out which forum they belong to (still I’ve done pretty well in choosing, as the mods have never yet booted any of my threads to another forum). I get an average of about ten replies, and many of these are thoughtful and informative. I don’t mind that I’ve never gotten 100+ replies; when somebody does get that many, it’s always because his thread has been hijacked. The only thread of mine I count a real failure is the one on when Western women started painting their nails - just one reply, and that one speculative.
I don’t start threads anymore, due to the lack of replies I get to them. I think my most successfull were the Telemarketer Pit Thread, The Punchline Thread, and The Animals and Concience Thread in GD. Then again, those were all soooo long ago. I’ll stick to being a pussy and just posting.
