Just finished reading Silo’s thread in the Pit, where folks are discussing (among other things) why some threads generate responses and others don’t. It’s an enlightening discussion, and anyone who feels bad about killing threads or not getting any attention might want to check it out.
It started me thinking about the kinds of threads I like best. I think we’ve covered this before, but not for awhile. (Thwack me if I’m wrong.)
My favorite is the “what’s your favorite (anything)” because newbies, lurkers and shy folks often pop up and contribute. (Threads about pets seem to have this effect too.)
Next is the “mundane Sunday, January, etc.” where you can drop in and just say what’s on your mind.
My other favorite is the book/author threads, because I always find something new (or old) to check out.
I guess I’m not really using the Board to fight ignorance, but I’m sure having a good time.
As a newbie, I can back up your theory of newbies opening up easier and contributing more in the “My Favorite…” threads. IIRC, and I’m sure I don’t (LOL), the first time I posted was in a similar thread. As for my favorite, so far I’d have to say it’s a toss up between the favorite threads and the rants in the Pit. Even if I don’t have anything to post in the latter, it’s fun to read them. Oh, and the laminated lists are entertaining too.
Personally, for some reason I really like threads that are devoted to admiring and praising Smeghead. But that’s just me. Sadly, usually I have to open them and do all the posting myself.
Unlike Smeghead, I enjoy posts about me. Preferably ones that sing my praises.
Sadly, this never happens, so I guess I also enjoy threads that make me laugh. Most embarrassing things that happen during intimate moments. Words you’ve coined. Things overheard. I so rarely contribute to them, but I laugh…
My favorite kinds of threads are the ones about subjects I’m knowledgeable about (mostly Star Destroyers… follow the link in my sig for more information). However, I also greatly enjoy the political threads and the religion threads. And, finally, I enjoy the completely-unserious threads, where I can pop in every now and then and say something witty
I’m still relatively new to SD and I don’t post much but I take a liking to threads that relate to Star Trek, religion, “My favorite…” and some threads that relate to sexual material.
I got interested in this board because of the level of discourse about all manner of knowledge. This is cool for three reasons.
First, it’s (IMHO of course but then this is the forum) really hard to find people with a lot of intellectual curiousity and the will to explore it IRL. I naturally gravitate to people like this. I’d rather discuss ideas and science than my favorite shoes or what I had for dinner (not that I only wnat to discuss the former and never the latter. I mean, I did start a thread about bumper stickers…).
Suddenly I find a stomping ground for it and I’m in hog heaven! So yeah, I gravitate toward the “fighting ignorance” threads.
Third, man, especially nowadays with the whole media barrage (including the Web) it can be really, really hard to find accurate information, and really easy to be mislead. I really (have I used that word enough now? I think if you get past 5 "really"s it qualifies as gushing. Sorry.) value this site precisely for “fighting ignorance”.
So, like, one MB, three itches scratched. My one stop shopping.
My favorite posts are stories of real life that make me laugh (Bratman’s kitty litter is a fave). I could also discuss the differences between men and women for hours. I love it when a post that you don’t think is gonna be funny and somehow the posters here turn it into something hilarious.
Darby
The most popular threads seem to be full of people congratulating themselves on having similar opinions.
I also think people just jump to the end, never expecting a dialog to develop.
The ones I like are more intimate, aimed at a smaller audience, but where all those answering have obviously been able to follow the entire discussion without giving up and jumping to the end.
