# Why was this thread closed? **URL:** \ **Category:** About This Message Board\ **Created:** [July 20, 2008, 12:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-was-this-thread-closed/457147 "2008-07-20T12:18:33Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![MissMossie](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f6c823/32.png) [@MissMossie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MissMossie)\ **Post date:** [July 20, 2008, 12:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-was-this-thread-closed/457147/1 "2008-07-20T12:18:33Z")
**Marley23** closed [this thread](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=476212) apparently because it was pointless. I’m a bit confused because it was posted in MPSIMS and I thought that was the place for threads with no point. Is there more to the thread closing than I’m seeing? Why was this thread closed rather than letting it sink? ---
**Author:** ![Joey\_P](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/919ad9/32.png) [@Joey\_P](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Joey_P)\ **Post date:** [July 20, 2008, 12:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-was-this-thread-closed/457147/2 "2008-07-20T12:25:50Z")
[QUOTE=MissMossie] **Marley23** closed [this thread](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=476212) apparently because it was pointless. [/QUOTE] Ditto for [this thread](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=476215), I thought it was a good question…Why arn’t there more accidents from gas ranges? Marley23 said the OP answered his own question, but I didn’t see an answer. ETA I’m only tacking on to this thread because it’s the same OP and Mod that MissMosie was asking about. ---
**Author:** ![Laughing\_Lagomorph](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/6bbea6/32.png) [@Laughing\_Lagomorph](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Laughing_Lagomorph)\ **Post date:** [July 20, 2008, 12:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-was-this-thread-closed/457147/3 "2008-07-20T12:42:52Z")
[QUOTE=Joey P] Ditto for [this thread](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=476215), I thought it was a good question…Why arn’t there more accidents from gas ranges? Marley23 said the OP answered his own question, but I didn’t see an answer. ETA I’m only tacking on to this thread because it’s the same OP and Mod that MissMosie was asking about. [/QUOTE] The last sentence of the OP is:“Seems like people never leave the burners on?”, an answer of sorts. ---
**Author:** ![Joey\_P](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/919ad9/32.png) [@Joey\_P](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Joey_P)\ **Post date:** [July 20, 2008, 12:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-was-this-thread-closed/457147/4 "2008-07-20T12:49:34Z")
My understanding is that the OP was asking, with so many stupid people, why don’t people leave the burners on more often. ---
**Author:** ![aldiboronti](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/9fc348/32.png) [@aldiboronti](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aldiboronti)\ **Post date:** [July 20, 2008, 1:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-was-this-thread-closed/457147/5 "2008-07-20T13:27:09Z")
Both decisions seem to me to be wholly unexceptionable. I’d worry if threads like this weren’t closed, it would mean the mods weren’t doing their job. The fact that MPSIMS is for pointless threads surely doesn’t give people _carte blanche_ to start threads on any stray thought that comes into their head. ---
**Author:** ![Q.E.D](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/51bf81/32.png) [@Q.E.D](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Q.E.D)\ **Post date:** [July 20, 2008, 1:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-was-this-thread-closed/457147/6 "2008-07-20T13:52:53Z")
[QUOTE=aldiboronti] I’d worry if threads like this weren’t closed, it would mean the mods weren’t doing their job. [/QUOTE] Oh, bullshit. If people don’t respond to a thread because it’s “too pointless” it falls off the page and dies quietly. If people _do_ respond to a thread it’s because they have some level of interest in it, either positive or negative. Either way, closing those threads is wholly pointless. Personally, I have no interest in either of them, but if others do, well, their mere presence on the index page isn’t going to bother me any. IMO, the mods’ job is to keep order, not to dictate content. There’s too much of the latter around here lately, AFAIC. ---
**Author:** ![guizot](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guizot/32/3636_2.png) [@guizot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/guizot)\ **Post date:** [July 20, 2008, 2:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-was-this-thread-closed/457147/7 "2008-07-20T14:14:46Z")
Also, there was a point that never got made: gas ranges almost always self-ignite, so the even if a stupid person turns on a burner and then forgets about it, the gas is being burned as it comes out. The worst is that a pot or pan on top will get really hot, and eventually turn black and become useless. I once did this with a tea kettle, so I guess I’m one of those many stupid people. ---
**Author:** ![Fear\_Itself](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fear_itself/32/19637_2.png) [@Fear\_Itself](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fear_Itself)\ **Post date:** [July 20, 2008, 3:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-was-this-thread-closed/457147/8 "2008-07-20T15:01:25Z")
[QUOTE=aldiboronti] The fact that MPSIMS is for pointless threads surely doesn’t give people _carte blanche_ to start threads on any stray thought that comes into their head. [/QUOTE] I don’t see why not. If the policy was to simply close every empty minded thread, we would not need a separate forum for them. Stray thoughts in GD? Close them. Stray thoughts in GQ? Close them. Why else would you need a separate forum to collect stray thoughts, _and then close them_? We could just cut out the middleman, and close them where ever they start. MPSIMS was created specifically as a place for inane stray thoughts to live out their pitiful lives, instead of being mercifully drowned at birth like unwanted kittens. ---
**Author:** ![aldiboronti](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/9fc348/32.png) [@aldiboronti](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aldiboronti)\ **Post date:** [July 20, 2008, 4:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-was-this-thread-closed/457147/9 "2008-07-20T16:10:28Z")
Sure, each to his own, but are you really saying there should be no criteria at all for thread creation in MPSIMS? ---
**Author:** ![Q.E.D](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/51bf81/32.png) [@Q.E.D](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Q.E.D)\ **Post date:** [July 20, 2008, 4:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-was-this-thread-closed/457147/10 "2008-07-20T16:41:35Z")
[QUOTE=aldiboronti] Sure, each to his own, but are you really saying there should be no criteria at all for thread creation in MPSIMS? [/QUOTE] Yes. Why should there be? Again, threads which are not popular will die on their own; those that are will thrive. I’m pretty confident in the membership’s ability to prevent MPSIMS from becoming a morass of utterly mindless threads without any moderator intervention whatsoever. ---
**Author:** ![Fear\_Itself](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fear_itself/32/19637_2.png) [@Fear\_Itself](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fear_Itself)\ **Post date:** [July 20, 2008, 4:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-was-this-thread-closed/457147/11 "2008-07-20T16:53:05Z")
[QUOTE=aldiboronti] Sure, each to his own, but are you really saying there should be no criteria at all for thread creation in MPSIMS? [/QUOTE] “Don’t be a Jerk” ---
**Author:** ![MissMossie](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f6c823/32.png) [@MissMossie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MissMossie)\ **Post date:** [July 20, 2008, 4:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-was-this-thread-closed/457147/12 "2008-07-20T16:55:10Z")
[QUOTE=aldiboronti] Sure, each to his own, but are you really saying there should be no criteria at all for thread creation in MPSIMS? [/QUOTE] I have no problem with post count parties being closed and threads that are “truly pointless” as stated by **SkipMagic** in the FAQ for the forum. If it weren’t so subjective, I would expand my question and ask for a definition of “truly pointless”. I just want to know what, in the linked thread, was seen as more pointless than could be allowable. ---
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [July 20, 2008, 4:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-was-this-thread-closed/457147/13 "2008-07-20T16:55:29Z")
[QUOTE=Q.E.D.] Yes. Why should there be? Again, threads which are not popular will die on their own; those that are will thrive. I’m pretty confident in the membership’s ability to prevent MPSIMS from becoming a morass of utterly mindless threads without any moderator intervention whatsoever. [/QUOTE] [Me]Yeah, that sure works like a charm on other boards that are not moderated.[/Me] ---
**Author:** ![Q.E.D](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/51bf81/32.png) [@Q.E.D](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Q.E.D)\ **Post date:** [July 20, 2008, 5:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-was-this-thread-closed/457147/14 "2008-07-20T17:03:25Z")
[QUOTE=Czarcasm] [Me]Yeah, that sure works like a charm on other boards that are not moderated.[/Me] [/QUOTE] Cute. But, you’re taking that post out of the context of the larger conversation, in which I specifically said that mods should work to keep order. The post you quoted was in reference to moderation of content only. ---
**Author:** ![Frank](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/3d9bf3/32.png) [@Frank](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Frank)\ **Post date:** [July 20, 2008, 6:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-was-this-thread-closed/457147/15 "2008-07-20T18:27:19Z")
[QUOTE=MissMossie] I have no problem with post count parties being closed and threads that are “truly pointless” as stated by **SkipMagic** in the FAQ for the forum. If it weren’t so subjective, I would expand my question and ask for a definition of “truly pointless”. I just want to know what, in the linked thread, was seen as more pointless than could be allowable. [/QUOTE] If it helps explain anything, we are, in general, getting fed up with **scrambledeggs**. He/she is developing a strong history of consistently starting threads in the wrong forum and of starting threads and not returning to them. (Of 161 posts, 96 are OPs.) I think it says something about him/her that among the many threads started today was one discussing the [Montreal Expos](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=476213)’ pending move to Washington. ---
**Author:** ![Joey\_P](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/919ad9/32.png) [@Joey\_P](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Joey_P)\ **Post date:** [July 20, 2008, 6:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-was-this-thread-closed/457147/16 "2008-07-20T18:31:18Z")
[QUOTE=guizot] Also, there was a point that never got made: gas ranges almost always self-ignite, so the even if a stupid person turns on a burner and then forgets about it, the gas is being burned as it comes out. The worst is that a pot or pan on top will get really hot, and eventually turn black and become useless. I once did this with a tea kettle, so I guess I’m one of those many stupid people. [/QUOTE] Unless your stove has a thermocouple it’s quite easy to fill the house with gas. Just turn it past the auto-ignite before it has a chance to light. ---
**Author:** ![MissMossie](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f6c823/32.png) [@MissMossie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MissMossie)\ **Post date:** [July 20, 2008, 6:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-was-this-thread-closed/457147/17 "2008-07-20T18:31:59Z")
[QUOTE=Frank] If it helps explain anything, we are, in general, getting fed up with **scrambledeggs**. He/she is developing a strong history of consistently starting threads in the wrong forum and of starting threads and not returning to them. (Of 161 posts, 96 are OPs.) I think it says something about him/her that among the many threads started today was one discussing the [Montreal Expos](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=476213)’ pending move to Washington. [/QUOTE] Thanks **Frank**. I had wondered if it was the user more than the thread itself. I hadn’t realized the OP’s track record was quite that bad though. ---
**Author:** ![Joey\_P](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/919ad9/32.png) [@Joey\_P](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Joey_P)\ **Post date:** [July 20, 2008, 6:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-was-this-thread-closed/457147/18 "2008-07-20T18:34:35Z")
[QUOTE=aldiboronti] Both decisions seem to me to be wholly unexceptionable. I’d worry if threads like this weren’t closed, it would mean the mods weren’t doing their job. The fact that MPSIMS is for pointless threads surely doesn’t give people _carte blanche_ to start threads on any stray thought that comes into their head. [/QUOTE] You do know what MPSIMS stands for right? From the main page…“Mundane Pointless Stuff I Must Share (MPSIMS) For general discussion: from _ **frivolous chatter** _ to deep thoughts; from harmless diversions to life-changing announcements.” ---
**Author:** ![C\_K\_Dexter\_Haven](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/b2d939/32.png) [@C\_K\_Dexter\_Haven](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/C_K_Dexter_Haven)\ **Post date:** [July 20, 2008, 6:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-was-this-thread-closed/457147/19 "2008-07-20T18:42:17Z")
OK, what Frank said. Sometimes threads are closed not because of their specific context, but because of a broader setting. Yeah, MPSIMS is also for trivial nothing musings. However, when we see a poster (hypothetically speaking) with 60% of posts being trivial nothing musings _to which he doesn’t return_ then our TDA goes up. [sub]Troll Detection Antenna, of course.[/sub] ---
**Author:** ![SSG\_Schwartz](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e9a140/32.png) [@SSG\_Schwartz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SSG_Schwartz)\ **Post date:** [July 20, 2008, 6:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-was-this-thread-closed/457147/20 "2008-07-20T18:45:39Z")
Ok, but we have a Poster asking GQ questions about running across crocodile backs and pole vaulting that have not been closed. Should these be closed? SSG Schwartz [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-was-this-thread-closed/457147.md?page=2)