This is just a mod nitpick, but I think it’s needlessly silly to lock a thread about a debunked rumor in Cafe Society… but to leave the title intact. Locked threads draw attention to them, and it would be nice if this attention could be quashed by altering the thread title to include a little on WHY the thread was locked: i.e. “closed: debunked hoax” That would save people time and energy.
Oof. I am so tired. I’ve clicked my mouse on a dozen or so worthless threads today. Don’t even get me started on internet news items.
Isn’t the little padlock explanatory enough? When you see a locked thread titled “Will Ferrel dead?” what else are you going to assume?
Yes, he’s dead, but there’s a news blackout on it and the Chicago Reader is going along with it?
I agree with this. If he were really dead, obviously the thread wouldn’t have been locked (unless it was a dup because somebody beat that thread in the eternal “I must be the first to make a thread about the dead famous person” race)
I hope I’m not the only one, but I click on lots of locked threads just to see why they were locked.
I don’t slow down to gape at car accidents, but there’s something about a potential meltdown that piques my curiosity.
Renaming the thread might prevent someone from reading the title only, and rushing off to spread the false info. But 99.9% of Dopers are too smart to do that.
will farrell’s dead? omgwtfbrbk
This thread needs more cowbell.
Yeah, I check out locked threads too. AND I slow down to gawk at car accidents. AND when I hear of a Doper getting suspended or banned, I check their old threads to see where they went batshit. Morbid curiosity, I love thee!!
Yeah, I want the minute and a half back that it took me to scan through the locked thread, dammit.
Actually, no I don’t; I probably would have just spent the time on something even less useful.
Here you go. All the cowbell you can handle.
Tell me about it. I’m like a moth to a flame with banned posters. Am I imagining things, or didn’t there used to be a “View last post” under every posters’ name? Made it so much easier to find the moment of impact.
Only if the news blackout is in another country. Then you bet your ass they’ll enforce it.
Actually, the first thing that went through my mind when I heard that Mr. Farrell was dead was, “Ohmyghod-they’ll have to recast Elf 2 with Jon Lovitz!”.
I think there’s enough dingalings in here as it is. 
Totally.
I can’t help myself. There’s been some really interesting meltdowns here, and I want to read them ALL!! Muaaahahahahaaa!
Hey, that was my thread! And I was happy to have it locked up because I already felt stupid for falling for such idiocy.
Anyway, it’s good to know that little padlock caused even more people to see how gullible I am. I will go hide in a cave for a few years now I think.
OK, help me out, what’s with all the cowbell references lately? I must have missed that memo.
I fear a whoosh, but here you go.
I apologize that the video takes so long to load.
Obviously a closed casket funeral.