# Would TPTB please stop using the "close thread" feature as a way to have the last word?

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-tptb-please-stop-using-the-close-thread-feature-as-a-way-to-have-the-last-word/509816>\
**Category:** About This Message Board\
**Created:** [September 12, 2009, 12:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-tptb-please-stop-using-the-close-thread-feature-as-a-way-to-have-the-last-word/509816 "2009-09-12T12:57:40Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 20\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![Liberal](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/848f3c/32.png) [@Liberal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Liberal)\
**Post date:** [September 12, 2009, 12:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-tptb-please-stop-using-the-close-thread-feature-as-a-way-to-have-the-last-word/509816/1 "2009-09-12T12:57:40Z")

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For people who will insist on a link:

[http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showpost.php?p=11547135&postcount=33](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showpost.php?p=11547135&postcount=33)

However, Dex is certainly not the only one to use this practice.

If you’re going to post as a poster, then do so, and wait for your response just like any other poster would do. If you’re going to post as a mod/admin, then please just cut-off the discussion without comment other than the (non-snarky) reason why you’re closing the thread.

TubaDiva has shown exemplary behavior in this regard lately. See for example this link:

[http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showpost.php?p=11524716&postcount=5](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showpost.php?p=11524716&postcount=5)

I’d like to see others follow her example.

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**Author:** ![friedo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/8edcca/32.png) [@friedo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/friedo)\
**Post date:** [September 12, 2009, 1:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-tptb-please-stop-using-the-close-thread-feature-as-a-way-to-have-the-last-word/509816/2 "2009-09-12T13:21:00Z")

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> [@Liberal](#):
>
> I’d like to see others follow her example.

I’d like to see people stop bitching like little bitches so much.

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**Author:** ![MsWhatsit](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/eb8c5e/32.png) [@MsWhatsit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MsWhatsit)\
**Post date:** [September 12, 2009, 1:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-tptb-please-stop-using-the-close-thread-feature-as-a-way-to-have-the-last-word/509816/3 "2009-09-12T13:35:02Z")

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> [@Liberal](#):
>
> For people who will insist on a link:
> 
> [http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showpost.php?p=11547135&postcount=33](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showpost.php?p=11547135&postcount=33)
> 
> However, Dex is certainly not the only one to use this practice.

The linked thread is currently not closed.

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**Author:** ![tacoloco](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/7993a0/32.png) [@tacoloco](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tacoloco)\
**Post date:** [September 12, 2009, 1:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-tptb-please-stop-using-the-close-thread-feature-as-a-way-to-have-the-last-word/509816/4 "2009-09-12T13:44:24Z")

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> [@Liberal](#):
>
> For people who will insist on a link:
> 
> [http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showpost.php?p=11547135&postcount=33](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showpost.php?p=11547135&postcount=33)
> 
> However, Dex is certainly not the only one to use this practice.
> 
> If you’re going to post as a poster, then do so, and wait for your response just like any other poster would do. If you’re going to post as a mod/admin, then please just cut-off the discussion without comment other than the (non-snarky) reason why you’re closing the thread.
> 
> TubaDiva has shown exemplary behavior in this regard lately. See for example this link:
> 
> [http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showpost.php?p=11524716&postcount=5](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showpost.php?p=11524716&postcount=5)
> 
> I’d like to see others follow her example.

Waaah. Waaah.

Is there anything you won’t piss, bitch, moan and complain about?

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**Author:** ![CarnalK](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnalk/32/486_2.png) [@CarnalK](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CarnalK)\
**Post date:** [September 12, 2009, 1:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-tptb-please-stop-using-the-close-thread-feature-as-a-way-to-have-the-last-word/509816/5 "2009-09-12T13:57:32Z")

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> [@MsWhatsit](#):
>
> The linked thread is currently not closed.

Yeah, it was closed briefly (at my own request) but apparently re-opened in the name of transparency and open debate. Madness, I know. lol.

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**Author:** ![Smeghead](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/f1d935/32.png) [@Smeghead](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Smeghead)\
**Post date:** [September 12, 2009, 5:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-tptb-please-stop-using-the-close-thread-feature-as-a-way-to-have-the-last-word/509816/6 "2009-09-12T17:37:52Z")

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> [@friedo](#):
>
> I’d like to see people stop bitching like little bitches so much.

Hope springeth eternal.

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**Author:** ![Liberal](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/848f3c/32.png) [@Liberal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Liberal)\
**Post date:** [September 13, 2009, 12:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-tptb-please-stop-using-the-close-thread-feature-as-a-way-to-have-the-last-word/509816/7 "2009-09-13T00:26:28Z")

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> [@friedo](#):
>
> I’d like to see people stop bitching like little bitches so much.

And yet you do.

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**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:** [September 13, 2009, 12:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-tptb-please-stop-using-the-close-thread-feature-as-a-way-to-have-the-last-word/509816/8 "2009-09-13T12:25:21Z")

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\> CRACK! \< ::: Moderator cracks whip for attention :::

**friedo** : Official Warning: disguising a personal insult by making it plural doesn’t make it not a personal insult. Cease and desist, NOW.

**Liberal** : Responding to a personal insult with another insult is NOT cool. Proper response is to REPORT the post (little ! in red triangle in upper right corner, for any newcomers reading this) and NOT to respond in kind. You know this, full well.

**tacoloco** : You’re “getting away” with it because technically you’re discussing what the person says, rather than the person. However, it’s only a technicality, and I probably SHOULD issue an Official Warning, but I’ve issued too many this morning and I don’t want to overdo. Cool it.

* * *

Now, back to the OP:

Threads are closed when they’ve been answered/resolved or when they’ve gone so far off track as to be irrelevant. The thread in question:  
(1) had evolved to a discussion about music, and was no longer reasonable for ATMB;  
(2) the issue at hand was pretty much resolved – at least as much as it can be; and  
(3) there was another thread on the same topic.

Any one of those would be adequate reason to close a thread, and I did. TubaDiva convinced me that people would complain if we closed any thread involving mod policies (even though this thread DIDN’T involve mod policies) so I reopened it.

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**Author:** ![Measure\_for\_Measure](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/measure_for_measure/32/557_2.png) [@Measure\_for\_Measure](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Measure_for_Measure)\
**Post date:** [September 13, 2009, 10:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-tptb-please-stop-using-the-close-thread-feature-as-a-way-to-have-the-last-word/509816/9 "2009-09-13T22:37:26Z")

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Huh, and I was just about to pile on…

Substantively speaking, the mods are all volunteers. So frankly methinks a certain amount of capriciousness is their prerogative: the shocker is that I personally perceive but trace amounts of this behavior, though as always YMMV.

IMHO, it behooves posters to wrap their critiques and recommendations to concerned parties within a cocoon of empathy and deference. This admittedly is a minority opinion. (That said, we should expect rolling of the eyes, snark and outraged accusations of disingenuous and even irony to those implementing my preferred approach-- within the appropriate forums of course.)

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**Author:** ![Liberal](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/848f3c/32.png) [@Liberal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Liberal)\
**Post date:** [September 14, 2009, 2:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-tptb-please-stop-using-the-close-thread-feature-as-a-way-to-have-the-last-word/509816/10 "2009-09-14T02:24:32Z")

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> [@C\_K\_Dexter\_Haven](#):
>
> \> CRACK! \< ::: Moderator cracks whip for attention :::
> 
> […snip…]
> 
> **Liberal** : Responding to a personal insult with another insult is NOT cool. Proper response is to REPORT the post (little ! in red triangle in upper right corner, for any newcomers reading this) and NOT to respond in kind. You know this, full well.

I do indeed. I offer apologies to both you and friedo.

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**Author:** ![Liberal](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/848f3c/32.png) [@Liberal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Liberal)\
**Post date:** [September 14, 2009, 2:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-tptb-please-stop-using-the-close-thread-feature-as-a-way-to-have-the-last-word/509816/11 "2009-09-14T02:39:07Z")

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> [@C\_K\_Dexter\_Haven](#):
>
> Now, back to the OP:
> 
> Threads are closed when they’ve been answered/resolved or when they’ve gone so far off track as to be irrelevant. The thread in question:  
> (1) had evolved to a discussion about music, and was no longer reasonable for ATMB;  
> (2) the issue at hand was pretty much resolved – at least as much as it can be; and  
> (3) there was another thread on the same topic.
> 
> Any one of those would be adequate reason to close a thread, and I did. TubaDiva convinced me that people would complain if we closed any thread involving mod policies (even though this thread DIDN’T involve mod policies) so I reopened it.

I’m afraid there has been a misunderstanding, likely due to my own weak expository skills. I’m not complaining about the closing of a thread. I’m asking that, when threads are closed, mods and admins not use it as an opportunity to have the last word.

Let me give you a hypothetical example, completely unrelated to any actual mod or admin closure:

Okay, hold it. That’s ENOUGH. If Martian albinos wish to carry on their ridiculous and snide attacks against the United Federation of Planets, they can do so in another thread — preferably a Pit thread where nonsense like that can be haggled over by the people who care about it. This thread is closed.

versus

This thread has veered too far from the OP, and therefore is closed.

One of those is getting in an opinion on a discussion to which someone cannot respond, while the other is informational only. No insinuation that dissent of the Federation of Planets is Pit-only material.

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**Author:** ![BigT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bigt/32/12044_2.png) [@BigT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BigT)\
**Post date:** [September 14, 2009, 2:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-tptb-please-stop-using-the-close-thread-feature-as-a-way-to-have-the-last-word/509816/12 "2009-09-14T02:48:36Z")

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> [@C\_K\_Dexter\_Haven](#):
>
> Threads are closed when they’ve been answered/resolved or when they’ve gone so far off track as to be irrelevant. The thread in question:  
> (1) had evolved to a discussion about music, and was no longer reasonable for ATMB;  
> (2) the issue at hand was pretty much resolved – at least as much as it can be; and  
> (3) there was another thread on the same topic.
> 
> Any one of those would be adequate reason to close a thread, and I did. TubaDiva convinced me that people would complain if we closed any thread involving mod policies (even though this thread DIDN’T involve mod policies) so I reopened it.

Why not just move it to the appropriate forum, like you would from any other forum? Why close an ongoing discussion?

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**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:** [September 14, 2009, 11:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-tptb-please-stop-using-the-close-thread-feature-as-a-way-to-have-the-last-word/509816/13 "2009-09-14T11:50:28Z")

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> [@BigT](#):
>
> Why not just move it to the appropriate forum, like you would from any other forum? Why close an ongoing discussion?

It depends on the topic and the discussion. True and Current Example: if the first N posts were about some board rule, and then the topic digressed into music, we could move the thread. However, that would be confusing for several reasons: title would be wrong, and someone coming new to the thread would in Cafe Society would be confused by the first N posts. Better to let people start up the discussion in a fresh thread.

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**Author:** ![Liberal](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/848f3c/32.png) [@Liberal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Liberal)\
**Post date:** [September 14, 2009, 11:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-tptb-please-stop-using-the-close-thread-feature-as-a-way-to-have-the-last-word/509816/14 "2009-09-14T11:59:14Z")

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While you’re online, Dex, would you respond to the OP, please?

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**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:** [September 14, 2009, 12:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-tptb-please-stop-using-the-close-thread-feature-as-a-way-to-have-the-last-word/509816/15 "2009-09-14T12:06:48Z")

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> [@Liberal](#):
>
> While you’re online, Dex, would you respond to the OP, please?

See post 8, above.

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**Author:** ![Liberal](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/848f3c/32.png) [@Liberal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Liberal)\
**Post date:** [September 14, 2009, 2:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-tptb-please-stop-using-the-close-thread-feature-as-a-way-to-have-the-last-word/509816/16 "2009-09-14T14:59:12Z")

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> [@C\_K\_Dexter\_Haven](#):
>
> See post 8, above.

Please see post 11, above. The question that you answered in post 8 was not mine. For convenience, I’ll restate it here:

My question is whether the mods and admins would be willing to cease and desist from using the “close thread” tool as a means to have the last word about a topic. It is the social equivalent of slamming a door in someone’s face. It is rude and unnecessary. If a thread should be closed, then it should be done [like this](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showpost.php?p=11524716&postcount=5), with no personal commentary about which side of the discussion you’re on — only rules citations.

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**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:** [September 14, 2009, 5:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-tptb-please-stop-using-the-close-thread-feature-as-a-way-to-have-the-last-word/509816/17 "2009-09-14T17:08:43Z")

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OK, sorry about misunderstanding what you were asking.

Usually, I think, we do try to close threads with just a formal comment about the reason. However, some one will always have the last word in the thread before it’s closed; and why should it NEVER be the mod?

Nonetheless, I hear you, and we’ll try to be better. Certainly the ideal is as you suggest.

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**Author:** ![Liberal](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/848f3c/32.png) [@Liberal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Liberal)\
**Post date:** [September 14, 2009, 5:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-tptb-please-stop-using-the-close-thread-feature-as-a-way-to-have-the-last-word/509816/18 "2009-09-14T17:32:13Z")

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Thank you, Dex!

(There is no reason that the person with the last word should never be a mod. If a mod happens to post as a poster, and then no one else responds, then it’s just like if anybody else had the last word. My only concern was with COMBINING having the last word with the power to close the thread and thereby shut out any and all responses. I hope that helps clear things up. And thanks again for having another look. Kudos.)

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**Author:** ![Brainiac](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/8797f3/32.png) [@Brainiac](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Brainiac)\
**Post date:** [September 14, 2009, 6:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-tptb-please-stop-using-the-close-thread-feature-as-a-way-to-have-the-last-word/509816/19 "2009-09-14T18:29:17Z")

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> [@Liberal](#):
>
> Would TPTB please stop using the “close thread” feature as a way to have the last word?

Agree completely. This is not very polite, and sometimes maddening to those viewing after the closure. It should be unnecessary.

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**Author:** ![aldiboronti](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/9fc348/32.png) [@aldiboronti](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aldiboronti)\
**Post date:** [September 14, 2009, 6:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-tptb-please-stop-using-the-close-thread-feature-as-a-way-to-have-the-last-word/509816/20 "2009-09-14T18:54:58Z")

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You make a very good point, **Liberal** , and I’m pleased to see that **Dex** acknowledged it. Closing a thread while having a final say on the subject matter gives the inevitable impression that moderator authority is being used to buttress one’s opinions, an abuse of power which, however minor, is quite unfair to members and should never be sanctioned.

[Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-tptb-please-stop-using-the-close-thread-feature-as-a-way-to-have-the-last-word/509816.md?page=2)