Staying on topic- threads in general

If a thread has been “derailed” why not just close it to further comments rather than deleting it?

I don't report because it might lead to that thing being denied after it is deleted and aids gaslighting.

But then, gransnet has community guidelines and that thing being read might upset others too...

It's a no win situation

Oh the quote didn't appear and I'm too lazy to scroll through again

I'll just be generally agreeable

IMO there's a huge difference between a thread meandering and a thread being derailed. The former is a natural progression of a discussion on any topic, the latter is where
derailing is deliberate because one or two are being disagreed with by the majority and/or there posters who simply cannot participate without throwing around personal insults and/or gas lighting other posters.

It really annoys me when a thread is deleted especially when it's been deliberately derailed and the majority of contributors have given their time researching the subject and making informative and sensible contributions.

Delete the offensive posts and if possible prevent those who are derailing the thread from posting on it, but don't delete the entire thread.

To answer the OP, no, I don’t mind if a thread derails (though I agree with Blossoming that there may be some circumstances when it might need to happen). My real life book group discussions derail all the time but no one takes our books away, tears them up and than stomps off home!

An event that occurred last night struck me as yet another case of women being erased. It’s patronising and treating us either as children or doddery old folks who can’t be trusted. I think we also lost a great number of very interesting and informative views.

Agreed

My main complaint would be threads that just degenerate into several people continually sniping at each other. "Well she said ........" "No I didn't............." "Oh yes you did..............."

I agree that this thread is a perfect example of meandering, so it is now turning into a discussion on reporting to GN! I don't see that as a problem.

I don't think anyone thinks it was anyone who actually posts

To be honest I haven't thought about it! I have reported on a couple of occasions when I was concerned that an obviously very vulnerable OP was at risk, from what they posted. In both cases GN then posted suggested websites/organisations that could help the OP with the issues/ feelings they described. On both those occasions I didn't say I had reported, I just checked that GN was advising , as the OPs really worried me

VioletSky

I haven't reported a single thing, just so that is known. Not a single thing on any thread or topic. Full permission to anyone who would like to report this comment to gransnet and have the same answer from them

I don't think anyone thinks it was anyone who actually posts.

Rosie51

I'd hazard a guess it's people who feel they're not winning the argument that report and want threads deleted.

What a strange thing to assume. It's something which would never occur to me.
I've been on threads that have been deleted. Had posts reported and deleted (it's OK to call someone a communist but you musn't call anyone a Nazi!). Never reported anything myself .
Would anyone have to report anything for a thread to be considered deviating and unhelpful?
I feel I need a buzzer like on Just a Minute!- hesitation. deviation!

Blossoming

I’m disappointed that the word ‘mother’ isn’t being replaced by the word ‘mither’ in Scottish documents.

I used to mither my mother, or so she told me sometimes.
"Stop mithering me, Callistemon"

I think children mither, mothers get mithered.

Chewbacca

This thread is a good example of how thread discussions meander from the original OP.

Exactly! I wonder how many threads don't meander off from the original post? I'd expect any to be pretty short as I'd think you'd run out of original points to make about virtually any subject if the parameters are going to be strict. Ponders how 'off track' you'd have to go to be off track enough to warrant deletion...........

Madgran77 I've seen someone post they don't like the tone or direction a thread is taking and that they will be asking for it to be deleted. Not a common occurrence, and not one I necessarily agree with, but I admire the honesty. I'd imagine there are others who would take that line but not post they were going to do so, and they'd maybe not even have made one post on the thread.

On any subject.

Galaxy

Which is why we dont want those who run internet sites deciding what speech is ok, we mostly know nothing about the values of those people.

I'm surprised they deleted the thread - someone must be awake then at GNHQ!

I've asked twice for a post of mine to be removed (another thread) but have been ignored. I just assumed that GNHQ were asleep/on holiday/stuffing themselves with cake

PS, Occasionally, on that other board, threads are locked so that no more posts can be made.

On that subject farnorth?

Even if some posters are throwing rocks at each other on a thread, that doesn't mean the whole thing should be deleted.
Posts can be deleted and posters can be warned.
I'm on another discussion board where that is what happens and whole threads are not deleted because that is unfair to those who took time and effort to post in good faith.

This thread is a good example of how thread discussions meander from the original OP.

On that thread I am not sure it was meandering that caused a deletion...more likely to be about things getting personal about posters opinions of each other and arguments about that. But I don't know if that was the case!

I don't think anyone is suggesting who may or may not have reported that or any other thread, either on that thread or this one VioketSky. Presumably accusing anyone of reporting would promptly be deleted anyway.

Casdon in the past I have seen posters be open about what they think, say that they will be reporting...and then been bombarded with some fairly unpleasant stuff as a result. Not seen it recently, maybe because I haven't seen anyone say they are going to report recently!!

Rosie51

I'd hazard a guess it's people who feel they're not winning the argument that report and want threads deleted.

I certainly hope GNHQ doesn't delete a thread on the basis that someone doesn't like the opinions on it.

Also reporting and bringing threads to the attention of gransnet could come from anyone, not just those who are "losing the argument" who may not even see it that way depending on the topic lol

I do wonder if there’s a silent reporting minority of Gransnet members - people who don’t post, or post very little, but take it on themselves to be the censors of those who do. If that’s the case, they are cowards who don’t have enough bottle to say what they really think publicly?

Threads meander as do face to face conversations, telephone conversations and in our family the WhatsApp Group is often so far off of the original question it’s hilarious.

Unless there is a constant breaking of Guidelines (whatever they are on the day?) I cannot see any reason to delete an entire thread because it has deviated from the OP. I think if this was to become common practice the majority of the News and Politics threads would be deleted by post 100.