Staying on topic- threads in general

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...........

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.

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!

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.

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

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.

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..............."

Agreed

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.

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.

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

I'll just be generally agreeable

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

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

IMO there's a huge difference between a thread meandering and a thread being derailed.

Yes, I'd agree with that.

trisher

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!

As the threads aren't moderated pre posting, is it the case then that GN read every post on every thread to make sure it's not going off track? I just assumed they let us get on with it unless someone reports a post or possibly a thread. I'm amazed they have time to monitor every thread so closely, hats off to them in that case, although I'd prefer either individual posts were removed or threads closed to further comments.

Don't think that they can have the time to read every post on ever thread Rosie51. Plus, they do specifically say "If you have any concerns, let us know and we'll take a look". I've even known GNHQ temporarily remove a thread so that they "can take a look behind the scenes" and then they reinstate it or delete it altogether. But there was no warning last night which makes me agree with others as to why it vanished.

Just delete any and all posts that are derailing. It's not as if they give anything of importance to the discussion any way.

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.

I think that's fair enough if it's the OP and they have had a lot of posts missing the point and/or criticising them.
I've seen that happen.

I'd hope GNHQ wouldn't delete a thread just because someone, or even a few people, don't like what's being said.

The problem is I really do think that happens FarNorth and perhaps also if for whatever reason, because what they've posted shows them in a bad light.

Then again all you'd need to do is ask GNHQ to delete your own post(s), there's no need to delete the entire thread.

I followed the thread which was deleted (I didn’t post as I’ve suffered the transphobic, bigot and Nazi insults on that topic in the past so I confine myself to reading and leave others to take the abuse). I saw that insults were being hurled as usual on the trans topics and assumed that GN had followed the thread and decided it was getting nasty. It didn’t occur to me that anything had been reported as the posters engaging were seasoned debaters with thicker skins than mine. No, I reported nothing.

I followed that thread with interest too
It is an important issue and as we are grown women I don't feel we need censoring by GNHQ or other GNs.
If people aren't happy with a thread or certain posts they don't need to keep reading.

It could be that individual posts were reported GSM as there were as you've said the usual insults being thrown around but if that was the case, delete individual posts not an entire thread.

It is an important issue AGAA4 and what's annoyed me is that no warning was given, it was simply deleted.

As one of the ‘seasoned posters’ on that thread, I really find this unhelpful. If I in any way contributed to the thread being deleted I would like to know how, so that I could decide whether I can try not to do whatever it was again or post on other boards where freedom of expression is interpreted in line with my own interpretation.

I went to have a bath, then watched some of the Winnie Mandela film on tv, and when I got back the thread had gone. I don’t know, therefore, what was posted in my absence, or how long it lasted after I left, which means that if the deletion was meant as a rebuke, I honestly don’t know whether it was aimed at me or not.

As far as diversion goes, for what it’s worth, IMO it is fine if it is just ‘thread drift’, which happens naturally. As has been said, people can bring it back on topic easily enough if they want to, but sometimes threads just run their course. Where I find it annoying though, is when posters deliberately sidetrack in order to avoid replying to questions, or to divert attention from the fact that they are losing the argument, perhaps because they are unable to answer the thing they have been asked.

As I said on another thread, and has been said on this one, deletion of a whole thread just causes ill-feeling, both amongst posters, as it is easy to assume that someone has asked for it to be deleted if they think (wrongly) that they are being victimised, and between posters and moderators, as sudden deletion is disrespectful to people who have taken time to post thoughtful replies on both sides of the argument. Delete individual posts, or PM a poster who is seen to be going too far, but deleting a whole thread is heavy handed and (IMO) unnecessary on a board for adults.

You arent allowed to have a bath when having a debate doodle .
From my experience on MN on this issue I would say we are more likely to be able to have this discussion if we avoid using named examples, in my view that thread would have lasted approx 30 seconds on MN.

Sorry for the delay in posting. I've been ever so busy running the internet. It doesn't run itself you know!

I've thought about it Callistemon and cats and fluffy bunnies are very much allowed. Here's Rosie our fluffy bunny wearing her best hat for you to apologise for my original omission.

I'm ok when threads go off topic. If people are finding that useful then that's great. If they aren't then they will bring it back to the original post or the thread will peter out.