Oh jesus christ it's a simple answer! People like to answer random questions because they are the most impersonal and they require little import with a pinch of any real consideration for the OT.
I think it's time to make a thread!James Joseph Emerald said:Threads like "Poll: What's your favourite colour?" (I just made that example up, though I'm sure it's been done)
I tend to read the first page, and see what comes up. In this case, everything I would have said is in your post, making mine irrelevant. But I've typed it now, so I'm going to hit 'post' at some point anyway.Mr Thin said:a) I only look at threads that interest me. I don't open up a thread & post for the hell of it.
b) If it's something I care about - maybe the thread is about a question I'd like answered, or advice on something I need advice on - then I'll probably read the whole thing. Unless I get bored.
c) If it's more than a few pages long, I probably won't post. There's no point, no one would see it.
d) If there are hundreds of pages and/or thousands of posts, I probably will post. Just to add to the swarm. People get badges for that sort of thing, I'm happy to contribute.
e) Those last two points are somewhat contradictory. Meh.
That's exactly what I do. >.>Suki the Cat said:That kind of threads is all about the posts. To get one more post on your profile.
And for the thread starter, stupid topics like that gets a lot of relpies, because people reply for a post count... So they get their "has created a thread with 100 replies" and so on. I never create threads like that. I want my discussion to have something for it. I read replies in discussions I'm interested in, but NOT if it's mroe than 2 pages...
This is pretty much what I do.Furburt said:I read pretty much every post for the first 3 or four pages, and then I just skim the rest. I usually post earlier in threads anyway.
I think it's because of new people. They might be a bit too shy at the start to want to get into full discussion, and just want to dump their thoughts on a "this" or something.
I think you hit the nail on the head there. I'd only add that more often than not people quote one another to grab attention to ensure their post has been read (isn't this ironic...). I suppose people feel better knowing they have a place to deposit their thoughts and opinions where people may or may not see them, almost like a blog. I'll admit it, I know that the majority of my posts will go unread but as there are always thoughts flying around in my head it's handy to be able to drop them from time to time. Occasionally I do get a couple of angry responses in my 'Quoted' inbox but there we go...James Joseph Emerald said:Some form of narcissistic catharsis or something...
I think you'll find this odd trend translates into RL discussion as well.James Joseph Emerald said:I've noticed an odd trend on this site. The popularity of threads tend to be inversely proportionate to how much discussion it generates.
I don't really think there's anything ironic about this thread. It is an interesting, thought provoking, subject. It would have been Ironic if the post had been "do you actually care? Yes/Maybe/Pasta" or wtvJames Joseph Emerald said:What do you think?
(Yes, I'm aware of the irony. I tried to make it a poll for even greater effect, but couldn't figure out how to phrase it to include the full spectrum of choices. That's the problem with polls: they inherently limit discussion by constraining people's approach to the question.)
(Also, yes, I did just use the word 'just' like 9 times in one paragraph. Whoops.)
To frame the question a bit better: what do you do before posting? Meticulously read every post to make sure yours is unique, original and interesting? Or just dump your thoughts on the matter and move on? Does it depend on the type of thread? If so, why do you post in a thread where you can safely assume you'll be ignored?