Why are most threads just lists?

[Epifols]

I've noticed this on most forums with a lot of people. Almost all threads consist of a question or statement that require the people posting make a giant list. Isn't the point of forums to have a discussion, a laugh, share information, get answers etc? Or are people just after replies by posting threads that appeal thoughtlessly to everyone in the forum?

Smaller forums don't have this problem, for obvious reasons. And it might be harder to have 300 word posts in a place with this many people, but come on, this is not the list making committee.

 

[Mrsoupcup]

I'd agree but it would make my a hypocryt.

 

[Erana]

Trust me, the Escapist forums have been really weird and flushed with a sudden population spike for the past few weeks
And I'm not likin' it.

 

[Bob_F_It]

I also agree. There's nothing to be discussing because most of the threads aren't discussions. I'd be pointing the finger at kids who want to try and get a 100 post thread rolling without any intelectual input. This was particularly evident when one person was making about 10 of these "What's your" threads.

 

[Brokkr]

Trust me, the Escapist forums have been really weird and flushed with a sudden population spike for the past few weeks
And I'm not likin' it.

I agree. It seems like most of the new thread topics are just new people who don't use the search button and post either a repeat thread or a thread about PS3 vs. 360.

 

[implodingMan]

There's nothing more attractive to the average escapist user than a thread where all they have to do is pop in, declare their contempt for something, and then vanish without giving the thread a second glance.

This is why "what is your least favorite ____ " and "what _____ do you find overrated" threads always do fantastically. I think the root of the problem comes from the type of people this place attracts. Of all the forums I post on, this place is probably the most elitist in attitude. Users often proclaim the Escapist to be "the last vestige of sanity on the internet". People like that love to complain.

 

[PuckFuppet]

My problem is that alot of the threads seem to be started by people with confidence issues who either want everyone to vilify their statement or just exalt them as gods. Depending on what extreme of the confidence scale the person is on.

 

[Erana]

I agree. It seems like most of the new thread topics are just new people who don't use the search button and post either a repeat thread or a thread about PS3 vs. 360.

Not to insult the wonderful staff by any means, but I think they need to use the magic padlock more often.

There's nothing more attractive to the average escapist user than a thread where all they have to do is pop in, declare their contempt for something, and then vanish without giving the thread a second glance.

This is why "what is your least favorite ____ " and "what _____ do you find overrated" threads always do fantastically. I think the root of the problem comes from the type of people this place attracts. Of all the forums I post on, this place is probably the most elitist in attitude. Users often proclaim the Escapist to be "the last vestige of sanity on the internet". People like that love to complain.

I dunno. The Escapists think of themselves highly, but they are open to new things. Its just that when people do so damn badly at making a case, it has to be killed. Most Escapists would respect someone saying, "Tis a decent game, but I have an inexplicable dislike of this aspect of the game." But of course, would someone really make a thread to say that if they weren't just attention seeking?

 

[PirateKing]

I make very few threads for that exact reason. Hard to think of a really good topic.
The last thread I made that I was proud of was about never having to sleep if you want to look it up.

 

[Sennz0r]

I don't like these list threads for the excact reason why implodingMan says they might be attractive to a lot of people. No one ever pays attention to anyone else's list except if they see something they completely agree with and they reply with a "Hell yeah!". In this way there is no real communication just an opinion you paste to a wall with everyone pasting their opinion over yours without caring. No discussion whatsoever -> lack of interest -> move on to more interesting thread.

 

[Mr.Pandah]

Well in a discussion you are "confronted" and people don't like confrontation when/where vulgar is looked down upon and you can't say something about someone's mother. With a list, its easy to, like said before, pop in say what needs to be said, and leave.

 

[OuroborosChoked]

Because most other kinds of topics end in flame wars?

MY question is... why aren't there MORE non-list threads? I think that question makes a whole lot more sense... but then you'd have to look at yourself instead of criticizing others, right? And nobody likes asking themselves what THEY can do to fix a problem when they can just complain about somebody else, right?

No offense meant.

 

[Chickenlittle]

My personal assessment is that it's easier to provide a bullet-point list than to write a few sentences. IT also makes your post a bit prettier to look at, and avoids some of the flames.

 

[AgentNein]

People need to realize that unless you're someone of note, lists are only interesting to the poster of said lists.

I mean honestly, if someone insists on posting a list, at least include a short blurb about why each (whatever it may be) made it on the list. That at least attempts to be interesting, as opposed to a numbered bullet point.

 

[willard3]

Yeah, there's lots of thinly-veiled repeat threads about how the PS3/Wii/360 sucks balls, and those definitely need to go, but some of the others are a little more excusable. Seeing as this forum moves pretty quickly, and there's a lot of us who don't check back religiously, I find some of them all right.

There *is* a disproportionate amount of people here (compared to other forums I'm on) that slam down with the "use search u noob" as the first post in a thread. If you've been here a year and remember a thread from a month ago on the same topic, others might not, and starting the replies with a "u suck" is not very nice. When there's three other threads on the same topic active on page 1, then I'm ok with that.

Check the OP's post count, spelling/grammar, active threads, and the possibility of flame-baiting before bitching about the search feature.

 

[mooncalf]

#17: Three marzipan chocolates and a boiled haddock.

 

[BallPtPenTheif]

Trust me, the Escapist forums have been really weird and flushed with a sudden population spike for the past few weeks
And I'm not likin' it.

Is that what's going on? I was wondering why actual interactive responses have dried up lately.

 

[BallPtPenTheif]

People need to realize that unless you're someone of note, lists are only interesting to the poster of said lists.

I mean honestly, if someone insists on posting a list, at least include a short blurb about why each (whatever it may be) made it on the list. That at least attempts to be interesting, as opposed to a numbered bullet point.

Even then, I'm apposed to it since most people won't read other people's lists and just post theirs. Threads should be catered around engaging the other readers.

 

[gamshobny]

It's because most people, like me, can't be bothered to read 10 or so responces. And yes, I'm aware of the fact that somebody else probably allready made this point, and stating it again only reïnforces it .