<p>I have been here more frequently. Lots of interesting, well-informed parents here. </p>
<p>My question is for CCers and moderators, for the betterment of CC (I hope).</p>
<p>Let say someone entered a new topic (thread) and the thread grew to a modest 40 replies.
Is there a critical mass beyond which the thread self-destructs? How many of you skip right to the end and read the last few posts only ? Often by the time the thread has grown, many of the later posts will have digressed. Many of the interesting,compelling argument would have been covered in first 10 posts or so by people who feel strong enough to response. Then it drifts and you will have some off-topics and digression and people making secondary arguments. If I found a thread that interests me, I often read first few threads and skip to the end but nothing in the middle. It’s just human nature. Few of us will read end-to-end even 40 replies.</p>
<p>I do have some suggestion but first like to hear from you on whether on not I am alone in my observation.</p>
<p>Interesting post Sethcolby and do admit that I do the same, and actually avoid threads that stretch on for days. About 5 pages seems to be my level of interest, after that I too am not usually interested in seeing 1000 posts on one subject. I do have another life outside CC after all.</p>
<p>Ditto. I gravitate to the threads that have fewer than 15 posts on them, unless it’s something I’m really interested in that I’ve been following from the start. (For me, that’s the First Lady’s wardrobe thread!) If a thread has more than 20 posts – especially those with hundreds or thousands – I don’t even open it.</p>
<p>I think the title should read “Is a thread self destructive after 30 posts?”
Everyone will agree that threads do digress after a critical mass of 30-40 posts.</p>
<p>I don’t mind digressions at all; actually, the longer threads with interesting discussions is what I like to read. Arguments, different points of view, etc. </p>
<p>It depends on one’s goal, I guess. I personally perceive CC as a club, not as a place I’d go to get a quick answer to my question… Please don’t try to “improve” it.</p>
<p>If I am interested, I will read every thread and post but there have been only 2 long threads that I read faithfully post by post; one was Helms2lee and the other Latetoschool. Otherwise I will likely only read the first page and last page.</p>
<p>I like the drama threads–someone comes on board with a problem. We discuss. Come up with some thoughts about how to proceed. OP does something. Reports back with results.</p>
<p>It’s better than many things on television–entertaining (CC has some of the most awesome posters on it) and sometimes educational. I learned more about droopy cat tails from one thread–who knew it was such a complicated problem!</p>
<p>I would be happy to entertain thoughts of how to improve the Parents Forum. If there were some way to keep out student ■■■■■■…</p>
<p>Amen. Once there are a lot of posts most problems are solved or the topic is out of date- that leads to self destruction. Unless one starts with the beginning some threads are too long to jump into- one invariably misses some insider stuff. It’s like a paragraph that keeps growing and growing- eg the meta thread- and needs reorganizing/editing into smaller ones. It’s not just the number of posts, but the length of them. Some threads are there for entertainment and can keep going with more and more silliness.</p>
<p>If a thread is about something that greatly interests me, I’ll read the whole thing; in fact, I’m on CC enough that I’m usually posting from the beginning of threads that greatly interest me.</p>
<p>That’s how some CC threads have had 1,000 or more posts.</p>
<p>Key phrases to watch for:
A bit off the OT, but… (I’m guilty of this one)
Sorry to hijack this thread, but…</p>
<p>It bothers me when posters get in long, drawn-out arguments about things other than the original question, or things that are obviously personal choices that might be different than theirs.</p>
<p>I do think it’s pretty cool that CC has included the Parent Cafe section for us to vent, share information, etc. I’ve gotten a lot of very good information here, and it generally attracts a pleasant, helpful bunch.</p>
<p>Amazingly, the thread I started asking for help in increasing the effectiveness of my cardio workout is still on point at 128 posts. (But that is rare.)</p>
<p>I post on another board and I’ve just had to stop going over there because no matter the topic, it only takes about 5 posts for any thread to get political in a very ugly way. The ironic thing is that it’s the Community page of a board designed to help people plan Disney vacations…I think 90% of the people on that board need to find a laughing place really soon.</p>