Goodbye Threads

[Rob King]

Just wondering what we think of goodbye threads. I don't think I've ever seen a goodbye thread where people don't jump in there and start bashing away. Perhaps I'm just forgetting the civil ones.

But I was thinking ... if circumstances took me away from this forum, I would like to sort of say goodbye, or offer an explanation. And there are people here, who if they were leaving for a significant period or for good, I would like a goodbye from them. You know. Like, if North Ranger just stopped posting without a goodbye, I would fear he died in a horrible pantless sauna battle with a Swede or something.

Now, I know there will be goodbye threads that deserve hating on. A certain current and hypocritical example comes to mind (although, the jury is still out on whether it's satire or genuine). But do we hate goodbye threads as a rule?

 

[Bowielee]

No, there have been many civil goodbye threads when people have said that they are going on sabatical, or their jobs are taking them away, or have personal reasons for leaving.

It's when the pull the attentionwhoring ZOMG U all ZUXXORZ!!!1!!!!!!111!!! That they get pounced on.

 

[Ross]

The only way to redeem a goodbye thread would be to post a pic of yourself looking over your shoulder and waving behind you as you walk off into the distance.

...or just you walking off into the distance.

...to wander the earth.

Bonus points if you're carrying a hobo stick.

 

[Cuyval Dar]

Have we ever had any goodbye threads that don't center around attention whoring?

 

[Cheesy1]

The only way to redeem a goodbye thread would be to post a pic of yourself looking over your shoulder and waving behind you as you walk off into the distance.

...or just you walking off into the distance.

...to wander the earth.

Bonus points if you're carrying a hobo stick.

And post a link to the ending theme to the Incredible Hulk show to accompany said pic.

 

[Thread Necromancer]

The only way to redeem a goodbye thread would be to post a pic of yourself looking over your shoulder and waving behind you as you walk off into the distance.

...or just you walking off into the distance.

...to wander the earth.

Bonus points if you're carrying a hobo stick.

If I ever leave this place I'm totally doing this.

 

[Rob King]

The only way to redeem a goodbye thread would be to post a pic of yourself looking over your shoulder and waving behind you as you walk off into the distance.

...or just you walking off into the distance.

...to wander the earth.

Bonus points if you're carrying a hobo stick.

If I ever leave this place I'm totally doing this.[/QUOTE]

I was thinking the same thing.

 

[ZenMonkey]

But do we hate goodbye threads as a rule?

Not me. I remember when I posted a goodbye thread back on Image, when I was too naive to know what might come of it. (And I'll give you one guess who was all over that thread flinging shit at me. JCM too. Good times.) I don't want to see that happen to other people for the most part.

In general, everyone here has some modicum of responsibility for how they're perceived on the forum. Lately I've been seeing a greater than usual number of people who are unhappy with that perception but manage to blame everyone except themselves for it. I'm not saying the forum doesn't get into a mob mentality at times and pile on, but in most cases there's a point where you have to ask yourself "So why DOES everyone seem to think I'm a jerk?"

Or, you just post a goodbye thread pointing out how it's everyone else's fault, which is not likely to change anyone's opinion of you.

In 98% of cases on this forum, a simple "I'm taking off" thread minus associated drama wouldn't spur anything but a "goodbye and good luck" from me. Definitely if regs are leaving for good, I agree, I'd like to know about it rather than wonder what the hell happened.

Have we ever had any goodbye threads that don't center around attention whoring?

Definitely yes, we have.

 

[Bowielee]

 

[Cajungal]

No. What I can't stand are "I'm not coming back because you're all meanies and assholes" goodbye threads. If someone was going on a long trip and/or just wouldn't have time for this place anymore, I'd want a chance to wish them well.

 

[Bowielee]

I think I actually made a goodbye thread back when I started my last job a few years ago and knew I wouldn't be posting that often.

I seem to recall nothing negative.

 

[SeraRelm]

Because reciprocating the attitude is so much better...

If I'm gonna leave for good, I'm not sure if I'd post a goodbye thread or not.

 

[North_Ranger]

Unfortunately many goodbye threads seem to come as results of forum drama, and then they are usually the "F*** you, guys, I'm leaving" variety. Personally I try not to pile onto these threads, and I generally hate seeing people leave :tear: I just hope that people - even pissed-off folks - come back once they have calmed down a bit, so we can all go back to enjoying our communal geekiness

Also, trust me, I will let you know if I decide to drop below the radar for a while. And even then I'll be back. I'm like a bad rash that way...

 

[Wasabi Poptart]

I don't like the drama-fueled good-bye threads that are really saying "please tell me you want me to stay". They are like the internet's version of a temper tantrum. Don't get the warm fuzzies from the forum anymore? Then PM the people you wish to keep in touch with and move along.
If someone is genuinely leaving because of a real life issue then I don't see a problem with a little explanation about why they are dropping off the radar of a while.

 

[Ross]

If it includes a poll concerning the poster, nuke it from orbit.

 

[ZenMonkey]

If it includes a poll concerning the poster, nuke it from orbit.

This, I agree with.

EDIT: And of course now I'm thinking of the totally filthy and inappropriate poll I'm going to make in my goodbye thread.

 

[PatrThom]

I never believe someone has truly gone until they have posted proof they have deleted their account.

--Patrick

 

[Ross]

I never believe someone has truly gone until they have posted proof they have deleted their account.

--Patrick

And how would that work, exactly?

I never believe someone has truly gone until they get someone else to post proof they have deleted their account.

Fixed.

 

[Silvanesti]

 

[Wasabi Poptart]

Which is why on two of the military spouse support boards I used to belong to they would ban people who made alts. One of the admins took it far enough that if you posted a dramatic good-bye, then you were perma-banned.

 

[Kitty Sinatra]

I am totally against the banning of alts. And especially the banning of Alt (singular, capitalized) . . . wait - is Alt even registered on Halforums (plural)?

 

[bhamv3]

If there was ever a time where I found it necessary to leave permanently, I think I'd post a goodbye thread. I love and respect you guys too much not to.

 

[Kitty Sinatra]

I've caught up on what happened, now.

JCM is gonna need some consoling. He'll be torn up about missing this.

 

[Pojodan]

Meh

/thecheat

Goodbye threads are an attempt to get the last word while, basically, leaving a big open space for everyone else to get the last word in, instead.

I consider myself no longer a part of the halforum crowd since the focus turned to drama and spouting vitrol at each other, but I'm still around and ready to input my 2 cents when the inclination hits or to join in on furry bashing for lulz.

I figure no one would have anything to say to me, anyway, outside of more furry bashing dry wit.

 

[bhamv3]

Aww, but I like the Pojo.

 

[ZenMonkey]

I consider myself no longer a part of the halforum crowd since the focus turned to drama and spouting vitrol at each other...

 

[AshburnerX]

I consider myself no longer a part of the halforum crowd since the focus turned to drama and spouting vitrol at each other...

[/QUOTE]

Honestly, it's nowhere near as bad as some people make it out to be. It's quite bad some days, but it's usually pretty civil and it's rare it transfers outside of the thread it's in.

 

[Rob King]

I consider myself no longer a part of the halforum crowd since the focus turned to drama and spouting vitrol at each other...

[/QUOTE]

Honestly, it's nowhere near as bad as some people make it out to be. It's quite bad some days, but it's usually pretty civil and it's rare it transfers outside of the thread it's in.[/QUOTE]

For proof, look at the G20 riot thread. I mean, for all the disagreement, that thread didn't go a lot of places it probably could have.

 

[Shegokigo]

It's pretty funny when there's this supposed mentality that people are so vicious to each other and I'm considered the least negative person in most threads.

 

[Pojodan]

Maybe I just have bad luck with the threads I take interest in turning into flame wars.

I can say that the topics of discussion have been less and less the kind I take interest in, too, so... *shrug*

I lurk, I'm just so sick of drama these days that what I've seen here has driven me away.

 

[CynicismKills]

I haven't left or anything, I've just run out of interesting things to talk about I guess.

That or nothing really catches my attention, post-wise.

 

[ZenMonkey]

I can say that the topics of discussion have been less and less the kind I take interest in, too, so... *shrug*

If only there were some way to do something about that...

Today has been pretty educational on the manner in which people project things onto the forum.

 

[Silver Jelly]

you know, I'm sad Chaz decided to leave. He makes a lot of good points although he goes about it the wrong way.

He left? I missed that, did he do a goodbye thread?

EDIT: oh, he did! as I said before, I missed that.

 

[Kitty Sinatra]

I still love that "chazzhattery" tag; it seemed like some fun spirited ribbing. Who coined it, anyway?

 

[LordRavage]

But attention whores need love too. That's why they are whores....errr...that crave attention.