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Why are Halforum posts so boring lately?

May 23, 2011#1

CrimsonSoul

I have been searching for a post for my amusement, and one thing that sticks out is the boring selection of posts out there. A quick google search shows a lot of other people asking why the posts are so boring, too. Almost every forum I look at--high end, halforums end--all have rant, introduce yourself, funny pictures, and "say something about x poster" topics. Maybe post your own picture, and if they're super adventurous, post your own NSFW picture. The only answers I can find online are create your own forum or join a forum, but I don't believe it. I'm guessing it's just easier to post these topics for some reason. have you noticed this, too? Do you desire a post not on the bland menu? I miss amusing posts.

:whistling:

May 23, 2011#2

MindDetective

What is an example of a non-boring topic? Maybe it's you?

May 23, 2011#3

CrimsonSoul

MindDetective said:
What is an example of a non-boring topic? Maybe it's you?

*cough* https://www.halforums.com/threads/why-are-car-colors-so-boring-lately.25563/ *cough*

May 23, 2011#4

MindDetective

So...this topic? :awesome:

May 23, 2011#5

fade

They say imitation is the sincerest form of flattery.

May 23, 2011#6

Krisken

You want drama. You big dick.

May 23, 2011#7

The Lovely Boehner

I just made an aggressive thread in all caps deal with it

May 23, 2011#8

strawman

To change the forum, first seek to change yourself:

https://www.halforums.com/members/crimsonsoul.495/

May 24, 2011#9

Gusto

The Lovely Boehner said:
I just made an aggressive thread in all caps deal with it

May 24, 2011#10

Tress

Sorry they can't all be arguments about steak, or how to wipe your ass.

May 24, 2011#11

strawman

CrimsonSoul said:
I'm guessing it's just easier to post these topics for some reason. have you noticed this, too? Do you desire a post not on the bland menu?

People often go to forums in order to form new relationships or connections with others they wouldn't otherwise run into in their daily life. They often seek acceptance, affirmation, and friendship. If the members of the forum are often at odds with them on various topics, they'll wander off because their viewpoints are shouted down.

Thus many forums become reasonably bland echo chambers - everyone pats everyone else on the back. I've stopped participating in a subset of threads where I have a distinctly different viewpoint because people here attack me rather than debate the issue. I don't post controversial threads because I already know the outcome.

Further, most forums have a "please be nice" policy, but it's enforced in a way that lively debate is discouraged. Rather than removing the offending posts (usually personal attacks), whole threads are closed under the assumption that once a thread goes bad, it's impossible to save it. And generally that's true - it's really hard work to save a thread where someone has started attacking people rather than debating the topic.

So my suspicion is that it's endemic to the format and the method of managing the various forums. Bland forums with a few "key" attracting topics gain more new members than those forums that represent a large variety of conflicting viewpoints.

That, however, is merely one small part of what makes some threads interesting and not bland. There are certainly ways to encourage interesting threads that are not controversial.

May 24, 2011#12

North_Ranger

You want controversy? I'll give you controversy.

Ahem...

Greedo shot first.

May 24, 2011#13

Terrik

Oh yeah?

Well, you wear pants. So there.

May 24, 2011#14

Azurephoenix

North_Ranger said:
You want controversy? I'll give you controversy.

Ahem...

Greedo shot first.

LIES!!!!

May 24, 2011#15

fade

stienman said:
People often go to forums in order to form new relationships or connections with others they wouldn't otherwise run into in their daily life. They often seek acceptance, affirmation, and friendship. If the members of the forum are often at odds with them on various topics, they'll wander off because their viewpoints are shouted down.

Thus many forums become reasonably bland echo chambers - everyone pats everyone else on the back. I've stopped participating in a subset of threads where I have a distinctly different viewpoint because people here attack me rather than debate the issue. I don't post controversial threads because I already know the outcome.

Further, most forums have a "please be nice" policy, but it's enforced in a way that lively debate is discouraged. Rather than removing the offending posts (usually personal attacks), whole threads are closed under the assumption that once a thread goes bad, it's impossible to save it. And generally that's true - it's really hard work to save a thread where someone has started attacking people rather than debating the topic.

So my suspicion is that it's endemic to the format and the method of managing the various forums. Bland forums with a few "key" attracting topics gain more new members than those forums that represent a large variety of conflicting viewpoints.

That, however, is merely one small part of what makes some threads interesting and not bland. There are certainly ways to encourage interesting threads that are not controversial.

You're telling me. Every time I offer a counterpoint, apparently it means I hate everything.

May 24, 2011#16

Gusto

fade said:
You're telling me. Every time I offer a counterpoint, apparently it means I hate everything.

Imagine how Charlie must feel.

May 24, 2011#17

sixpackshaker

~~smug?~~

May 24, 2011#18

Krisken

sixpackshaker said:
~~smug?~~

Damn you, I about choked on my drink.

I used to want to debate here, Stienman, but no one really wants to follow the same set of rules. What's the point of a debate when the only point is "winning"?

May 24, 2011#19

Jay

We need more Chaz

May 24, 2011#20

Emrys

Chaz and JCM? They make things not-boring.

May 24, 2011#21

Wasabi Poptart

North_Ranger said:
You want controversy? I'll give you controversy.

Ahem...

Greedo shot first.

Sauna pants are infinitely better than a sauna!

May 24, 2011#22

HCGLNS

Would it make this post more exciting if I told you that while I post it Dave is covered in peanut butter?

May 24, 2011#23

sixpackshaker

HCGLNS said:
Would it make this post more exciting if I told you that while I post it Dave is covered in peanut butter?

Sorry that makes it sound more frightening.

May 24, 2011#24

HCGLNS

I'm not allergic to peanut butter if it helps. Also what would happen if North_Gusto and Celine Dion had a baby?

May 24, 2011#25

Dave

HCGLNS said:
Would it make this post more exciting if I told you that while I post it Dave is covered in peanut butter?

Only parts of me. Only parts.

May 24, 2011#26

HCGLNS

Dave said:
Only parts of me. Only parts.

You heard him folks! Now place your bets! What parts of Dave are covered in peanut butter?

I'm giving 4 to 3 on mouth, 5 to 6 on fingers, and 1 to 10 on dingler!

May 24, 2011#27

Gared

What odds can you quote me on butt cheeks?

May 24, 2011#28

HCGLNS

Buttocks are 5 to 3.
Knees 8 to 1.
Moobs 1 to 1.

May 24, 2011#29

North_Ranger

Terrik said:
Oh yeah?

Well, you wear pants. So there.

*gasps*

You wound me, Terrik, you wound me.

And heck, I'd love a good debate on a topic but I know for a fact that I'm too thin-skinned. Or I have a tendency to read jabs at my person as "fighting words".
Added at: 21:24

Wasabi Poptart said:
Sauna pants are infinitely better than a sauna!

BURN THE INFIDEL!!!

May 24, 2011#30

figmentPez

I'll just leave this here:
USDA Revises Recommended Cooking Temperature for all Whole Cuts of Meat

May 24, 2011#31

strawman

Krisken said:
What's the point of a debate when the only point is "winning"?

May 24, 2011#32

fade

North_Ranger said:
*gasps*

You wound me, Terrik, you wound me.

And heck, I'd love a good debate on a topic but I know for a fact that I'm too thin-skinned. Or I have a tendency to read jabs at my person as "fighting words".

I like a debate, but it always seems to degrade to ad hominems, and people taking it personally that I disagree with them. Or continually making the same point that I already addressed like 5 times.

May 24, 2011#33

Emrys

This isn't the right room for an argument. This is abuse. You want HalforumsB, along the corridor.

May 24, 2011#34

Wasabi Poptart

*waves her hand* This is not the debate you were looking for.

May 24, 2011#35

Officer_Charon

Fade doesn't like that...

May 24, 2011#36

GasBandit

I've been too busy to stir shit. Work's been a real bear lately. Haven't updated my political thread even in I can't even remember how long. I need to hurry up and win the lotto so I can retire and snarl at you jackanapes full time.

May 24, 2011#37

Allen who is Quiet

The important thing is it's not my fault. I was never interesting to begin with. :awesome:

May 24, 2011#38

figmentPez

The most interesting conversations I've had on Halforums recently have been via PM.

Deal with it.

May 24, 2011#39

Philosopher B.

Let's be honest with ourselves, we haven't had a really good thread since 'Do You Wipe Sitting or Standing up?'

May 24, 2011#40

Tress

Philosopher B. said:
Let's be honest with ourselves, we haven't had a really good thread since 'Do You Wipe Sitting or Standing up?'

I guess we need more drama. Any idea how to attract more assholes and trolls to the site?

May 24, 2011#41

Allen who is Quiet

Well, we had the Bastard Factory bitch here for a bit, but SOMEBODY had to go and lock that thread.

May 24, 2011#42

CrimsonSoul

Allen who is Quiet said:
Well, we had the Bastard Factory bitch here for a bit, but SOMEBODY had to go and lock that thread.

Gee thanks a lot Gusto!

May 24, 2011#43

Mathias

Emrys said:
Chaz and JCM? They make things not-boring.

You can't handle Chaz. The minute I bring him back, you'll all be whining like little babies for his demise.
Added at: 17:40

GasBandit said:
I've been too busy to stir shit. Work's been a real bear lately. Haven't updated my political thread even in I can't even remember how long. I need to hurry up and win the lotto so I can retire and snarl at you jackanapes full time.

Nigga, please. You haven't been threatening since you posted a picture of your Ewok ass in ImageForums.

May 24, 2011#44

Vagabond

Philosopher B. said:
Let's be honest with ourselves, we haven't had a really good thread since 'Do You Wipe Sitting or Standing up?'

Tress said:
Any idea how to attract more assholes to the site?

May 24, 2011#45

Jay

Allen who is Quiet said:
Well, we had the Bastard Factory bitch here for a bit, but SOMEBODY had to go and lock that thread.

And I was rocking it.

Was the best fun in months.
Added at: 19:56

GasBandit said:
I've been too busy to stir shit. Work's been a real bear lately. Haven't updated my political thread even in I can't even remember how long. I need to hurry up and win the lotto so I can retire and snarl at you jackanapes full time.

May 24, 2011#46

Hailey Knight

CrimsonSoul said:
I have been searching for a post for my amusement, and one thing that sticks out is the boring selection of posts out there. A quick google search shows a lot of other people asking why the posts are so boring, too. Almost every forum I look at--high end, halforums end--all have rant, introduce yourself, funny pictures, and "say something about x poster" topics. Maybe post your own picture, and if they're super adventurous, post your own NSFW picture. The only answers I can find online are create your own forum or join a forum, but I don't believe it. I'm guessing it's just easier to post these topics for some reason. have you noticed this, too? Do you desire a post not on the bland menu? I miss amusing posts.

The drama happens in flashes now, so unless you're around to see it unfold, you miss it. Maybe you should have less of a life so you can just hang around here all day.

May 24, 2011#47

Terrik

Vagabond said:

Forums