Forum Decision: Should The Character Threads Stay Active?

[Avalanche]

I'm not too fond of either option to be honest. Personally, I like the idea of a sub-forum within this for all the Official threads to be placed, whilst in the main body threads can be started on individual topics.

Benefits: Provides fans with a central discussion base for their favorite X-character, while still being allowed to launch "essay-styled" threads on specific aspects of a character.

This is what annoys me. The preference for 'essay style' threads when all they are is a long winded way of stating a much shorter point. The way this is phrased suggests only people who write up an essay can open up a thread on a particular aspect of a character. Just because someone doesn't write up an essay doesn't mean they don't have a point worthy of discussion in its own thread.

All that said, I like the character threads, even though they can get insanely spammy.

In short, I'm not going to vote. Neither option reflects what I want in particular.

 

[Electrix]

I think I started off this craze because back in the day there were new Storm threads popping up everyday so I made an 'Official Storm/Halle X3 Thread' which stopped lots of new threads and most of the bashing went there instead. Then the Jean one popped up and then everyone else got one...even Jeans mother.

I like things the way they are.

 

[weatherwitch]

I'm all for relaunching the character threads. More work for you, LS, but seeing as how you're half-god and what-not, that shouldn't be an issue.

 

[Lightning Strykez!]

This is what annoys me. The preference for 'essay style' threads when all they are is a long winded way of stating a much shorter point. The way this is phrased suggests only people who write up an essay can open up a thread on a particular aspect of a character. Just because someone doesn't write up an essay doesn't mean they don't have a point worthy of discussion in its own thread.

es·say ( P ) Pronunciation Key (s, -s)
n.
(s)
A short literary composition on a single subject, usually presenting the personal view of the author.
Something resembling such a composition: a photojournalistic essay.

http://dictionary.reference.com/search?q=essay
___________

As you can see, an essay doesn't necessarily have to be "long-winded" to qualify as such.

 

[PWN3R]

Too bad no one reads the dictionary. Some people on here just love there essays...lol.

 

[Avalanche]

es·say ( P ) Pronunciation Key (s, -s)
n.
(s)
A short literary composition on a single subject, usually presenting the personal view of the author.
Something resembling such a composition: a photojournalistic essay.

http://dictionary.reference.com/search?q=essay
___________

As you can see, an essay doesn't necessarily have to be "long-winded" to qualify as such.

Ok, it's nice that you called on the dictionary definition to back you up, but when used generally, the word essay does not imply short.

"Jeez, did you have to write such an essay?"

I can't think of any example where someone could use essay to imply short without using a word akin to 'short' in the same sentence. It does imply long however.

Aside from that it's not just the length I object to, it's the style. Again, past threads of an essay style have been written up, in essay style, as you might expect.

People can have something interesting to say and worthy of a thread without it being essay length or essay style. I just think using 'essay style' is a bad choice of words. It implies only one type of thread will be permitted.

 

[Blackpanther22]

Thanks Lightnin' for changing my vote, i was sleepy enough to vote for the wrong option!

 

[PWN3R]

Yeah and half of these 'essays' are using ellaborate words, and just adding too much, basically it reads as overkill IMO. It could have been said in 1 or 2 paragraphs at most.

 

[DJ Kornphlake]

Another idea:

Keep the character threads open.
Make a general FAQ thread about everything that's confirmed, and have a stipulation that any post made in that thread only contain confirmed information.

It would keep the ongoing conversations in their respective threads, and provide a quick, accessable topic for those not wishing to wade through pages and pages of general conversation.

 

[Lightning Strykez!]

People can have something interesting to say and worthy of a thread without it being essay length of essay style. I just think using 'essay style' is a bad choice of words. It implies only one type of thread will be permitted.

I think you may be overlooking the rest of the definition: "A short literary composition on a single subject, usually presenting the personal view of the author."

An essay represents a person's opinion of a certain subject. The point is that users' fleshed-out" opinions can and will be entertained separately outside the Character Threads. I'm referring to the quality of the thread--something with substance. Generally, that requires something more fleshed out than say "X-Men Roxx00rrs! They're the best!"

So when using the term "essay" I wouldn't get caught up in the "length" of it since a simple paragaph can accomplish what 10 paragraphs state.

Do you see my point?

 

[PWN3R]

Generally, that requires something more fleshed out than say "X-Men Roxx00rrs! They're the best!"

But....but they do Roxx00rs, and they are t3h be2T!!!1!2

 

[Star]

imdb boards are HORRIBLE.

keep the threads.

 

[Avalanche]

I think you may be overlooking the rest of the definition: "A short literary composition on a single subject, usually presenting the personal view of the author."

An essay represents a person's opinion of a certain subject. The point is that users' fleshed-out" opinions can and will be entertained separately outside the Character Threads. I'm referring to the quality of the thread--something with substance. Generally, that requires something more fleshed out than say "X-Men Roxx00rrs! They're the best!"

So when using the term "essay" I wouldn't get caught up in the "length" of it since a simple paragaph can accomplish what 10 paragraphs state.

Do you see my point?

I see your point, but I think you're wrong to call upon dictionary definitions. When members of this board see the phrase 'essay style post' they aren't going to run to the dictionary for a definition. We all have a concept of just what an essay is. We've seen these essay threads before, and they're never short.

If you use the phrase 'essay style', regardless of how the dictionary defines it, people will think it implies a long, language laden post, because that's what people generally perceive an essay to be, particular going of past experience of these essay threads.

When people see the phrase 'essay style' they aren't going to think, "Ah, a short literary composition on a single subject, usually presenting the personal view of the author." You know full well that this isn't the case, so I wish you'd stop relying on dictionary definitions when that's not the definition of the phrase that the vast majority of this forum will have and work under.

 

[americanguy96]

I like having the central character threads, so my vote was to keep them open.

 

[Pauluz]

I don't mind the character threads, just the photo album.

 

[Yellow Cyclone]

we're in a lonely boat Blackpanther22 :S

 

[grey_jeanie]

Keep them going then people can dip in and out.

 

[Lightning Strykez!]

I see your point, but I think you're wrong to call upon dictionary definitions. When members of this board see the phrase 'essay style post' they aren't going to run to the dictionary for a definition. We all have a concept of just what an essay is. We've seen these essay threads before, and they're never short.

If you use the phrase 'essay style', regardless of how the dictionary defines it, people will think it implies a long, language laden post, because that's what people generally perceive an essay to be, particular going of past experience of these essay threads.

When people see the phrase 'essay style' they aren't going to think, "Ah, a short literary composition on a single subject, usually presenting the personal view of the author." You know full well that this isn't the case, so I wish you'd stop relying on dictionary definitions when that's not the definition of the phrase that the vast majority of this forum will have and work under.

I've clarified what the term means in relation to the options above. The way you personally interpret the term "essay" is not the way I obviously percieve it, hence it's unfair to speak for how others may understand the term. Besides, that's not even the focus of this thread.

The defined term "essay" covers what we're referring to here: opinion-based threads of substance being allowed to stay open. They can be short or long; but the length really has nothing to do with it; so I'm confused as to why you're making an issue of this.

You are welcome to vote on it with everyone else. Or you can choose not to, and offer other suggestions. But I'm not going to argue semantics over terminology.

 

[DJ Kornphlake]

The fact this topic turning into a debate over essays is enough proof that new character threads couldn't stay on topic any better than the current threads.

 

[Lightning Strykez!]

The fact this topic turning into a debate over essays is enough proof that new character threads couldn't stay on topic any better than the current threads.

Indeed! LOL Let's keep focused on what we're going to do with our forum.

 

[Avalanche]

I've clarified what the term means in relation to the options above. The way you personally interpret the term "essay" is not the way I obviously percieve it, hence it's unfair to speak for how others may understand the term. Besides, that's not even the focus of this thread.

The defined term "essay" covers what we're referring to here: opinion-based threads of substance being allowed to stay open. They can be short or long; but the length really has nothing to do with it; so I'm confused as to why you're making an issue of this.

You are welcome to vote on it with everyone else. Or you can choose not to, and offer other suggestions. But I'm not going to argue semantics over terminology.

This is the reason I'm bringing the term 'essay style' into question.

Option 2: Keep The "Official Character Threads Active"
Action: Things stay the way they are.
Benefits: Provides fans with a central discussion base for their favorite X-character, while still being allowed to launch "essay-styled" threads on specific aspects of a character.
Drawbacks: Spamming potential; fast-growing threads

In you option you mention amongst the benefits are the fact essay style threads are allowed. The term essay is misleading, and I'm pretty sure that the vast majority of the forum will back me up in saying that their perception of an essay style thread is not a single paragraph.

The reason I brought it up was because I don't agree that only essay threads in that sense of the word [ie the sense I believe most people will follow] should be allowed and I wouldn't vote for the option, where as after your clarification, the fact that such a thread need not start with the stereotypical concept of an essay means I'd be more inclined to vote.

It's all very well clarifying that on the second page of the thread, but people are going to read the first post and then vote rather than scan the entire thread.

Either way, I'm done debating this. We obviously have different opinions on what an essay is, and I pointed it out not to be petty and awkward, but because I think it demands clarification if the result is members such as myself are misled.

 

[Almighty Pejo]

Maybe I'm just oversimplifying things, but people are making too much fuss over something that should be so easy to resolve. Things get lost in the Official threads, this is true. That is why, when you get new information (a picture, a quote, an interivew--whatever) you create a new thread for it so that everyone can find it easily and discuss it. A week or so later, when it's no longer new, you merge it into the official thread it belongs in it. Is that really an impossible feat to accomplish?

 

[Avalanche]

Maybe I'm just oversimplifying things, but people are making too much fuss over something that should be so easy to resolve. Things get lost in the Official threads, this is true. That is why, when you get new information (a picture, a quote, an interivew--whatever) you create a new thread for it so that everyone can find it easily and discuss it. A week or so later, when it's no longer new, you merge it into the official thread it belongs in it. Is that really an impossible feat to accomplish?

I think that's a sensible suggestion.

 

[CapBeerCino]

If it's spam that concern you do you really think its smart to allow more that one thread per character? Who's to say which threads get to live? Really- even a 'I love Storm' thread could have some great discussions.
After hearing x-3 running time I dont want anymore bad news, and closing the Character Threads is bad news.

 

[Lightning Strykez!]

This is the reason I'm bringing the term 'essay style' into question.


In you option you mention amongst the benefits are the fact essay style threads are allowed. The term essay is misleading, and I'm pretty sure that the vast majority of the forum will back me up in saying that their perception of an essay style thread is not a single paragraph.

The reason I brought it up was because I don't agree that only essay threads in that sense of the word [ie the sense I believe most people will follow] should be allowed and I wouldn't vote for the option, where as after your clarification, the fact that such a thread need not start with the stereotypical concept of an essay means I'd be more inclined to vote.

It's all very well clarifying that on the second page of the thread, but people are going to read the first post and then vote rather than scan the entire thread.

Either way, I'm done debating this. We obviously have different opinions on what an essay is, and I pointed it out not to be petty and awkward, but because I think it demands clarification if the result is members such as myself are misled.

*sigh*

Although this alleged distaste for long-winded essays you claim some possess has not stopped the majority from voting anyway, I will update my first post Avalanche for clarification. Hopefully you will be pleased.

That is why, when you get new information (a picture, a quote, an interivew--whatever) you create a new thread for it so that everyone can find it easily and discuss it. A week or so later, when it's no longer new, you merge it into the official thread it belongs in it. Is that really an impossible feat to accomplish?

Good suggestion.

What do the rest of you think of that?