Thread Closing Criteria

[Adahn]

[b][font=Trebuchet MS][size=2][color=darkolivegreen]I was wondering if someone could post some common reasons for the closing of threads.[/color][/size][/font][/b]
[b][font=Trebuchet MS][size=2][color=#556b2f][/color][/size][/font][/b]
[b][font=Trebuchet MS][size=2][color=#556b2f]A thread was recently closed, though I can't seem to understand why. It was very on-topic throughout it's course, almost all of the replies relating directly to the subject. There were several debates going on between individual members that were left unresolved (all on-topic). The post quality was (for the most part) very good, and all members who participated were able to support their opinions well, if anything being a bit verbose. The thread also had an average of almost 10 posts per day. The moderator who closed it said that the thread had "run its course".[/color][/size][/font][/b]
[b][font=Trebuchet MS][size=2][color=#556b2f][/color][/size][/font][/b]
[b][font=Trebuchet MS][size=2][color=#556b2f]It would help me to create, maintain, and reply to threads better if I knew what the moderators were looking for in a quality discussion, and what sort of characteristics would represent a topic lacking the necessary qualities (which are unknown to me).[/color][/size][/font][/b]
[b][font=Trebuchet MS][size=2][color=#556b2f][/color][/size][/font][/b]
[b][font=Trebuchet MS][size=2][color=#556b2f]Thank you.[/color][/size][/font][/b]

[Baron Samedi]

[size=1]I dare say that the argument was chasing it's own tail, and no longer serving any point. The same points were probably covered several times, and there looked to be no viable resolution to it.

Thats my take on it, anyway.[/size]

[AzureWolf]

[FONT=book antiqua][SIZE=2][COLOR=blue]Yeah, Baron pretty much summed it up. Whenever someone made point, that point would be taken around in circles, at least four times! Eventually, a problem or question would be addressed to support something new (or old for that matter), and a previous point already tackled the problem/question at hand.

So, at that point, the thread would continue to circle. That was even how the thread ended: another revolution for an issue addressed thrice before.[/COLOR][/SIZE][/FONT]

[Adahn]

[b][font=Trebuchet MS][color=darkolivegreen]That's all well and good, except that it doesn't address any of the questions I asked.[/color][/font][/b]

[AzureWolf]

[quote name='Adahn][b][font=Trebuchet MS][color=darkolivegreen]That's all well and good, except that it doesn't address any of the questions I asked.[/color][/font'][/b][/quote][FONT=book antiqua][SIZE=2][COLOR=blue]Well, for the record, you didn't even ask any questions. XD

In reference to your query, though: [QUOTE]A thread was recently closed, though I can't seem to understand why.[/QUOTE] My post above addresses this issue. Saying "hi hi hi" over and over is considered spam, so going around in circles, I surmise, isn't any different.

Why not just PM the moderators instead of posting where other members can post if you don't want their opinions? Certainly, the moderators are the best source for answers pertaining to rules, but we can still make inferences.[/COLOR][/SIZE][/FONT]

[Adahn]

[b][font=Trebuchet MS][color=darkolivegreen]Wow. *looks stupidly at his post* I guess I didn't ask any questions. Well, I'm going to pretend they were questions anyway. Despite my obvious qualms over my baby being laid to rest, would it not be a good idea to have some guidelines to base topics on? Coolness did actually introduce new ideas, but the thread got closed anyway. Also, throughout the whole thing, just a couple posts before the closing, Siren made it clear that he hadn't understood what I'd been trying to say the whole time with his little reincarnation vs. resurrection post. The whole thing was left very unresolved, and I suspect its ghost will come back and haunt people.[/color][/font][/b]

[AzureWolf]

[quote name='Adahn][b][font=Trebuchet MS][color=darkolivegreen]The whole thing was left very unresolved, and I suspect its ghost will come back and haunt people.[/color][/font'][/b][/quote][FONT=book antiqua][SIZE=2][COLOR=blue]Indeed. Don't be surprised when people start posting in other threads you posted in just to spite you (I'm not referring to you directly, just everyone in general).

It's best to think about the discussion that went on, and then just move on. Don't leave the closed thread with a bitter feeling (or rivalry for that matter): it never tends to do any good for either side. Rather, just learn from it and make yourself better prepared for the next thread you participate in.

Preach the choir! XD[/COLOR][/SIZE][/FONT]

[James]

[color=#707875]Our rules (located on the left navigation menu) are essentially the broad guidelines that will determine actions like thread closures.

Beyond that, it comes down to the discretion of the individual Moderators. I believe that I've actually asked all staff to provide a reason for closing a thread, when they do so (ie: to actually create a post that explains the reason behind the thread closure). That reason may cite rules, or it may cite some other reason.

The reason that this is important is so that members will have a clearer understanding of why threads are closed and how they can avoid that in the future. Also, if members disagree with the closure of any threads, they are able to take the matter to a Team Leader or some other senior staff member (either via PM or in this forum).

If a reason hasn't been provided, I'd urge the Moderator who closed the thread to provide one.[/color]

[Brasil]

I understood your "point" perfectly well, Adahn; it's just that your "point" was total BS, because there was never any mention made, nor any support of, reincarnation in the Bible. You need to accept that, and stop blaming other people for your mistakes, okay?

That said, the threads in question were lapsing into total spam (Panda actually had deleted a few posts in a few of those threads), and the discussion was starting to lapse into yet another huge circle. I was very, very tempted to simply quote one of Ben's earlier remarks, to show how the thread was going in one big circle.

There was no benefit in those threads, because the thread topic didn't encourage any [i]real[/i] discussion at all, because the thread topic was asinine at best. It was a crap topic. I think the only reason it actually got replies was because people needed to express how much of a crap topic it was, quite honestly. Half of the replies in there were actually saying just that.

The criteria for closing threads is listed in the Rules section, right to the left, in that sidebar there. It's under "General."

I think it was exceedingly clear why Panda closed those threads, too, just like it's exceedingly clear to Baron and AzureWolf. The thread was mindless, circular spam.

[Baron Samedi]

[size=1][quote name='Adahn']A thread was recently closed, though I can't seem to understand why.[/quote]
[quote name='Baron']I dare say that the argument was chasing it's own tail, and no longer serving any point.[/quote]
[quote name='Azure']Whenever someone made point, that point would be taken around in circles, at least four times![/quote]
[quote name='Adahn']That's all well and good, except that it doesn't address any of the questions I asked.[/quote]
It doesn't?

[quote name='Adahn']It would help me to create, maintain, and reply to threads better if I knew what the moderators were looking for in a quality discussion, and what sort of characteristics would represent a topic lacking the necessary qualities (which are unknown to me).[/quote]
Oh, you come off sounding so hurt. Shame I don't believe you. Basically this thread is you whinging about having a thread closed. Leastways thats how it sounds to me. Your thread had been going on for ages, and was not getting anywhere. It's like a thread about icecream. Its very nice, but ultimately, is arguing over the best flavour going to get you anywhere? No.[/size]

[Panda]

I have edited my reason for closing the thread. Here is what I added to help end confusion over the reason of the thread closure.

"To help clarify any confusion by members as to why this post was closed it is because it is a circular arguement. For example, it is like saying "I need money, but to earn money I need a job, but to get a job I need a car, but to get a car I need money". Repeat til the end of time. It's a catch 22, not matter what, it ends up stuck in the same vicious cycle.

I apologize for any confusion as to why the post was closed, I assumed it was obvious to all readers in the thread. I will leave more detailed reasons for all thread closures from now on. Again, I am sorry that the reason was not made clear."

I was not feeling by best on the day due to my chemotherapy treatment and I closed the thread without putting my usual effort into explaining why I closed it. I should have taken more time to explain why the thread was closed but I assume that it would be obvious to anyone reading the thread.

I always welcome PMs if there are any questions. If someone disagrees with a decision I have made I am more than happy to discuss the issue. Or if you do not feel comfortable talking to me please PM one of the other moderators. I have no problems with that at all. I am all for checks and balances.

I hope that helps clear up any misunderstandings.

As for what to do to keep threads from being closed.

-Stay on topic and don't highjack a thread to take it another direction.
-Do not troll, bait or flame other members.
-If debating, bring in new information to support your views, not rehash the same information over and over again.
-Put effort into your responses. Having posts like "I like it too because it's cool." is considered spam and doesn't add to the discussion.

I have had some of my own threads which were very popular and had many responses closed because other people could not put the effort into their responses. It sucks, but when you think about it, it is just an anime/gaming message board, not the end of the world.

Hope that helps answer you question. I am sure there are others who are willing to share insights as to what not to do when posting. :)

[Adahn]

[font=Courier New][color=blue]Thank you very much for clearing that up. It was difficult, if not impossible, for those who replied to the thread not to mix in their reasoning with invective, and I found it difficult to understand what they were getting at. You explained it very well, and I appreciate it.[/color][/font]