The Ideal Otaku Lounge Thread

[Adahn]

[size=2][font=Tahoma]Now, if I know some of you correctly (and I imagine I do), you're thinking, "That presumptuous Adahn! How [i]dare[/i] he start a thread called 'The Ideal Otaku Lounge Thread'! I'll show him what for! *cracks knuckles and twiddles fingers in preparation for typing a scathing comment*"

Unfortunately, if you presume I'm being presumptuous, you presume too much.

When I'm on Otakuboards, 59 minutes out of 60 I'm in the Lounge (this one, not the Anime one). I like it here. I like the people who tend to reply, and I like the threads. In honor of my committment, I have created this thread, which I hope will make the Lounge a better place for everyone who chooses to visit.

I'm an idealist, and as such I believe it is possible for there to be an ideal thread for the lounge. Now, I don't think it is possible for [i]one[/i] thread to stand above all the rest, because we all have different tastes. I do think, however, that in reaching for the ideal thread, we can generate a good number of interesting topics. I apologize for the massive contradiction, but I can't quite find a better way to say what I mean.

If there are enough responses to keep this thread going, then I have a format I would like to follow, but can be changed as necessary.

[b]1. Forum members post their ideas for guidelines that the thread should follow.
[/b]*note* These should be quite general. Examples may be used, but the specifics of threads to be created will come later.
[b]
2. Forum members discuss the guidelines, and work together.
[/b]*note* It is not necessary for a concensus to be reached, only that people exchange their ideas in hopes of creating better guidelines. Please, don't argue. Any idea presented here is worthy of consideration, if only because someone took the time to think about what would help make the ideal thread.

[b]3. Using whatever guidelines one has chosen, propose and support 'the ideal thread'.
[/b]*note* Any member may do this. There is to be no ownership of the ideas here. One need not have participated in parts 1 or 2 to propose a thread using the guidelines discussed. Feel free to comment on the proposals while they are being made, as that could serve to improve them further.

[b]4. Create a good thread.
[/b]*note* If you're struck by some idea while reading what is here, feel free to create something 'on the fly'. However, when discussing thread proposals, only the person who proposed a specific thread may create it, as this will reduce the chance of having duplicate threads. If the proposer feels someone else could do a better job creating the thread, he/she may relinquish this right to [u]one[/u] willing individual. I do not want this thread to be the cause of duplicated threads, as that would be trouble the Moderators shouldn't have to deal with.

[b]Timeline:[/b]

After the guidelines have been proposed and sufficiently discussed, I will at an appropriate time ask that people begin to make thread proposals. Please indicate in your post, through editing or a new post when you feel thread proposals should begin. Once enough people decide it is time to move on, I will start the next part. Also, please do not post too much about the guidelines once the thread has moved on, unless it relates to a thread being proposed. I think organization is the key to the success of this thread.

As soon as Thread proposals begin, one can move onto step 4 and create what one thinks would be a good thread. I doubt two people will come up with the exact same thing, and if one person is proposing a thread while another is posting a similar thread, tough cookies to the person proposing it.

[b]My Proposed Guidelines:[/b]

I suppose I'll start off with some guidelines I think would be good to follow. Don't feel pressured to present your own in my 'random exploration' style of writing. It helps me think, but I'm sure you have different ways of gathering your thoughts.

Firstly, it should be appropriate for our demographic. I think Otaku means hardcore in japanese, and that in itself should be enough to understand what I mean. The thread certainly doesn't have to be anime/manga related, but neither should it be specific to a demographic that isn't specifically represented here. This isn't a Rock Band board, a comedy board, a political board, a religious board, or any other type of board that it's not.

[b]Summary:[/b] Consider your audience's interests.

I seem to think for some reason that the minimum age here is 13, but I don't know why. Anywho, most of the people here are teenagers, but many are also young adults. The thread should be engaging, but should not be over the heads of the younger people in our group.

[b]Summary:[/b] Consider the age of your audience.

I think that the best kind of thread will be new an interesting, rather than a regurgitation of something that has been here before. This may be a difficult thing to ask, but I feel it's an important step towards something that could be called the ideal thread.

[b]Summary:[/b] Try to make a thread that's new and different from anything seen before.

Well, that's all I've got for now. I hope people participate and this thread fulfills its purpose. Otherwise, I'll sadly watch as it moves down the list of threads towards the second page, which I like to call, "The point of no return."


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[desertphoenix]

Well if this thread moves down to the point of no return, at least you've actually move up in my list of heroes.

You bring very good solid points and suggestions to how you want to see these boards evolve to the point i wouldn't be surprised if this thread became a sticky. It could be the start of something beautiful, you never know. This may not be the steps of creating an ideal thread, but creating an ideal idea.

I personally like the idea of having some kind of conversation on just making a new thread. A lot of us may be idea people, but doesn't have a clue how to go about getting that idea across *raises hand*. Trust me i would have liked to of had that in my past threads. I just don't know if a thread on making threads would just branch out too much to stay in one thread. But, i really think this just might work

[DeadSeraphim]

[size=1][color=indigo][font=arial]Otaku Lounge is for off-topic discussion that doesn't fit into any other forums, ie, everything that the rest of OB [i]doesn't[/i] have, goes here. You can't make 'guidelines' for such a freeform environment, and if you did I would imagine discussion as a whole would become stagnant 'serious' crap... you know, like how it is now, but [u]more so[/u].[/font][/color][/size]

[Adahn]

[quote name='DeadSeraphim][size=1][color=indigo][font=arial]Otaku Lounge is for off-topic discussion that doesn't fit into any other forums, ie, everything that the rest of OB [i]doesn't[/i] have, goes here. You can't make 'guidelines' for such a freeform environment, and if you did I would imagine discussion as a whole would become stagnant 'serious' crap... you know, like how it is now, but [u]more so[/u].[/font][/color'][/size][/quote]
[size=2]I'm sorry, but I feel you have misunderstood me. Guidelines are not rules. The Lounge would still contain the sorts of threads it has now, and I do not suggest that they stop being created.[/size]
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[size=2]My intention was and still is that forum members come here to discuss what kinds of threads they like, and they think other people will like. I truly believe that such discussions could lead to an influx of interesting threads that will set the stage for good discussions.[/size]
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[size=2]I do not appreciate your other comments, and I suggest you adopt a new attitude, one more respectful and civilized towards your peers.[/size]

[Andrew]

[SIZE=1][CENTER][I]In the ever immortal words of one murderous Lucy:
[B]Nyu?[/B][/I][/CENTER]

My apologies for being skeptical here (not that I don't think your idea is noble or anything), but guidelines probably wouldn't go down well here, already after 2 posts a disagree-ing has occured.

Like DS says, the idea probably doesn't work in la lounge.

And in all seriousness, I had to stop reading after so many paragraphs from fear of boredom induced death. However I'll be the first to admit I find most of your threads amusing and they always promote a path of thinking I probably wouldn't have taken otherwise.[/SIZE]

[Adahn]

[font=Tahoma][size=2]I chose the word 'guidelines' specifically for its looseness. Discussing what sort of off-topic threads would be most interesting to forum members [i]should[/i] be beneficial in creating more interesting threads. Coming up with a general form for what type of thread would be most appealing, appropriate, and engaging [i]should[/i] help generate ideas and threads that will meet this purpose.[/size][/font]
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[size=2]This is the only off-topic forum, and as such should be [i]teeming [/i]with threads that engage readers on a level deeper than discussion of manga and anime. Right now, it seems that the Lounge is a place to ask advice about things, or comment on something in which a poster has a passing interest. Such topics are interesting and fulfilling in their own way, but there is so much [i]potential[/i] for something better.[/size]
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[size=2]I suppose this all may seem boring and dry, but to one such as me it feels revolutionary.[/size]
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[size=2]I thank you for the compliment, and I will try to continue creating threads that require a different kind of thinking in order to respond. I'll also try to make them not so boring :D [/size]

[DeadSeraphim]

[COLOR=Indigo][SIZE=1][FONT=Arial][quote name='Adahn][size=2']I do not appreciate your other comments...[/size][/quote]
Aint that a shame.[/FONT][/SIZE][/COLOR]

[Rachmaninoff]

[quote name='Adahn][size=2][font=Tahoma] Unfortunately, if you presume I'm being presumptuous, you presume too much. [/font][/size][/QUOTE]Not presumptuous, confusing perhaps in the sense that you don?t always clearly present your thoughts, but then we are all guilty of that yes? But I digress, on to the topic at hand: [QUOTE=Adahn][size=2][font=Tahoma] I'm an idealist, and as such I believe it is possible for there to be an ideal thread for the lounge. Now, I don't think it is possible for [i]one[/i] thread to stand above all the rest, because we all have different tastes. I do think, however, that in reaching for the ideal thread, we can generate a good number of interesting topics. I apologize for the massive contradiction, but I can't quite find a better way to say what I mean. [/font'][/size][/quote]Ah good you?ve admitted from the very beginning that you are an idealist, because I really don?t see this idea taking off. You?ve already stated the problem with creating an ideal thread; it?s subjective and highly dependant upon personal preference. [QUOTE=Adahn][font=Tahoma][size=2]
This is the only off-topic forum, and as such should be [i]teeming [/i]with threads that engage readers on a level deeper than discussion of manga and anime. Right now, it seems that the Lounge is a place to ask advice about things, or comment on something in which a poster has a passing interest. Such topics are interesting and fulfilling in their own way, but there is so much [i]potential[/i] for something better.[/font][/size][/QUOTE]Why should it be teeming with discussions that are as you put it a deeper level? On some level the Otaku Lounge serves the purpose of allowing people to discuss things that are off topic regardless of whether or not there is a deep meaning to it. And deeper doesn?t necessarily mean better when it comes to discussions. You think deeper is better and others are not interested in turning this area into a dry, dull, deep discussions only type of place. I say dry and dull because that idea does not appeal to everyone, just as the idea of nothing but advice threads and silly games does not appeal to others.

If the idea of creating the ideal thread were to take off, it would be an issue, it would give the impression that you had to create an ideal thread, that it had to live up to some sort of potential. And in the end it would stifle the discussions and make coming here less enjoyable, in my opinion that is. The occasional deep thread along with all the other less deep is what makes this section fun.

This next part of yours is a good example of how the expectations of such a thing would produce problems: [quote name='DeadSeraphim][size=1][color=indigo][font=arial]Otaku Lounge is for off-topic discussion that doesn't fit into any other forums, ie, everything that the rest of OB [i]doesn't[/i] have, goes here. You can't make 'guidelines' for such a freeform environment, and if you did I would imagine discussion as a whole would become stagnant 'serious' crap... you know, like how it is now, but [u]more so[/u].[/font][/color][/size][/QUOTE] This part of your response is the problem:[QUOTE=Adahn][size=2']I do not appreciate your other comments, and I suggest you adopt a new attitude, one more respectful and civilized towards your peers.[/size][/quote] DeadSeraphim told you what they thought of the idea and you instantly accused them of having a poor attitude instead of seeing that they simply disagreed with your idea. The one not being civilized here is you. The part where you explained what you meant was fine, but this added on part was wholly unnecessary since you yourself indicated that they did not understand what you meant. It shows a poor attitude on your part to get upset if someone doesn?t instantly see what you mean or agree with you.

As for the topic, it is an interesting idea to see what others consider an ideal topic, but as far as actually applying guidelines? Personally I think it would cause more strife than good especially since the Otaku Lounge already has a good format going. One that encourages people to be a part of things without worrying whether or not they?ve met some guideline. Besides the standard one of readable posts and avoiding spam. But those apply to the whole site and not just this section.

[Adahn]

[font=Tahoma][/font]
[quote name='Rachmaninoff']Not presumptuous, confusing perhaps in the sense that you don?t always clearly present your thoughts, but then we are all guilty of that yes?[/quote]
[font=Tahoma]I must be [i]remarkably[/i] poor at communicating my ideas. I will do my best, [i]again[/i], to make them clear. Perhaps I will use simpler words.[/font]

[QUOTE=Rachmaninoff]
Ah good you?ve admitted from the very beginning that you are an idealist, because I really don?t see this idea taking off. You?ve already stated the problem with creating an ideal thread; it?s subjective and highly dependant upon personal preference.[/QUOTE]
[font=Tahoma]In taking everyone's own opinions on what they like, and what they think others would like in a thread, it is possible that some common ideas will be talked about that people had never really thought of before. I thought I had made it clear that the purpose is not to create some ideal thread, with all other threads to seem not as good. The purpose is to[i] reach[/i] for an ideal thread, and in the process discover good topics to talk about. People don't usually talk specifically about what they like in a thread, they just comment in the thread that it seems to be a good idea, and mention that they aren't exactly sure [i]why[/i]. This thread is an opportunity to think and talk about why we like certain topics, and as a result some people may think of a good topic to create.[/font]

[QUOTE=Rachmaninoff]
Why should it be teeming with discussions that are as you put it a deeper level? On some level the Otaku Lounge serves the purpose of allowing people to discuss things that are off topic regardless of whether or not there is a deep meaning to it. And deeper doesn?t necessarily mean better when it comes to discussions. You think deeper is better and others are not interested in turning this area into a dry, dull, deep discussions only type of place. I say dry and dull because that idea does not appeal to everyone, just as the idea of nothing but advice threads and silly games does not appeal to others.[/QUOTE]
When I said deeper, I meant deeper. You seem to think that when I say it, it means dry, dull, discussions that are [i]so[/i] deep they become boring. What I mean by deeper is that topics could be made that actually catch and keep people's interests. It seems to me that most replies to most threads are just simple comments or opinions. This is mostly a place to visit, drop a word or two on a topic that is worth replying to, and go about one's business. [i]I[/i] want topics here that people can really be interested in, and actually look forward to seeing other people's replies. Now, I'm not saying that there aren't any threads like this, just that I, personally, would like more.

[QUOTE=Rachmaninoff]
If the idea of creating the ideal thread were to take off, it would be an issue, it would give the impression that you had to create an ideal thread, that it had to live up to some sort of potential. And in the end it would stifle the discussions and make coming here less enjoyable, in my opinion that is. The occasional deep thread along with all the other less deep is what makes this section fun. [/QUOTE]
[font=Tahoma]I will say right now that [u]I do not[/u] think the ideal thread has to be something deep. Nothing that could possibly be talked about here would lead to all threads being deep, or all common threads disappearing. This [i]never[/i] was about limiting the topics discussed here, it was about opening our minds to new and different ideas that could add to the enjoyment of the discussions. Besides, the beginning of this thread is too boring to stop people from creating topics that are usually created, anyway ;)[/font]

[QUOTE=Rachmaninoff]
This next part of yours is a good example of how the expectations of such a thing would produce problems: This part of your response is the problem: DeadSeraphim told you what they thought of the idea and you instantly accused them of having a poor attitude instead of seeing that they simply disagreed with your idea. The one not being civilized here is you. The part where you explained what you meant was fine, but this added on part was wholly unnecessary since you yourself indicated that they did not understand what you meant. It shows a poor attitude on your part to get upset if someone doesn?t instantly see what you mean or agree with you. [/QUOTE]
I took his comment as a veiled insult, and replied to it in that way. If it was not, he is welcome to clear that up, and I will apologize for my mistake.

[QUOTE=Rachmaninoff]
As for the topic, it is an interesting idea to see what others consider an ideal topic, but as far as actually applying guidelines? Personally I think it would cause more strife than good especially since the Otaku Lounge already has a good format going. One that encourages people to be a part of things without worrying whether or not they?ve met some guideline. Besides the standard one of readable posts and avoiding spam. But those apply to the whole site and not just this section.[/QUOTE]
[font=Tahoma]I will say this again, and if you still don't understand, I will say it more. I have [u]no intention[/u] of changing any rules. The guidelines are [u]only[/u] for those who want to talk about them. They are [u]only[/u] a tool for putting together one's thoughts and ideas into a form useful to those who want to create a thread that they think may be interesting. In reality, my idea limits nothing, and changes nothing. It is only a way to talk about what people like, and use that information to create some more topics that people might like.

Talking like this[/font][font=Tahoma] is really hard, but if it helped you to understand better what I was saying, please tell me. If I have to, I'll write like this all the time so there won't be so many people who don't get what I'm talking about.

*wipes sweat due to the effort from forehead*
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[Aaryanna_Mom]

[quote name='Adahn] [font=Tahoma]I must be [i]remarkably[/i] poor at communicating my ideas. I will do my best, [i]again[/i'], to make them clear. Perhaps I will use simpler words.[/font][/quote]I?m going to step in here and put my two cents in since I believe you are missing the point young man. The problem as I see it is not in putting things simpler and implying that the others here are too stupid to understand what you meant but rather in your failure to take the opportunity to realize that these people have given you an opportunity to clarify what you mean.

One of my English teachers one told me that if a reader is writing back to you it indicates several things, one you have their interest and two if they are complaining, they are giving you valuable information to look at what you have done and see if your presentation is flawed.

You might be thinking, ?[I]but I was clear they just don?t get it[/I]? but the truth is, if you were that clear you would not keep having this same thing happen in your threads. And in the end it?s not a bad thing. But you tend to respond with the underlying tones of[I] if you weren?t so stupid you would understand me.[/I] Whether or not that is your intent it is the impression I get when I read your responses. [quote name='Adahn][font=Tahoma'] I took his comment as a veiled insult, and replied to it in that way. If it was not, he is welcome to clear that up, and I will apologize for my mistake. [/font][/quote]Here?s the thing hun, you assumed that this was his intent and even then it was not necessary to respond to it in kind if indeed it was. The response was just fine without the tacked on part about DeadSeraphim needing to be civil when at that point you were not being civil either. As the saying goes, just because someone starts a fight you don?t need to be the one to finish it.

Also you seemed to have missed what Rachmaninoff was saying here as well: [quote name='Rachmaninoff']As for the topic, it is an interesting idea to see what others consider an ideal topic, but as far as actually applying guidelines? Personally I think it would cause more strife than good especially since the Otaku Lounge already has a good format going. One that encourages people to be a part of things without worrying whether or not they?ve met some guideline. Besides the standard one of readable posts and avoiding spam. But those apply to the whole site and not just this section.[/quote] [QUOTE=Adahn][font=Tahoma]I will say this again, and if you still don't understand, I will say it more. I have [u]no intention[/u] of changing any rules. The guidelines are [u]only[/u] for those who want to talk about them. They are [u]only[/u] a tool for putting together one's thoughts and ideas into a form useful to those who want to create a thread that they think may be interesting. In reality, my idea limits nothing, and changes nothing. It is only a way to talk about what people like, and use that information to create some more topics that people might like.

Talking like this[/font][font=Tahoma] is really hard, but if it helped you to understand better what I was saying, please tell me. If I have to, I'll write like this all the time so there won't be so many people who don't get what I'm talking about.

*wipes sweat due to the effort from forehead*
[/font][/QUOTE] Note he said ?[I]as for the topic, it is an interesting idea to see what others consider an ideal topic.[/I]? Then he moves on to say that beyond that it wouldn?t work as actual guidelines, he did not say that your thread was saying it had to be a guideline, only that beyond the actual thread it wouldn?t really work. And isn?t that the whole idea of topics? To go beyond the box so to speak? He took your idea, said it was interesting but not practical beyond this thread.

He also issued you a challenge in clarifying what you consider ideal and deep. Don?t return others interest in your topics with thinly veiled disdain over what you seem to perceive as an inability in them to understand you. I am giving you the benefit of the doubt, but that is how you come accross. And as my teacher in English would have said, you just flunked, re-write it again.

As for the actual topic, I agree with Rachmaninoff, it is interesting, but it would not work very well beyond the thread. And yes I know that's not your intent. And other than to say that, I've no interest in discussing what an ideal topic would be since what I would consider ideal would not be the same as what you or other people here consider ideal.

[Rachmaninoff]

I could easily get long winded here, but Aaryanna_Mom already beat me to most of it. But I?ll make another point that will perhaps help you see what I was getting at a little better.

You wish to talk about an ideal thread and yet from the very beginning you are attempting to control other people?s responses. You start from the stance of assuming we think you are presumptuous, even to the point of throwing in the line? ?[I]unfortunately, if you presume I?m being presumptuous, you presume too much.[/I]? A stance that only makes you really look like you are arrogant.

Then after a brief introduction of what you wish to discuss and the statement of [I]?If there are enough responses[/I]? a stance that could be taken as the other members are simple minded and not very deep. Remember at this point you?ve already expressed the desire to make the Lounge a better place, indicating that you do not consider it to be in that state.

You now introduce a lengthy set of guidelines you want people to follow. Which might not come across as an attempt to control the types of ideas presented if you hadn?t taken the approach to the topic that you did. Even the wording comes across as playing moderator as you remind people to not argue or to create duplicate threads. Or that if someone comes up with an idea for one no one else should create a thread on that topic.

You even point out how the main audience here is thirteen or in the teenage age bracket and yet you?ve loaded the thread down with guidelines that come across more like homework or a project instead of a discussion.

References to outside this thread are being brought up because from my standpoint, the guidelines you want to follow wouldn?t work in Otaku Lounge. So it stands to reason that the same would apply to this thread as well.

[Boo]

[size=1]I think we can be quite clear about the fact that [i]this[/i] is not the ideal Otaku Lounge thread.[/size]

[Adahn]

[font=Tahoma][size=2]Aaryanna_Mom,[/size][/font]
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[size=2]I [i]know [/i]that the people on this board aren't stupid. I also know, however, that if my topics leave an opening for some sort of argument, many members will search for flaws before they even entertain my ideas. I chose simpler words because it is harder for someone to change the meaning of something less complex.[/size]
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[size=2]I'm not frustrated with people because I think they're stupid. I'm frustrated because when people reply only to point out the flaws in an idea, it discourages others from replying, even if they knew what I was talking about in the first place. There is no [i]harm[/i] in trying out my idea, and there is no benefit to saying it's a bad idea before anyone tries it out. The worst that can happen is that the idea flops. Big deal! Why do everything in your power to make it go away?[/size]
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[size=2]I [i]am[/i] clear, but it is the argumentative nature of some members towards me that requires me to explain myself until I can no longer stand to try.[/size]
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[size=2]I did not insult DeadSeraphim. He was clever enough to choose his words in such a way that only I would really know what they meant. As insults go, that was really top notch. I appreciate it for its nature, but it was still an insult, and it wasn't very nice.[/size]
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[size=2]I don't believe he was moving away from the topic when he talked about guidelines. I think he actually believed I wanted my own guidelines implemented in the Otaku Lounge. So, I tried to make it especially clear that that was not what I wanted.[/size]
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[size=2]I [i]did[/i] clarify what I meant by ideal and deep, and if you sense 'thinly velied disdain', your emotions aren't much in line with my own. It is [i]exhausting[/i] to be required to explain myself so fully, and when I get tired, I get cranky. All I wanted was for people to [i]try[/i], and if there wasn't enough willing participants, to leave it alone.[/size]
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[size=2]Aaryanna_Mom, I'm disappointed that you don't want to talk about what you like in certain threads, because I am[i] very[/i] interested in what other people like, and it could help me to create better threads in the future. I regret more than anything using the words 'ideal' and 'guidelines', because they seem to subject to so much controversy that people don't even want to discuss anything related to them![/size]
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[size=2]I'm going to try [i]one more time[/i].[/size]
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[size=2]People can talk about what they like about in threads, and some common ideas might be discovered. These common ideas could be boiled down into [i]very loose guidelines[/i] for creating a topic that would be of particular interest to many forum members. Using these [i]very loose guidelines,[/i] people can come up with ideas for topics that are related to the [i]very loose guidelines[/i] in some manner. The ideas for topics can then be discussed, to see if forum members find them of particular interest. This in turn can reflect on the 'goodness' of the [i]very loose guidelines[/i] for being a tool of use in creating topics of particular interest.[/size]
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[size=2]Rachaminoff,[/size]
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[size=2]I'm sorry if I seemed arrogant in the beginning when I was merely being cynical. I'm not usually cynical, but my experiences here have done this to me.[/size]
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[size=2]I didn't so much want to [i]control[/i] people's responses as guide the thread. I have enough foresight to see a topic with multiple steps proposed, like this one, become cluttered and unable to move forward without some sort of structure.[/size]
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[size=2]I said 'if there are enough responses' because I didn't think many people would be interested in something like this, but I hoped. Interpreting that as me saying people here are dull-witted is a very loose interpretation, and not at all my intent. Most of the forum members who visit the lounge just don't like me very much. I don't think I put it in my thread about merits and flaws, but it is ridiculously easy to convince me that you hate me for some reason, and rather difficult to convince me that you don't.[/size]
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[size=2]The Lounge is great, except for one thing. I would personally like to see more activity. That's really all I want. It's distressing to check the threads after a day has passed and see two or three replies [i]total[/i], especially when I remember times that it was booming with replies, to the point where a thread created yesterday could be nearing the bottom of the front page after only a day or two. I'm a lounge-goer, and those were the good old days that I want to bring back.[/size]
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[size=2]Again, I was trying to exercise foresight, anticipating problems and attempting to correct them before they happen. I saw those things happening here (if people actually took to the idea), and thought it would be a good idea to do my best to prevent the degeneration of the thread.[/size]
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[size=2]There are many members over 20, and I only mentioned 13 because I thought it was the minimum age for the boards. It doesn't seem like homework to me. I planned on compiling people's ideas, looking for commonalities between them, and moving the thread forward when it was felt that enough preliminary information was gathered. If this seems like a homework project, it's more of a project for me than it is anyone else.[/size]
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[size=2]Your reasoning is that guidelines wouldn't work if enforced on the Otaku Lounge, but guidelines can work here. This is [i]only[/i] one thread, and if there are some mini-restrictions on the format, well, look at other places it may be necessary. People seem to like the Otakuties, and that has a format to it that doesn't apply to the lounge as a whole. I challenge you to provide a counterexample to support your reasoning.[/size]
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[size=2]As for ideas for good threads, it really is something I wanted to bounce off other people, because I find the idea rather interesting. So, I'll see what I can do myself.[/size]
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[size=2]I will no longer use the word 'guideline'. I am replacing it with 'aspect'.[/size]
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[size=2]People seem to like threads I create that deal with them on a personal level. I propose the personal aspect.[/size]
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[size=2][b]Personal aspect:[/b] The thread should involve some topic that members can personally relate to, however general or specific. If the personal aspect is general, a greater variety of members may reply. If the personal aspect is specific, not many members may be interested, but those that are may allow for more enthusiastic discussions.[/size]
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[size=2]While my personal threads were great for self-exploration and self-revelation, they lacked specifically in their ability to sustain communication between members. I propose the Intercommunication aspect.[/size]
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[size=2][b]Intercommunication aspect:[/b] The thread should have some room for discussion, perhaps about the personal aspect. Controversial topics will lead to a more in depth level of communication, while uncontroversial topics will allow for a more relaxed level of communication.[/size]
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[size=2]As I start more threads and interpret the replies, I may think of more. If you've got any ideas, you don't [i]have[/i] to sit here and argue with me about stuff, you can introduce some of your own ideas. I really would like information from other people, but I can't force it out of you![/size]
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[size=2]So, with the combination of these two aspects, I think I'll go make a new thread, now.[/size]
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[Raiyuu]

Adahn, I think you started this thread with the best of intentions. I can see what you were trying to do, I honestly can. But it just isn't going to work. You should have realised by now that OB discussions can't be directed, structured and called to order like a Women's Institute meeting.

I'm afraid you'll never get the co-operation you're looking for from the memberbase. All that lies in this thread's future is sniping, snarking and eventually flaming.

[b]Thread locked.[/b]