A Great Idea that wasn't... - The Barrow-Downs Discussion Forum

Estelyn Telcontar · 08-01-2005, 06:11 AM

I've posted some topics that were too specialized or didn't catch people's attention for whatever reason - one thread about children in Middle-earth didn't get a single answer for months before someone noticed it; another about the Art nouveau influence in the Elven architecture of the movies got only a few replies and seems to have gotten completely lost at some point in time; and the one about Tolkien and the textile arts has only a few replies as well. I posted a new topic last week that hasn't gotten one answer yet, about the Sil parodies.

It's no shame to try a topic that interests you, but you never know if those who are interested will be around at that time and want to post on it, or have time to do more than just read it without contributing. And it's no shame to have a topic moved, merged or even closed if a moderator considers that best! As long as it's not against the forum rules (which I always assume everyone will of course have read before starting a new thread!

), go for it - no risk, no gain! And there's always the chance yours could be the hit thread of the month - you won't know unless you try.

Mithalwen · 08-01-2005, 06:23 AM

Sometimes a thread can get a more sucessful revival.... I think it is hard to find a thread that is original - I have to admit that my most successful one was sparked by something Davem had posted in cbC which interested me. But sometimes people just don't pick up on things you find intriguing... or they haven't got time at that moment to check it out.... or sometimes one of the great minds has answered so comprehensively that you feel there is nothing you can usefully add....

The Only Real Estel · 08-01-2005, 07:24 AM

Um, my worst thread is also one of my most embarrassing moments. Back in the newbier days of my life on the 'downs I got to wondering if anyone else was from Kansas. Doing the unthinkable I decided it would be a 'good' idea to create a thread asking if there were any BDers from Kansas. The only surprise that came from that thread was that there was actually one post on it before the B-W found it & understandable smashed it with a sledgehammer.

edit: well, now that I've posted this I see that it doesn't really qualify as a 'great idea' that wasn't...oh well.

THE Ka · 01-20-2006, 05:20 PM

Quote:

But really, what thread ideas of yours never worked out?

All of them!

No really, if you want to base it upon if it made everyone feel warm and fuzzy inside, then yes.

Though, I have found that the only way you can get people to actually think is to make them challenge and profess each others' ideas. If everyone enjoys that, then I'm happy that everyone still creates thought. Even if they do hate me. At least everyone is thinking.

~ Ka

Gurthang · 01-20-2006, 10:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by THE Ka

No really, if you want to base it upon if it made everyone feel warm and fuzzy inside, then yes.

Though, I have found that the only way you can get people to actually think is to make them challenge and profess each others' ideas. If everyone enjoys that, then I'm happy that everyone still creates thought. Even if they do hate me. At least everyone is thinking.

Now isn't that kind of ironic. A 'successful' thread, meaning one that is long, is usually long because people are "discussing" there different opinions. *cough*arguing*cough*

So basically, we are happy with our thread when we cause people to disagree. What horrible people that makes us sound like!

At least it is all for enjoyment. I mean, it's not like they don't like "discussing".

The Squatter of Amon Rûdh · 01-21-2006, 11:14 AM

I would say that a successful thread is an interesting thread, and an interesting thread throws a new light on some aspect of its subject. Sometimes a lively debate can provide the interest, but often a lot of people who agree can build on one another's insights to create a fascinating read. Sometimes heated debate simply turns an interesting question into a string of posts that quote each other in detail as a prelude to tedious hair-splittings; an approach which is only gripping if you happen to be a combatant.

Perhaps success should be measured in terms of intent: the longest-running thread that I ever started has become at best a list and at worst a chat room, so I suppose that it wasn't thought out as well as it could have been. Strangely, my favourite among threads that I started only received very few responses, most of them from yours truly; but those few posts from other members justified the whole exercise, even if they all languish unread forever.

THE Ka · 01-21-2006, 05:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gurthang

Now isn't that kind of ironic. A 'successful' thread, meaning one that is long, is usually long because people are "discussing" there different opinions. *cough*arguing*cough*

So basically, we are happy with our thread when we cause people to disagree. What horrible people that makes us sound like!

At least it is all for enjoyment. I mean, it's not like they don't like "discussing".

Well, upon analyzing the original post to this thread, and that of the psychological make-up of most members, the thread being long may be 'successful', but I believe most people prefer something that makes them happy or gives them a sense of joy, however short it may be. It really is a Quality vs. Quantity concept. Do you want a small gem or a push cart full of fool's gold?

What I meant wasn't that I liked people to 'disagree', only that they would show and support their own thoughts, and not the unconditional acceptance that we are bound to in society. We walk around with the belief, that, if we think, feel, and behave in accordance with the people around us, we'll get the positive regard we long for.
But, when we hit the grain of differences, we push out our ideas upon the matter and say, 'Hey! I think Balrogs DO have wings! And i'm going to explain my reasoning (personal ideas) to you...'

Yes, it may seem horrible, but at least there is thought. I can't imagine a Balrog thread on here that has been met with apathy...
And if there was one, then that would call reason for concern. I agree though, everyone has the conditional acceptance of discussion...

~ Rogerian Psychology Ka

Brinniel · 07-10-2006, 02:28 AM

In all my four years on the BD, I've only started nine threads, none of which were too successful, the best one being Real LOTR Places with 40 posts.

I consider my biggest failure to be Middle-earth's First Annual Invention Convention. I was hoping it to be an original fun-filled thread with many replies, but I only ended up with eight (one being myself). Perhaps my idea was a little too complicated..... I don't know.

08-01-2005, 06:11 AM	#1
Estelyn Telcontar Princess of Skwerlz Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: where the Sea is eastwards (WtR: 6060 miles) Posts: 7,500	I've posted some topics that were too specialized or didn't catch people's attention for whatever reason - one thread about children in Middle-earth didn't get a single answer for months before someone noticed it; another about the Art nouveau influence in the Elven architecture of the movies got only a few replies and seems to have gotten completely lost at some point in time; and the one about Tolkien and the textile arts has only a few replies as well. I posted a new topic last week that hasn't gotten one answer yet, about the Sil parodies. It's no shame to try a topic that interests you, but you never know if those who are interested will be around at that time and want to post on it, or have time to do more than just read it without contributing. And it's no shame to have a topic moved, merged or even closed if a moderator considers that best! As long as it's not against the forum rules (which I always assume everyone will of course have read before starting a new thread! ), go for it - no risk, no gain! And there's always the chance yours could be the hit thread of the month - you won't know unless you try. __________________ 'Mercy!' cried Gandalf. 'If the giving of information is to be the cure of your inquisitiveness, I shall spend all the rest of my days in answering you. What more do you want to know?' 'The whole history of Middle-earth...'

08-01-2005, 06:23 AM	#2
Mithalwen Pilgrim Soul Join Date: May 2004 Location: watching the wonga-wonga birds circle... Posts: 9,460	Sometimes a thread can get a more sucessful revival.... I think it is hard to find a thread that is original - I have to admit that my most successful one was sparked by something Davem had posted in cbC which interested me. But sometimes people just don't pick up on things you find intriguing... or they haven't got time at that moment to check it out.... or sometimes one of the great minds has answered so comprehensively that you feel there is nothing you can usefully add.... __________________ “But Finrod walks with Finarfin his father beneath the trees in Eldamar.” Christopher Tolkien, Requiescat in pace Last edited by Mithalwen; 08-01-2005 at 10:16 AM.

08-01-2005, 07:24 AM	#3
The Only Real Estel Raffish Rapscallion Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Far from the 'Downs, it seems :-( Posts: 2,835	Um, my worst thread is also one of my most embarrassing moments. Back in the newbier days of my life on the 'downs I got to wondering if anyone else was from Kansas. Doing the unthinkable I decided it would be a 'good' idea to create a thread asking if there were any BDers from Kansas. The only surprise that came from that thread was that there was actually one post on it before the B-W found it & understandable smashed it with a sledgehammer. edit: well, now that I've posted this I see that it doesn't really qualify as a 'great idea' that wasn't...oh well. Last edited by The Only Real Estel; 08-01-2005 at 01:42 PM.

01-21-2006, 11:14 AM	#6
The Squatter of Amon Rûdh Spectre of Decay Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Bar-en-Danwedh Posts: 2,178	Success through stirring? I would say that a successful thread is an interesting thread, and an interesting thread throws a new light on some aspect of its subject. Sometimes a lively debate can provide the interest, but often a lot of people who agree can build on one another's insights to create a fascinating read. Sometimes heated debate simply turns an interesting question into a string of posts that quote each other in detail as a prelude to tedious hair-splittings; an approach which is only gripping if you happen to be a combatant. Perhaps success should be measured in terms of intent: the longest-running thread that I ever started has become at best a list and at worst a chat room, so I suppose that it wasn't thought out as well as it could have been. Strangely, my favourite among threads that I started only received very few responses, most of them from yours truly; but those few posts from other members justified the whole exercise, even if they all languish unread forever. __________________ Man kenuva métim' andúne?

07-10-2006, 02:28 AM	#8
Brinniel Reflection of Darkness Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Polishing the stars. Well, somebody has to do it; they're looking a little bit dull. Posts: 2,983	In all my four years on the BD, I've only started nine threads, none of which were too successful, the best one being Real LOTR Places with 40 posts. I consider my biggest failure to be Middle-earth's First Annual Invention Convention. I was hoping it to be an original fun-filled thread with many replies, but I only ended up with eight (one being myself). Perhaps my idea was a little too complicated..... I don't know. __________________ Nolite te bastardes carborundorum