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

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.

zxcvbn · 01-20-2008, 01:16 PM

My biggest complaints about this forum are that there are so few members around, and even fewer who post. Yes, we have quality over quantity, but the quantity is so miniscule. For the past month, I've started many (IMHO) interesting threads but seeing the increasingly low response I'm starting to lose my enthusiasm like the posters above.

08-01-2005, 07:24 AM	#1
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	#4
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	#6
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

01-20-2008, 01:16 PM	#7
zxcvbn Wight Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: In front of my PC Posts: 164	My biggest complaints about this forum are that there are so few members around, and even fewer who post. Yes, we have quality over quantity, but the quantity is so miniscule. For the past month, I've started many (IMHO) interesting threads but seeing the increasingly low response I'm starting to lose my enthusiasm like the posters above.