Posting New Threads

[Da Blob]

Hmmm! I took a few moments today to step back and analyze my participation in this forum over the past 395 days - 2800 posts, 195 threads started, changes in style, effectiveness in communication etc.

I could not help but notice that only 37 of the threads I started had more than a thousand viewings and only seven of those had over two thousands viewings. For many threads it was rather obvious why they did not attract much interest. However, I was really more interested in those threads that could be said to be successful. I really did not see much of a pattern, that could be duplicated or expanded upon.

About the only thing I noticed was that I needed to Invest a little more time in the Thread titles, so that instead of being mere after thought, they reflected the theme of the OP better.

Any way I thought I would start this thread as a place to post ideas for what a good OP should include or whatever, because I have noticed that some members seem not to post many new threads for one reason or another. It seems that if the Others had an idea of what works and what doesn't they might be more likely to post threads...

So any ideas, suggestions etc?

 

[Firehazard159]

I'm glad you posted this, it's an interesting thing to ponder, I'm almost always stuck on thread titles, trying to ponder a way to convey an interesting tag to pull people in (and not have them disappointed by an irrelevant OP related to the title.)

^ That's a massive run-on, but I'm leaving it as is ^_^ I kind of like purity of expression in a way :P

 

[BigApplePi]

Hmmm! I took a few moments today to step back and analyze my participation in this forum over the past 395 days - 2800 posts, 195 threads started, changes in style, effectiveness in communication etc.

I could not help but notice that only 37 of the threads I started had more than a thousand viewings and only seven of those had over two thousands viewings. For many threads it was rather obvious why they did not attract much interest. However, I was really more interested in those threads that could be said to be successful. I really did not see much of a pattern, that could be duplicated or expanded upon.

About the only thing I noticed was that I needed to Invest a little more time in the Thread titles, so that instead of being mere after thought, they reflected the theme of the OP better.

Any way I thought I would start this thread as a place to post ideas for what a good OP should include or whatever, because I have noticed that some members seem not to post many new threads for one reason or another. It seems that if the Others had an idea of what works and what doesn't they might be more likely to post threads...

So any ideas, suggestions etc?

Da Blob. It would be easy to say any thread must have broad appeal. It must have broad appeal not to just oneself but to many. I don't know about the title of the OP but I think it helps to put enough in the OP to suggest interests. The reason for that is when people look, they see that OP over and over again.

One could look for other's successes (which I have not done.) I recall Lyra starting an OP with some very original views and then following it up in her responses. She drew a lot of attention though is wasn't clear if she approved or wanted it.

I seem to have two threads out of four of mine which have drawn interest. The luck of the draw perhaps. Something might said about a failure of mine though. "How to Understand Anything" thread is something I'm strongly interested in. But I think I've been way too abstract on that thread. It can't draw people's interest because it's too difficult. Do you think that correct? I don't really know how to fix that. I will have to wait until I can be more specific about things we don't understand maybe.

Good luck with this one. Interesting topic.

 

[BigApplePi]

I'm glad you posted this, it's an interesting thing to ponder, I'm almost always stuck on thread titles, trying to ponder a way to convey an interesting tag to pull people in (and not have them disappointed by an irrelevant OP related to the title.)

^ That's a massive run-on, but I'm leaving it as is ^_^ I kind of like purity of expression in a way :P

What about this? Post something about a topic to your interest and we'll see if people can come up with titles. Then you could pick one as a tryout.

 

[LAM]

I wish more people posted. There seems to be something like 500 people regurlarly on here, yet only like 10 ever post...

 

[flow]

You're forgetting who you're dealing with LAM, we are after all INTPs. Most people lurk for weeks before even joining, and even then they usually feel that they have very little to contribute due to constantly second guessing themselves (damn Pness). Plus, I think we all prefer to listen..

 

[Pythia]

Most people lurk for weeks before even joining, and even then they usually feel that they have very little to contribute due to constantly second guessing themselves (damn Pness). Plus, I think we all prefer to listen..

My case exactly. Posting is not as easy as I wished...

 

[Firehazard159]

Hmmm... so are those of us who post simply more comfortable here? More confident? More extroverted? More foolish?

I know I'm the last one

:P Curious... possibly a combination or something else I haven't thought of!

 

[Pythia]

To me, at least, you do seem more extroverted.

 

[Da Blob]

LOL, once again I have gotten ahead of my Self and was off target a bit on an OP. It seems as though a thread about "Posting New Posts" is perhaps of more relevance than "Posting New Threads" for many members of the forum. I mean, I would think that one would have to be comfortable posting posts before venturing into posting entirely new threads...

However, I am at a loss in that regard. I do not know what suggestions i could offer, that would be helpful.

I guess it is a matter of what one's goals are in posting a post to begin with. Quite often my goal is merely to get some vague idea, thought or concept formed into words and I am not much more ambitious than that. Of course I am pleased when Others seem to understand that idea, thought or concept after the effort - but that is like icing on the cake for me.

 

[Da Blob]

To me, at least, you do seem more extroverted.

Actually, I have wondered about that myself. How could a true Introvert post as often as I do?

Well, I am hyper and like to stay busy. I do not see this forum as a media for suppressed extroversion. I mean to me it is almost like having a conversation with my self, and I believe there was a thread once that addressed that issue and many of us do have conversations with our selves.

Good observation/question though!

 

[Pythia]

I also wonder where you find the motivation to post so many long threads. I admire that quality, since I'm too lazy to do so myself.

 

[flow]

@Da Blob: I've never been under the impression that you're listening to any of the other members on this forum, unless they're responding to one of your ideas.. it does appear that you're often just talking to yourself publicly. No offense.

 

[Agent Intellect]

The problem for me when making a new thread is that I have a sense of responsibility to the thread, as if the people responding to it are responding to me and therefore I have to engage them.

I don't know about the extroverted idea. Offline I am about as introverted as they come, I probably go most days saying fewer than 20 words out loud. In a way, that has been the beauty of this forum - it is the place where I can voice the things that usually remain in my head and actually get external feedback on them.

Lucky for me, not many people actually respond to my New Threads, so that sense of responsibility is not too overwhelming. I do hesitate on most responses, though - I read probably three quarters of the threads on this forum (even higher percent in philosophy sub-forum), but I very rarely reply (especially to threads that have an ongoing conversation on a specific topic), even when if I have something I could say, because I don't know how much it would really contribute to the conversation.

In that way I actually find it a little easier to make New Threads because 1) my threads are not very popular (I imagine the subject material isn't all that interesting to most folks) and 2) I know that what I'm saying is relevant or even conducive to my own conversation so I am more free to voice my opinion.

 

[LAM]

To me, at least, you do seem more extroverted.

Actually... You might be right, I mean I do rewrite my posts 2-3 times over usually until I give up and make one that might as well have been the dumbest one out of all of them. In fact, probably a major reason I post is so I could get a lot of different perspectives on something without me having to think them up myself. Also I get a lot of new concepts from conversing with people on here. (Well not that much, but still perhaps a further understanding of MBTI and other random stuff about INTPs mostly.)

Edit: I guess if I had cared about doing an actual proper online discussion instead of just blurting out my observations and having people comment on them. Like that drunk/drugs/lazyness/etc thread I did, that was quite simply my observation and it started off going well until people got offended by it. In the end though I did learn that there are a lot more happier people than I was led on to believe.

 

[Pythia]

[...] I do hesitate on most responses, though - I read probably three quarters of the threads on this forum (even higher percent in philosophy sub-forum), but I very rarely reply (especially to threads that have an ongoing conversation on a specific topic), even when if I have something I could say, because I don't know how much it would really contribute to the conversation.

That. I suppose it's a common thing here, but I still feel self-conscious.

@LAM: I've also learned a lot from the forum, only that by lurking. As for getting different perspectives, I suppose I have enough with my own , and more of them would only make things more complicated.

 

[LAM]

I also wonder where you find the motivation to post so many long threads. I admire that quality, since I'm too lazy to do so myself.

I only do so when I am too bored. Its the last day of my school holidays today, going to go to the same High school I went to since I got in in Year7 for about a month before I change schools. And since my Modern Warfare 2 is broken and most of my friends are getting high or sooking about at home so I have nothing to do most the time. So I read Cracked.com and this. I would otherwise never post long posts

 

[LAM]

That. I suppose it's a common thing here, but I still feel self-conscious.

@LAM: I've also learned a lot from the forum, only that by lurking. As for getting different perspectives, I suppose I have enough with my own , and more of them would only make things more complicated.

I usually end up muddled up with all of them. I generally should write them down, but I just keep getting new ones and it all get horribly messed up. Thats why I prefer perspectives from other posts: they don't change. They stay there so I can change the concept someone has presented and examine the strengths and weaknesses of each point with out them changing constantly.

 

[Firehazard159]

Im curious how a study on how people manifest their personalities online compare to their offline personas.

As, in my head I am a lot more playful / pleasant, but i hold it back irl. Online though, that playfulness comes out due to my ability to edit my thoughts, or to hesitate where real life a ten second delay is a missed opportunity.

 

[Pythia]

@LAM: I think I should try it some time...

@Firehazard159: I hesitate more online, because what I say remains there for others to read.

 

[Firehazard159]

@LAM: I think I should try it some time...

@Firehazard159: I hesitate more online, because what I say remains there for others to read.

Fair enough, although that level of (I'm going to consider it Paranoia) has never made sense to me.

For example: When I was a young child, around 5-8, my sister told me my shoes were on the wrong feet, and I was terribly embarrassed and frustrated (she had a tendency of always picking on me, in retrospect, I doubt this was the case) - but I felt mocked, and so I had to come up with a response, and I said the most ridiculous thing back - "Yeah? Well... Your... socks are on the wrong feet!!" My mom and sister laughed, and I tried to hold up my argument ineffectively.

My point in saying that is, I don't judge myself (or others really) on their past sayings, only their current level of development. That's the point of growth, and making mistakes, is so our current selves are better than our previous. If I post a thread asking a question or making a statement, ideally I follow that thread through until my point of view is reaffirmed or changed, upon which I've grown in either situation, and can therefore assert new/updated positions later on. Sometimes that growth may be viewable in that thread, other times, not until my view comes out in later threads.

I suppose I can understand the fear somewhat though, in the sense that enough 'silly posts' could render me feeling awkward and 'unwelcome'. (regardless of how welcoming everyone is, if I feel like I've made stupid comments, I won't want to come back.)

Maybe it simply comes down to those of us who are more ready and willing to post have a higher developed level of Ne? Not certain though :P

*Goes back to pondering and lurking*

 

[Agent Intellect]

Im curious how a study on how people manifest their personalities online compare to their offline personas.

As, in my head I am a lot more playful / pleasant, but i hold it back irl. Online though, that playfulness comes out due to my ability to edit my thoughts, or to hesitate where real life a ten second delay is a missed opportunity.

Well, as I mentioned earlier, I am even more introverted offline. But, I'm also less serious offline. I sometimes look back over my posts and think that I seem like I come off as if my life would read like a text book. I was probably a lot more of the 'genuine article' on the forum when I first came here, back when I would derail threads with Noddy and other people, talking about Pness and and other such goofyness. Don't get me wrong, I can be serious offline, but I'm actually a very laid back person (probably too laid back).

Two things that I can think of that have changed since then: the forum doesn't 'feel' as much like a close knit community (to me, anyway) as it did when it was really small back when I first joined; and I quit drinking.

But, of course, that's my impression of myself when I look back at the stuff I post. For all I know everyone around here thinks I'm a big joke.

 

[Pythia]

Firehazard, you just called me a paranoid. And I agree with you.

I suppose I see your point.. Thanks for sharing, hopefully I'll find it less compromising to make mistakes in the future.

 

[Firehazard159]

Most of us are paranoid here XD Just in different regards, which is why I stated it the way I did, I'm not certain if there is a better word, but it seemed fitting, and I didn't want to sound insulting by any means (So I hoped the way I worded it would come across as such, it seems it has, as you don't seem insulted ^_^)

@AI: I always look forward to your posts, I find you as one of the more respectable intellectual voices, your posts are always full of good information. Blob I think mentioned once that he thought you were a professor by uh.. I wanted to say profession, haha, but I'll say career instead - I tend to think of you that way, even if you aren't that IRL, your posts tend to carry a solid respectable weight.

That's my impression of you. I don't really view playful posts as being negative though, either. Everyone should be a little goofy As long as they know when it's time to be serious again.

 

[Irishpenguin]

You're forgetting who you're dealing with LAM, we are after all INTPs. Most people lurk for weeks before even joining, and even then they usually feel that they have very little to contribute due to constantly second guessing themselves (damn Pness). Plus, I think we all prefer to listen..

Wait a sec, it's the Pness that causes hesitation like that? Well crap, the test says I'm 100% P and yet I registered and posted the very first day here........whats wrong with me?!?!?!?(exaggeration) but it's still a little weird.

 

[BigApplePi]

Actually, I have wondered about that myself. How could a true Introvert post as often as I do?

Well, I am hyper and like to stay busy. I do not see this forum as a media for suppressed extroversion. I mean to me it is almost like having a conversation with my self, and I believe there was a thread once that addressed that issue and many of us do have conversations with our selves.

Good observation/question though!

If introversion means moved by the inner world and extroversion by people, then people who are fond of posting here must be extroverted relative to cyberspace. This is a semi-controlled place where one gets to formulate their thoughts and even go back to edit. Can't do that when face-to-face with people. Maybe we need a new word for this.

 

[BigApplePi]

The problem for me when making a new thread is that I have a sense of responsibility to the thread, as if the people responding to it are responding to me and therefore I have to engage them.

I don't know about the extroverted idea. Offline I am about as introverted as they come, I probably go most days saying fewer than 20 words out loud. In a way, that has been the beauty of this forum - it is the place where I can voice the things that usually remain in my head and actually get external feedback on them.

Lucky for me, not many people actually respond to my New Threads, so that sense of responsibility is not too overwhelming. I do hesitate on most responses, though - I read probably three quarters of the threads on this forum (even higher percent in philosophy sub-forum), but I very rarely reply (especially to threads that have an ongoing conversation on a specific topic), even when if I have something I could say, because I don't know how much it would really contribute to the conversation.

In that way I actually find it a little easier to make New Threads because 1) my threads are not very popular (I imagine the subject material isn't all that interesting to most folks) and 2) I know that what I'm saying is relevant or even conducive to my own conversation so I am more free to voice my opinion.

I find it far easier to respond to someone else's thread because I know I'm not changing the topic. I'm attempting to fit in. In fact I fancy I occasionally bring in some idea I have that I believe relates but others may not think so and I'm thrown. Then I have to decide if to be silent.

I haven't been here that long, but my general feeling is I hate to bring in a new thread because it will be my interest not others and my interests won't match.

 

[Da Blob]

I find it far easier to respond to someone else's thread because I know I'm not changing the topic. I'm attempting to fit in. In fact I fancy I occasionally bring in some idea I have that I believe relates but others may not think so and I'm thrown. Then I have to decide if to be silent.

I haven't been here that long, but my general feeling is I hate to bring in a new thread because I will be my interest not others and my interests won't match.

Yes but what are the costs/benefits of taking the risk that one will get zero responses? At worst, it is a feeling of disappointment. (i speak from experience...LOL). I mean, we are not psychic and really do not know the future of a thread when we create it. For example, I was hesitant to post both the "INTPs on Youtube" and "Favorite Song Lyrics?" threads, but both of those threads are still ongoing and have generated a large number of responses and viewings...

I do think that it is considerate to contemplate whether a comment has the potential for derailing a thread. However, offering a disclaimer such as a BTW, FYI or "This might be off topic" before posting a comment should lessen one's concerns in that regard.

 

[BigApplePi]

Yes but what are the costs/benefits of taking the risk that one will get zero responses? At worst, it is a feeling of disappointment. (i speak from experience...LOL). I mean, we are not psychic and really do not know the future of a thread when we create it. For example, I was hesitant to post both the "INTPs on Youtube" and "Favorite Song Lyrics?" threads, but both of those threads are still ongoing and have generated a large number of responses and viewings...

I do think that it is considerate to contemplate whether a comment has the potential for derailing a thread. However, offering a disclaimer such as a BTW, FYI or "This might be off topic" before posting a comment should lessen one's concerns in that regard.

Seems to me "INTPs on Youtube" and "Favorite Song Lyrics?" would have a better chance for continuance than a topic which entails depth thought. I wonder if those two are have the immediate appeal of sensing (S)?

As for me derailing a thread, if I'm lost in thought I can easily take what some (not all) would think a tangent and forget to say BTW or FYI. That doesn't mean it should be excused. Hard to say for me.

 

[RubberDucky451]

A thread about posting new threads?

God help us...

 

[Chimera]

Wait a sec, it's the Pness that causes hesitation like that?

Never hesitate when using your Pness!


@AI:
Man, I just have to say, you're one of the guys here who posts things I consistantly stop to read. Like, a lot of times I catch myself skimming over peoples' posts. Not yours. There's just something about what you write that cuts away all the bullshit in an especially intriguing way; it's hard to describe.
I know that might not mean much. But I figured I should let you know anyway.
​

 

[echoplex]

195 threads! Wow, that's alot. And I know I've enjoyed many of them. Kudos. What's funny is that I've only posted 12 threads. I tend to have ideas for threads but never post them either because a) I forget, or b) it didn't seem original enough to warrant a new thread. I also tend to be very hesitant about bringing attention to myself, even online.

As for what makes a good OP, I have a few ideas.
Sometimes, less is more. While it is true that an abundance of text shows effort and offers alot to respond to, it can feel like a chore, esp. if someone is a bit impatient. This can also be remedied by highlighting the "big" ideas of the topic.

Organization. Questions and separate points can be highlighted in some way. Paragraphs are also important in keeping things organized if there's alot of text. Similar to above.

Links, pics, and other media can be cool. Some topics would probably benefit from access to other information about the topic. I also think it can be helpful to link to other threads if they seem relevant or related in some way.

Controversy? It is my opinion that a topic will probably gain more attention if it presents controversial/new ideas, so long as it doesn't just seem like bad trolling. Use with caution.

Personality. Let's face it, even a fascinating topic may not "make it" if it's not presented in an interesting way. Things like humor, charm, and enthusiasm can all help, so long as they are not overdone, which can be annoying.

1) my threads are not very popular (I imagine the subject material isn't all that interesting to most folks)

See, that's the thing. I actually (and I suspect many others do too) find most of your threads to be fascinating. I just usually don't have anything I think is relevant to add to them and I usually don't want to post in a thread just to say it's interesting without having anything to add.

And that gets me thinking that perhaps people should show more appreciation of others even when they have nothing on-topic to contribute. I imagine many here think they're being ignored when that may not be the case. And as a result they may stop posting things that people silently appreciate.

 

[Toad]

This is fucking retarded!!!!

 

[Toad]

I'm sorry. I've been cranky lately.

 

[Agent Intellect]

@AI:
Man, I just have to say, you're one of the guys here who posts things I consistantly stop to read. Like, a lot of times I catch myself skimming over peoples' posts. Not yours. There's just something about what you write that cuts away all the bullshit in an especially intriguing way; it's hard to describe.
I know that might not mean much. But I figured I should let you know anyway.
​

I have always attempted to be a "straight talker"

*punches himself in the balls for using John McCains phrase*

Although some of my more recent posts have been quite long winded (and probably a bit difficult to understand because of the strange vernacular used).

And that gets me thinking that perhaps people should show more appreciation of others even when they have nothing on-topic to contribute. I imagine many here think they're being ignored when that may not be the case. And as a result they may stop posting things that people silently appreciate.

Compliments? Appreciation? Sounds awkward