DERAILED

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crossnote

Senior Member
Nov 24, 2012
30,770
3,679
113
#1
What would you say is the main reason threads get derailed or thrown off topic?
Or positively, what steps can a person take to avoid being the derailer?
 
S

SophieT

Guest
#2
What would you say is the main reason threads get derailed or thrown off topic?
Or positively, what steps can a person take to avoid being the derailer?
there are several reasons I think...maybe a main reason is in there

1. the thread puts a person in mind of something else so they go down that path

2. the topic is exhausted so it gets massaged and changed (at that point, it probably no longer matters)

3. red herrings....person introduces an unrelated whatever in order to save face because they are proven wrong, or they think they can dismiss the other person(s) by smoking them out and so on

4. some people just cannot read and some have real problems with comprehension

5. personal attacks when someone blows their cool

6. and my favorite: a new person joins and believes they are God's teaching gift to the rest of us

how to avoid it?

personally, I try to stay on topic and sometimes will just insert the original op when it looks like the gate has been left open and all the chickens have run off in all directions

or I will simply state that the post the other makes is off topic or a red herring or a personal attack or whatever

this does not ensure my popularity here either :LOL:...
 

tourist

Senior Member
Mar 13, 2014
42,663
17,117
113
69
Tennessee
#3
Very active threads are really one continuous conversation with real people participating that each have their own unique personality and bias. It is very easy to get off on a tangent. I find most derails amusing and would not necessarily try to prevent them. Derails offer a glimpse on who a particular member is and what they are about. Tends to keep- the conversation flowing which in turns enables fellowship.
 

crossnote

Senior Member
Nov 24, 2012
30,770
3,679
113
#5
there are several reasons I think...maybe a main reason is in there

1. the thread puts a person in mind of something else so they go down that path

2. the topic is exhausted so it gets massaged and changed (at that point, it probably no longer matters)

3. red herrings....person introduces an unrelated whatever in order to save face because they are proven wrong, or they think they can dismiss the other person(s) by smoking them out and so on

4. some people just cannot read and some have real problems with comprehension

5. personal attacks when someone blows their cool

6. and my favorite: a new person joins and believes they are God's teaching gift to the rest of us

how to avoid it?

personally, I try to stay on topic and sometimes will just insert the original op when it looks like the gate has been left open and all the chickens have run off in all directions

or I will simply state that the post the other makes is off topic or a red herring or a personal attack or whatever

this does not ensure my popularity here either :LOL:...
A great response Sophie. I think you called me out on #4, (esp. loooooong posts. lol).
I wonder how long it will take for this thread to have a train wreck. lol
 
S

SophieT

Guest
#7
A great response Sophie. I think you called me out on #4, (esp. loooooong posts. lol).
I wonder how long it will take for this thread to have a train wreck. lol

what's this thread about again?
 

tourist

Senior Member
Mar 13, 2014
42,663
17,117
113
69
Tennessee
#8
there are several reasons I think...maybe a main reason is in there

1. the thread puts a person in mind of something else so they go down that path

2. the topic is exhausted so it gets massaged and changed (at that point, it probably no longer matters)

3. red herrings....person introduces an unrelated whatever in order to save face because they are proven wrong, or they think they can dismiss the other person(s) by smoking them out and so on

4. some people just cannot read and some have real problems with comprehension

5. personal attacks when someone blows their cool

6. and my favorite: a new person joins and believes they are God's teaching gift to the rest of us

how to avoid it?

personally, I try to stay on topic and sometimes will just insert the original op when it looks like the gate has been left open and all the chickens have run off in all directions

or I will simply state that the post the other makes is off topic or a red herring or a personal attack or whatever

this does not ensure my popularity here either :LOL:...
My favorite is your 6. Holier than thou types seem to irk a lot of members including myself.
 
S

SophieT

Guest
#13
My favorite is your 6. Holier than thou types seem to irk a lot of members including myself.
or the really angry type of 'God told me to tell youze all"

always entertaining
 
G

Godsgirl83

Guest
#17
I wonder how long it will take for this thread to have a train wreck.

oh, I'd say it's bound to happen right about.......................................................................................................
NOW:


 

tourist

Senior Member
Mar 13, 2014
42,663
17,117
113
69
Tennessee
#19
oh, I'd say it's bound to happen right about.......................................................................................................
NOW:


Once upon a time there was an engineer,
Choo Choo Charlie was his name, we hear.
He had an engine and he sure had fun,

He used Good & Plenty candy to make his train run.