Runaway threads, as I like to call them, seem to be an ongoing problem here. These are the threads that start off with the OP asking for advice on a personal relationship issue, and the thread ends up in huge philosophical, moral, or political debate.
These threads are easily identified. The OP has a handful of posts followed by hundreds of responses, most of them in-fighting among the advice givers over whose advice is right and whose advice is wrong. It's absolute madness sometimes.
When these threads devolve into arguments among the TAM populace, it makes it difficult for OPs to take anything posted seriously, good or bad. They are usually never to be heard from again.
Here's my suggestion for solving this issue. I'm sure this would require some website coding, but I'm not IT so don't know the level of effort involved.
Create a designation system for initial threads where people have to choose between "Relationship Advice" or "Discussion/Debate Topic".
I think this system would corral people to stick to the OP's issues and avoid runaway threads, while also allowing open discussion/debates on relationship topics where advice is not needed.
These threads are easily identified. The OP has a handful of posts followed by hundreds of responses, most of them in-fighting among the advice givers over whose advice is right and whose advice is wrong. It's absolute madness sometimes.
When these threads devolve into arguments among the TAM populace, it makes it difficult for OPs to take anything posted seriously, good or bad. They are usually never to be heard from again.
Here's my suggestion for solving this issue. I'm sure this would require some website coding, but I'm not IT so don't know the level of effort involved.
Create a designation system for initial threads where people have to choose between "Relationship Advice" or "Discussion/Debate Topic".
- "Discussion/Debate Topic" threads would function just like they do now; no limits on the number of posts.
- "Relationship Advice" would have a limit of 2 posts (just throwing a number out there but 2 seems to be a good max) per person in between OP posts. For example, OP initiates thread, TAMer #1 posts a thought, then comes back and posts again, but is blocked from posting a third time until OP comes back and posts an update/response. Maybe set up a counter for each poster that resets whenever the OP posts? Again, I'm not IT...just throwing it out there.
I think this system would corral people to stick to the OP's issues and avoid runaway threads, while also allowing open discussion/debates on relationship topics where advice is not needed.
Put the internet to work for you.
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