Post limit to stop threads being ruined

mishkanorman

Ive been reading the current breastfeeding post in discussion time, and im really disappointed that, yet again, its dissolved into an attack on people who have a differing opinion.

Is there no way to introduce a limit on the amount of posts per thread/time limit ?

There are a group of posters who have spent hours posting one after the other getting in little digs and snipes and now the thread has moved so far from the original subject its no longer even being discussed.

I cant think of any downside to limiting peoples post per thread / in a set time frame but ive no idea if its technically possible ?

Mishka

Murphy_The_Cat

Its just a matter of setting reasonable parameters, but what would be reasonable ?

The other thing is that in a dynamic and busy Discussion Forum, what is on Page #1 fairly quickly moves onto Page#2 and then into the wastelands below. Unfortunately, with the way that DT is going, I can see a time where Page #1 becomes increasingly stagnant as the critical mass of 'regular' posters refrain from posting and the number of new and stimulating posts continues to dry up.

I thought that the BFing thread was a really interesting thread, spoilt by the actions (yet again) of several posters who seem to come to DT with the pure purpose of disruption and aggravation.

Sadly the thread that the OP has now been closed.

TurkishDelight

Mishka, (and anyone else reading) I would like to apologise for my part in that thread.

I felt like I was being goaded and pushed in the nastiest way, but even so I shouldn't have taken the bait, and some of what I posted was unacceptable (not sure how I'm still here and not banned to be honest).

mishkanorman

To be fair to you I would have probably reacted in the very same way, especially the comments regarding your fiancee and you both not wanting children, and then your business. It was nothing short of vile.

No you shouldnt have responded but there were many people (myself included) who had tried to steer the thread away from such an inevitable ending and if it hadnt been you it would have been someone else IMHO


perhaps if there were limits in place they would have saved you from yourself

Old_Wrinkly

mishkanorman wrote: »

Ive been reading the current breastfeeding post in discussion time, and im really disappointed that, yet again, its dissolved into an attack on people who have a differing opinion.

Is there no way to introduce a limit on the amount of posts per thread/time limit ?

...

I cant think of any downside to limiting peoples post per thread / in a set time frame but ive no idea if its technically possible ?

There are a number of 'regular' threads for which this would definitely be a downside - e.g. "Oi! We're learning here". These threads don't descend to the level you mention, but rely on a 'back and forth' interplay of views. Isn't that what 'discussion' means?

chocsessential

I am not sure the length of discussion is the problem; I think the problem is when people go off on a tangent and start posting silly remarks or jokes in the middle of an interesting debate. Once the joking starts other people join in and it's very hard to get the original debate back on track.

mishkanorman

It would be a downside but I would think/hope the number of threads it would benefit would weigh that out.

I dont believe there is any perfect answer to the problem, there will always be some compromise. It would certainly have to be carefully thought out, would it not work on the thread you've used as an example at all ?

Thinking of discussions Ive had in 'real' life its never an enjoyable one when 1/2 people go back and forth and no-one else can get a word in edge-ways. Even if it doesnt dissolve into an argument life is always good when we all get a turn