Should there be an approval process for new threads?

[XJ-0461]

I mean a way of stopping duplicate threads or threads that don't leave things open for discussion. Either an automatic or manual one. I admit there would be issues, but it could stop the same discussion happening five different times.
Also an suggestions benefiting such a process are welcomed with open arms.
So what do you guys think?

 

[fix-the-spade]

No, we already have a retrospective approval process, it's called the report button.

 

[Plauged1]

Well, it might work. But, different threads with same titles might get locked for no reason. So, manual would be best.

 

[teisjm]

If some rich guy decided to hire extra staff to sit and check every single thread created fast enough for them to not "air" days after they were created then yes, otherwise no, cause it would slow things down a lot.

the easy solution would of course be just to stop posting in stupid threads or duplicate threads, then they would quickly die out, but when 10 people says "search button" in a thread they don't stop it, they just bump it 10 times

 

[XJ-0461]

Funny since this thread was done yesterday! Ok im not a duplicate thread enforcer, but they do annoy me. Should we suggest an open chat with the mods to brainstorm something? Or should they just refine the search button.

Seriously? Now I feel like an idiot...

 

[Damien the Pigeon]

I think so. I'm sorry if this sounds rude, but I'm tired of trying to come up with helpful threads or threads that provide topics for intelligent discussion, and then seeing them immediately buried by "Poll: Cats vs. Turtles vs. Muffins!" or "Poll: Should the US Ban Homosexuality?" It gets a bit old after a while seeing threads that have either been done to death or are created solely for getting badges.

*Steps off of soapbox*

That said, coming up with that system would be a lot of work, and I think that approving each thread might be too much of a workload for the staff to handle. For now, we should be our own thread-approvers by asking ourselves "does this matter?" when posting.

EDIT: And I'm not ranting against the Escapist. I freaking love the Escapist. I'm on here all the time. That's actually why it bums me out even more when I see the types of threads that I listed above.

 

[BallPtPenTheif]

it would stifle traffic. much like socialism, bureaucracies cannot effectively keep up with the dynamic nature of the populace.

 

[BallPtPenTheif]

i just hate threads that inspire lists with little to no discourse. so pointless.

 

[TheTygerfire]

Funny since this thread was done yesterday! Ok im not a duplicate thread enforcer, but they do annoy me. Should we suggest an open chat with the mods to brainstorm something? Or should they just refine the search button.

Seriously? Now I feel like an idiot...

I made a topic outlining some ideas to stop repeat threads, but yours wasn't one of them so it's different in that regard. Honestly didn't think of that, good one.

 

[Adfest]

No. The last thing this place needs is more micromanagement. Duplicate threads can be annoying, but this place moves fast enough that, unless you post in each one you see, the offenders fall off the first pages where they won't be able to warp any more fragile minds than necessary.

Also, not everybody likes to jump into a discussion that is 500 posts and going. Especially if the last post was 2 months ago. New threads with the same topic are more inviting to people who may have missed the last one. They inspire more ways to talk about our common interests.

 

[iJosh]

If it would work.

Then yes.

 

[DarkMessiah]

The real issue here is that a lot people are too quick to become riled and respond to trolls, and people who leave "Don't feed the troll" and "Report and move on" posts need to take their own advice. Every one of those posts is contributing to a thread that has no point, making the posted no better than the troll. If people really did just report and move on, there'd be less of an issue.

As for repeat threads, how about a duplicate check when starting a new thread and a "this thread may have been done before [insert link to thread]" message if it's a duplicate?

 

[AceDefective]

you know what would have been funny if the OP left this (no text)
that would be good

 

[AkJay]

there should be a way to search and see if a thread has been made before similar to one you are about to make.. oh wait...

 

[Trivun]

Given the thread that opened a very short while ago about "The Game", I can say yes. There should be an approval system. And as so many people have previously said, there needs to be a post cap that you have to reach before you can post a new thread. Contrary to popular belief it isn't just going to cause post whoring, and there is no evidence to suggest it will. There needs to be a better system, so any staff members reading this, please take these comments into consideration!

 

[Damien the Pigeon]

i just hate threads that inspire lists with little to no discourse. so pointless.

Amen, I am totally with you. See my above examples. I mean, someone actually made a thread the other day about "who killed who" in his own avatar. There was no setup, just a picture of a "bleeding" donut next to a normal donut. This was an actual thread that did pretty well. It's very, very sad.

 

[I Stomp on Kittens]

I don't think there should be, people should just think about it before they post.