A virus called “nonsense threads"

[Haltickling]

A virus seems to have infected the TMF lately. It spreads rapidly and is obviously highly contagious. It puts some TMF members under compulsion to utter completely nonsensical words and sentences; sometimes the infection shows disguised as an old Sesame Street game for kids learning the alphabet. One of those threads has already inflated up to over 5000 replies. Along with that infection, there comes a manic kind of record chase, whose penultimate target obviously is to drive up the numbers of posts to astronomic levels with as little brain effort as possible.

Read me right, I don’t mind your having fun in your own way, and I’m fond of a little nonsense myself from time to time. What worries me is the fact that these threads are slowly taking over the whole General Discussion forum, drowning out more serious discussions by sheer number. What worries me even more is the question: Is this really the entertainment level of the 21st century’s young adults? Is this what you see as the function of a General Discussion forum? Does this virus show up in other forums as well, or is it restricted to the TMF (or the tickling community in general)?

I’d really appreciate serious replies only, as I hope there are some voices of reason here, too. Thanks!

 

[Myriads]

Is this what you see as the function of a General Discussion forum? Does this virus show up in other forums as well, or is it restricted to the TMF

We see it as a valid use of the GenDis Forum and have no issue with it in this sub-forum. This is the place for fun stuff like it.

And yes it does show up on other forums that have grown into communities. It's very common, though each community takes on it's own posting quirks and styles.

Myriads

 

[BigJim]

One thing I've noticed, is that as these threads get more numerous (various different games and different colours of marmalade, different games, etc...) more and more of the first page in Gen. Dis. is getting swallowed by them. I'm only surprised that the stupid question, stupid answer game died out.

Soon I can imagine having to go to page three or four to get to anything resembling a serious thread.

Of course I have participated in these threads to a certain degree and have certainly been guilty of what is considered "having a conversation about nothing" (as Jeff described it) in the past too. Maybe I should just shut the hell up and look in the mirror. I think it was quieter and less obtrusive back in my main hey-day though. But maybe that was because I was the only one doing it. I certainly think I understand more about the problem now though.

 

[BigJim]

Just did a quick investigation. I found at least three threads soley about marmalade in under five minutes. LOL And what is especially scary is that Ice didn't start all of them!

 

[P50]

Hmmm,,,,,,

A desire for "serious" discussion in the Tickling Media Forum Website.

I'm trying to imagine it now; you are sitting at a table,,,
-- in your workplace
-- in your church
-- with your homeowner's association
-- for your volunteer fire department council
-- at your PTA monthly meeting
-- with your insurance agent
-- with small town government
-- for the local water board
-- with your electricity cooperative

,,,anyway,,, you get the idea,,, and some topic for consideration arises, and then you openly reflect on it with comments like, "...yes, that reminds me of a discussion recently on the Tickling Media Forum General Discussion. What I found, after extensive discourse with other signficant Tickling communinty members, was that blah, blah, blah..."

 

[Limeoutsider]

I think what Hal is getting at is that the "nonsesne" threads are OK, provided they arent created en mass, and that he would like to have some serious discussions without the thread being hijacked or scrolled to the 8th page in a matter of 5 minutes

 

[Haltickling]

Bingo, Lime! My compliments... 😎

 

[grippedchimp]

They're just milking that marmalade "joke" too much. Please, make it stop!!!

 

[JoBelle]

Personally, I think the rise in such "nonsense threads" is related DIRECTLY to the fact that most other topics have recently turned into nothing but flame wars. A round of silliness was due. It's allowed everyone to back off the morally challenging stance and banter around a bit of lighthearted fun.

At least in those threads, no one has to go on the defensive just because they shared a view. Maybe it will have the same effect as a silly dance does during a party. It gets people together that might not otherwise inereact and result in a conversation after the fact.

That's just MY opinion.
Jo

 

[amk714]

Not surprisingly, I don't have a problem with these so-called "nonsense threads," but Hal makes some good points. Interestingly enough, some of the people in those threads have not posted to this one yet. Coincidence? 😉

 

[His Divine Shadow]

Was that a jab at me? *Grins*😀

Well, I can say I have posted more than my fair share in these Nonsense Threads. But I agree with Joby and want to add one thing: From what I see to day of the serious world, filled with bombs, death, arrests, and problems galore, a little of the nonsense seems to be a very nice distraction indeed.

 

[kurchatovium]

Reported today by the WHO a new virus infecting millions it is called the nonsense virus. Symptoms may include the following:

1) A lack of flaming or a lack of rude incosiderate behavoir in general.

2) Outward expressions of joy and love and compassion for others.

3) Fun and overall feeling of enjoyment.

4) Silliness.

The disease itself is not fatal but highly contagious. The only known cure is to consume copious quantities of orange marmalade which can be purchased through Phelgm Inc.

 

[kurchatovium]

Please forgive me if that last reply was not serious as I have been recently infected with the virus that Hal describes. I have eaten copious amounts of orange marmalade but this seems to have had no effect. I must be a carrier. Please forgive my intrusion and return to your sensible discussion of nonsensible things.

 

[Mimi]

I admit I am one of the 'nonsense thread' posters. Been having a lot of fun in the marmalade and complaint threads. And yes, I agree, they CAN be cluttering, but I rather enjoy them. I have gotten to know several of the forum members on a much more friendly basis thanks to those fluff threads, and by my participation in them, I feel more like "one of the gang". As a mod, it feels good to just drop the serious tone and stone face, kick off my shoes, and run naked through the streets with the hooligans. A little silliness and rebelion can go a long way for stress relief. And I'd MUCH rather see 3-4 pages of random silliness and folks having a blast, than the entire first page filled with depressing, flame filled, controversial discussions that leave everyone feeling angry about something or at someone.

Life offers little we can laugh at. Clutch your opportunities and hold them dear, for they are often few and far between 🙂

Mimi

 

[His Divine Shadow]

Life offers little we can laugh at. Clutch your opportunities and hold them dear, for they are often few and far between 🙂

Mimi

Amen.

 

[THE THREAD]

Why do things have to make sense all the time? Why can't you just enjoy things now and then? Can you make sense of a field of flowers? Can you analyze a toddler trying to take his first steps? What is wrong with a forum filled with laughter and joy from time to time especially if it helps people to get to know one another? First people complain about all the heated debates about the war, now your complaining that things are to happy and lighthearted. I really don't get it. Kurchatovium taught me there was more to this life than just logic and data. He taught me to have fun and through a widdle teddy he taught me to wuv. To me my happiness and joy is all the sense I need. I wish you all as much happiness, joy and wuv as I have received and also a great deal of silliness.😀

 

[grippedchimp]

So maybe nonsense threads DO have a purpose after all: They are a deterrant for flame wars! That said, I never read any of those two kinda threads, so 😛

 

[BigJim]

Why don't we all just ask MYriads to create a new forum called the "Casual Thread Forum"? That way everyone who wants to lighten up can go there and do everything the Meemster just mentioned while the rest of us miserable bastards can get on with flaming, being miserable, not eating orange marmalade, bringing down the tone and wishing we could be mods.

 

[TicklingDuo]

I must admit that I'm bugged a bit by the sheer volume of nonsense threads. But, I do agree that we needed some silliness to get us to lighten up a bit. The war and other heavy political topics in GD and some conflicts in TD have had everyone on edge for a while and we needed the break. My only real difficulty with it is that it tends to push more serious discussion out of existence since many only go to threads on the first page. That's something that seems easy to remedy. But, when folks only have a few minutes to spend here, they aren't likely to go searching. So, I'd be happy to see the volume of such threads decrease a bit. But, if they don't...that's life! 😉

Ann

 

[His Divine Shadow]

I have done a little good. One of these Nonsense Threads, the one I started, is set to be closed by Myriads when he gets my PM. That should free up a little space.

 

[kurchatovium]

Let me be serious for a moment, don't worry it won't last long...

I have been in various political discussions and I find that all they ever end up in is the usual flame wars. People keep arguing the same point over and over and don't bother to even consider your point of view might be right or at the very least legitimate. I grew weary of it. In the end I did not enjoy what I was doing. If I wanted to be a politcal commentator I would have chose it as a profession. I came to this forum to enjoy my love tickling and to have fun. So I started to be silly for those that know me this is the real me. I am much happier and I suspect though there are those who don't want to admit it so are some of you. So here I am. A man with sentient teddy bear and a sentient ball of Hyperplasma as best friends. A purveyor of high energy marmalade products in an otherwise sensible world. A High Priest of Silliness. A Prophet of Nonsense. So though I will chime in from time to time on politcal issues to keep you guys honest. I will for the most part be responsible for at least some of the comedic content of this forum. I shall and will always be the court jester of this place. For those who hate rubber chickens and seltzer down your pants you may not wish to participate in my threads but I suspect you shall look if not just out of curiosity. Remember as a comedian once said "Dying is easy. It's comedy thats hard.".

I now return you to my regularly scheduled insanity.

 

[BigJim]

I'd like to apologise if anyone thinks I'm a miserable bastard, right now.

Having read everyone's comments I DO understand the need to have dopey threads. As Mimi says they can be a neat way of seeing through the personality armour chinks, and really getting to know someone. So guys, if I've come across as a total kiljoy... I'm sorry.


Having said that, 7 or 8 threads of this sort all running concurently can get a bit wearing and difficult to dig under. Maybe we could come up with a rule or something that gets a thread locked after a certain amount of time? Anyone think that might be a good idea?


Okay, back to the sillyness.😀😀😀

 

[TicklingDuo]

Maybe we could come up with a rule or something that gets a thread locked after a certain amount of time? Anyone think that might be a good idea?

That would be fine if there was nothing going on. But, I'd hate to see it happen if there was good exchange of thoughts going on...even if those thoughts were silly ones. I can see locking threads that have become counterproductive and/or downright destructive. But, I think we'd have to take a good look at the parameters of doing it for other reasons. Perhaps locking those that have been inactive for more than a certain period of time or something like that? But, as long as they remain active and civil, I don't think it's a biggie.

One suggestion for those who want your favorite threads to show up on the first page... make sure your preferences are set for the max # of threads for the page. I think it's 40. Then, we can have a dozen silly threads without pushing it off the lead page. Just a thought.

Ann

 

[JoBelle]

Just curious about something.

We're focusing on the silly threads since that is the topic, obviously. BUT...what are the hard pressing topics that are being tossed to page two for the sake of them?

I've rambled through all of thre threads, but as a rule even the other topics on page one aren't gathering up a lot of posts. I mean, no more than the bottom of the page posts normally get even when the silliness isn't running amuck! Not trying to be argumentative, but I don't see the problem as a problem at this point. Nobody jump down my throat, as I'm not meaning to insult or offend...I'm just curious. 🙂

Did I say Amuck? Amuck, amuck, amuck. 😉

That last bit in honor of his Majesty de Giggles, Emperor Kurtchie.

Jo

 

[BigJim]

Not trying to be argumentative, but I don't see the problem as a problem at this point. Nobody jump down my throat, as I'm not meaning to insult or offend...I'm just curious. 🙂

Jo

The mod staff are pretty clued up. If there was a serious problem or enough people had complained, I'm sure they'd act.

Apparently it was a loss of a few members because of nonsense posting, that triggered last year's "Great Post Holocaust" that saw me and Alex lose about 800 posts between us.