Should A Moderator Be Allowed to Completely Change Thread Titles?
#1
DVD Talk Ultimate Edition
Thread Starter
Should A Moderator Be Allowed to Completely Change Thread Titles?
Today I was surprised to discover that my thread title about Phil Robertson was completely edited and changed to say Game of Thrones Discussion Thread (also: ducks). My impression was that the moderator did this to poke fun at me.
While I can certainly understand why a partial title change to update the topic status is warranted, a complete title change is basically attributing words directly to me that I did not write. If there is nothing wrong with changing the title then what is to stop a moderator from editing a post and completely changing post context?
Since a person's thread history including title is forever tied to their username, I don't think this practice should be allowed. A new user could do a search and wonder why I created a thread about Game of Thrones yet started talking about Phil Robertson.
If the explanation is that the thread topic has completely derailed from the original topic then shouldn't a moderator step in, close the thread and generate a new one?
While I can certainly understand why a partial title change to update the topic status is warranted, a complete title change is basically attributing words directly to me that I did not write. If there is nothing wrong with changing the title then what is to stop a moderator from editing a post and completely changing post context?
Since a person's thread history including title is forever tied to their username, I don't think this practice should be allowed. A new user could do a search and wonder why I created a thread about Game of Thrones yet started talking about Phil Robertson.
If the explanation is that the thread topic has completely derailed from the original topic then shouldn't a moderator step in, close the thread and generate a new one?
#3
DVD Talk Reviewer/ Admin
Join Date: Sep 1999
Location: Greenville, South Cackalack
Posts: 28,820
Received 1,881 Likes
on
1,238 Posts
Re: Should A Moderator Be Allowed to Completely Change Thread Titles?
I updated the thread title to indicate that Phil Robertson is not on Game of Thrones. In all seriousness, though:
If we were talking about a thread of reasonable length that's only just starting to veer off-topic, splitting the off-topic posts into another thread is a very viable option. I'd argue that in a very lengthy discussion, the most recent posts are more significant than the original ones. The goal is to encourage discussion, and closing a thread and trying to steer discussion somewhere else tends to do the opposite.
Ultimately, I'd leave it up to the judgement of the moderators.
Ultimately, I'd leave it up to the judgement of the moderators.
#4
Premium Member
Join Date: Jan 2000
Location: Grazing in a field somewhere...
Posts: 23,630
Received 694 Likes
on
464 Posts
Re: Should A Moderator Be Allowed to Completely Change Thread Titles?
It should also be moved to the book forum. Game of Thrones, Bible, Dictionary, yadda yadda...
At least it might die there.
At least it might die there.
#5
DVD Talk Ultimate Edition
Thread Starter
#7
DVD Talk Hero
Re: Should A Moderator Be Allowed to Completely Change Thread Titles?
When was Phil last discussed in that thread? If he's no longer being discussed then close the thread and start a general religion topic.
#8
Re: Should A Moderator Be Allowed to Completely Change Thread Titles?
Today I was surprised to discover that my thread title about Phil Robertson was completely edited and changed to say Game of Thrones Discussion Thread (also: ducks). My impression was that the moderator did this to poke fun at me.
While I can certainly understand why a partial title change to update the topic status is warranted, a complete title change is basically attributing words directly to me that I did not write. If there is nothing wrong with changing the title then what is to stop a moderator from editing a post and completely changing post context?
Since a person's thread history including title is forever tied to their username, I don't think this practice should be allowed. A new user could do a search and wonder why I created a thread about Game of Thrones yet started talking about Phil Robertson.
If the explanation is that the thread topic has completely derailed from the original topic then shouldn't a moderator step in, close the thread and generate a new one?
While I can certainly understand why a partial title change to update the topic status is warranted, a complete title change is basically attributing words directly to me that I did not write. If there is nothing wrong with changing the title then what is to stop a moderator from editing a post and completely changing post context?
Since a person's thread history including title is forever tied to their username, I don't think this practice should be allowed. A new user could do a search and wonder why I created a thread about Game of Thrones yet started talking about Phil Robertson.
If the explanation is that the thread topic has completely derailed from the original topic then shouldn't a moderator step in, close the thread and generate a new one?
#9
Moderator
Re: Should A Moderator Be Allowed to Completely Change Thread Titles?
I would honestly like to know your thoughts. A discussion was started earlier among the Mods about the closing of threads, and so far the thought is to err on the side of caution, allowing discussion to go on. Is that wrong thinking?
#11
Moderator
Re: Should A Moderator Be Allowed to Completely Change Thread Titles?
dvdjunkie,
Others can correct me, but it has been a long held belief here that threads, particularly lengthy ones, belong to the whole community and not simply the thread starter. It is one of the reasons why users aren't allowed to delete their own threads.
It has also been a long tradition that at times thread titles are changed by mods, usually for some small comedic effect, and are done so innocently enough. I am certain that it was not changed to poke fun at you, but as both Adam and Groucho stated, for a bit of levity reflecting the current state of the thread. Nothing more. I would ask that you take it in that manner.
Others can correct me, but it has been a long held belief here that threads, particularly lengthy ones, belong to the whole community and not simply the thread starter. It is one of the reasons why users aren't allowed to delete their own threads.
It has also been a long tradition that at times thread titles are changed by mods, usually for some small comedic effect, and are done so innocently enough. I am certain that it was not changed to poke fun at you, but as both Adam and Groucho stated, for a bit of levity reflecting the current state of the thread. Nothing more. I would ask that you take it in that manner.
#12
DVD Talk Hero
Re: Should A Moderator Be Allowed to Completely Change Thread Titles?
Do only threads in Other & Politics/Religion that stay precisely on topic have to remain open?
I would honestly like to know your thoughts. A discussion was started earlier among the Mods about the closing of threads, and so far the thought is to err on the side of caution, allowing discussion to go on. Is that wrong thinking?
I would honestly like to know your thoughts. A discussion was started earlier among the Mods about the closing of threads, and so far the thought is to err on the side of caution, allowing discussion to go on. Is that wrong thinking?
I know a lot of members enjoy this type of thread but, being in the minority, I just find it pointless... unless you want to reflect the change of discussion in the thread title.
#13
DVD Talk Hero
Re: Should A Moderator Be Allowed to Completely Change Thread Titles?
It does seem rather ridiculous that members aren't allowed to even "fix" a post in that forum, but mods can completely change titles simply for no other reason than being cute.
#14
Moderator
Re: Should A Moderator Be Allowed to Completely Change Thread Titles?
Can I agree with both of these sentiments? Because I do.
dvdjunkie,
Others can correct me, but it has been a long held belief here that threads, particularly lengthy ones, belong to the whole community and not simply the thread starter. It is one of the reasons why users aren't allowed to delete their own threads.
It has also been a long tradition that at times thread titles are changed by mods, usually for some small comedic effect, and are done so innocently enough. I am certain that it was not changed to poke fun at you, but as both Adam and Groucho stated, for a bit of levity reflecting the current state of the thread. Nothing more. I would ask that you take it in that manner.
Others can correct me, but it has been a long held belief here that threads, particularly lengthy ones, belong to the whole community and not simply the thread starter. It is one of the reasons why users aren't allowed to delete their own threads.
It has also been a long tradition that at times thread titles are changed by mods, usually for some small comedic effect, and are done so innocently enough. I am certain that it was not changed to poke fun at you, but as both Adam and Groucho stated, for a bit of levity reflecting the current state of the thread. Nothing more. I would ask that you take it in that manner.
#15
Moderator
Re: Should A Moderator Be Allowed to Completely Change Thread Titles?
Yes.
And I think Numanoid brings up a fair point. Perhaps there shouldn't be any thread changes, aside from the obvious ones such as errors or updates, in the Politics forum in the future. It is worth discussion. There is another side to the issue though.
And I think Numanoid brings up a fair point. Perhaps there shouldn't be any thread changes, aside from the obvious ones such as errors or updates, in the Politics forum in the future. It is worth discussion. There is another side to the issue though.
#16
Moderator
Re: Should A Moderator Be Allowed to Completely Change Thread Titles?
News flash: this forum does not revolve around you, and we aren't all out to get you. The title was changed because we had gotten COMPLETELY away from the original topic and everybody was (at that time) discussing Game of Thrones.
#17
DVD Talk Ultimate Edition
Thread Starter
Re: Should A Moderator Be Allowed to Completely Change Thread Titles?
I do appreciate you looking into the manner.
#18
DVD Talk Reviewer/ Admin
Join Date: Sep 1999
Location: Greenville, South Cackalack
Posts: 28,820
Received 1,881 Likes
on
1,238 Posts
Re: Should A Moderator Be Allowed to Completely Change Thread Titles?
I'm not a Politics mod, but I look at the two as being completely different things. To me, the most important thing is discussion. "Fixed" posts, at least as they were being overused in Politics, are the polar opposite of discussion. It's a snide way of saying "you're wrong, and I can't even be bothered to say why". If it were an infrequent thing, then whatever, but it was an epidemic for a while there.
#19
DVD Talk Legend
Re: Should A Moderator Be Allowed to Completely Change Thread Titles?
I think the difference is that title changes are obvious and funny, whereas post fixes are not always obvious or funny.
That said, I would allow fixes but require that they are clearly marked (for example by prefacing them with the word "[Fixed]" or by striking out the replaced words).
That said, I would allow fixes but require that they are clearly marked (for example by prefacing them with the word "[Fixed]" or by striking out the replaced words).
#20
DVD Talk Ultimate Edition
Thread Starter
Re: Should A Moderator Be Allowed to Completely Change Thread Titles?
In retrospect, the replies don't appear as harshly as I was perceiving yesterday, but I think my feelings are understandable when you have page after page of immediate replies mostly to the effect that I am stupid. It becomes white noise after awhile.
I never thought that the forum revolved around me. I actually don't like this level of attention so it's best that i keep my participation at a very limited level. I'm fine with whatever decision the moderators make regarding my question. Thank you.
#21
Re: Should A Moderator Be Allowed to Completely Change Thread Titles?
In this case, the title was changed for humor purposes, not to belittle dvdjunkie. However, the humor came from the fact that maybe a dozen posts talked about GoT. It wasn't as if the entire thread changed to a GoT discussion.
Aside from the title change, which I do not think should be permissible merely for humor reasons, the thread was full of personal attacks on the OP with no moderator intervention.
#22
Re: Should A Moderator Be Allowed to Completely Change Thread Titles?
Fair enough, but my feeling at the time was the GOT references were another form of mocking my posts so the thread title change just offered more encouragement in that direction. If that wasn't the case then I apologize.
In retrospect, the replies don't appear as harshly as I was perceiving yesterday, but I think my feelings are understandable when you have page after page of immediate replies mostly to the effect that I am stupid. It becomes white noise after awhile.
I never thought that the forum revolved around me. I actually don't like this level of attention so it's best that i keep my participation at a very limited level. I'm fine with whatever decision the moderators make regarding my question. Thank you.
In retrospect, the replies don't appear as harshly as I was perceiving yesterday, but I think my feelings are understandable when you have page after page of immediate replies mostly to the effect that I am stupid. It becomes white noise after awhile.
I never thought that the forum revolved around me. I actually don't like this level of attention so it's best that i keep my participation at a very limited level. I'm fine with whatever decision the moderators make regarding my question. Thank you.
#23
DVD Talk Godfather
Join Date: Oct 2003
Location: Home of 2013 NFL champion Seahawks
Posts: 52,628
Received 1,016 Likes
on
840 Posts
Re: Should A Moderator Be Allowed to Completely Change Thread Titles?
I was actually going to check out the brouhaha but I've only seen through season 2 and didn't want to get spoiled.
#24
Re: Should A Moderator Be Allowed to Completely Change Thread Titles?
There were a lot of spoiler tags thrown about but I just skipped everything to be safe. There was a lot of book vs show talk.
#25
DVD Talk Hero
Re: Should A Moderator Be Allowed to Completely Change Thread Titles?