2) This is for Jeff and the Mods - In the cases of what have been two of the most difficult and ultimately incredibly destructive threads on the board (on Atzmon and on Icke), there were multiple calls to lock the thread earlier on and the decision was made to not interfere. This was like having a nuclear reactor with the moderator rods removed. It's fate was sealed.
In both cases, those threads were allowed to go because they were the manifestation of a contentious interpersonal conflict that had been popping up in multiple threads. They were not locked because doing so would only lead to a continuation of the interpersonal conflict in other threads: more of a quarantine theory than any attempt at text-based nuclear fusion on our part.
As always, I remain a big fan of simply deleting personal attacks and single-sentence venom posts. (Ask Mason I Bilderberg! I think I've trimmed about 20% of his, uh, contributions here.)
d) That if a particular topic is potentially 'flammable' that a simple protocol is adopted.
At the top of the first post, the
"THIS IS A POTENTIALLY SENSITIVE FLAMMABLE COLOUR TOPIC - EXTRA MODERATION REQUESTED"
That currently already exists, in the form of flagging offensive posts. Puts a big red caution sign next to a thread, and that, for instance, is why I'm reading the Trayvon Martin thread every day now even though the topic is of minimal interest to me.
I would also point out that once "Flammable" threads get started, nobody's clicking on Page 1, are they?
If a thread is started with no outcome in mind - how is one supposed to know the best way to contribute???
That is a good point, but the vast majority of "threads" here are begun as reposts of news stories. Actual, focused, cultivated threads are a minority of what goes on here, like any natural system, most growth here happens quite by accident.
e) That there is a 'good practice' for thread titles
We have a good system of learning by example in place here, Elfis and PW always very helpful on that front.
And, of course, we have a few colorful characters who gleefully ignore/subvert any such goals. Spice of life.