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I think the reason for it was two-fold. First, just because someone ignored starts a thread, doesn't mean that the non-ignored replies in the thread have no value. Second, I think perhaps that people wanted a way to "cheat" the ignore option - ignored people can still be detected, if not always read.
But I've often found myself reading a thread "This makes no sense - wait... the OP must be on Ignore! - damnit I'm going to have to de-ignore them to find out what's going on!"
But I've often found myself reading a thread "This makes no sense - wait... the OP must be on Ignore! - damnit I'm going to have to de-ignore them to find out what's going on!"
For me, ignorance would be bliss.
While "often" is a relative term (and I'll use it myself, knowing this to be true), this is a sign that either you have a lot of people on ignore or that the people you have on ignore post a lot or start a lot of threads. I find that a couple of the six or eight people I have on ignore are some of the more prolific posters, in streaks, that post in the General forum over the last year and a half. Sometimes, either a thread will not make sense because one of them starts it and posts a lot within it or because they join a thread and post every second on third post while they are online that time/session (as often as not because they take exception with something about the thread and will keep badgering the other poster(s) until someone is tossed from the thread or it is closed or they need to log off). It is also, as often as not, edition war related.
But, I will check out threads that were closed to see why, and just to see examples of what the mods are looking for.
As do I, though there's been a few recent cases where the reason for locking is not entirely obvious even after reading the mod's red/orange letters - a few 5e-related threads in "general" leap to mind as examples.
As for the "ignore" function, I have yet to use it, as everyone sooner or later has something worthwhile to say and I'd rather not miss it when it happens.
Lan-"I'm an Orc Berserker - what's my pick-locks roll to open threads?"-efan
Personally, I don't use the ignore function, I just use my own discretion.
For example- I found myself charging into piracy threads like a Barb/Paladin (yeah, I know) intent upon textually swatting down those who misunderstood/mis-stated/ignored the laws regarding piracy because I'm an Entertainment lawyer.
Then I realized:
1) it was doing almost no good- most of those people weren't listening.
2) it was driving my already high blood pressure up. At times, I could actually hear the blood rushing in my veins...RAWR!
3) my posts on the subject were spiraling ever closer to being ban-worthy in their hostility...even when I tried to be cool, calm and collected.
So instead of putting certain posters on ignore, I instead just stopped participating in piracy threads.
So instead of putting certain posters on ignore, I instead just stopped participating in piracy threads.
The result is a shame, though. One of the strengths of EN World is its breadth of knowledge and I think we lose some of our best experts when they feel they cannot post rather than risk becoming embroiled in a thread where some will troll or use rhetorical fallacies to push agendas and shut down useful discussion.
The result is a shame, though. One of the strengths of EN World is its breadth of knowledge and I think we lose some of our best experts when they feel they cannot post rather than risk becoming embroiled in a thread where some will troll or use rhetorical fallacies to push agendas and shut down useful discussion.
Actually, for me its just a way for me to keep from dealing with the same stuff I deal with professionally.
If someone asked me something directly, I'd respond.
However, most of the piracy threads simply rehash the same positions that get espoused in courts. Its simply not productive or healthy for me to participate.
Besides, there are a fair number of IP experts on this site, representing a broad spectrum of positions on the subject. I'm a bit more pro-IP creator than some, since...well...my clients are IP creators.
If I were in Court, I'd cite a case and hand over a copy of the case or law or whatever...but not all of that stuff is available online, at least not for free. And if you can't provide an online cite, those contra your position won't believe you. Even if its settled law.
So, instead of beating my head against the wall, I opt out.
...and opt INTO helping people do conversions, come up with creative PCs, refine nifty campaign ideas and so forth. Very fun, very theraputic.
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