Treadcapping

[JoeGKushner]

So why do people do it?

For me, it's sometimes because I see a post I so disagree with, I find myself almost unwillingly typing out something that has little to do with the poster's theme and just pointing out how I feel that they are in essence putting up the crazy fruit for the internet to be poisoned by.

You know, stuff like comparing two products and someone will come in and mention a product that's not even in the same vein, or talking about the one true way to GM and how many people agree with him, or complain about how Exalted 2nd edition is going to suck. You know, those things.

Is it just because we don't have to be polite on the 'net? Is it because, like the old New Yorker carton stated, "On the internet, no one knows you're a dog."

 

[reveal]

So why do people do it?

For me, it's sometimes because I see a post I so disagree with, I find myself almost unwillingly typing out something that has little to do with the poster's theme and just pointing out how I feel that they are in essence putting up the crazy fruit for the internet to be poisoned by.

You know, stuff like comparing two products and someone will come in and mention a product that's not even in the same vein, or talking about the one true way to GM and how many people agree with him, or complain about how Exalted 2nd edition is going to suck. You know, those things.

Is it just because we don't have to be polite on the 'net? Is it because, like the old New Yorker carton stated, "On the internet, no one knows you're a dog."

A) I didn't know what Treadcapping was so I had to look.

B) I usually do it by accident. I try not to do it but, when I do and and called on it, I'll back off. I see it as bad form.

 

[Jupp]

Its a behaviour you also see an awfull lot in real discussions between people. There is sometimes a point where a single sentence changes the topic of the whole discussion. Sometimes later on it may go back on topic but thats not guaranteed IMO it's natural for this to happen from time to time. Then it just needs someone to bring the whole thing back on track.

 

[Psion]

Any chance you meant "threadcrapping"?

 

[Darrin Drader]

For me, it's sometimes because I see a post I so disagree with, I find myself almost unwillingly typing out something that has little to do with the poster's theme and just pointing out how I feel that they are in essence putting up the crazy fruit for the internet to be poisoned by.

Yeah, that's about the reason I do it, when I do it, which isn't often. At least not here.

Any chance you meant "threadcrapping"?

I thought "treadcrapping" was more amusing anyway. Somehow I pictured a tank that couldn't go anywhere because it was stuck in an enormous pile of poo.

 

[mcrow]

I don't know. Most of the time when I threadcap, is by pure accident. I didin't mean to highjack the thread or anything, just had to respond to something somone said and it ends up geing off topic by time I finish. I don't do it to be rude, I just don't realize I did it until after I click the submit button. I guess it is human nature. It is obvious though that it irks some people pretty bad.

 

[The Shaman]

I don't see it as a big deal.

What is a big deal is the Vancian magic system. I didn't care for it in 1e D&D, and I like it even less in 3e- the idea that nearly all spells take only an action to cast, especially with teh broken!!111!! 3.0 haste, removed a lot of the flavor and the tactical considerations of 1e spells that could take anywhere from a segment to days to cast. Since 3e is so concerned with tactics, making magic so harmless and so reliable removed a lot of what I think is the feel of fantasy magic, as seen in the novels of Leiber and Howard.

 

[mcrow]

I don't see it as a big deal.

What is a big deal is the Vancian magic system. I didn't care for it in 1e D&D, and I like it even less in 3e- the idea that nearly all spells take only an action to cast, especially with teh broken!!111!! 3.0 haste, removed a lot of the flavor and the tactical considerations of 1e spells that could take anywhere from a segment to days to cast. Since 3e is so concerned with tactics, making magic so harmless and so reliable removed a lot of what I think is the feel of fantasy magic, as seen in the novels of Leiber and Howard.

LOL!!

 

[reveal]

I don't see it as a big deal.

What is a big deal is the Vancian magic system. I didn't care for it in 1e D&D, and I like it even less in 3e- the idea that nearly all spells take only an action to cast, especially with teh broken!!111!! 3.0 haste, removed a lot of the flavor and the tactical considerations of 1e spells that could take anywhere from a segment to days to cast. Since 3e is so concerned with tactics, making magic so harmless and so reliable removed a lot of what I think is the feel of fantasy magic, as seen in the novels of Leiber and Howard.

And The Shaman leaves his mark...

 

[Pielorinho]

I think threadcrapping involves more than just hijacking a thread--it's not just when someone picks up on a minor or tangential point and posts something very provocative about that minor point.

Threadcrapping is specifically when folks are having a lot of fun discussing something they really enjoy, and someone else comes into the thread for the sole purpose of telling them how much it sucks.

"Who likes moonpies! I do!"
"Ooh, moonpies. Nothing beats a moonpie with an RC Cola. You can feel your teeth dissolving. It's great."
"Have you ever tried a banana Moonpie? They move into wrong, straight past nasty, and out the other side into a metaphysically pure state of enlightened bliss."
"I'm not so fond of the Banana ones, but you know what rocks? Take your Moonpie, and put it in the microwave for twenty seconds before eating it. Pure gooey yum! But unwrap it first, or you'll be sorry."
"What the hell's wrong with all of you? Moonpies are disgusting, and only idiots and children eat them. Grow some tastebuds, and try something real for a change, maybe a homemade eclair or a fresh-baked carob-tofu treat. Trust me: you'll be glad you started eating real food instead of that plastic crap."

That's threadcrapping.

This, by the way, is threadmoving, something totally different .

Daniel