Why is intentoinally derailing threads tolerated?

[TheSpaniard]

Why is it okay to go onto a thread, post a bunch of irrelevant junk, because you want to see it die? Why does it happen while no moderator, or DM, ever calls them out? Locking a topic should be the solution when there is nothing constructive and it turns into a flame war.

**Note: Disagreeing is probably the most constructive response you can make. Misreading, misquoting, and purposely killing a conversation is not constructive.**

However, if you're having a good discussion before a few start derailing, why not just erase the irrelevant posts, and let the people trying to have a legitimate exchange of information continue doing so?

I've seen this happen numerous times, and it's always jarring even when I'm not involved in the discussion. I am sure that I'm not the only person who feels this way about this unsavory, selfish, and high-minded behavior.

Now to the perpetrators:

If you don't want to read something, then don't. Don't ruin a perfectly good discussion because your head hurts when you see people talking things through. There's nothing wrong with arguing, there's nothing wrong with discussions, even when discussing rules that are set in stone.

Also, argue the points being made, don't use threads as some lame excuse to rant about some topic you've been wanting to get off your chest. Somebody's topic isn't the correct spot for that and, generally, you will just make people angry and not explain yourself anyway.

[Darkshard]

If you have a problem with a particular thread or post, then please report it to the moderators. I personally hate locking threads and prefer to cling to the possibility that they will eventually return to mature, constructive discussion. Unfortunately, many people cannot help themselves but to transform into rabid, foaming-at-the-mouth flame monsters as soon as they get on an internet board where they can say whatever they want from behind the veil of anonymity.

Locking is therefore necessary from time to time. So if you if you think it is warranted then let us know. However, please note that someone disagreeing with you is a not a good reason to shut down discussion.

[TheSpaniard]

I agree completely, that's essentially what I mean: delete irrelevant posts that do nothing but fuel animosity, not lock the entire thread. And animosity is shown when people start flinging insults, saying things to derail the thread, and etc... I think disagreeing is a good thing which is why disagreements should be flushed out so that the same arguments, bitter rivalries, and problems stop cropping back up.

If no one seems to be able to talk about things calmly, and reasonably, then fine. Lock it. But if people are still mulling things through, bouncing ideas off one another, the thread shouldn't be locked because of one person's instigating a gut reaction from others.

[Luna]

Sometimes we are not on the forum or able to keep up with the posts.

Like Darkshard said, send a message to the Moderator and DM Groups if you feel a thread is out of control.
Whom ever gets to the message first should take care of it.

[Darkshard]

We will only remove specific posts if they are clear violations of the forum rules, otherwise people feel unfairly targeted/censored. Unlike your thread title suggests, I actually think most derailing is unintentional; those posters often sincerely believe they are being helpful even when they are actually being downright counter-productive.

Report posts if you feel they violate forum rules.

[Servin]

So if a thread gets locked for being de-railed, can it be reopened without being considered as spam as the OP or other posters think the main matter in hand has not been yet solved?

Mind you, opening for discussion and opening to carry on trolling are two different things and I only refer to the first one.

[Darkshard]

In that case you can ask the DMs to unlock the thread after some time has passed. We will usually do so if we think cooler heads will prevail.

[Thorsson]

Is it time to intentionally derail this thread yet?

[DM Fugue]

Is it time to intentionally derail this thread yet?

Yes.