Let me restate one of the things I said up-topic: If such a button existed, the response to anyone who complained about the volume of OT posts would be something like, "Well, then, filter them out!" Some threads would probably become overwhelmed by the off-topic sub-thread.
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Such a button would in almost every way be a bad idea. If you don't like off-topic posts, then do what is so common: complain about them. The complaint will cause a flurry of responses about the complaint, but eventually, they'll usually die down.
OK, I see why you think this is a negative, you think it would encourage people to post off-topic.
If I understand you, then you like the current amount of OT posts and like the fact that you can just complain on the thread if it gets to be too much. As you point out, for awhile at least it just gets worse after one of those "hey let's get back on topic" reminders, but then it does get better. I see those blow-ups as usually detracting from the thread more than the original OT post(s) in the first place. They often change the mood on the thread to one of combativeness, and that has a more negative, and much more lasting effect than the original OT posts.
You think (probably correctly) that this complaining would become ineffective in an environment with an OT filter. I posit that the complaining is ineffective now, but that at least with an OT filter you could turn it off it it got to be too much.
I also disagree that it would encourage OT posts. My experience is that people post OT with impunity now, so why would it go up? Nothing is stopping people today except the complaints you speak of, and my experience is that people don't complain much anymore because it's counterproductive. Complaining actually raises the percentage of OT posts. Sure it dies down eventually, but it would have anyway, and without the ill will caused by the spat. |
