Searching/reviving old threads vs starting new ones

I'm not sure why people get so up in arms either way but I would note that the search functionality on this site is pretty terrible. I have searched for a word I knew was in the title of a thread and it didn't come up. I scrolled back through pages and pages and found it, and confirmed that it did have the word I searched for. That can make it challenging to go that route. I once searched for a thread on a topic, didn't find anything on point, started one, and someone said I "stole" their prior thread. (I'm not crying any tears or anything. Just noting it happened. I don't believe it's necessary to respond to such things.) It would be much nicer if people recognized that and just nicely responded with a link, but I realize that's unrealistic here. It's a board about drama after all!

I too have noticed this. One example was in one of the "reviews" thread someone commented it should only be used for posting and commenting on an official review. Then someone started a new thread on a narrowe topic about that show and someone said "I don't know why we need a new thread when we have a reviews thread." This was a few months back when I had just discovered this board and I was pretty confused as to proper posting etiquette. I've since realized there really is none. So thanks for posting this.

You have to factor out Philly and other people who seem to revive old threads to not add anything new to the discussion (See Jeremy Jordan underwear thread).

The biggest peeve seems to be when a thread is created through the perceived lens of narcissism and a view that the poster is creating a new thread to put themselves at the center of the discussion. Like starting a new Hamilton thread to make sure your opinion is set off from the rest, despite there being a handful of active threads discussing the show already, etc.

I usually post links to existing threads when someone creates a new one merely because the Search function is a bit wonky on here, and I realize some people don't realize they are repeating an existing thread, and especially for a smaller show, it's best to keep all the discussion about that show in one place, rather than bifurcate the discussion across multiple threads.

I don't think anyone resurrecting an old thread and asking something valid about an old production or bringing something of value to an old discussion would get flamed.

Of course, this also has to do with board software that is missing a few functions, like the ability to close threads, merge threads, etc. On other boards, a moderator would add a link to the other thread and then close that one, forcing the discussion on the original, whereas here it becomes another reply and then people will still use both, etc.

I agree what haterobics said. I don't mind old threads coming back but seems some posters, Philly as an example just does it with nothing to add to the thread.

When there us already a thread on your topic right there on the first page, why start another? (Hamilton)

When someone asks a question about a show that's been closed, isn't it quite LIKELY that an old thread exists? (What did people think of Legally Blonde, for example.)

Bringing back old threads for no reason or responding to them like they are fresh is just egotistical.

We've had lots of folks TELL us they looked and couldn't find a thread, or because they felt their question was in a different mind set so they started a new thread. I've never seen anyone get grief for that.

Updated On: 8/22/15 at 11:40 AM

If a thread has been dead longer than a year, it is time for a new conversation. It is not ok, on any forum, to bring back a six year old thread.

Along the same line of thought, there's a really irritating double-standard that exists on this board that nobody seems to acknowledge. We see all these long threads that go on for pages and pages, that contain all kinds of arguments, personal attacks, side-conversations and complete diversions from the original topic. Or sometimes the topic is just so broad that the discussion is difficult to keep track of. Nobody on this board has any problem with clogging up these relevant threads, but the moment someone starts a new thread, they are criticized.

For example, around Tony Time:. I brought up this point a few months ago and I was completely shot down immediately: I proposed that was actually EASIER to have a different thread to discuss each category, because having one thread to discuss all the categories gets really haphazard, and no one can keep track of the discussion around one single category Immediately people freaked out and said stuff like "wat???? duh it's easier to have just one thread why should we have so many threads duh"

(I'm not talking about those threads that are just started to set their own opinion apart from the rest, I'm more talking about the threads that are started to discuss "featured actor in a musical," for example, when there might already be a crazy "acting nominations" thread)

But here's a thought: it's actually easier to skip past 8 threads than it is to skip past 100 unrelated posts. Threads on the main board hardly take up any space. It's so easy to ignore them, but pages and pages of haphazard discussion about all kinds of unrelated stuff, ARE HARDER TO SIFT THROUGH

phew, sorry about the rant.

You're right, and I guess I'm sort of cramming 2 points into one here.

My first is that there is a double standard, where people hate it when even 1 unnecessary thread is created, but they are fine with copious amounts excess posting.

My second, related, point is that sometimes having multiple specific threads is actually more organized and easy to follow than one, broad thread topic.

Speaking of old threads, is there someone who can find the very first thread on this board?

jimmycurry01 said: "If a thread has been dead longer than a year, it is time for a new conversation. It is not ok, on any forum, to bring back a six year old thread.

Leaving pinto's nonsensical bumping aside, sometimes there are very good threads from at least 6 years ago about the shows from that season. Many times I'll come to a show late and bump old threads (which already have a lot of excellent posts) to see if anyone has new thoughts all these years on.

Otherwise I agree 100% with everything dramamamma said.

I would always say search first. I love to read previews threads. Even before I created an account, I would often find a new show that I liked (one that recently opened or was revived) and look for the previews thread. There's no reason to ask what people thought of WOMEN ON THE VERGE when it was in previews when there is a 40+ page thread on it.

LizzieCurry said: "jimmycurry01 said: "If a thread has been dead longer than a year, it is time for a new conversation. It is not ok, on any forum, to bring back a six year old thread. "

I don't see why not. Sometimes old knowledge is forgotten. And oftentimes old threads can be hilarious, however inadvertently.

"

I think in that case a new thread should be stated with a reference or link to an ancient thread. It is great to revisit old tips, but if a thread hasn't been seen in more than half a decade, I think a new thread is warrranted.

DO WHATEVER THE F*CK YOU WANT !