Okay, I can understand why people don't think we should change anything.

Our primary area of concern and contention is over thread creation. Clearly, very few people think the system is broken, but at least some people think maybe thread creation voting needs to be looked at some more. Not necessarily changed, but looked at.

First, thanks again to the people who worked on the poll.

The survey question was worded, "If we do create a check on thread creation, what should it be?" (emphasis mine). Someone could easily be against changing the rules, but IF the rules are to be changed a greater threshhold is the way to go. Also, fewer people answered that question, so the 53% is misleading.

Except that the question just before that one was: "Do we need to have some kind of check on thread creation to maintain the cultural center?" and a plurality answered "Yes."

Yes, but almost the same number (38.5%) said they were unsure, so I don't really see a mandate for changing the rules.

From the comments:

This poll seems to be founded on the assumption that the so-called "cultural center" of the Buffistas is the most important thing about the board, which marginalizes anyone who doesn't care to participate in the social threads. Not everyone is interested in talking about fashion, which Buffistas are PMSing, and/or how cruel the networks are to Tim Minear.

I really didn't see anything that said to me that "cultural center" equals "social threads." I thought by cultural center we meant the ineffable something that make this board different than other boards.

I want to speak up for the lurkers, since I was one for quite a while. I think most lurkers mean to post, sometime, but a lot of the time jumping into a conversation here is like jumping from a horse onto a moving train. I don't think I'm really a core Buffista, but this board is very important to me.

I really didn't see anything that said to me that "cultural center" equals "social threads." I thought by cultural center we meant the ineffable something that make this board different than other boards.

Well, I think there have been statements that Natter/Bitches are the heart of the board, and one of the reasons I was interested in seeing the poll results was to see to what extent that was true.

I don't think I'm really a core Buffista

@@ You traveled halfway across the country and survived a random cat attack and a chipped tooth to hug Nilly in person. That's hard-core core!

I think I am vaguely reactionary, because I sort of think Buffy is the heart of this board-- the one thing we all have in common.

Surely anyone would do anything they could to hug Nilly.

because I sort of think Buffy is the heart of this board-- the one thing we all have in common.

"But that was in another country, and besides, the wench is dead."

I wonder how many people have joined this board since Buffy/Angel went off the air.

edit: I have to confess, I posted this mostly so I could put in that quote.

I wonder how many people have joined this board since Buffy/Angel went off the air.

I'm not sure that's a totally relevant number, since we were/are also supporting all things Joss and Tim.

One thing I will say -- if a board isn't a little dynamic, you end up managing it into decline.

Which is one of the reasons I think the poll results are (fairly) unsurprising. People fear change, but at the same time interests do (change). The heart of this website -- from my perspective -- is television and entertainment, with a community based around it.

I think I am vaguely reactionary, because I sort of think Buffy is the heart of this board--

I think that's a good point. Buffy at the very least gives the board a shared language. "Monkey pants," "a ritual sacrifice with pie," "insane troll logic," and "linoleum" conjure the same images.