But--but--the fact that people want to create more tv threads to talk about tv *here* rather than elsewhere argues the social nature of b.org. Talking about your shows in Boxed Set is a social occasion--we don't *just* talk about the shows, it's specific people with specific knowledge, preference, and POV talking about the shows. We *know* the other posters, have more than an inkling of what they'll bring to discussion, and are eager to hear what they got out of the show we watched, from our own POV. It's looking to expand our view of those shows, which is what being social creatures is all about, isn't it?

So I think hanging the "social" sign on Bitches and Natter and not on tv threads is not accurate. If all anybody wanted was to discuss a given tv show, they'd be off doing it elsewhere. It's the social nature of discussion here that people seem to want.

If all anybody wants is to be able to create a thread at will to discuss navel lint and see if it attracts other posters, and how long it's active, and to discard it when it sinks like stone, then I'm not being wilfully blind when I can't see what the attraction of *this* board is, other than it's pretty and efficient, loads fast and doesn't go down like a two-dollar hooker everytime the internet hiccups.

This is a social board. It is a community. And people do seem to recognize the difference between it and elsewhere, even if they're not aware of it.

So I think hanging the "social" sign on Bitches and Natter and not on tv threads is not accurate. If all anybody wanted was to discuss a given tv show, they'd be off doing it elsewhere. It's the social nature of discussion here that people seem to want.

Yes, this. ALL the threads are social threads (excepting COMM, Press, and assorted other sidebar tool-type threads). Just because a thread has a topic doesn't make it asocial. Or nonsocial.

It's the small-group cf. the large group.

Although I think the way I interpreted the poll was that social meant Natter and Bitches.

That being said, if Connie's proposal doesn't pass, I think I'd like to craft a proposal dividing along genre lines, with the subset that individual show threads that generate enough robust discussion could be proposed as individual threads.

I think this is sort of where I was heading the last time I was all, "we already are a general tv board." If we're going to have broader discussions, if we're going to continue to create additional threads, then I'd like for us to set up a mechanism whereby we have stringent criteria that a show in a larger thread, maybe a genre thread, must meet to spin off as an individual thread. And then criteria for shutting it down. Then the process could happen more transparently, and without all the hubbub, bub.

Like maybe second season shows, generating sustained discussion over a number of days each week, involving a number of posters, including offseason discussion. That would limit it to the more speculative, in-depth conversations, not just the shows we like in passing. That criteria, for example, might have still spun off Heroes, but not HIMYM, which many of us love, but it's not the sort of show that supports sustained discourse.

And then equally, if a show goes off the air, the thread closes automatically within a certain period of time. If discussion wanes beyond a certain agreed-on threshold, we close it, and discussion reverts to its original location.

The reason I tentatively like what SA is saying is that we could still limit the scope by which genres we create support for. We don't have to be a place to discuss all shows with equal aplomb.

For dealing with spoilers & usability, discussion in genre threads would need to be labeled, better than we do now, and no whitefont in the individual threads.

This is all *if* we need to go down that road. I'm not too clear on it, since a significant majority did say things were working and didn't need major revision.

Why talk about TV here if not because of the people you're discussing it with?

Interesting question. For me, I joined because -- a think -- something to do with THE INSIDE. I think a Tim post.

However, I stuck around because I got to know a few people, and ventured into other topics for precisely that reason. I hung around in Comedy (when it was around) because I knew a few of the posters, the main show (The Office) I love, and it was great fun.

The main reason I come here is TV. I also like the atmosphere (er, most of the time) and people. So Buffistas for the win. Although I do feel disenfranchised as a poster in a way, as I can't keep up with Natter (or always translate the posts), and the TV topics don't always work for me at present.

Also, to be clear I didn't submit any of the comments on the survey, so the snark about core posters didn't come from me either. I was quite surprised about how bitter some of the commentary was to be honest.

If we're going to have broader discussions, if we're going to continue to create additional threads, then I'd like for us to set up a mechanism whereby we have stringent criteria that a show in a larger thread, maybe a genre thread, must meet to spin off as an individual thread. And then criteria for shutting it down. Then the process could happen more transparently, and without all the hubbub, bub.

I agree that this is a good direction for the general discussion. Having the discussion doesn't mean we shouldn't proceed with our existing process for creating threads. The creation of the experimental threads and the poll were helpful in guiding the discussion as well.

If the current proposal passes and the Network Drama thread has too many shows that are popular, or if one show seems to need a new thread then proposals concerning further breakdown by genre or whatever will follow.

I'm "interested" in participating in the social threads, but Natter and Bitches move too quickly for me. So I tend to stay out.

This.

The thing with the social threads, also, is that they're frelling fast.

And this.

If all anybody wants is to be able to create a thread at will to discuss navel lint and see if it attracts other posters, and how long it's active, and to discard it when it sinks like stone,

I know this is intended to be facetious, but this is exactly what I want. I also accept that I'm vastly outnumbered on this issue.

then I'm not being wilfully blind when I can't see what the attraction of *this* board is, other than it's pretty and efficient, loads fast and doesn't go down like a two-dollar hooker everytime the internet hiccups.

The attraction of this board is that it's filled with smart, fun, interesting, and very funny people. I think Buffistas would be fun even discussing navel lint. But I can't keep up in either of the two monolithic fast-moving threads, and I stopped trying years ago. It has nothing to do with not being interested in talking to you people.

Also, many thanks to those who made the poll happen.

I think Buffistas would be fun even discussing navel lint.

I wouldn't be surprised if we've done just that somewhere.

Adding my thanks to the pollsters, and everyone else saying spicy-brained things in this discussion today -- it's that time of year when work isn't cooperating with my desire to make big thinky navelgazing statements, but I've been reading along and nodding. Sometimes nodding at both people on opposite sides of a given question, because y'all are smrt that way.

How far back is that nifty table that listed the various threads and their rankings in the "experience"? (I always think of Prince when I think of "experience." Your Hendrix may vary.)