if we do decide to open the next thread, it might be fun to start with a group rewatch of the show or movie. That would give the thread a nice jump start and get it past the initial low numbers so it doesn't feel so sad to others.

this. I was coming in here to suggest this.

I composed this an hour ago, then got interrupted with actual work.

Just because a show was created by Joss, we have to keep a tombstone? In sum, I don't buy sentimentality as a reason for keeping something useless around.

I don't think sentimentality should be used to kill the thread either. As much as you might want to take emotion out of the equation, it seems like the strong feelings either way are driven by it. Also, it's not the only reason to keep the thread around. The thread is not dead, just slow. Firefly posts pop up consistently at least several times a month.

REAL TIME:

I just want to make sure we have some sort of lifecycle management for our thread process. If we decide that Firefly, like Buffy, exists outside of that lifecycle, then so be it.

I agree that there needs to be a lifecycle. I think Firefly should exist outside that lifecycle. I really do. The arguments for closing it have as much to do with emotion as the ones for keeping it open. Bookclub was a failed experiment which a few folks (including me) wanted to keep kicking long after it died.

I also think 1000 posts in a year for a thread that has the kind of history Firefly does is indicative of a very not-dead (slightly alive) thread.

And were it not for the 10,000 limit, would we really be having this discussion? That's not a natural death, IMO, but one brought about by a recognition that the thread is getting on in years, not as spry as it used to be, and maybe we should closet it in archives where we don't have to feel uncomfortable seeing the shadow thread of its former self.

How is that different from "I don't want discussion about *that* topic in *my* thread"?

It's not at all. I am confused, Dana, because I'm not sure what you are referencing.... is it an SPN/Boxed Set thing? In my mind, both stances are coming from the same place.

I do think the not re-starting a thread is different than closing one, which I hadn't considered before.

one brought about by a recognition that the thread is getting on in years, not as spry as it used to be, and maybe we should closet it in archives where we don't have to feel uncomfortable seeing the shadow thread of its former self.

For you, perhaps. I love Firefly. It's done. If it gets undone, start a thread then. It seems fitting for me not renew the thread since the thread is no more. Not the hide-your-grandparent analogy you used above.

I don't think sentimentality should be used to kill the thread either. As much as you might want to take emotion out of the equation, it seems like the strong feelings either way are driven by it. Also, it's not the only reason to keep the thread around. The thread is not dead, just slow. Firefly posts pop up consistently at least several times a month.

I don't care in the short term about the Firefly thread. I hope no one is offended by me not caring about their thread. So no, emotion is not driving me w/r/t that thread. I do care that every time we discuss a thread, we're like the cliche of the Democratic party-- a collection of interest groups so busy defending their piece of turf, taking personally how people feel about their thread/interest, that we lose sight of a bigger picture. Now we are trying to create and keep threads for every interest, so we're just a group of co-existing interests, rather than a community. That's what I'm exercised about right now.

I'm confused about your terms "done" and "undone". Show's been dead for 5 years. Serenity DVD was out 2 years ago. Drawing the line of closure at thread posts running out seems in no way related to the done or undoneness of the show. I wasn't aware that renewal of threads had any significance on this board other than an opportunity to pun and consensus.

In my head, the thread has been afforded a lengthy lifespan, and I think that's because of the Jossiness of the whole thing--but how much longer? Does it stay forever when there are other perfectly appropriate places here to have the same conversations?

I'm with bon--the tenacity of a thread once created boggles me.

I think it should be afforded the opportunity to die a natural death. Not forever, just for now.

And I don't think there are other perfectly appropriate places for conversation. But obviously YPAPFCMV.

How are you defining a natural death? I mean, I agree with the idea, I just think the time has come.