The problem I have with the "Oh, not this again" response is that it is dismissive to the person asking the question and to anyone who does want to discuss the subject. And I mean that for any topic not just this one.<snip>
Originally Posted by darkknight
The problem I have with this type of thread is that, even when brought back in a moderate, thoughtful tone, it never does go anywhere, and nearly always does devolve into a pissing/flaming match, and no real answers are discovered. Ignoring for the moment that there already is a designated sticky for this exact discussion.
I believe it's possible that someone will come along and say, "I've read all 2000+ replies in the NBA Superthread, here are some original thoughts on the subject, discuss." And the chances of that happening are about as low as you might guess. I read enough of the NBA Superthread to know that there was discussion of civvy vs. hobby life.
I'm not dismissing the OP, I'm dismissing the chance of any really new, original thoughts/ideas/positions/whatever coming out of this.
This and other lightning rod topics are exactly the same. Don't believe me? Go start a thread on an audiophile board about how much better tubes are than solid state. Or vice versa, makes no difference. Provide completely new, well-thought-out subjective and/or objective proof for your position. Then duck, FAST!
In a world of fantasy "real answers" are a rare thing. Doesn't mean it not worth having the discussion. If you don't have the discussion you are never going to get any answers. Whether or not it's the one you want to hear or one that you accept.
Originally Posted by darkknight
See above. There aren't any "answers". It just devolves, eventually, then gets appended to the Superthread.
Which is where the OP should really have posted his OP, because people who do want to keep discussing the topic all look for new posts on the subject there.
And yes, I know I didn't have to click on it. Comes from being a mod, and knowing that people don't want to post in a sticky, they want their very own thread. And while I haven't posted to it, nor read the whole thing, I do keep watch from the corner of one jaded eye on the Superthread.