Some topic drift is allowed in OTC. My rule of thumb for thumping for Off-topic in OTC is if I can look at a post and say "Here. This is the point at which the topic was dropped." Then it's not topic drift anymore — it's someone changing the topic. If I can't pinpoint a particular post that changed the topic, I consider it topic drift.
If you want to change the direction a conversation is going in, or you want to continue a digression, make another thread for it. OTC is the only part of the forum that requires the posters to stay relatively on topic. Removing that restriction makes it just another Yack Fest/media subsection.
edited 5th Jan '11 12:29:53 PM by Madrugada
I kind of agree. It would be nice if OTC had a little brother that was allowed to kind of meander around based off of the ebb and flow of the conversation. I do this in real life - start talking about my hearburn about the Chevy 3100-series V6 engine's craptastic intake manifold gaskets, and I'll end up talking about God knows what when I'm done. Could be Chernobyl, the economy, my daughter or what I want to eat later that day.
So yes, being able to allow for the natural flow of conversation would be nice. that or have a On-Topic Debate forum, where you're more or less forced to stay on topic, just like in a real debate.
But that's just my two cents.
Hmmm, OTC, OTD... We need an On-Topic Arguments and an On-Topic Brawl sub-forums.
I myself never see this issue come up. One thing I have to give the sometimes-overzealous mods is that they DO have a decent respect for a bit of topic drift. I've noticed that the general rule of thumb seems to be 'if it's about something similar to the OP but slightly different, or focusing on a different facet than the OP, it's okay as long as it doesn't go overboard." It's when the conversation starts to really not be the same conversation anymore that it gets clusterfucked.
I understand that this is how conversation in Real Life works, but in Real Life you don't have to post topics in spraypaint on the sidewalk. On a forum, if you want to talk about something else, make another convo.
edited 5th Jan '11 12:36:10 PM by Diamonnes
My name is Cu Chulainn. Beside the raging sea I am left to moan. Sorrow I am, for I brought down my only son.The issue with just making another thread is that it doesn't feel very natural at times. If we're having a discussion on the morality of drowning the earth and then we get into a debate on whether Jesus was actually a space alien it becomes a headache to have to stop, make an OP that continues on from the previous thread. Basically it's a hassle to make a different thread every time something comes up.
if we renamed it to "serious discussion" or something similar it would still be unique since YF and the media sub forums tend to be lighter in tone.
edited 5th Jan '11 12:37:23 PM by thatguythere47
Is using "Julian Assange is a Hillary butt plug" an acceptable signature quote?This one thinks this could work well. Perhaps we should petition for OTC to remain as is, but for another subforum "Serious Discussion" to be introduced with its own rules that are slightly more lax?
EDIT:
Tzetze, the reasoning (which is fairly sound) is discussed in the OP. I'll summarize again: valuable and stimulating conversatin is sometimes lost due to heavy topic drift. Also, as far as this troper is aware, there's only one such board.
edited 5th Jan '11 12:49:06 PM by Diamonnes
My name is Cu Chulainn. Beside the raging sea I am left to moan. Sorrow I am, for I brought down my only son.I really, really don't understand why we would need three different arbitrary discussion boards.
[1] This facsimile operated in part by synAC.Yeah lets keep OTC as is. We have allowances for some natural drift but doesn't really need further alterations. You could use broad topiced threads like the Military thread since it is very general anything even military related is well on topic. We have covered everything from leadership, contracts, gear, weapons, life before and after service, personal fire arms preferences you name it we have probably discussed it. I could see similar broad topic threads working as well.
Who watches the watchmen?

A lot of good discussion is being lost because it has deviated from the original topic. So I was thinking we should rename OT to something less well, on topic or at least amend the rules a bit. I'm making this here first because I don't want to go talk to FE and then it turns out I'm the only one who sees an issue with the name.
The reasons for the change: Good discussion can be lost/thumped for no reason other then being off topic
Less work for the mods. No longer will they have to blank pages because everyone got distracted.
allows for slight deviation instead of having to make a new thread when something similar but not exactly the same as the OP occurs.
Is using "Julian Assange is a Hillary butt plug" an acceptable signature quote?