Misleading Thread Titles - a small request.

Hello,

I have suggestion for ATS boards:

It could be fair to begin a policy, where every thread that is titled in a way, where there is no direct correspondence between contents of the thread and the title of the thread, would be either deleted or re-titled by moderators.

I think that I am not only one to notice that recently (well and as long as I've been on ATS) there has been threads titled completely misleading manner. One of the main purposes for this behavior must be solely the intention to get as many people to read the "message" as possible.

I object this kind of heading into extent that I don't anymore even open posts that aren't titled properly. I would post few examples here, but I refrain from insulting anyone personally, so I make few "imaginary" examples from thin air.

Example 1:

Title: An incredible event, everyone must see!!!11!
Contents of thread: Perhaps something funny, gross, perhaps even entertaining, but hardly anything that would interest anybody else than the poster and few other persons.

Example 2:

Title: To believe is bollocks!
Contents of thread: Criticism towards religions, faith or other metaphysical conception, while poster is simultaneously advertising other beliefs, basically poster's own ones.

Example 3:

Title: Everyone is generalizing!!1!
Contents of thread: As the title refers, something that is falsely generalized to the matters that has nothing to do with them.

In my opinion, it would be preferable that title reveals to the average reader the contents of the thread, even in ambiguous manner. In any scientific work, this is mandatory. I know internet debate forums are hardly scientific, but this manner is observed to be good, a more reader friendly solution. You rarely see a book called Pigs, then it's all about cows.

I apologize if this has already been suggested. I did quick search with keywords (topic, title and thread) and found no relevant threads on the first few pages of results.

In the end, if this is not adopted as official ATS policy, I would kindly ask the thread starters that they would kindly consider the reader instead of themselves (their points, stars, flags, flames whatever) and use consideration when giving a title for their threads.

Thank you,

-v

[edit on 3-11-2009 by v01i0]

hear , hear

i too notice this .

and i have some translations for thread titles like :

"must read " = why did i waste my time reading this ?

" absolute proof " = nothing of the sort

" clear pictures " = fuzzy crap

" best evidence " = worst speculation

etc etc

Misleading thread titles like :I know the truth, now what?
hahaha
joking!

reply to post by ignorant_ape

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Yeah, generally the case is just as you pointed out, couldn't have said it better. That was something I was looking in my OP - thanks for crystallizing my idea


-v

reply to post by GW8UK

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Hehe, think that you caught me? Well, you might.

You should've took a look on the contents. Topic and title in there are corresponding with each other. I know the truth(which is I don't know nothing!)

But yeah, that is not one of my most considered topics.

-v

reply to post by v01i0

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I understand what your saying with this post, i especially hate the threads whereby the title is a lie
e.g
'Abu Hanzer is dead!!!'
and then going on in the topic to talk about why he is 'dead' to the OP, talking strickly metaphorically ect ect.
there needs to be punishments in place for things like that controlled by mods.

although i know that i myself am quite the duplicate thread poster, but its always an accident as i get so excited by thread posting i forget about checking for them.

reply to post by GW8UK

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I know what you mean.



Hey, that can happen to almost anyone.

-v

reply to post by v01i0

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i second...or third or fourth this motion.

it's just plain annoying...

and it kind of goes hand in hand with people who post topics that are just to bait, an not only does it not help anything, the OP never returns..

Ha ha, nicely summed up Ignorant Ape.
Should have you as a Mod so you can retitle them correctly !!

I understand the need for drawing attention to threads...

Attention grabbing titles are simply an attempt to distinguish themselves out of many. However a blatantly misleading Title should be removed. No matter how sensationalized the title may be it should match the content of the thread.

I see your point.

Nevertheless, one can compose an distinguishing title even when keeping it corresponding to the contents of thread in it. Besides, those threads encompassed in this thread are rarely very original.

But yeah, there's nothing wrong being original or personal on title choices as long as they somehow hints to the contents of the thread.

-v

www.abovetopsecret.com...

There is a perfect example the thread title has NOTHING to do with the thread.
I do not know how it works i have seen mods change titles to fit the thred time to time.