OK, so let me first say, if there is breaking news and the forum is overloading with threads all saying the same stuff, then I can fully understand why the mods would want to keep the forum clutter free and just have one main thread. To delete threads in that context if fair enough if 5 threads on the first page already cover the topic.

HOWEVER...

If there is a video or topic that was posted 12 months ago, then what is wrong with sharing that again?

I know people say use the 'search function', but if one applies logic, then that is sometimes a really stupid comment to make because the whole point of making a thread is to share info or start a topic.

If I am unware of a topic or video, then I am unable to search for it because I don't know it exists. Hence, if it was posted 12 months ago, then there will be many members on the forum who haven't seen it.

So if I am browsing youtube or a news site and find some info that new to me and hasn't been discussed for a while, then I see nothing wrong with sharing that info even if it has already been posted, for the simple fact that there will be many members who will not have seen that particular video or heard of that topic, and if new posts aren't made, then those members will miss out.

This thread is mainly aimed at those posters who seemingly check and verify every video posted to make sure it hasn't been posted before and take great delight in informing you it was posted on whatever date, so many weeks or years ago!

I ain't sure but I think this has been said before.

If I am unware of a topic or video, then I am unable to search for it because I don't know it exists. Hence, if it was posted 12 months ago, then there will be many members on the forum who haven't seen it.

Exactly. New members might not be privy to older conspiracy theories/information out there. If it makes the news again, or is just something someone might want to share, what is the harm in letting it be seen again? I never understood that.
I think one way to circumvent the "already been posted" crowd (I have been guilty as well) is to search for it and put it in a different forum that is still applicable. I think that if it is in a different forum it is allowed to have multiple threads on it.

ATS is a big site and server space aint free so I think the point is to cut down on clutter .
If you see a video or an article you want to post then a search to see if its already been posted is advised , if it has then you can add your thoughts to the existing thread plus the relevant information on that thread is bought back for others to see .

Old threads can contain valuable information on the topic at hand .

So here's one idea.

Maybe we should have a forum that is dedicated to old material. So that way we can avoid the it's already been done thing.

Originally posted by gortex
ATS is a big site and server space aint free so I think the point is to cut down on clutter .
If you see a video or an article you want to post then a search to see if its already been posted is advised , if it has then you can add your thoughts to the existing thread plus the relevant information on that thread is bought back for others to see .

Old threads can contain valuable information on the topic at hand .

edit on 7-10-2012 by gortex because: (no reason given)

Personally, if space is an issue I'd prefer to have the older threads deleted.

Originally posted by EvilSadamClone
So here's one idea.

Maybe we should have a forum that is dedicated to old material. So that way we can avoid the it's already been done thing.

Great idea!

But when someone replies to an older thread, don't let it appear in Recent Posts. Let the older threads have their own page or Tab.

Originally posted by Night Star

I feel the same. If there are too many pages of replies and the thread is old, I usually don't bother. There have been many threads that I would have missed had someone new not re-posted the same topic. I say let them make the new thread and breathe new life into the topic.

Hi Night Star. Hope you are doing well. You and I might be a minority here, seeing as lately almost every thread I open someone comments on how the topic was already done on another thread.

Some people just like to feel clever... They want to be the first one to notice something. Of course half the people never noticed the old thread from year ago, and a lot of new members never heard if it, but this particular breed of internet jackass only pays attention to a very tiny bubble that surround themself. Nobody else matters. If they've seen it, its old news. They expect everyone else to have followed in the exact life path that they chose for themself. If they were sitting at home prowling the internet all night one year ago, and you were out hanging out with friends, or god forbid, a member of the opposite sex, that's your fault.

You see, this kind of person is sooo jealous that you have other things to do, and you might get laid occasionally, that they WILL wait patiently for their chance to get revenge.... Even a year or more later, they will be waiting... Sitting all alone in the dark in front of their computer like a psycho, waiting for you to slip up! And when you do, they will be there... "Thats not new, already been posted, here and here and here!" (in the most annoyingly mocking tone possible) "didnt you notice that thread a year ago?? What were You doing that was so important??? Shoulda been here! I was!"

And as if that weren't pathetic enough... They are so arrogant, they think they are the only person who matters. They, in their far deluded minds, actually think that they should be able to come to ATS every day, to a site they have zero ownership of and did not help to build, and be showered with all 100% new content they have never seen before. If something appears that they have already seen before, well then instead of moving on, they will be sure to stop what it is they are doing, enter your thread, and imlediately inform you of your transgressions. Yeah, you heard right. They hate you for wasting their time but they will proceed to waste 10x that amount of time by stopping to let you know that, you wasted their time.

You think that's the end of it? Oh, no, you couldn't be more wrong...

They will keep a tab open to come back and check to see if you dared to say anything back to them so they can come back to argue some more.

Their logic is: I don't care if a lot of people missed this and would like to discuss it or maybe even put a new spin on it. All you people need to go back to that old dead thread and clear out the cobwebs there if you want to have a discussion!

I even saw one member yesterday... The thread brought up new developments on a known story but this person went on braying like a donkey, "thats old!" "nope that's way old! Seen it!" Turns out the moron didn't even read the article before opening their big mouth... And they finally allowed that it was new but that "what you posted was the ONLY new thing about this story...

Well DUH! That's why they posted it!! Holy crap dude... Squeegie your third eye for gods sakes!

They had some big annoying dumb shiny shamrocks all over their avatar... Ok, we get it, you're Irish! How xxxxing special! You do know there are a whole ton of other people living on this planet too right? So you're not that special! Why people feel the need to shove their heritage into everyone's face, I do not know... It's something I'll never understand.... Smh... Facepalm!

Originally posted by jiggerj

Originally posted by gortex
ATS is a big site and server space aint free so I think the point is to cut down on clutter .
If you see a video or an article you want to post then a search to see if its already been posted is advised , if it has then you can add your thoughts to the existing thread plus the relevant information on that thread is bought back for others to see .

Old threads can contain valuable information on the topic at hand .

edit on 7-10-2012 by gortex because: (no reason given)

Personally, if space is an issue I'd prefer to have the older threads deleted.

Or if not deleted, maybe convert them into a low memory text only format. Seems reasonable. I mean, hey, I'm a reasonable guy most of the time.