To ask why you're not allowed to start a thread about a thread?

[LoveisaLaserquest]

I've seen references to this a few times, but it doesn't seem to be in the Talk Guidelines anywhere. Is it just a convention? The "done" thing?

It's just convention and good manners. It helps to stop disagreements between posters from spilling out into multiple threads and escalating.

You are supposed to challenge the opinions on the thread and thrash it out on there.

Otherwise it gets confusing explaining what has been said and why.

You can start another if that one gets full.

you are allowed to, mn hq just decided sometimes not to allow it.
very odd i know

Ah. That makes sense! Thank you! (This didn't really need to be in AIBU, did it...??)

It is quite often seen as an attack on the other thread or people on it and so I suppose comes under the 'no personal attack' rule, which makes sense - actually starting a whole other thread to bitch/complain/tear apart a poster or posting is a fairly big attack.

If you have a view on the topic, or a problem with someone on the thread - take it up with them, don't go start another thread and try to get some sympathy/support. It's cowardly and a bit dim, since everyone can still see it

If it's made you think of a similar issue, or related issue, or just made you think of something seemingly unrelated - then it's a separate thread and there's no need at all to link it to the other one.

(general you, not you you)

Often threads are started about deleted threads. Well, if the first one went, then one starting it all up again is just going to go too

I am surprised it is not in the Talk Guidelines. If it's not against the stated rules of the forum, then they shouldn't be deleting them, should they?

Hecate, I was thinking about the type of situation in your third paragraph - if the thread seems to be going off on a tangent and you don't want to derail it.

I think they're allowed, I have seen them stay, as long as the OP does make sure they are talking about something else and not being bitchy

There's so many rules these days.

I remember when t'were all fields round here and we'd beat each other with sticks and MNHQ would look on from their tower and just concentrate on not letting Tech escape from his shed.

So they're ok as long as you're not starting them to be norty. I hear ya!

Tech was a BOY? Surely not!

It's also not allowed to start a thread about starting a thread about a thread.

He was. The original tech was a chap.

He disappeared one day...

Dildobaggins

Poor old tech.

I think you'll find Tech still is a boy.

I know. I like to think that he retired to a plush shed in the Bahamas, but I am forced to consider that lovely new patio at MNHQ...

I thought New Tech was a woman?

There is more than one Tech person but only one "Tech"

But it's not Original Tech, is it?

Or did I imagine the whole leaving thing and it's still him?

Should I start a thread to double check?

(I hope he's not under the patio. That's so Brooksife circa 1993. I'd like to think MNHQ had more imagination than that.)

It was the OriginalTech last summer. He was living in Florida then.

In answer to the OP.
Because we say so.

@SoupDragon

There is more than one Tech person but only one "Tech"

Oh so very true.

there has been NikitaTech and DarrenTech IIRC. At least one of those was female