Thread derailing

[Felascloak]

Two threads have been started called "I'm starting to hate men" (one in relationships, one in feminist chat) and they've both been totally detailed by a poster constructing massive strawmen, ranting and monopolise the thread.
Is there something we can do to stop this behaviour? I think it's strayed over the line from a difference of opinion into deliberate silencing and it's not on imo.

It's a different poster on each thread btw.

If you look at the top right of each post, there is a 'report' function, which is the best way of getting MNHQ onto it.

But this is an open talk site, and people are allowed to post their views as long as they do not break talk guidelines. It is not 'silencing' as such. It is the inherent nature of an open site.

I like this site, warts and all, precisely because it is open in that way.

Thread derailing happens a lot. And if people point out someone is derailing a thread, then they can get told not dictate how a thread should go. Some people are great at derailing threads but don't like it when it happens to them.

It is possible to ignore a derailer and carry on a conversation.

Oohhh! I've been on the relationships one trying to keep it on track (arguing pointlessly with derailer), off to fem chat!

They are very frustrating people!

Yeah I know about reporting stella but not done it because I don't think (??) They are breaking site guidelines. And I don't mean a difference of opinion. I mean a concerted effort to post so much garbage that discussion is impossible.
I agree that freedom of speech and debate is valuable here but this seems different. I feel I either have to respond to the derailer or stay off the thread, hence why I think it's silencing because neither of those options are addressing the topic at hand

Sometimes the only way, if they are not breaking talk guidelines, is to pm the main contributors on the thread and all agree to simply freeze out the derailer by ignoring everything they say and not rising to the bait

In my opinion, thread derailers are often goady fuckers but not sure HQ agrees with me on that.

AF is right. Thread derailers, after a while, are best handled like trolls. Ignore them and carry on the discussion.

Arguing with the me-railers is what keeps them going - just ignore and keep on with the original topic of conversation!