"Locking" threads........any chance?

[QueenOfQuotes]

is there any chance that something like this could be brought in - for use on threads which we want to 'end' - but don't actually need deleting???

I know there has on occassion been posts by mod's on various threads saying "can we just leave this now" type thing - and of course naturally people 'still' post on it (especially if they're new to the thread and haven't seen the 'don't post anymore' message as they read through it).

Sometimes 'deleting' isn't really approriate (think that should only happen in the very extreme cases - but a "thread locked" thing would be good - so people can read it, but not post on it??

"new threads will just be started."

Have to say that VERY rarely happens on sites where the 'thread locked' system is in place.

Most people take it as it is - that the thread was getting out of hand, had run it's course, whatever, and just leave it.

Jesus, Enid with power can't be allowed..

But people can't stop posting can they? And, tbh, sometimes they should. I count myself in this. It's like looking at a car crash - you just can't stop yourself.

Ah but QoQ is that not why you deserted to this site, over-moderation elsewhere?

Locking a thread and posting the reason for it as the final post is far less controlling and censorous (is that a word?) than the current solution of deleting posts.

Nah, people can't stop posting but I think that's all part of the fascination sometimes!

Fair point Soupdragon but not a reason to change the whole dynamics of the site surely? I believe that is what will happen if the free-flow of things is changed.

Now, that site's moderating was way to harsh!! Nothing like simply locking a thread but deleting posts and threatening you with banning should you dare to contaravene their 1001 little rules again

Slippery slope Soupy ....

Nah, tarantula, I was just being kind

(no, I do agree, really)

yes Gomez - but that was just plain silly moderation. Infact that site must come top of the pile for pathetic and over zealous moderation.

I'm not talking about dictating what people can and can't say.

It doesn't happen often on here (thankfully) but once in a while a thread rages on and on and on and on and on and on and on despite repeated calls from the Mod's (and on rare occasions I'm sure I've seen MN themselves!) asking for people to leave them be.

I don't think it would change the dynamics TBH. There are very few occasions where I think it would have been necessary in the past but OTOH, it could have stopped some particular nastiness quickly. Generally, MNers moderate themselves and defend people very effectively but sometimes it's not beneficial.

Quite often a thread that becomes inflammatory is restored to goodwill and turned around I think if threads were locked at the peak of bitter insult that would just cause someone to start another to continue the outrage, which is more or less what happened on Friday after the initial thread was deleted.

But imagine, if you will, ! if there was a row about
breast vs bottle
GF vs ? whatever the alternative is called
WOHM vs SAHM
MMR
C section vs vaginal birth
smacking
ooh, the list is endless! And you read the first post and were outraged, HOW annoying would it be not to be able to argue, reasonably, the other pov? It would infuriate me!

Very good point Lemonice.

I for one think that there is a time and place for locking. But i think it needs to be done with care. I for one have been told to drop a subject before i feel that i have aired the views i have held. It is very difficult and also boring to say.. opps cant mention that.

Obviously if a thread is inciting racism etc then it should be stopped.

I personally feel that most discussio/debate reach a natural end. I wonder if this thread is related to the recent sagas on the site.

tbh i have been 'told off' by some for starting yet another thread but the beauty of mn is the freedom of speech and expression within reasonable limits as in not name calling or abusive (unless twatting QE with my ds's sword)

It is indeed a very good point lemonice

www, it depends if those arguments had descended into hurling personal insults rather than heated debate. There is a very clear difference.

Well true, but look how custardo's post on mumsnetters and their habits turned around a potentially stroppy thread recently. If a power crazed Enid, say, had locked it we'd miss gems like that! Gotta wake my baby, back later!

The mods on here are generally excellent and hands-off, but that's not necessarily always going to be the case; that's what would worry me, especially in the cases of things like feeding debates where mods might conceivably hold strong personal views that could affect their judgement.

No locking. I think the cons outweigh the pros in this case

I think locking PUMA would have just made it go onto more threads

ie to go to all of them and then cause complete choas and so therefore

HALT MN completely cos all the threads would be locked

ALSO what if the MOD had different views like was a fan of BOTTLES and everyone was getting heated about it and really angry

Would they be able to put their own pov aside completrely and stop it????????

What if the disscussion was against a MOD???

well a MOD pov really then what???

OMG - I've been "twatted" again! pmsl

lmao - going to hang out washing now.. [yawn emocion] also got a sore bum from sitting on it all day