I would like so suggest a forum software feature that would allow for off topic postings without annoying other readers. I call it “The Coffee Stop”. Imagine a group ride where you are not allowed to talk anything but bikes during the coffee break. Sounds terrible? Yep.
This feature would work as follows:
When the author of a reply feels his post is actually off topic, but still within the context of a thread (or not at all cycling related and thus an improbable choice for a new thread), he may voluntarily mark his post as a “Coffee Stop”.
The thread would have two different views - the “Shut Up and Keep Riding View” that does not include Coffee Stops - unless they are replies to the viewer’s own posts - and the more relaxed one with all posts.
There are two main use cases: Meandering banter / comic relief and shouting matches. While the first use case is very much what you expect from a coffee stop in real life, the second use case may come up when reacting to undesired behaviour / trolling. We all know that replying to trolling is counter productive, because the thread is not made better by bad vibrations, even if a sharp response may be justified. But sometimes the need to call a dick a dick in public may be just overwhelming.
While I’m not completely sure about the second case (meditation and peace of mind are far superior) I think there’s merrits in the first.
Nah, the moment has passed, it was only interesting in context.
That in itself should be taken as support for your idea: shifting part of the conversation to a different thread can work but in this case it wouldn’t. Keeping the comments in the conversation but flagging them as Coffee Shop worthy is a much better idea.
Yeah, so we can ignore the idiotic political drivel from 50% of the society who is simply ignorant and uneducated? (Pick your side). Naaaa…if I want ignorant people I will go and demand defunding police or mandating (useless) facemasks…I will stick to cycling.
As has been pointed out in this thread just recently, the feature suggestion could also be named “take a piss break” - but “Coffee Stop” is just that little bit more appealing.
I don’t see why I would post something not cycling related in a cycling related forum. If I want to talk about music, I go to a music place, if I was into knitting, I would look for a knitting community.
Shouldn’t it work that way?
That doesn’t mean we can have shorts asides in a topic but I don-t see the point to create a dedicated place for off topic things.
“Coffee Shop” or some such is usually a good idea–most sites have such a thing–but, the problem here is there are actually very few “regulars” on this site–the same folks, may 25 at most, seem to be in the thick of almost every thread, while a few outsiders come and go. So, I don’t think the present CT Forum user base warrants a coffee shop yet, and in fact not sure it’s going to fly as a user site at all–started out slow, and has slowed down from that…
Off topic sections are often the most entertaining (& active) parts of forums. Additionally, if one enjoys the sense of community here they may prefer to discuss random topics with their online peers here.
I completely agree with you that starting a thread that is not cycling related on a CyclingTips forum is pretty counter-intuitive and will probably not happen at all.
But this being a rather international community with a number of interesting - and rather distinct - personalities, off-topic banter and side-stories easily develop. I personally like that - and I often have that little imp sitting on my shoulder forcing my typing hands. But I do also respect those who like it a bit more focused and who don’t come here for my sort of wicked humor.
I honestly don’t know how or if that kind of intertwined threads within a topic would work - but as it does work quite naturally in other communication scenarios I’d say it’s worth a try if it easily fits into the software architecture.
What was that Salon story?