Followup Threads

October 4, 2001 4:39 PM

Considering how snopes happy we are, what is the policy on follow-up threads? I just read the 'penis in a bottle' was actually a penis shaped fungus. [PIC]Would this make a double post? I can't see the benefits of putting this new info into the old thread as no one is going to read it. Shall we let them wander about in ignorance?
posted by skallas to Etiquette/Policy at 4:39 PM (9 comments total)

You just ruined a perfectly good Police song for me, skallas!
posted by Kafkaesque at 4:51 PM on October 4, 2001

let them wander about in ignorance unless they come to MetaTalk.
posted by bjgeiger at 4:59 PM on October 4, 2001

Well lord almighty if I can't even throw a basketball and hit the ocean today.

Ever get this feeling everyone's so much better than you? Nah, probably not. I'm a one of a kind bottom feeder!
posted by crasspastor at 5:09 PM on October 4, 2001

let them wander about in ignorance unless they come to MetaTalk.

Considering it was presented on metafilter we're just contributing to an urban legend. I'm hoping Matt would chime in instead of me just posting it and having it deleted.

As far as metatalk goes, it isn't really the corrections page.
posted by skallas at 5:21 PM on October 4, 2001

I thought I'd get my ass kicked if I reposted the story. Even though it had been corrected.
posted by crasspastor at 5:36 PM on October 4, 2001

As far as metatalk goes, it isn't really the corrections page.

True, maybe you could save it until the front page is a little less crowded.
posted by bjgeiger at 5:38 PM on October 4, 2001

actually that's a good topic, skallas. Especially if the subject has generated real interest on the site-- for example I don't need to be updated on how many pall-bearers were at such and such's funeral, but if it's a really big story and the update would clear things up, then yeah.

Problem is, most posts fall into the grey area, such as the penis in the can one. Maybe we ought to just rely on the Obscure Store, etc for updates, unless it's something really major.
posted by chaz at 5:52 PM on October 4, 2001

I thought Metatalk was the grey area...
posted by transient at 6:14 PM on October 4, 2001

I think posting in the original thread would probably be a good idea regardless of whether or not follow-up threads are cool. MeFi is pretty darn high for a lot of subjects in Google's returns, and if people wander over to the thread for information (I don't know why people are researching bottled penises, but maybe they are!) then there's accurate information there, too.

That being said, I personally have no problems with follow-up threads if the original was posted at least 7 days ago (fallen off the default front-page). I tend not to read the thread body, but it's nice to know.
posted by cCranium at 9:24 PM on October 4, 2001