/qa/ - Questions and Answers

Keeping the community together by giving you a voice


If you want to see the latest posts from all boards in a convenient way please check out /overboard/

Name
Email
Subject
By clicking New Reply, I acknowledge the existence of the Israeli nuclear arsenal.
Comment
0
Select File / Oekaki
File(s)
Password (For file and/or post deletion.)

image0-15.jpg
User Policy Rule #8: No Generals
Anonymous
No.6135
6137 6142
In this thread, we discuss the future of the "no generals" rule. Whether that be to remove it, re-confirm it, reform it, or clarify it, or decide how it should be enforced.
The No Generals rule is one of the oldest rules on our site, but it's also the least consistently enforced. Very many exceptions to the rule exist on /mlpol/, both explict and de facto. Some Anons have wondered if the no generals rule might be outdated or obsolete, while others have stated that it should be enforced more consistently; some Anons have called for clarity for what constitutes a "general" and why they should be disallowed on this site.

Share your thoughts:
Do you like the current rule? Are you just indifferent to it? Do you think it should be changed? Do you think it's fine as is? Do you want to see it enforced more consistently? Is the rule helpful to our site? Could it be detrimental? Just what is a general? Are generals a bad thing? Do generals diminish content creation, or promote it? What do you think about the current existing generals? Etc.
Anonymous
No.6137
6138 6141 6143
>>6135
Isn't this kind of brainstorming called "deconstruction" by the commies?
Anonymous
No.6138
6140
>>6137
I don't follow.
Anonymous
No.6139
Generals on 4chan's /mlp/ were a symptom of a fast board flooded with low-quality threads. A few content creators made content for audiences who'd bump the thread over and over just to keep it on the front page for as long as possible. Faggots spent their free time refreshing their favourite generals endlessly amd posting in them until it's time to move on to the next thread's edition of the same topic. This site is much slower than /mlp/ and higher quality so the only reason for a general explicitly called a general to exist is to store a lot of similar thread concepts within the same thread. One thread for posting greentext and getting feedback keeps things better organized than thirty generals for writing about specific ponies or fetishes or memes all competing for the front page and maximum attention.
Anonymous
No.6140
6143
>>6138
OP wants to put on trial the very foundation of /mlpol/
Anonymous
No.6141
6142
>>6137
No, deconstruction by the commies is when they look at something and try to find a weak link in its armour they can attack loudly to try and discredit the whole thing. Like mocking traditional family values because it gives women the role of mother when women would rather have the role of a prostitute whoring herself out to rich men for profit while being paid by lesser (in her eyes) men to exist through taxes and onlyfans. It's an inherently negative thing as commies never try to deconstruct things they like.

Deconstruction by writers is when they say "if superman existed he would probably be a cunt" or "if superman existed it would suck to be superman" or "if superman faces a new villain every week in each new issue how effective is the justice system and why are so many people criminals?", seriously analyzing ideas other stories will take for granted to get new story ideas and twists on old formulas.
Anonymous
No.6142
6145
>>6141
>No, deconstruction by the commies is when they look at something and try to find a weak link in its armour they can attack loudly to try and discredit the whole thing.
Well, it looks to me like >>6135 is exactly about that.
Anonymous
No.6143
6144
>>6137
I just did my best to represent every opinion I've seen so far in other threads without leaning any particular way.
>>6140
>very foundation of /mlpol/
If what you mean to say is that you like the rule as it is, and you think it's an important foundational policy for the function and culture of /mlpol/, that is certainly a very good point. If you'd like to elaborate further, please do.
>put on trial
It's just a meta policy discussion on the designated policy discussions board. There's no pressure.
Anonymous
No.6144
6145
>>6143
>There's no pressure.
It begins like that to suddenly turn into an unending rant for "CHANGE".
Anonymous
No.6145
6146
>>6142
>>6144
Come on, m8. It's not like that. I'd really prefer it that you tell me more about why you think the rule is good as is than feel offended that we're talking about it in the first place.
Anonymous
No.6146
6147
>>6145
In some circles what you want to push is called subversion, in others heresy.
Anonymous
No.6147
6148
>>6146
Okay, m8. I honestly don't give a shit what you think of me. If you have a better argument than baseless accusations of malignance, be my guest to express yourself. If not, politely piss off.
Anonymous
No.6148
6149
f0ea3.png
>>6147
I am wondering.
Are you applying here a new course of Critical Imageboard Theory.
Anonymous
No.6149
6150
>>6148
>muh buzzwords
Make a fucking argument, nigger! I literally only made this thread because the other one was too full of shit-flinging to be productive.
Are you going to react this way in every goddamn thread on /qa/? You're acting like a goddamn corndog-spamming /jp/sie trying to shut down discussion because he's infuriated that anyone would dare to use this board for its intended purpose instead of your own personal shitposting zone.

If you want to know my personal opinion on the matter: it's pretty much neutral. I agree that the rule is indeed a foundational rule of /mlpol/. I was there when the rule was made, and I strongly agreed with it at the time. I only wonder if the rule is really helpful to us right now, because a lot has changed since the dawn of the site and several notable exceptions to the rule are sitting on the board.
I think its worth discussing because I want to hear everyone else's opnions on the matter, including yours.
Anonymous
No.6150
6151
528.jpg
>>6149
>I want to hear everyone else's opnions on the matter, including yours.
All right here it is mine:
Drop it!
I'm not a naive child, I know very well where this line of thought goes.
Anonymous
No.6151
6153
d4yt3fq-2646fc65-8fee-4cf9-a32f-46198c8c664e.png
>>6150
>Drop it!
That's not an argument.
I will continue the discussion, despite your protests. I hoped you'd be a voice representing why we should keep things as is, but I guess I expected too much of you.
Since you're clearly too retarded to talk about it yourself, allow me to a list of actual arguments for maintaining the status quo:
>We should leave rule #8 as is because we've always had it and it worked fine for four years
>We should leave rule #8 as is because we should stay true to the foundational concepts of /mlpol/
>We shouldn't change anything because we haven't discussed it enough
>We shouldn't change anything because I am satisfied with how things are
>We shouldn't do anything to rule #8 because i don't see how doing so would improve the site
>We shouldn't allow generals because it might enable discord trannies to set up commie enclaves and flood the site with undesireables
>We shouldn't allow more generals because there are no more generals on /mlp/ or /pol/ worth having
>We shouldn't enforce rule #8 any moreso than it is because I like the current generals on /mlpol/
>We shouldn't enforce rule #8 any more because removing those threads could cost us users
>Rule #8 is actually being enforced accurrately because I don't consider the long-running threads on this board to be "generals"
>Perhaps rule #8 isn't being enforced, but I don't consider that to be an issue worth acting on
All of these are good points for leaving things as they are. Shutiing down the discussion itself is not.
Anonymous
No.6153
6156
>>6151
>Shutiing down the discussion itself is not.
You want "change", I don't.
Anonymous
No.6154
6156 6163
My say is only adding clarification. As its currently implemented by staff works.

>>6120 →
This provodes context and the reasoning behind the rule so it's not simply no generals, it's no generals that take the cues from cesspools.

The reason being is that the in action rule as it is works, the words it's under are simply being aligned together. To reduce the amount of the same question being asked, the point of its existence, the enforcement as it is, new freins or new fags looking around, and the continuation of horse pussy with politics.
Because /mlpol/ is a great place to be steadfast for the continuation is imperative.
Anonymous
No.6156
>>6153
>I don't (want change)
That's a decent opinion. I'm not crazy about change either because I like this board and don't want to fuck it up for no good reason. I just think it's worth talking about, because other Anons have brought it up, and I'm open to hearing other sides.
>>6154
Thank you.
Anonymous
No.6163
6174
>>6154
I only wonder if the rule could be worded a bit more clearly, so as to not turn away any contentfags who might've been frequents to generals back on 4chins. Maybe let them know that some other communities could be welcomed, like /sg/ or the fillies.
Anonymous
No.6174
6183
>>6163
Whenever someone says "no generals" they often end up clarifying they only hate cancerous activity-sapping bumpfest generals addicted to time on the front page. Maybe the "no generals" rule should instead say "generals that become shit will be deleted, make content instead of bumping it while asking for more content"?
Anonymous
No.6183
6184 6185
>>6174
Maybe it could be worth it to further clarify what constitutes as a permissable general vs a cancerous one.
Anonymous
No.6184
>>6183
Good generals create stages for contentfags to post their content upon to get feedback that can enhance their skills.

Gay generals stagnate for months, yet still try their hardest to take up space on the front page through constant bumping. While a good general is a place to discuss ideas and create new content, a trash general is a place for low-effort content aggregation under a gimmicky thread title.

The sooner faggoted generals hit bump limits, the sooner its users can move on to the next thread all so when it eventually hits Bizarre Waifus Number 50 or Girly Man Manly Girl Fetish Thread Number 200 the thread's bumpfags can feel like a part of something greater than themselves.
Anonymous
No.6185
>>6183
I bet a lot of generals on 4/mlp/ would bump themselves less often if they moved here. Bet they'd enjoy being able to post whatever sexual greentexts they want. Wasn't there a "flank worship general" on /mlp/ once?
Anonymous
No.6186
6187 6188
0a9efa1.png
>generals
Here we go again.
If some generals are so annoying to some, why those fags don't post new threads of their liking? Huh?
Anonymous
No.6187
HISV.png
>>6186
While I'm waiting for my comprehension to kick in have this video.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RYivyUfarws
Anonymous
No.6188
6189 6193 6196
2027980.jpeg
>>6186
They do, and that's what's going on.
The no generals rule is akin to rules 4,5,6,7,8 to preserve overall site quality, and counters indirect shilling as a happenstancial consequence. That is the unthinking npc mobs.
As such the no generals rule eliminates a footfold for bots to spam the roughly same message over and over as false users.
Also allows threads to die when the time has come.
Not only that, but also encourages resurrection with new material and or insights.
Anonymous
No.6189
6190
>>6188
So you want the threads you don't like to die.
The problem with that is that some fags like to post more related material when shows up. From my point of view that's a win for the bread richness and the board in general.
Anonymous
No.6190
Adventure.png
>>6189
I think we're saying the same thing here. All threads should be filled with wonderious, mundane and things inbetween.
All threads will die at some point. How they die is the question. When they'll live again is another.
Each a mark in history telling a tale of today in the past.
If I despise a thread I'll make my objections known if my objections are valid. If I love a thread I'll try to help with my meager time and abilities.
I'll poke and see if they'll play or be dead in the water. If it's time I ought to spend there. I'll even try multiple times if the circumstances are favorable.
If I have nothing at all I'll say nothing 'till I do have something.
Or if I ought or ought not to do things.
Anonymous
No.6193
>>6188
Threads don't exactly die quickly here either, what with the enormous bump limits and overall slow board speed.
Anonymous
No.6196
6197
>>6188
>footfold for bots to spam the roughly same message over and over as false users
Wouldn't bots be rather easy to notice on a board this slow?
Anonymous
No.6197
>>6196
There is a protocol in place that is ordinarily nullified, and is enabled only in the event of a massive spam attack. The site is quite safe and secure, code wise. And yes, they are easy to spot, which is why you dont often see them, as they were spotted
Anonymous
No.6535
6545
A thing I think about the no-generals rule i that I feel like it's misleading in a way that might have limited out userbase in some ways. We made the "no generals" rule based on a meme, but in practice the rule has really been "no low-quality bumpfests withot content". We've allowed general threads such as /sg/, /rwss/, /filly/, etc. Even things like the write thread, the Jewish crime thread, and the "random news thread" (especially that one) could be considered generals. Generals have a bad rap, but they're still modes of content creation in their own way.
I feel like the rule could be revised or clarifie clarified in such a way that it's a bit more welcoming to threads that we might actually want here, so it doesn't just turn them away without asking. Perhaps some generals from /pol/, /mlp/ or other boards could benefit us.
Anonymous
No.6545
>>6535
>clarify "no generals"
An excellent idea, and one that would not require a change in function, just in wording.
Anonymous
No.7154
7156 7157 7179
Ngl, I only skimmed the thread.
What HAS(?) been omitted from the arguments is OVER-generalized threads that consume possible discussion threads.
Imagine, a smol habbening. It could be made into a separate thread, and get 20-30 posts, or because its 'on topic' it goes thrown into the 'general news' thread; ideally it gets 3 replies.
Over-generalized thread are a lazy cancer. They encourage the least amount of effort and consideration, and end up overshadowed because genuine content gets coupled with unrelated shit, so that only a person who wants to see alot of unrelated shit ends up seeing the post, cuz buried etc in a non-specific 'general'
Anonymous
No.7155
7156
In a way, its a perversion of rule 11. In that if one checks the catalog and finds a thread that 'maybe' aligns, are they not entitled to post a new thread or are they obligated to post to the super-general general, cuz rule 11?
Like, If I posted a "for everything" general, would everyone be obligated to post everything to it?
Clearly not, so why is there a 'general news' general? Theres a thread for that, and if not theyre really easy yo make.
Anonymous
No.7156
7158
>>7154
>OVER-generalized threads that consume possible discussion threads.
This, tbh. There are some threads that have unacceptably-broad topics that actually discourage new threads from being made.
I think "Random News thread" is one of these generals. As a /pol/ offshoot, /mlpol/ is supposed to be made up largely of "random news": having a general thread pointlessly compresses what could be new topics and quashes conversation of said topics.
There's also "Rule 11", which implicitly (but not explicitly) discourages redundant threads. Imo, semi-redundant threads should be fine so long as they're slightly different in topic or specificity, but when a dozen "general" threads exist for various main topics, Anons who are trying to follow that rule find themselves throwing what could have been fresh conversations on the general pile.
>>7155
Which I see you have already addressed before I could finish posting. I mostly agree with your sentiments.

Imo, I think rule #9 is even more important than rule #11. Although redundant threads can split attention and cause confusion, the worse threads ultimately just slide in the end. Generals, however, can promote stagnation and decline in quality, and they were explicitly something we set out to escape when we made this board.
It was fine when we made exceptions for /sg/ and Anonfilly (both exceptions were subject to debate before the decision was made), but since then the cancer of "Generals without the word general in the OP" has become deeply rooted in a way that I think hasn't been good for us over the years.

The absurdly long bump limits don't help either. After the second or third time it was extended, we've come to the point where threads last for months or even years before sliding, which causes them to become generals even if they weren't meant to be.

We made rule #9 for a reason. When are we going to start enforcing it?
Anonymous
No.7157
7159 7161
>>7154
>Imagine, a smol habbening. It could be made into a separate thread, and get 20-30 posts, or because its 'on topic' it goes thrown into the 'general news' thread; ideally it gets 3 replies.
I've seen this dozens of times, and it drives me crazy. I'm glad at least somebody agrees. Generals like that are destroying new opportunities and incentives for Anons to start conversations in new threads.
I've even reported that thread for being a general, but apparently it has an exception for some reason.
Anonymous
No.7158
>>7156
>the cancer of "Generals without the word general in the OP
Fucking this
Anonymous
No.7159
7185
>>7157
Its ALMOST like staff has NEVER really abided by the established rules and doctrines, you might say. Nothing in that, Im aure.
Anonymous
No.7161
7162 7163
>>7157
>I've seen this dozens of times, and it drives me crazy. I'm glad at least somebody agrees.
You're are correct and yet it has a big drawback, the general you hate groups all related stuff in one single bread, and that is a plus.
Anonymous
No.7162
7165
>>7161
Only if ur lazy. Overboard alone prevents that from being an issue, in that divergent threads are couoled and itemized.
Centalization of ideas is bad.
Anonymous
No.7163
7164 7165 7168
>>7161
>groups all related stuff in one single bread, and that is a plu
HOW is that a plus? It's not like we don't have room on the catalog for new threads.
Grouping all that stuff into a single thread makes it so that conversatios that would otherwise have 20-50 posts end up only having 4-5 posts before they're buried and nobody ever sees them.
Anonymous
No.7164
7165
>>7163
>making threads is easy
This, I've almost made a dozen threads simply cuz pocket dial. If my pocket (lewd) can do it, anon has no excuse
Anonymous
No.7165
7166 7167
>>7162
>>7163
>>7164
So, I'm guessing the catalog is filled with your breads?
Anonymous
No.7166
>>7165
Have you looked? It isnt like Im hard to spot
Anonymous
No.7167
>>7165
Some of them are mine, yeah.
Anonymous
No.7168
7169 7174
>>7163
>HOW is that a plus?
Making threads on the fly risk to fill the catalog with breads with only 2 or 4 posts. That is a sorry look for a catalog.
Anonymous
No.7169
7170
>>7168
This isnt 4chan. Breads dont fly off the catalog by the second
Anonymous
No.7170
7171 7175
>>7169
>Breads dont fly off the catalog by the second
Exactly my point. We would get stuck with dead breads everywhere.
Anonymous
No.7171
7172
>>7170
Hence why bread creation vs general stagnation is preferred.
More breads means kess stagnation. This isnt hard.
Anonymous
No.7172
7173
>>7171
All right, post them, if they interesting no doubt poners will replay.
Personally I will post new breads only when I have enough material to pad them, or is a very hot habbening.
Anonymous
No.7173
>>7172
And I have been where you are, knowing what is likely(not inevitable) to result. Good luck, your faikure is NOT assured, so do your best.
Anonymous
No.7174
>>7168
It's even worse for the catalog to be full of threads from 6-8 months ago.
Fresh threads are a good thing.
Anonymous
No.7175
>>7170
We're already stuck with dead breads, because we don't get enough new ones to slide them.
Anonymous
No.7176
7177
So old (conglomerate) threads get 0-10 posts per interest point.
Posting a new thread depending in content is 0 to whatever.
So ideally
>HAPPENING!
>Lots of people want to discuss the thing
>New thread about thing only is made
Or
>HAPPENING!
>It happens and is a welcome addition to HAPPENING
<HAPPENING
<New thread only
<Nobody replies
Now so multiple duplicates of the same happening EVENT is a bit over kill and makes sense.
As things are there isn't a problem that I can tell.
If you have depper insight or discussion topics about a thing nested in an aggregate to pull out into deeper indepth discussion/shitposting the set up already supports the logical step of doing the thing.
Anonymous
No.7177
7178
>>7176
What I'm trying to get at with what I posted here is. Make the threads, cross link >> stuff credited for whatever purpose. Some things lend itself for greater user engagement which have its time and place.
Failing is an expected part of life as is failed threads so post what is right in your heart or head and hopefully both.
Anonymous
No.7178
>>7177
>Some things lend itself for greater user engagement which have its time and place.
This.
Topics that get their own threads consistently get more replies and better overall discussion than equally-relavant topics in the random news thread.
I've posted both ways over the years. New threads always invoke more engagement.
Anonymous
No.7179
7180 7181
Yeah, this is why I was unsure if I wanted to make another writefag support circle after the first one but people seemed to like it so I continued. Even when the first one was create, I was unsure if I liked it tbh. If you read the OP you can kinda see that if you read between the lines.

I also like to not point fingers at the mods. Like, I guess we can discuss who is responsible but and so on but I'm way more intrested in fixing this. Reagardless, I can't really say anything consider the generals I posted in the past an that fact that I haven't pointed this out much. Do what you want.

I also think it's important to define what a general is, even if it's a bit vague. I think I have come up with a good way to describe what it is. For example, GG has ponder in his last two review OPs if his threads aren't generals, which I would say that they are not. It would have been if it was a, "Pony reviews thread," but it isn't. It's specifically him reviewing, often one specific story for each thread.

So here's my rule of thumb for what defines a general: If you can split it up into different subject matters that people are intrested in, then it's not a general. Or something to that effect.
How would one split up GG's threads, into two or more threads? I don't see how it would be done?

The same goes with Anonfilly. Would we split it up into only the drawfag parts or the writefags parts of the character? Not really right. People come there for Anonfilly first and foremost. Images make themselves known next to text so neither bury the other, either but you seldom come for just one either way.

It's when we get into Covid we start to ask questions. I'd say it's almost like semi or something because you can split that thread into a few smaller threads that deals with different aspects of Covid, in fact we have another thread up right now that could have just been baked into covid but isn't.

Worse are threads like my writefag circle, general news and such. Comming from a good place sure, but what is said here it the consequnce, >>7154 imo.

This is partly why, I been think of having another type of thread(s) replace my writefag threads.
I was thinking of having a weekly prompt thread as in, I post a thread where you post greens about the prompt described in the thread and then I move onto a new thread for the next week. I believe in it much but I haven't started one yet because my min has been on the synergy cup thread.
Anonymous
No.7180
>>7179
I didn't want to call out the writefag circle because for all intents and purposes it seems to generate some content, but perhaps individual write threads would be better.
Anonymous
No.7181
>>7179
>I also think it's important to define what a general is
I agree.
As far as things go, the term "general" only refers to threads that have"general" in their name (to the point that it will be edited to "Happening"), but that's obviously not a clear definition.
Anonymous
No.7182
7183
If its not a current event, but it IS a recurring thread, surprise, its a general
Anonymous
No.7183
>>7182
I don't know what the definition is for generals but a recurring thread isn't a problem, imo, (GG's review threads for example) however threads that are "general" instead of "specific" in it's topic.
Anonymous
No.7184
The writefag general is a good place for writers who don't want their own threads, but the news general should only be for minor news topics. Major stories tend to get buried and forgotten by the minor news topics once they are no longer visible on the Overboard.
Anonymous
No.7185
7186
>>7159
I don't really think it's even that much of a question of enforcement as it is that that site sort of just collectively unwittingly accepted long-lasting threads turning into de-facto generals so gradually that it wasn't easy to notice.
Which is why I want to raise awareness of the topic so that we can decide on our own terms how we want to proceed.
Anonymous
No.7186
7187
>>7185
Well, that gets into the individual apporaches to staffing. Without criticism, some have a hands off approach and some have a hands on approach.
Neither is 'wrong' on its face, and in hindsight one can always think of a 'better way'.
I would say - if I were in the position to say (which Im not) - that more effoet could be exlended, as well as a but of discernment, to discourage blanket threads like the "News" thread. Its far too general, and runs afoul of the spirit (but NOT the intent) of rule 11.
Anonymous
No.7187
7188 7190 7212
6467991 (1).jpg
Ponk (1).png
123 (1).png
>>7186
This thread is one of those /qa/ discussions that never really got the staff to weigh in after the OP. Maybe it's about time we get an official response so a solution to these problems can be taken on.

HEY, MODS! WHAT DO YOU THINK?

Posting pony ass to make sure they see it.
Anonymous
No.7188
7189
huijb.png
>>7187
Since you call law enforcement to assist you, I have no choice but to intercede.
Fuck off with your attempt to make changes. I don't care how you spin it. I oppose upsetting the status quo.
Anonymous
No.7189
>>7188
I want to status quo to go back to what it was when we actually had consistent news threads.
Lotus
## Admin
No.7190
7191
CA347D93-34DC-4B20-B4BE-508C73C8139A.jpeg
>>7187
I don’t know; I’ll review the question when I have more time. I don’t care much for the “random news thread” and it’s potentially chilling effect on new thread creation, but I’m not aware of any other threads being potential problems.
Anonymous
No.7191
>>7190
>I’ll review the question when I have more time.
Basically what I wanted for now. Thanks for the consideration.
Anonymous
No.7192
7193
I would say that some of the threads that have become de-facto generals or close to generals would be the ones that have titles formatted like this:
>"[1-2 word topic] Thread"
Emphasis on the word "thread" in the title, as if to imply "this is the place we talk about X". Call a thread "X thread" isn't all that different from calling it "X general". Threads worded in this format tend to have minimal OP material and cover a broad topic that could have had its own series of threads pertaining to separate discussions of that topic.
That's not to say that these threads are bad, or that they're necessarily even generals, but I would still put them in a similar category to a type of thread that has pushed the board towards habitual de-facto generals.
A non-general thread is usually worded in such a way that:
>asks a question
>makes a statement
>has a prompt
>links materials or links of some sort of some sort
>Requests something
>Dumps images
>begins greentext
>Is an unapologetic shitpost.
Threads that only have titles of "[Topic Thread]" threaten to act as "[Topic General]".
That's not to say that those threads shouldn't exist or that they're necessarily bad (except for the random news thread, I hate that), but they're still in the "close to general" category. I wouldn't reccomend removing those threads, but maybe we could encourage OPs to reconsider titles to continue discussions in those threads once they hit bump limit, so that their next iterations are based on more specific discussions.

At the same time, I feel like some users want to keep general or semi-general style threads, so it calls into question if the rule against generals is something we want to keep or something that we want to amend, because as it stands there are many official and unofficial exceptions to the rule, and I don't think users would necessarily respond well to sudden full enforcement of it either without a full discussion and/or consensus on it either.
Some people have said that opening it up to more generals might enable more pony generals to move here, like anonfilly, but I'm skeptical of that...
Anonymous
No.7193
7194
>>7192
>At the same time, I feel like some users want to keep general or semi-general style threads
Given the low /mlpol/ traffic, I think it is the best trade-off. Splattering the catalog with new threads that end up with a just a few responses it is very bad look.
Anonymous
No.7194
>>7193
>Splattering the catalog with new threads that end up with a just a few responses
That's what it was 4/1/17, and it wasn't a problem then. Why would it be a problem now?
>bad look
Who are you trying to impress? If there are a lot of dead threads, make new threads to slide the old ones, or bump the topics you like to the top of the catalog. That's a healthy rate of flow for a site.

I would say that letting the catalog stagnate with months-old threads and generals is an equally bad look. Not only that, we still have the catalog splattered with dead threads that have been there for months, because of the abysmal rate of thread creation.
New threads encourage new conversation, and when those threads die you make more threads that slide them.
>Given the low /mlpol/ traffic
Traffic could be a lot higher if we had more specific threads instead of generals.
Anonymous
No.7195
7196
...Idk though; I don't really know what to do. I just feel like we could do better than this.
At the very least, we could use some clarity in the matter.
Anonymous
No.7196
7197
>>7195
I dont disagree.
The problem is, for many/most of the 'oldfags', /mlpol/ has always been slow and theres a certain charm in that; one doesnt HAVE to lurk the site 24/7 to avoid missing out on gem threads.
And yet, the single greatest argument from potentjal users is "too slow". Thats not to attribute authenticity to their prospective userdom, just reiterating what has been said. So, a greater number of specific threads as opposed to generals would appear to appeal to a larger potential userbase. Emphasis on potential.
At the same time, it would also be in keeping with the professed intent of the policy/site.
Which begs the question: which is better, the devil you know or the devil you dont? Conventional strategy suggests the former, but thelatter has never been tried, and wat HAS been tried - while not unstable or insustainable - isnt working.
Anonymous
No.7197
7198 7199 7212
>>7196
>/mlpol/ has always been slow
We weren't always this slow. I remember 2017-2019 when threads got made every day, and not just when I was making them. I want to go back.
>theres a certain charm in that
The charm eludes me, tbh. I'm not saying I dislike it here, but it's not because of the low speed that I stay. I'd like it even more if we went back to our old speed.
>one doesn't HAVE to lurk the site 24/7 to avoid missing out on gem threads.
What gen threads? You mean the generals? Half the time conversations get squished under vaguely-related topics as the thread gets moving, so users miss out on commenting on particular topics if they don't browse that thread every day.
(another detriment of the long bump limits, imo)
>which is better, the devil you know or the devil you dont?
That's a false dichotomy. It wasn't always like this. We didn't always have de-facto generals. We weren't always this stagnated. We used to have new threads every day. We used to have random pony threads. It's not "the devil we know"; it's "the devil who moved into our basement 2 years ago and hasn't left because we don't want to talk about him and pretend we've gotten used to him".
All of these things I'm talking about are NEW THINGS that only became prominent in the past 2-2.5 years. They just occurred so gradually that most of us didn't notice them or didn't bother having real discussions about them as they occurred because we thought things would just get better if we didn't say anything.
>the latter has never been tried
It has been tried. It was 5 years ago, and it worked. It's what prevented heat-death of this community in its formative stages so we didn't die in the womb.
Anonymous
No.7198
>>7197
>>missing out on gem threads
>what gen threads?
Nigger,....
Anonymous
No.7199
>>7197
This, pretty much.
Anonymous
No.7200
7202
52-522731_angry-derpy-hooves-female-mare-paint-derpy-hooves.png
At this point I am suspecting this thread has been reactivated to stir shit again by the same faggot than the last time.
If so... KYS and burn your disgusting remains in the Everfree Forest.
Anonymous
No.7202
7203
>>7200
You must have not been paying attention if you think that's the case.
Anonymous
No.7203
7204
not again.jpg
>>7202
>B-but, I just want to discuss an idea
Fetching mayhem and discord looks like a sport for that faggot. Not only he didn't learn, looks like he is enjoying it.
To try to change things in an autistic board is a very bad idea and not welcomed at all.
Anonymous
No.7204
7205
2111023__safe_artist-colon-sketchmcreations_pinkie+pie_earth+pony_pony_the+last+laugh_female_frown_mare_pinkie+pie+is+not+amused_raised+hoof_simple+background_t.png
>>7203
>Fetching mayhem and discord
Where? The entire conversation has been self-contained, in the designated thread on the designated board.
>change things
Do you prefer it when things just change by themselves without anyone talking about it or approving it? We didn't always have generals.
>he is enjoying it
Literally who are you talking about, why do you think that, and how could you possibly even tell that.

And if you must know the context for why it was bumped, it's >>>/mlpol/349017 →
Partly to do with the fact that the problems that were discussed before have only gotten worse since.
Anonymous
No.7205
7206 7207 7208
eagte4.png
>>7204
>Partly to do with the fact that the problems that were discussed before have only gotten worse since.
Every time you tried this stunt the post count went to the cleaners, you have been warned before about hurting the board and yet you are doing it again. Your malice is evident.
Anonymous
No.7206
7209
>>7205
How is talking about generals "hurting the board"? Are you implying that all posts to /qa/ somehow stifle conversation?
I don't believe that for even a second. Correlation does not imply causation, and it's 1:00 AM on a week day.
People have been posting to /qa/ since the board was first made. It's normal to have conversations about the site, and necessary for the community to function. That's why we made /qa/.
Anonymous
No.7207
7208
>>7205
You're only comparing site data from between today and last week. Not to mention Wednesday had more posts, and Thursday has only barely begun. That's not a representative sample size and does not prove anything.
If you want traffic to improve, go make some new threads.
Anonymous
No.7208
>>7205
>>7207
And now that I look at it, it says we had MORE posts per day than last week on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday, so your claim about this conversation somehow discouraging the rest of the board is totally unfounded.
Anonymous
No.7209
7210
>>7206
Yeah, that's silly. Maybe if the conversation was in a more requent thread but on a literal meta board, you can't be criticised for stifling conversation.

Besides, I believe in the point being raised and I like to discuss it, without any personal drama to squander it.
Anonymous
No.7210
>>7209
>I believe in the point being raised and I like to discuss it, without any personal drama to squander it.
This.
I'm so tired of personal drama, and accusations/paranoia thereof, ruining good meta threads where the users should have the opportunities to voice opinions on important site issues.
People need to chill the fuck out.
Anonymous
No.7211
Maybe the site is just too small? Petty personal disagreements regularly and easily lead to threads getting derailed.
It's not something that is ever going to change, given the nature of the site.
John Elway
## HorseWhisperer
No.7212
7213 7214 7215
6400004__safe_artist-colon-amo_imported+from+derpibooru_applejack_fluttershy_pinkie+pie_rainbow+dash_rarity_twilight+sparkle_alicorn_earth+pony_pegasus_pony_uni.webm
>>7187
>HEY, MODS! WHAT DO YOU THINK?
I think that's the best looking shot of Pinkie's ass I've ever seen on this board.

As to the actual question being discussed, I more or less agree that it would be better if people would just start a new thread for each major news event instead of just dumping it into the Random News thread. That's basically how things worked in the very beginning: happening threads usually included a link to an archived article along with a greentexted summary.

However, my memory might be fuzzy, but I seem to recall that people started complaining about there being too many news threads. People were starting threads about minor events that usually got few if any replies. The Random News thread was created as an all-purpose dumping ground for news events that were interesting enough to merit posting, but not significant or discussion-worthy enough to justify a dedicated thread. It seems like, over time, people just started getting lazy and dumping everything into the Random News Thread.

As to the more general "generals" issue, I honestly never quite understood why we had to have that rule in the first place. From what I recall, it was something that came from the /mlp/ side. /mlp/ anons felt that their board had divided into subcommunities, and everyone just stayed in their neverending threads and never interacted with the broader community. Since that's never been a problem on this site, the no-generals rule has always felt superfluous, so by and large we don't enforce it. Also, as has been brought up ITT, it's hard to define exactly what a "general" is in the first place. We've had the Syria General for nearly as long as the site has existed, and Anonfilly has been here since like fall of 2017 or thereabouts. Nobody has ever complained about those threads existing as far as I'm aware.

In any event, this seems like another issue that ought to be settled directly by the community, rather than by altering the site rules through some arcane parliamentary procedure. One of the founding principles of /mlpol/ was supposed to be that it be largely self-policing; ie, the community sets its own board culture and deals with interlopers by shitposting them into oblivion. It was part of the appeal we made to Hiro, actually, since 4chan staff at the time was saying they didn't want to give us a board because they didn't have anyone who could moderate it; we argued that we didn't need moderation because we could just police ourselves. The whole point of this place is supposed to be that we are a free-speech antithesis to over-moderated spaces like Reddit and Facebook and whatnot, so in general I think we should keep the written rules few and mostly informal. That's just my two cents.

I would personally be glad if people started posting news topics as their own threads instead of just using one big thread to dump the news in, but if people don't want to do it that way I can't really force them.

>>7197
>We weren't always this slow. I remember 2017-2019 when threads got made every day, and not just when I was making them. I want to go back.
This is true and I can sympathize; 2017 was a fun era and I miss it sometimes. Personally, though, I don't think enough people appreciate just how great it really is that this place is even still here. When I volunteered to be a mod, I honestly expected this place to be gone by the end of the summer. We had a lot of energy and a lot of posters in the beginning, but we also started life as a joke, and we were bound to lose momentum the longer it went on. When you consider that MLP isn't even on the air anymore and "bronies" haven't been relevant since 2013 or so, it's pretty impressive that we're still here 5 years after the fact.

>It wasn't always like this. We didn't always have de-facto generals. We weren't always this stagnated. We used to have new threads every day. We used to have random pony threads.
I hate to sound like a broken record, but my response to this issue is the same every time: if you want to see more activity, post more. If you want more of a particular type of content, post more of that type of content.

These meta discussions are fine if people want to get these issues out in the open, but the bottom line is that starting a thread to talk about how the site ought to be this way or that way is going to be far less effective than just posting the kind of content you want to see posted. Frankly I don't think "generals" are the problem; in fact if more of /mlp/'s popular generals had a concurrent thread here we might even get more activity. Here's a couple of things to put it in perspective:

I started the /bale/ thread (Beginning and Low-Effort art) partly in response to the earlier complaint that there isn't enough pony stuff on the main board. It was a successful thread on /mlp/, I liked the idea, and I thought it might encourage more people to create doodles and projects and whatnot. Thus far, I'm the only person who has actually contributed anything to it the SFM pinup art in there is mine. I set aside about six hours of my time every week to run movie night, I've completely lost count of all the image edits and shitposts and whatever I've posted here, and I don't even want to think about how many precious hours I've squandered reading and analyzing horrendous fanfiction so I can post hopefully witty commentary on it. Not trying to guilt-trip anyone, but I put in a fair amount of creative work around here, so if the site's slowing down it certainly isn't my fault.

I was actually in the process of writing green for Sven's prompt thread when I noticed this was getting bumped and I figured I should make a response. So at least for me, this meta-discussion is actually diverting energy away from content. I'm certainly not trying to discourage you guys from starting these meta-discussions about the site, but it might actually be more constructive to take that same energy and put it into actual posting.
Anonymous
No.7213
herpmit_crab_by_zicygomar_d486goa-pre.png
>>7212
>Make content to get activity
That's how I see it as well. This is basically the main problem. I still think that the no generals rule is good but having said that, I mean that in the terms of gardening. If you have to choose between watering a flower or a give it some fertlizer or something else, then the water takes priority.

That's why I don't want shitflinging. I want to discuss this without this taking to much emotional effort and energy or people feeling blamed for stuff.

Even if we enforce some sort of no general rule, it's not gonna solve the site slowness problem. I'd would argue it would improve it sure, however, the biggest problem is the lack of constructive posting of content. In that regard, you defintely have nothing to feel bad about GG because you are one of the people who contribute the most and make this site what it is.

Basically, if we got like a few more GGs this site would really start to tract attention. In fact, if we were to fish with GG's thread as bait on mlp we'd probably catch many people's intrests right now. It is also certainly something that brings me back to this site among other things.
Anonymous
No.7214
7215
>>7212
Thanks for the response, Elway.
>happening threads usually included a link to an archived article along with a greentexted summary.
Yeah, Imo, that's the ideal non-general /pol/ thread.
>I seem to recall that people started complaining about there being too many news threads.
I don't remember that, tbh. Back in the early days, I made a lot of the news threads, but I don't recall people complaining about the quantity. It seems bizzare considering that would've been the time when people came from /pol/.
>People were starting threads about minor events that usually got few if any replies.
Hmmm, I guess there's a case to be made that certain kinds of threads would be "not worth our time", although I never really considered those to be a major problem because they'd simply slide to the bottom of the catalog when interest waned.
Although, they also tend to stay on the catalog for a pretty long time due to the relative slow speed of our board. Perhaps some might find that unsightly, but the bottom of the catalog has always been full of dead threads, so I personally don't have a problem with that.
>It seems like, over time, people just started getting lazy and dumping everything into the Random News Thread.
See, I feel like this can't be understated. Overtime, some posters have gradually gotten used to posting things in the generals, perhaps even to the point that making fresh threads even feels awkward for some people.
Imo, that sot of creeping board-wide attitude is potentially a symptom of stagnation, reminiscint of the lower periods of /pol/ and /mlp/ (which is part of why the no generals rule was added in the first place).
>I honestly never quite understood why we had to have that rule in the first place.
Well, that's why this thread exists. To analyze what purpose it serves and consider the impacts it has had on our community.
That's fair, tbh. If you want to know the context, it was because the /mlpol/ constitution was drafted on a shitpost thread on the high-speed memesplosion that was the 4chan /mlpol/ board, not in context of an independent site which would inevitably be many times slower than the original April Fool's joke.
(Not saying we should ignore it just because "Muh founding fathers didn't have AR-13s!"; I'm just reminding people of the historical context.)
>From what I recall, it was something that came from the /mlp/ side. /mlp/ anons felt that their board had divided into subcommunities, and everyone just stayed in their neverending threads and never interacted with the broader community.
Yeah, that was really it. When /mlpol/ was created, /mlp/ was at a historic lowpoint, and the go-to scapegoat for board stagnation was the generalfags who only posted to a few threads (although, to be fair, a lot of them were DB tourists with no interest in the rest of the board). It might have been a hastily-created rule.
I feel like the "no generals" rule might have actually caused us to miss out on some pony content, because for all that's fair, a lot of those pony general threads are actually good and promote content creation while encouraging and attracting content creators. I would say that Anonfilly is an example, in addition to several of the non-cancer /mlp/ gens that are up right now.
>Since that's never been a problem on this site, the no-generals rule has always felt superfluous, so by and large we don't enforce it.
I agree, tbh. Maybe it's due to be amended if nobody really wants it to be enforced.
My only real problem is certain broad-topic threads, like the news thread. I'm not vehemently against generals, and I think a few generals could actually be good for this site, especially pony ones.
>We've had the Syria General for nearly as long as the site has existed, and Anonfilly has been here since like fall of 2017 or thereabouts. Nobody has ever complained about those threads existing as far as I'm aware.
Iirc, when /sg/ moved here, there was a pretty long discussion here on /qa/ about if an exception to the rule should be made, which was pretty broadly agreed upon. That discussion was brought up again when we adopted Anon Filly, with the same conclusion.
Anonfilly and /sg/ are both examples of generals that have been well received by the community, and were given explicit exceptions. Perhaps those exceptions should be extended to other threads, or maybe they shouldn't need threads in the first place.
>In any event, this seems like another issue that ought to be settled directly by the community, rather than by altering the site rules through some arcane parliamentary procedure. One of the founding principles of /mlpol/ was supposed to be that it be largely self-policing; ie, the community sets its own board culture and deals with interlopers by shitposting them into oblivion.
This is a fair assertion. It's also the one I think people are most comfortable with, although with no guarantee of results. I think a couple other anons in the threads have been disappouinted by what they determine to be insufficient staff action, but imo i personally think this is best addressed by the community itself, so long as we're all able to discuss the issue in a civil and productive manner.
On the other note though, I think it's also important for the rules that are important enough to be written to also be clear, since a lot of posters still take care to follow the rules and might be dissuaded if the rules are left vague. Some Anons might have wanted to make generals all this time and refrained from doing so because it was against site policy that they wanted to honor, so maybe the board could benefit from rule #9 being clarified to say that exceptions to the rule exist and what might define those exceptions.
That's just the other side of the argument though. I wouldn't consider any offcial changes to be of top priority.
Anonymous
No.7215
>>7212
>>7214
>so in general I think we should keep the written rules few and mostly informal
I agree. It's not a top-down system; it's a community-driven system. That's why we have this board to talk about site matters.
>I would personally be glad if people started posting news topics as their own threads instead of just using one big thread to dump the news in, but if people don't want to do it that way I can't really force them.
I agree with this as well. Although certain kinds of generals may perpetuate stagnation, removing them entirely wouldn't necessarily improve the board if those posters do not make their own threads afterwards. You can lead a pony to water, but you can't make her drink.
> Personally, though, I don't think enough people appreciate just how great it really is that this place is even still here.
Perhaps I was a little harsh about that earlier. I'm amazed this practical joke of a board still exists too. I guess I was just frustrated.
>Frankly I don't think "generals" are the problem; in fact if more of /mlp/'s popular generals had a concurrent thread here we might even get more activity.
I agree with this as well. I would welcome most of the /mlp/ generals to move here if they actually wanted to.
>These meta discussions are fine if people want to get these issues out in the open, but the bottom line is that starting a thread to talk about how the site ought to be this way or that way is going to be far less effective than just posting the kind of content you want to see posted.
You're right, tbh. I would just like people to think about these issues a bit more, because some of my past efforts to keep this board alive felt like like lonely, thankless endeavors....
I was pretty autistic on board back in 2017-2018. I was making dozens of posts per day, and in the most autistic cases sockpuppeted and astroturfed entire conversations to keep people engaged. It was cringe in hindsight, but I had a lot of time on my hands back then...
>It was a successful thread on /mlp/, I liked the idea, and I thought it might encourage more people to create doodles and projects and whatnot. Thus far, I'm the only person who has actually contributed anything to it
With this, I can sympathize. It's a demoralizing feeling, but don't let it deter you.
I've got my own community-engagement project I'm working on for the board, which I guess I should launch asap. It had to do with setting up a community-wide roleplaying network, although life's recent events have gotten in the way... Maybe i should make the thread about it anyway though.
Anonymous
No.7216
Also, the "post ITT every time you visit" threads are low-effort bait and do nothing for the site beyond 'increasing the post count' while overall decreasing the post count. Seriously, there's no conducive reason for them
Anonymous
No.7798
7799
If we're going to keep having generals for the foreseeable future, can we at least have a soft etiquette that the political ones should have poster IDs? The political generals without poster IDs hardly ever have coherent conversations, and everyone deals with them for 700 posts because that's the thread with the topic at hand.
Anonymous
No.7799
7800 7806
pinkie.jpg
>>7798
>can we at least have a soft etiquette that the political ones should have poster IDs?
It only benefits the faggot having more proxies at hand. Any anon wanting ID can put his name in the Quickreplay's field. It is that easy.
>and everyone deals with them for 700 posts because that's the thread with the topic at hand.
KEK, that GALL of saying that.
Actually no one will make new threads or post even a single pony. Be the solution by participating by posting new threads and shitposting instead of complaining on other's threads while sitting and doing nothing. It is like you are here to be entertained instead or actively participating.
Anonymous
No.7800
7801 7810 7818
tired.png
>>7799
I'm not that anon, but participating in what? A flat earth thread where one guy spams his facebook memes and ignores what's actually being argued? Nigger/tranny/jew hate thread #6969? Coronavirus thread that goes nowhere for 2 years?

I don't know why I personally keep coming back here. Stockholm Syndrome I guess.
Anonymous
No.7801
7802
>>7800
You could post in the soap thread or the mare fair thread
I'm pretty partial to those two
Anonymous
No.7802
>>7801
A convention I will never be able to attend and a craft I have no real interest in
Fasces
## Mod
No.7803
7807 7811
How about this compromise, since this keeps being brought back up constantly? Next time I see boomer meme spam, I ban the poster for three days each time until he gets it through his skull?

As for corona thread, it is about time for it to end as a general. I can agree to stopping that one. New discoveries about effects of the vaccine or policies that aim to return to lockdowns need their own threads. I much rather keep the flat earth thread so we don't have a wave of threads on that shit and I have to dig around for other content.

And as for complaining about content, fucking interact with the content that exists and make suggestions for anons if you can't make threads on your own. So many of my own threads get no engagement with no critique on how to change it to make it appealing. If you can't do this, then you get to deal with the current state of quality.
Anonymous
No.7806
>>7799
>It only benefits the faggot having more proxies at hand
How does it benefit them? Removing IDs doesn't stop people from samefagging, it only intensifies it.
>Any anon wanting ID can put his name in the Quickreplay's field. It is that easy.
That's not the same, and you know it. IDs exist for a reason.
Anonymous
No.7807
>>7803
>Next time I see boomer meme spam, I ban the poster for three days each time until he gets it through his skull?
This pretty much.
Anonymous
No.7808
7809
>7799
>It only benefits the faggot having more proxies
Removing ID's only makes samefagging easier and faster. So why is boom booms so scared of ID's. Do you not know how to get a new ID without unplugging your router?
Anonymous
No.7809
>>7808
Moreso, the logic here seems to be that the only counter to alleged samefagging is "more samefagging", which is ridiculous.
Anonymous
No.7810
>>7800
>I'm not that anon, but participating in what?
Make your own threads faggot.
Boom Boom
No.7811
7812
>>7803
>Next time I see boomer meme spam, I ban the poster for three days each time until he gets it through his skull?
Boom Boom here.
So no moar memes? That is going to get the board pretty empty.
Fasces
## Mod
No.7812
7813
>>7811
I already told you what to do. Use your keyboard and write commentary. Posting images on random threads is spam and will be dealt with accordingly. You have been warned.
Boom Boom
No.7813
7815 7845
rPP1tXX.jpeg
>>7812
All right. Loud and clear.
If I post a meme, if any, in the future will be with a comprehensive commentary.
Also, no moar corona-chan posting.
Let's see how (you) are gonna fill the vacuum. I suspect with more vacuum. /s
Fasces
## Mod
No.7815
7816
>>7813
I'm not sure why this offends you. Posting images with no content to accompany it is spam. It offers nothing to reply to nor does it keep any conversation going. What makes this worth posting for you that you are this offended at this response? If I just posted images of G5 in a thread, would you not ask for any context for my images?

I'm not asking for an essay. I'm just asking for something to accompany an image that you are not spamming. When you post groups of five images all over the place, it does not aid the threads.
Boom Boom
No.7816
>>7815
>I'm not sure why this offends you.
Oddly enough, it doesn't at all. Actually it relieves me of the responsibility to keep the board alive.
Lotus
## Admin
No.7817
7819 7820
6073926.png
Alright, so a little clarity.

Posting images without text is not per se spam; posting new pony art and news is fine. The concern derives from mass postings of political memes that thus far have failed to stimulate much discussion. The problem isn't that the images are posted, it's that they fail to gain much response. We believe that conversation would be more likely to be generated if such posting of political memes were used to accentuate a text-based discussion, rather than as a complete replacement for it. The goal is, after, a text-based discussion. Of course posting of humorous memes on /sp/ is always allowed.
Anonymous
No.7818
>>7800
The US Government is using criminal charges to try to eliminate political opponents, the Ukranian counteroffensive is going on, and boycotts are actually having some success in opposing corporate neo-marxism. There's a lot going on in the world to talk about.
Boom Boom
No.7819
7823
>>7817
>posting new pony art and news is fine
What about old pony to bump the thread?
>The concern derives from mass postings of political memes that thus far have failed to stimulate much discussion.
Political memes, as most memes, usually won't spawn discussion because are subliminal and cumulative, their purpose are mainly subversive in nature and they have to be over the top outrageous to trigger commentary. So, regular tier, and even chan tier memes won't achieve what you want.
I guess regarding this point, your cease and desist warning will be on place. Memes, with notable exceptions, are not welcomed.
>The goal is, after, a text-based discussion
All right, I've got it, the ID thing.
Not boom booms
No.7820
7822
>>7817
Here's something to keep in mind Lotus. Boom booms has said before that his memes are directed at normalfags. This is not the case for every meme. But that is the excuse he tends to use whenever the content of those memes is scrutinized. (And its also the excuse for when he takes a jab at facism or natsoc.)

Which is to say. He doesn't seem interested in generating discussion with these memes. He quite literally wants to make boomer memes for normies to spread around boomer space or something.
Boom Boom
No.7822
7824
>>7820
>He doesn't seem interested in generating discussion with these memes.
It is partially true. Sometimes is pure dumping to bump a thread and give life to the board.
I said before that (you) want some threads you don't like stay quiet, just start posting ponies and greens.
Anonymous
No.7823
1579243740090.jpeg
2A2F4F88A5B1DA84981203C54AA24B34-23297.jpg
0C877FA8231995AED0935392F0BF3D49-107359.gif
A8C3C14AA1A25A987F661D506E1FCF98-250570.png
>>7819
<A great meme is the distillation of wisdom, experienced.
What makes a good meme isn't the cumulative nature alone, it's the total cognitive engagement. Which is hard and or bizarre, memes don't follow conventional logic they follow rule of cool (and variants by technically).
It's easy to enter into yet also has a 'high skill ceiling' on engaging.
Which means many memes are accidental or incidental.
It's the encapsulation of broad strokes and highly detailed focal point planning an orchestral choir with kazoos in the pipes and organs with that in consideration.
By being both an entry point and increases in values when revisted with life experiences (such as the source material and context).
More than just witticisms yet also an emotional journey, cognitive journey and memory journey.
Anonymous
No.7824
7825 7826
>>7822
Believe it or not. I am not entirely indifferent to the info and link compilations that you do. I'd much rather still have them because it saves me time.
But you are no messiah, and this board wouldn't be dead without them. In fact, if you were to actually leave. Perhaps quality memes and posts wouldn't be as diluted. Maybe Anons wouldn't have to deal with a samefagger miasma nigger who abandons frenly conversations out of the blue.
Anonymous
No.7825
>>7824
>who abandons frenly conversations out of the blue.
In his own thread btw.
Anonymous
No.7826
7827
291-2918687_pony-shrug.png
>>7824
>But you are no messiah, and this board wouldn't be dead without them
Sorry anon but that is nor my intention, but to transfer the shitposting load on everypony else.
>Maybe Anons wouldn't have to deal with a samefagger miasma nigger who abandons frenly conversations out of the blue.
Believe it or not, I gotta a job, and I gotta other activities beyond lurking and engaging every faggot at /mlpol/. Add to that heavy schedule some not so a few hours to fetch content, which are source or criticism, resent, and controversy.
So, say what you want, punish me, ban me. At this point I don't care anymore.
Anonymous
No.7827
7828 7829
>>7826
Schedules are no excuse to devolve what content you post. How about use your time to actually think about what you read over the day and think up a response to someone that will make the wait worth while? Doing what is easiest to you will not work because people are crying out to you that it is not working.

If that is too much work, to think about what others are saying, bye bitch. You didn’t care about this place anyway if engaging the website and the people that use it is beneath you and your schedule.
Anonymous
No.7828
>>7827
>bye bitch.
Hello nigger.
Anonymous
No.7829
7830
>>7827
Seriously? Say who? A heavy ass nigger posting nothing?
KYS
Fasces
## Mod
No.7830
7832
>>7829
Says me. I said post content. Stop excusing yourself by a schedule. I had a strict schedule for a time and would constantly plan stuff to post and edited together Ponies the Continuation as well. You can do whatever you put your mind to.

You just choose not to.
Anonymous
No.7831
7833 7841
I don't know whether to be glad that my depresso posts gained traction or disappointed that the boomer anon's getting this level of hostility from it. Listen guys, I'm talking out of my ass. I'm sure with an open mind the site has plenty to talk about but lately I can't help but ask, what's the point. It's not the site's fault. It's not boomer anon's fault. It's mine.
Boom Boom
No.7832
7833 7841
heh.png
>>7830
Oof, again you interfering.
Alright, suit yourself, I am going to step aside and let's see how it goes.
Fasces
## Mod
No.7833
7834 7835
>>7831
The point is having a good time. Some days it is hard to find that good time. It's still around though. People just have to be reminded every so often. Something that brings some energy back to people and inspires others to join.

What will do that is the question. I'm still looking for that answer.

>>7832
Do you even read what I post? How is asking you to be more invested considered interference?
Anonymous
No.7834
7836
>>7833
I was about to agree and say that the whole point of /qa/ is for open communication between users and mods. I wish I knew how a good time felt but at this point I can't think of a good conversation or fun time worth remembering since I went to the Carolinas....the first time...
Boom Boom
No.7835
7836 7843
>>7833
It means more time that actually I don't have. Posting here has stretched me to the max. I told you, fetching stuff takes hours, if I have to be more invested then the post count will fall to the cleaners. Considering that just a few ponies are even posting a pony, then the net result will be in a deserted board.
By the way, I have to "leave out of the blue" now. Money calls.
Fasces
## Mod
No.7836
7837
>>7834
Damn. But perhaps we can make something that is worth a good time though. I have been trying to brainstorm a few ideas if you are interested in hearing and giving feedback.

>>7835
Just reduce how much you post to have a healthy balance of quality, posting, and your own health. I'm not sure why you are fixated on the sheer scale of posting rate instead of the content contained in the posts. I would enjoy hearing what you think instead of simply relaying what someone else on the internet thinks.
Anonymous
No.7837
7838
>>7836
I agree again. I don't think anyone wants to get 20 posts a day with 3-5 memes about covid each. It's not just unengaging, it's exhausting. There's rarely any news posts or discussions. It's not just the topic, it's the message. And the message I've seen for years now is that nothing is truly in control or within our reach, and at a moment's notice we can be shoved into our pods never to be seen again. How am I the only one who seems truly demoralized?
Fasces
## Mod
No.7838
7839
>>7837
Well, we aren't in pods yet. Knowing the plans of people in charge is helpful so we are not deceived into supporting such measures, but we are not yet in that future. It is just as important to balance the overwhelming nature of the way the world is by simple communication and doing fun things with friends.

If you only intake demoralization, you can't withstand the future that is being forced upon you. With only ignorance and focusing on fun, you won't see it coming. I think we have the potential for a healthy balance here. It is just that we have some more dedicated posters of a certain topic here.
Anonymous
No.7839
7840 7843
1674478184853422.jpg
>>7838
The ignorant have been the only people I really talked to for six months now. It's just as exhausting as staring into the abyss. I feel like I'm more alone than I would be here, sitting in the dungeons of Fear and Hunger, while the only thing keeping me sane is alcohol. What is sanity anymore, if it comes with a Popov prescription?
Fasces
## Mod
No.7840
>>7839
Alcohol is a depressant though. It doesn't help. Regardless, ignoring the threads you don't like is still an option. Pony content can be still a major focus of the site and something that can be expanded with proper brainstorming ideas for.
Anonymous
No.7841
7842 7843 7902 7936
>>7831
>I don't know whether to be glad that my depresso posts gained traction or disappointed that the boomer anon's getting this level of hostility from it
Not at all. Not a chance in hell. Anons have been shitting on boom booms for a while now and if you checked his threads you'd know this. You have absolutely nothing to do with it. Be as blackpilled as you want. No body cares.
>>7832
See ya in a week or so. You'll start crying about how dead the board is, and that one sad mf will come in on your defense like last time.
Anonymous
No.7842
7844
>>7841
I know he gets plenty of shit, but for one, this is /qa/, and for two, this thread really didn't get a lot of interaction until I mentioned it. I'm not trying to say I'm important, I'm just saying I shouldn't have mentioned it because it's such a hair trigger now.

Also if you read the thread I wasn't defending him.
Lotus
## Admin
No.7843
7849
6111471.jpg
>>7839
>>7835
>>7841
I just want you to know that I love you guys, and appreciate the posting
Anonymous
No.7844
>>7842
>Also if you read the thread I wasn't defending him.
I know, I wasn't talking about you there. I was referring to another poster who came on boomie's defense when he was in this exact same situation months ago. (out of contrarianism btw)
Sorry, I could've worded that a lit better.
>this thread really didn't get a lot of interaction until I mentioned it. I'm not trying to say I'm important, I'm just saying I shouldn't have mentioned it because it's such a hair trigger now.
Not your fault. There's also a shill who pushes ponies vs politics from time to time. This is nothing.
John Elway
## HorseWhisperer
No.7845
7846 7849
2280251.gif
>>7813
>Let's see how (you) are gonna fill the vacuum. I suspect with more vacuum. /s
I hereby declare vacuumposting to be a thing.
Anonymous
No.7846
>>7845
>ywn rub vacuumpony's LCD screen
Anonymous
No.7847
7848
OP bumper here. Haven't posted in a while. I'm starting to feel like this conversation would have been better in a thread with IDs...
Anonymous
No.7848
7850
bad.jpg
>>7847
Boom Boom
No.7849
>>7843
Thanks.
>>7845
Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaah.
Anonymous
No.7850
>>7848
No u
Boom Boom
No.7902
7903 7904 7906 7915
mlpol - statistics - 2023-07-02.jpeg
Good evening everyponer.
I would like to request permission to begin operations again.

>>7841
>See ya in a week or so. You'll start crying about how dead the board is, and that one sad mf will come in on your defense like last time.
Pic for ya.
Anonymous
No.7903
>>7902
>You'll start crying about how dead the board is
Looks like Anon was right.
Anonymous
No.7904
7905
>>7902
>request permission
You didn't need permission in the first place.
Just don't shit-up the board if you don't want other posters to complain about it, or just ignore them.
Anonymous
No.7905
wp6370187.jpg
>>7904
Oki Doki.
Anonymous
No.7906
7907
>>7902
I, for one, am fine with the way things have been going. Things have been comfy, and the threads we've had in the past week have been decent.
Anonymous
No.7907
7908
pinkie pie - crazy with motorsaw.jpeg
>>7906
>I, for one, am fine with the way things have been going.
I disagree.
Anonymous
No.7908
7909
>>7907
Well if course you do, if you're the one crying about it being "dead".
Anonymous
No.7909
7910
187190.jpg
>>7908
Let's see how it goes.
Anonymous
No.7910
7911
>>7909
It's going well.
Boom Boom
No.7911
7912
food.png
>>7910
I'm on it and preparing the party.
Anonymous
No.7912
7913
>>7911
What party?
Boom Boom
No.7913
7914
heart.gif
>>7912
Anonymous
No.7914
1477181__safe_twilight+sparkle_pony_unicorn_animated_eyeroll_female_floppy+ears_frown_gif_glare_gritted+teeth_grumpy_grumpy+twilight_mare_simple+background_solo.gif
>>7913
~Oh noooo, Anon might make a dozen consecutive shitposts. I'm sooo scared.
Fasces
## Mod
No.7915
7916
>>7902
You alone posting does nothing but artificially inflate post count. It doesn't make anyone want to post more if you don't engage people. If numbers mean this much to you, try for a position at Reddit. They had the same mentality as you, artificially inflating engagement until it became what it is today. That said, you are only not allowed to spam, as I previously stated. You cannot post groups of random pictures and memes you found on the internet.

Meanwhile, I will actually use the new thread button and make content instead of bumping the same seven threads that don't get engagement outside of you.
Boom Boom
No.7916
7917
6bd7.png
>>7915
I was wondering how long it would take for you to show up to brake the shitposting rampage.
Fasces
## Mod
No.7917
7918
>>7916
Still lax with reading comprehension I see. I just said you are allowed as long as you don't do one specific thing, along with a couple of jabs because you have earned it. You keep making a big deal about this when it is fairly simply avoided.
Boom Boom
No.7918
7919
Rainbow_'My_dreams_of_being_in_the_Wonderbolts_Reserve'_S4E21.png
>>7917
Seriously, you are taking this personal on me. Maybe because Nigel is missing you are targeting me?
Fasces
## Mod
No.7919
7920
>>7918
I am only having fun poking at you because you are very defensive over nothing. One thing denied you and you act like it is the end of the world.
Boom Boom
No.7920
7921
>>7919
>One thing denied you and you act like it is the end of the world.
It is the end of the world indeed. I had a folder with at least 700 memes that I deleted a month ago because the /mlpol/ tyranny.
I couldn't post them and that's a tragedy.
Fasces
## Mod
No.7921
7922
>>7920
Nothing of value was lost. I assure you. However, I don't understand why you deleted them if you love them so much. Just view them on your own time and share with friends. You don't have to post them all here. It isn't appreciated quite clearly. Choose the best of what you find and not every single fucking thing. That will make people happy.
Boom Boom
No.7922
7923
Screenshot_20230702_234937.png
>>7921
Anyway, in a couple of weeks now a have around 80~100 app to post in the board, but dumping is not allowed, and there is not enough posting to make them fit among replays.
It is a tragedy.
Fasces
## Mod
No.7923
7924
>>7922
>tragedy
Fucking hell, you never learn. We don't want 100 images randomly thrown into seven threads that have no other posters engaging. This isn't your instagram my dude. We are talking ponies and politics. Images aren't worth a thousand words if you don't have anyone interesting in seeing them.
Boom Boom
No.7924
7925
>>7923
>We are talking ponies and politics. Images aren't worth a thousand words if you don't have anyone interesting in seeing them.
OK, it makes sense.
Fasces
## Mod
No.7925
7926
>>7924
https://youtu.be/wupsEGGQSkg
Boom Boom
No.7926
7927
-3b0.jpg
>>7925
I believe so.
Fasces
## Mod
No.7927
7928
>>7926
You should try to make a new thread and see where it goes from there. You might enjoy having to post on a certain topic and discussing when you have time. You might also try posting in threads you don't normally and talk about how you want to learn more about a certain subject. That might actually bring some people back.
Anonymous
No.7928
7929 7930 7931
>>7927
I see a trend here. The /mlpol/ staff wants to play the role of middle man and editor on the content of the board.
MFW the micro-management is getting on their heads.
Fasces
## Mod
No.7929
7932 7934
>>7928
https://youtu.be/Sx8CJBr1nd0
Anonymous
No.7930
>>7928
What are you even talking about? The staff barely do anything here.
Anonymous
No.7931
7933
FACTS.png
>>7928
You saw the posts per day graph, didn't you? The few edits made are to point out something glaringly obvious, like the fact Glimmernigel is a faggot. I can count the number of edits I've seen from the staff on one or two hands in the last....six months.
Anonymous
No.7932
7936
>>7929
>The staff barely do anything here.
True, but in the booms' case is getting hairy. Barely he can post anything without getting flak. That's freaking off putting TBH.
Anonymous
No.7933
7935 7939
>>7931
>You saw the posts per day graph, didn't you?
I did, and it is worrisome, the staff dismisses the post count like is a leddit thing, but it is not. Content quantity is important, even if it is just copy/pasta.
You faggets post nothing, contribute nothing, and are the apex of toxic entitlement, like welfare's moms asking for moar and moar.
Anonymous
No.7934
>>7929
>YOU'RE BATSHIT INSANE
Naaah, I'm only an anon noticing things.
Anonymous
No.7935
7937
>>7933
>is worrisome
Not really.
>the staff dismisses
I dismiss it too, especially in this context.
>Content quantity is important
Fair point.
>even if it is just copy/pasta
Eh, not really. If it doesn't engage other users, there's no point.
Anonymous
No.7936
>>7841
>>7932
>and that one sad mf will come in on your defense like last time.
Lmao.
Anonymous
No.7937
7938 7940 7945
>>7935
>Eh, not really. If it doesn't engage other users, there's no point.
Many threads beside the booms' ones have no engagement or a limited one, the generals fulfill a purpose even if it is just to add to the post count, meaning the board is alive.
mlpol.net
Anonymous
No.7938
>>7937
>the generals fulfill a purpose
In the case of boom booms. It allows him to back up his Instagram content.
Anonymous
No.7939
7940 7953
suitable image.png
>>7933
I make my allotted couple posts a day. I don't use any other site for news because frankly there's no point in it. I can write, and I discuss things when I think I can offer something. Nothing I can do in the Kaverns and Kobolds or Occupied Equestria threads though, and if I started drawfagging I'd just shit up the board. I was just saying that it's not like every post is getting an edit from staff.

I don't have much of a reason to be here at all, it's really just here or Call of Duty Zombies lobbies at this juncture of my life.
Anonymous
No.7940
7941
>>7937
>the generals fulfill a purpose even if it is just to add to the post count
Post count is just a number. It's meaningless ok its own. What matters is content and conversations.
>meaning the board is alive.
mlpol.net
So one person making a bunch of shitposts means the difference between alive and dead? As if.
>>7939
>if I started drawfagging I'd just shit up the board
Go ahead. We won't mind.
Boom Boom
No.7941
7942
>>7940
>So one person making a bunch of shitposts means the difference between alive and dead? As if.
Hi poners.
Unfortunately yes. If you abandon the board, the board is technically dead.
Anonymous
No.7942
7943
>>7941
So the community, events, personalities, lolcows and history of /mlpol/ doesn't matter as long as you can dump your terabytes of faceberg memes. Why do you think people left in the first place?
Boom Boom
No.7943
7944 7946 7947
>>7942
>So the community, events, personalities, lolcows and history
You are referring to past times. The community is gone and only a few remain; events, when any, are a shadow of what it was; personalities are missing; lowcows nopony cares anymore; history is longed but those longing are not doing anything to pad the present with new happenings.
So, a lot talking (empty posturing) but no shitposting (dead board).
Anonymous
No.7944
>>7943
You have already heard from multiple people that what you see as a living board is not desirable. The discussion is over unless you offer something else to bring to the table. Staff does not care about numbers, nor does the majority of users. We don't mind your posting unless you fucking spam it. This is final.
Fasces
## Mod
No.7945
>>7937
You do realize the solution is to post more in the threads that are not generals, or to make your own threads, right? You don't just gain passive posting and declare a website is fixed.
Anonymous
No.7946
7948
HD-wallpaper-bronya-zaychik-honkai-impact-3rd.jpg
>>7943
I don't see how any of what you do is going to help the site. Posting news articles and low effort boomer memes, using the same generic templates over and over again. It doesn't make you a fucking messiah.
>The community is gone and only a few remain; events, when any, are a shadow of what it was; personalities are missing; lowcows nopony cares anymore; history is longed but those longing are not doing anything to pad the present with new happenings.
If everyone started posting news articles and shit memes. None of this would change in the slightest. It would only free you from the burden of samefagging, even in /qa/ threads.
Anonymous
No.7947
snowed in.png
twilight getting practice.png
whoa nelly.png
milky ponk.png
Magic Box.jpg
>>7943
If I wanted a vaguely right wing meme folder I would go just about everywhere in the alternate social media sphere. Or I would make my own right wing meme folder by lurking /pol/ or 8/pol/ for a few weeks. I don't come here just to have my beliefs confirmed. Some of us came here for community, betterment and a shared sense of belonging. There used to be much more good-faith discussion and much more original meme contribution, but now all we get is bottom shelf Gab memes.

I still watch /mlpol/ Movie Night with the boys, no matter how small it is.
Boom Boom
No.7948
7949 7950 7951
887909970e49f8lates.jpg
>>7946
>Posting news articles and low effort boomer memes, using the same generic templates over and over again.
I remember what somepony said above your post: that nobody cares of my posting and is ignored. Well, then why so much resistance?
>It doesn't make you a fucking messiah
That insane assessment speaks a lot about you.
-----
Anyways, I won't press this issue further and I leave you the board as you want and as you deserve.
Anonymous
No.7949
>>7948
S
Fasces
## Mod
No.7950
>>7948
You keep ignoring the qualifier to everyone's problem, which speaks a lot about you as well.
Anonymous
No.7951
7952
Bronya-Cover-2.jpg
>>7948
>I remember what somepony said above your post: that nobody cares of my posting and is ignored. Well, then why so much resistance?
It's not about whether I care or not. You present your "shitpost" as some sort of magical elixir that is going to bring the site back to life.
When it's just a bunch of shit memes and news articles' links.
>That insane assessment speaks a lot about you.
Well, am not pretending am doing a massive favour to a bunch of ungrateful faggots. Neither am I using the site as my personal faceberg account. So, there's that.
Anonymous
No.7952
>>7951
Yeah I'm on the weeb's side here.
Anonymous
No.7953
7954
155314D5BAFAA68F5F3C34ADD2005B98-115976.jpg
B3263F7A70F4421E3D2BC5D55B4B28DE-2510366.png
1566024489936.png
>>7939
Drawfagging is content.
The difference between drawfagging and Boomer memes is the heart behind it is front and center.
Writefags count as well.
User retention and acquisition is based on a few things outside of the site itself.
The state of the world and people.
Basically the world keeps demanding more time and energy.
People have circumstances and needs and changes.

You know what /mlpol/ is a bastion of confident hope, truth and horse pussy.
Sure there is some well founded stuff tracked in from being in the world, but for a while any anon can stand in this place. Finding treasures both new and old.
It's not quite a proper rest, but still is rest from the world. A bit of distance and closeness to get to heart of issues and for a heart to heart.
With a wild dose of autsims.
Anonymous
No.7954
>>7953
Thank you for the sentiment, I was just kinda pointing out that I'm not really equipped for that much noteworthy content creation. Although...I may write filly again sometime.