...Kursk? Haven't been there since '43...

The evolution of the common thread:

1) Question is asked...

"How do you stretch sprue?"

2) Question is answered ...

"Hold sprue over heat source and pull. Repeat."

3) Answers are discussed and debated...

"What is the best heat source? What is the best kinda sprue to use? Should you remove parts from sprue before heating it?"

4) Through the process of step 3 a random comment enters a post...

"Wow, I didn't realize you lived in Charkow! I am in Orel---we need to meet up some time and go to that big hobbt shop in Belgoarad!"

5) Random post may or may not "take off" and begin an entirely different  discussion... 

"Cool.  How often do you get to Kursk? My wife's sister lives there."

I'm cool with it as long as original question gets the attention it deserves.  Note the word: deserves...

Thanks,Vance.

I haven't checked the Group Build Posts.

Hello,

My name is Vance,

and I am a a thread hijacker.

OK, so maybe it's not a condition or affliction (right?), but it does happen. Since I've started posting more frequently over the past I've really tried to read who is alright with a little hijacking & who isn't. I agree with several of the situations mentioned above.

• Somebody asking a legitimate question - stick to the topic until it has run its course. If the question is answered and "the conversation" has started, it quickly turns into a feeding frenzy. Been there, done that, see my confession above.
• WIP / Group Builds, yes it is of course rude to intentionally hijack something like that. Any of the GBs I've been a part of have been mostly kept on the straight & narrow, with occasional random barbs between guys who know each other.
• If, however, someone asks a question they fully expect to go off the rails, I am more than willing to jump into the fray. But I suppose everyone has a different sense of humour... some more different than others.
• ANYTHING posted in the odds & ends seems to have a verrrry good chance of going off-topic, I think because the topics don't often have anything to do with an actual, hands-on model.

And on a separate note, I'd like to thank Konigswolf for taking an actual picture of himself in his feline form. You've obviously heard of the recent push for "honesty in avatars"!

PS - I do build stuff too, not just hanging around for the threads! I just cracked open a pair of 1/72 Jap fighters for the War in the Pacific Group build.

DURR

/forums/t/127077.aspx            i asked the same question a week or so ago  check out the answers

Yes,I'm aware of the thread but  the question "why are sooo many threads hijacked"  didn't appear to ask what is OK or not OK ; it appears to simply ask  why it happens.

In addition, the thread itself attracted a lot of "random" posts .....

I would like to comment here, but I guess my thoughts on the subject are already known....

/forums/t/127077.aspx            i asked the same question a week or so ago  check out the answers

Have you been in the FAA / Naval Aviation GB? On topic is a very loose term. 

Funny how GB threads usually stay on topic

Andrew

Prepare to repel boarders...

I think you are going to get as many answers as members, it also varies by the type of post.

If someone is asking a serious question, say "my airbrush is doing XYZ and it never did that before, what should I be looking for", and people randomly come in and start dropping Monty Python references and jokes, that is kind of rude. Of course if he is a jerk, a complete knee biter (like insulting people who start by suggesting he check very basic things) then he probably deserves to have his thread go in the dumper.

The threads that start off kind of jokey or at least are easily percieved that way (Should I take out a loan to buy the new $400 1/72 Spuce Goose, or my kid busted my models, should I kill him) should expect to go in the dumper by page 3. You can't start a silly post and expect it to only stay with your brand of silly. 

Personally I don't mind a little unintentional thread jacking here and there in real threads, you know someone asks a question about a 1966 Mustang (a car   )  kit, some one posts a model they built with that kit to show how theirs came out, someone then comments on the model shown, someone comments on the comment, and the next thing you know the thread has moved to how the Mustang got its name, then moves onto the air war over Korea, and then leads to a new thread setting up a post war jets GB, these things happen.

In fluff threads I really don't care where they meander, some are just silly fun and some become interesting discussions.

Its really up to people using their judgement on how disruptive their comments are about when its time to start a new thread or keep at it. If the OP is walking down the new path I'd say that is a free pass to continue.

I too have been a recent perpetrator. I'll try to keep the German posts out of this one. Personlly, I'll never try to derail a thread unless I've already determined its gone that way to begin with. But, to me, it depends on where the post has gone, the direction its going. I feel like we shouldn't hijack someone's WIP or similar threads, that's probably a little rude. However, I've noticed most threads that get hijacked are after a question has been posed and sufficiently answered. But I don't necessarily think its born out of malice or inconsideration on any one's part. Its the ebb and flow of conversation, this is just through text rather than spoken words. I do think that a thread should at least be allowed to accomplish its intended purpose before it starts to digress. Just my opinion.

And please if it involves cats start your own thread from the top LOLZ 

Andrew

I consider a quick reply or two OK, but if its going to take more than that start your own thread.

Andrew