[VANITY] The Thread Of Hijacked Threads

N/A | 10 May 2006 | kevkrom

[kevkrom]

Single-issue people.

They're out there... on every thread. No matter what the topic, they try to link it to their pet issue in some way, shape, or form.

They are... The Thread Hijackers™.

While little can be done to stop them, and it is probably best to ignore them, I find it much, much more fun to mock them. Sure, being passionate about an issue you care about is a good thing, but thread hijacking is annoying and, to be honest, turns off people who might otherwise agree with you.

So, on to the mocking.

I'd like to coin the term "H-score" to indicate the number of posts on a thread before someone tries to hijack it with the issue du jour. For example, if the attempt occurs on response #5, the thread has an "H-score" of 5.

What I propose is that when hijacking offenses occur, that they be documented here in the following form:

Thread: Thread title and link
H-Score: Post # on thread containing the offense (first per thread only)
Offender: Screen name of offending poster
Severity: Scale of 1 (low) to 5 (high) on how off-topic the comment is
My Comments: Optional, use to justify severity or just general mockery of offender

Perioidcally, I will go through the nominees and post finalists (for subjective awards) and winners (for non-subjective awards) in the following categories (subject to change at any time):

• Fastest hijack, time (non-subjective)
• Fastest hijack, number of posts (non-subjective)
• "Spammer" award for most hijacks (non-subjective)
• Most egregious hijack (subjective)
• Worst offender (subjective)

The issue du jour changes over time. At one time, it was Terri Schiavo. As of the time of this posting, it is illegal immigration. Note that ridicule on this thread is not to be taken as argument over any poster's position, but rather their methods and bloody single-mindedness.

So, for now, nominations will be taken for threads hijacked by "illegal immigration/border control" single-issue folks. Watch this space for any changes.

[BulletBobCo]

[AngryJawa]

What's the best caliber for dolphin protection? 8^)

The gungeek thread hijack begins...

[HighWheeler]

OK here we go


Thread: "[VANITY] The Thread Of Hijacked Threads"
H-Score: 27
Offender: 1rudeboy
Severity: 10
My Comments: Topic was Osama bin Laden, his(?) comment on Peruvian Financial Districts in Utah was marginally funny, though very upsetting.

[tumblindice]

What's that, Lassie? You say aliens from another planet have Timmie tied-up in a cabin and are-----probing him?
And the script calls for bank robbers, not aliens?
And Ay Rand was pretentious and wordy, and, and . . . what's that girl? Timmie's `Mom' has left the show for `Lost in Space'?
What else? the Roosians have a satellite, Sputnik?
And you know what the `Holy Grail' really is? Keep going girl!

[kevkrom]

You should link to the offending post, so we dont have to scroll the entire thread

The beauty of the current scheme is that the hijackers usually strike early. Besides, context is useful when deciding how great the offense is.

[Tijeras_Slim]

Interesting, but it has nothing to do with the fact that there are no bad pitbulls, only bad owners.

[Chena]

So, hey, dirtboy. Have you planted your garden yet?

[Always Right]

Where were teachers like THAT when I was 14?

Here's my fourth grade teacher.

[jazusamo]

I think this thread has been infiltrated by trolls. Many posters have gotten off the subject.

[Constantine XIII]

Nice idea!

This thread will go as long as the hobbit hole if you're not careful. :)

[boxerblues]

OH crap, your gonna make me scroll

[NapkinUser]

[ElPatriota]

Let me ask you something. Can you define what Tread Hijacking IS?

The reason I ask is because - I have to admit - I am overwhelmed in information!... really.. it's like my brain can not absorb anymore. I am one of those who like to participate in FR (I have my reasons), but I confess that I have not taken the time to read every single rule in FR (like I don't read any "do you agree" before joining something online (forums, downloading software, etc). Apparently I am already braking rules by publishing stuff in the wrong places. I also noticed one day in a Rush Limbaugh forum/thread, I was not welcome cause they did not like what I was saying..Which is FINE by me! :) so I left. And now you mention this subject

So please clarify for me (and others) what exactly is what you are talking about? because I am not the kind of person to get myself where I am not wanted.. so please explain.

[dirtboy]

Nah, we're having a drought. Haven't bothered.

[L,TOWM]

LMBO!

Just before you wake up, ummm?

[ancient_geezer]

Did you know that surfing the net that Microsoft Windows is just the pits?

Of course it doesn't help to be on a dial up connection either.

[Prokopton]

Am I too late for the hijacking?

[sportutegrl]

You beat me to it.

[HighWheeler]

"I knew the risks going in. Hopefully, everyone will get it out of their collective system before long and start the targetted mocking I was calling for."

-- -- ---


I am leading the way with what I think is the first application of your template for complaining:


http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1629278/posts?page=83#83

[kevkrom]

The Elian flame wars may have been pretty hot, but there was no topic like Terri Schiavo to generate thread hijackings IMHO. The "H-score" averaged 2 to 5 for EVERY thread on FR for a couple of months.

I remember well... this concept was hatched back then, as those of us sick of "All Terri, all the time" hid out on another thread and pointed out "T-scores" ("T" for Terri) on other threads.

I actually remember a "1", where the original poster somehow managed to link a completely unrelated article to the whole situation.