From OTC: List-volume discussion (way long)

[annemehr]

--- In HPFGU-Feedback at yahoogroups.com, "KathyK" <zanelupin at y...> wrote:
 
> I felt people were ignoring my own posts and then bringing up the 
> same point.  People often built off these posts rather than mine and 
> I would wonder what it was about that other post that members liked 
> better than my posts.  Especially because I put a lot of time and 
> effort into what I write.  If I have a point to make, I've probably 
> searched through at least three of the books looking for relevant 
> canon and making sure I don't make errors.  I've also re-read any 
> posts in the thread I'm playing with and often taken time to go back 
> through the archives if I remember seeing the topic come up before 
> and recall something that might be helpful.  
> 
> These various things annoyed me.  And I understood the annoyance of 
> some members.  But I also think there isn't much that can be done.  

Annemehr:
Hi, Kathy! It's great to see you again!

I also agree there isn't *much* that can be done. At the moment, all I
have time for is to read the message index and click on what might
look interesting -- a very hit-or-miss proposition for finding the
best posts.

As I see it, there are two main causes for this situation during times
when we get a large influx of new members. First, the newer, younger
members seem to have a tendency to skim or skip the more involved,
well researched posts, since they require a lot more effort on their
part. Second (though this is really just the other side of the coin),
newer members are most prone to just post what they are thinking at
the moment rather than checking the canon, which leads to the same old
threads, and long threads based on errors that may or may not wend
their way back to canon accuracy. New members are also, of course,
very enthusiastic posters as many are new to fandom and haven't
discussed *anything* much yet.

Well, I'm sure everyone here knows this already.

As for what can be done about it, I think the only thing would be for
the more experienced posters to make a real effort to respond to posts
like KathyK's, to set a high standard. Then, ride it out.

Annemehr