BS: Occupation: Thread 1st-Responder

Subject: BS: Occupation: Thread 1st-Responder
From: PoppaGator
Date: 08 Apr 05 - 04:26 PM

No, I'm not talking about Emergency Medical Technicians (EMTs). The subject of this thread is people who are the first to add a response to a new thread ~ those who post message #2, in other words.

Bee-Dubya-Ell said it perfectly earlier today in another thread:

Mudcat Dynamics 101: The general tone of responses to a thread topic is established by the first respondent. If the initial response is lighthearted and favorable, then subsequent responses will be likewise. If the initial response is unfavorable, then the thread-starter is automatically an outcast and a moron and the bite of that first respondent will start a feeding frenzy that makes a school of blue sharks look like a buncha pikers.

Amen brother!

If the first-responder says anything along the lines of "You can't say that! What's the matter with you?" the initiator and all sympathetic parties are drawn into a defense of their right to joke about whatever taboo subject they have chosen, and the intended topic of the discussion is set aside, temporarily if not forever.

So, perhaps the second message in a thread is indeed the most important. Undoubtedly, this is not news to everyone ~ I'm sure that some folks are already diligently checking every new thread to appear, ready to jump in quickly to set the tone for all subsequent discussion.

The first-responder might be a dedicated killjoy, determined to police all subject matter, or may, on the other hand, be a jolly old elf dedicated to maintaining good humor, harmony, and openness.

Hmmmm. I wonder which personality type is more likely to maintain a constant first-response vigil... Not me! I'm very sorry to report that I'm pretty sure that folks of the more repressive persuasion are much more likely to keep their noses to this particular grindstone.

Whatcha think?

Subject: RE: BS: Occupation: Thread 1st-Responder
From: GUEST,Bunnahabhain.
Date: 08 Apr 05 - 04:29 PM

I don't think i'm repressive, just happen to have come onto the cat at the correct moment...

Subject: RE: BS: Occupation: Thread 1st-Responder
From: John MacKenzie
Date: 08 Apr 05 - 04:35 PM

It's the 3rd poster who is the most important!
G ¦¬]

Subject: RE: BS: Occupation: Thread 1st-Responder
From: Peace
Date: 08 Apr 05 - 04:46 PM

IV

Subject: RE: BS: Occupation: Thread 1st-Responder
From: PoppaGator
Date: 08 Apr 05 - 05:17 PM

One mildly negative variety of first-response message occurs when someone asks a question about a song (lyrics, chords, sheet music, history, composer, copyright date, etc., etc.) and the next message says "You shoulda looked it up yourself!"

Almost invariably, someone else supplies the desired info anyway, and there may or may not be further discussion (usually good-natured and brief) about what a wealth of information we have in the DT. But the discussion usually remains on-topic and civil, and includes loads of interesting info related to the original question, plus some other related and unrelated stuff as well.

Speaking for myself, I'm glad when people don't do their own research and post a question to the forum. That way, I get answers to questions I would never have thought to ask myself!

Subject: RE: BS: Occupation: Thread 1st-Responder
From: CarolC
Date: 08 Apr 05 - 05:33 PM

100

Subject: RE: BS: Occupation: Thread 1st-Responder
From: khandu
Date: 08 Apr 05 - 05:46 PM

I agree, Poppa! The second does set the pattern. Example follows with the "introductory" post, then the all-important second post:




Subject: BS: The Mother of all BS threads
From: khandu - PM
Date: 05 May 03 - 08:31 PM

Another brainstorm of mine, inspired by Tweed, Spaw, Carol the Sailor and their ilk.

We can save time which we spend searching through all the BS threads very easily. Henceforth, post all BS here in this thread. Soon there will be only one BS thread. We won't have to look for particular threads as this will be the only one and it will contain all the BS we have to offer.

My Gawd!! Why has this not been thought of earlier? It is so obvious!

I swear, sometimes I even amaze myself!

Once again, for those of you who are slow in understanding...hear me, Tweed! Post all BS in this thread from now on!

Pene Azul and Joe Offer will thank me for making their job so much easier! My fellow 'Catters will also thank me when they realize the time my idea will save them! Maybe this will finally get me the coveted "Time/Life Man of the Year"!!

I swear, sometimes I even blow my own mind!!

King khandu

    (Thank you, khandu. I worship at your feet.)
    -Joe Offer- ***

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Subject: RE: BS: The Mother of all BS threads
From: CarolC - PM
Date: 05 May 03 - 08:36 PM

Aaaackkk!!! Gag!!!

Geeze khandu! Can you lighten up a bit with the Glade Country Garden air freshener shit? I can hardly breathe on this thread!

***(The Joe Offer endorsement was added a few days later!)


After Carol the Sailor's post, it all went downhill & is still headed in that direction!

k

Subject: RE: BS: Occupation: Thread 1st-Responder
From: CarolC
Date: 08 Apr 05 - 05:49 PM

Who, me?

Subject: RE: BS: Occupation: Thread 1st-Responder
From: Once Famous
Date: 08 Apr 05 - 05:52 PM

I really don't give a shit.

What difference does it make?

No one is going to write a manual about this place anyway.

Subject: RE: BS: Occupation: Thread 1st-Responder
From: CarolC
Date: 08 Apr 05 - 05:58 PM

You think that one's bad, khandu, check this one out. It's my favorite. (So far... )

Subject: RE: BS: Occupation: Thread 1st-Responder
From: PoppaGator
Date: 08 Apr 05 - 06:04 PM

Too bad the picture of Mr Thread Starter is outdated; good thing I have enough imagination to figure out how it might have looked.

Subject: RE: BS: Occupation: Thread 1st-Responder
From: CarolC
Date: 08 Apr 05 - 06:11 PM

This should give you some idea, PoppaGator.

Subject: RE: BS: Occupation: Thread 1st-Responder
From: PoppaGator
Date: 08 Apr 05 - 07:04 PM

Poor bastard can't even stand up straight! I know the feeling (from about 30 years ago, that is).

Subject: RE: BS: Occupation: Thread 1st-Responder
From: The Fooles Troupe
Date: 08 Apr 05 - 07:46 PM

I can always still stand up straight with the right encouragement!

Subject: RE: BS: Occupation: Thread 1st-Responder
From: GUEST,Bill the Collie
Date: 09 Apr 05 - 02:16 AM

It's the encouragement that I've been missing