A Shipper section

[Languorous Lass]

Garnet mentioned this idea in passing awhile back, and I am just fed up enough at the moment to make it a formal proposal.

We seem to have an inordinate proportion of Shippers on this board -- people who are obsessed with the idea of two specific characters getting into a relationShip (or one of the characters getting together with the poster him/herself). Thread after thread in the Forum ends up being taken over by shippers squealing about how cute a character is or how it would be soooooo adorable if X got together with Y. Those of us who want to discuss more substantive aspects of the vids or the storyline are forced to plow through page after page (after page) of these simpering posts in order to find the posts we want to read.

I am proposing that the Forum institute a Shipper section in the Character Discussion area. The section would be the place for all OT discussion of actual or potential character hookups. (I specify "OT discussion" because, as we've seen recently, character hookups are sometimes central to the actual plot.) People could start threads for their favorite hookups, including fantasy hookups featuring themselves. And if shippers were unable to restrain themselves from their "Ooh! Ooh!" junior-high-level posts in threads in other sections, the mods could satisfy their apparent yen for taking posts out of threads by moving the shipper posts.

I'm absolutely serious about this.

What do people (especially the mods) think?

[tigerlilylynn]

I'm in favor of giving them a playground. God knows it's the only way I can handle Harry Potter fandom.

[Sami]

Good Idea!

[PolkadotConfederation]

I think this is a great idea!

[rupaZer0]

Yay, shipping! I'm all for it.

[consideration]

I was thinking about how much I agreed that shipping posts were annoying until I got to this part.

We seem to have an inordinate proportion of Shippers on this board -- people who are obsessed with the idea of two specific characters getting into a relationShip (or one of the characters getting together with the poster him/herself).

Oh shit. I suppose this could be addressed to me.

In my defense, however, I don't randomly go around taking over threads talking about how much Daniel and I need to get together. Most of that stuff stays in the Daniel, ma belle thread, where everyone pretty much runs around screaming their love off a mountain (except for Cloud).

The only times I can remember right now where I shipped in an inappropriate thread are only two recently. And both times my post was one lined and for the better part, people completely ignored me, since I wasn't being serious anyways.

Other times not so recently would be open love letters in Daniel's chat section. But, hey, Daniel has to know somehow how much I love him.

So, I'm sorry if I've annoyed anyone with my posts about Daniel, as it was not at all my intention. Next time I feel the need to promote my love for Daniel, I'll be a bit more aware of where I'm posting.

Other than that, I don't feel like there's really a need for a whole new forum section just for shipping. Shipper posting has increased just because there has been an increase in relationships in the plot. My advice would be that shipping posts should go in the character discussion boards.

[Languorous Lass]

I was thinking about how much I agreed that shipping posts were annoying until I got to this part.

We seem to have an inordinate proportion of Shippers on this board -- people who are obsessed with the idea of two specific characters getting into a relationShip (or one of the characters getting together with the poster him/herself).

Oh shit. I suppose this could be addressed to me.

Not necessarily, considdy. I seem to remember you starting specific threads to talk about how pretty your babies would be. That's not nearly as annoying as shipper talk in a thread devoted to another topic. My one request of you would be that the titles of the pretty-babies threads be clearer, so I know to avoid them like the plague.

I don't feel like there's really a need for a whole new forum section just for shipping. Shipper posting has increased just because there has been an increase in relationships in the plot. My advice would be that shipping posts should go in the character discussion boards.

Well, I'm suggesting that the shipping section go on/in the character discussion board. IMHO, unless we have a specific section, people won't know to limit their shipper posts to that board.

And I did specify that OT shipper posts go in the shipper section, simply because relationships are sometimes important to the plot.

[consideration]

Not necessarily, considdy. I seem to remember you starting specific threads to talk about how pretty your babies would be. That's not nearly as annoying as shipper talk in a thread devoted to another topic. My one request of you would be that the titles of the pretty-babies threads be clearer, so I know to avoid them like the plague.

Daniel Babies! Lol! That was really less about shipping and more of an inside joke I have with Kassia and Marla. This will sound strange out of context, but Kassia and I had babies and I wanted to name them all Daniel. Then Marla came into the picture. So that's why they're called Daniel babies.
Lol. I had completely forgotten about that.

[Broken Kid]

Other than that, I don't feel like there's really a need for a whole new forum section just for shipping. Shipper posting has increased just because there has been an increase in relationships in the plot. My advice would be that shipping posts should go in the character discussion boards.

In thinking about this today, I tend to agree that adding a new forum seems a bit overkill.

Well, I'm suggesting that the shipping section go on/in the character discussion board. IMHO, unless we have a specific section, people won't know to limit their shipper posts to that board.

And I did specify that OT shipper posts go in the shipper section, simply because relationships are sometimes important to the plot.

If we keep the in-character comments in the in-character sections, I don't think there would be considerable amounts of these type of threads. There will always be posts within topics saying "No, Jonas should be with me!" or such, but these things are easily skipped within a topic. Obviously if there are a lot in this vein, they should be stripped out and made into their own topic, but I don't see enough of this for its own forum.

Outside of in-character posts, these type of relationship posts are probably best targeted for Off the Cuff. They don't really concern the storyline or plot discussion or even character discussion, per se. Anyway, that's my thoughts right now, but we'll see how other people respond.

[Lurker]

I also don't think an altogether new section is warranted. I can't really think of any threads that were completely taken over by such discussion. Exceptions, of course, being threads for vids like "HOLY SH%T!!!" or "The Morning After" — and those videos were focused on the romantic relationships.

There is an occasional "Daniel/Jonas was sooo cute in this vid" comment, or "It should be me he was kissing" comment, but I don't feel that there's enough of them to necessitate removing all of the ones that appear. You're always going to get random comments like that, the same as you're always going to get a post from someone who didn't read the rest of the thread first and begins their comment with "I don't know if anyone's already suggested this...."

Really, removing all of those posts would — in the interest of fairness — require removing all posts like this, this, this, this, this, this, this, or this as being posts that aren't exactly "on topic" in the strictest sense. Obviously, though, they all are still authentic discussion related to the video itself, just as many "Jonas/Daniel was sooo cute in this video" (emphasis added) comments arguably are. There's just not enough of any of them to require their own section.

It would also lead to either feelings that forum members aren't free to share their thoughts, or it would just cause them to add a small extra comment about the video to their posts where they talk about how cute a character is or how much they'd like to see one character get together with another. Really, it would probably lead to having to read or skim over even more stuff you're not particularly interested in seeing.

It would also be a nightmare for the mods trying to determine what does or doesn't meet the criteria for removal in a fast-moving thread when the server's lagging due to high traffic.

[Languorous Lass]

Really, removing all of those posts would — in the interest of fairness — require removing all posts like this, this, this, this, this, this, this, or this as being posts that aren't exactly "on topic" in the strictest sense.

Yep. And your problem with that idea is . . . ?

Obviously, though, they all are still authentic discussion related to the video itself

It's not at all obvious to me -- at least with regard to the posts that throw shipper comments in on a random basis.

just as many "Jonas/Daniel was sooo cute in this video" (emphasis added) comments arguably are.

"Arguably," indeed. I'd certainly argue with that premise.

It would also lead to either feelings that forum members aren't free to share their thoughts . . .

I don't see how making a section to "share thoughts" about who should hook up with whom, and asking posters to keep those thoughts to the proper section, is more objectionable than asking posters to keep political remarks to the "Off the Cuff" section, or speculation about The New Girl to the "New Girl" section, or questions from newbies like "Who is this Bree chick anyway?" to the "New to LG15? Start Here!" section.

. . . or it would just cause them to add a small extra comment about the video to their posts where they talk about how cute a character is or how much they'd like to see one character get together with another. Really, it would probably lead to having to read or skim over even more stuff you're not particularly interested in seeing.

On the contrary, I would hope that it would cause forumites to realize that shipper talk belongs in its place, just as other OT conversation belongs in the appropriate place(s), and to respect other forumites by keeping their shipper discussions where they belong.

After all, I don't recall seeing people -- regardless of how passionate they are about politics -- posting messages like "God, I really hope the Senate manages to pass that vote of no confidence against Attorney General Alberto Gonzales, and that he steps down even if Bush doesn't fire him. Oh, and hey, how 'bout that latest video?"

It would also be a nightmare for the mods trying to determine what does or doesn't meet the criteria for removal in a fast-moving thread when the server's lagging due to high traffic.

I'm not advocating that the mods be required to keep up with the discussion in real time. In fact, I can't imagine that being a workable procedure for mods to follow in any case -- even in extreme cases like the whole Glenn Debacle.

I will point out that the mods do seem to be overly enthusiastic about moving posts they consider "OT" to the Rubbish Bin. (That, to my surprise, was where I found my original discussion with Garnet about shipper posts.) I would like to see the mods exercising their OT power for good for a change.

[ApotheosisAZ]

I will point out that the mods do seem to manage to find any and all posts -- other than shipper posts, of course -- that they deem vaguely Off-Topic, and to move them to the Rubbish Bin.

I find this to be an unfair criticism of the mods on this board. I don't think Lass meant it literally, but it certainly isn't true.

Having said that, I kind of like the Shipper section idea. Just my two-cents.

[Languorous Lass]

I did mean what I said about the mods' use of OT powers, but that discussion doesn't belong in this thread, so I withdraw the comment and will post a separate thread in the "Concerns and Complaints" section.

Back to the "Separate Shipper Section" discussion already in progress.

[spaciegirlreturn]

I will point out that the mods do seem to manage to find any and all posts -- other than shipper posts, of course -- that they deem vaguely Off-Topic, and to move them to the Rubbish Bin.

I find this to be an unfair criticism of the mods on this board. I don't think Lass meant it literally, but it certainly isn't true.

Having said that, I kind of like the Shipper section idea. Just my two-cents.

Yeah, I don't know about "any and all"..but there does seem to be an excessive amount of energy put into moving certain stuff to the rubbish bin that isn't all that rubbishy. I think a "shipper" section is a good idea personally. Also, not for nothin' but I'd love for all the stupid game threads (sorry..no offense to the creators of said threads..I don't think you are stupid, but I'm not down with the games.) to have their own section because they drive me insane and have been for quite some time.

[Broken Kid]

Also, not for nothin' but I'd love for all the stupid game threads (sorry..no offense to the creators of said threads..I don't think you are stupid, but I'm not down with the games.) to have their own section because they drive me insane and have been for quite some time.

I think those quiz and game threads generally belong in Off the Cuff. Most of them have been moved there and are doing quite well! However, it does get in the way of the spaciegirl thread! Maybe that should be moved back to GTKEO...