Meta-discussion about LJ

[alexxkay]

siderea recently tried to start a discussion (on the topic of "love"). I observe that, though she got many people replying, there was very little discussion, or back-and-forth. Such back-and-forth discussions do happen on LJ, so why didn't any happen this time? Does it have to do with the topic?

My suspicion in this case is that it was more the format of the initial post. She posted a long list of (interesting) questions. Soem people are obviously willing to answer a long list like that. But I suspect that few people are willing to follow up on other people's long list of answers.

Is it the case that, for involved discussion to happen, the initial "starter" post needs to be more tightly constrained?

Comments

[cvirtue.livejournal.com]

One of my left-coast pals complained about this recently. The largest problem with a discussion on LJ is that most of the people reading someone, have similar views. Thus, it isn't going to engender a lot of controversy.

Another problem is that LJ is very short-attention-span compliant. New entries keep showing up. You have to remember to go back and check on ones that are older, even if they're good discussions.

And lastly, yeah, people have to be in the mood for a rousing debate when they read it, because of the short-attention-span problem. On an email list, a debate can go for days, weeks even. Not here.

Oh, and a list of questions, while internally thought-provoking, isn't great for a debate. One really needs to start off with one contentious issue. It might fork from there, but starting off with too many threads means it won't go anywhere. Years and years ago, when I was Mistress Tina on the adult area at CitiNet, I found that four topic lines was the max that my group of 30? active participants could keep thriving.

Re:

[learnedax.livejournal.com]

Ironically, I agree with all your points except the first. I think to the extent that a user influences who their friends are, they can tend towards those of similar views, or those with very different views. I, for one, am all for interesting variance.

Re:

[cvirtue.livejournal.com]

Yes, but my belief is that while different views are interesting, on big questions (Who is going to Hell? Is there a Hell? Is George Bush going there?) friends are going to be fairly much in the same camp. There will be some differences, as a recent discussion that Alexx and I and Metageek had, illustrates. But it's a rare person who will have a good friend who loathes their principles.

Re:

[alexx-kay.livejournal.com]

Ah, Mistress Tina, I remember her well. Good times :-)

Re:

[msmemory.livejournal.com]

Citinet! Ye gods, a blast from the past!