Discussions That Go Off Topic
@StephanieAnnC (4274)
United States
June 11, 2011 8:56am CST
Don't you just love off topic discussions? The ones where there obviously was a starting topic but now it turned into something else. Like how it first starts off about cupcakes and then turns into one about television shows and then schooling and you catch the drift. It keeps the discussion going and that's what myLot pays us to do, even if they are off topic, right? 
[b]
Do you enjoy these off topic discussions as well? Or do you stick to the original discussion creators discussion? If you created the discussion and it goes off topic, do you go with the flow or try to fix it? [/b]
[b]
Do you enjoy these off topic discussions as well? Or do you stick to the original discussion creators discussion? If you created the discussion and it goes off topic, do you go with the flow or try to fix it? [/b]3 people like this
20 responses
@mysdianait (66009)
• Italy
11 Jun 11
Hi Stephie! 
Every conversation offline, if it is interesting with lots of exchanges, will move on to other tangents and it's the same here on myLot in the dicsussions if a topic is interesting and there is a lot of activity.
Do I like those topics? Who me?
Do I try to fix it? What is there 'to fix' if it is natural flow 
Every conversation offline, if it is interesting with lots of exchanges, will move on to other tangents and it's the same here on myLot in the dicsussions if a topic is interesting and there is a lot of activity.
Do I like those topics? Who me?
Do I try to fix it? What is there 'to fix' if it is natural flow 2 people like this
@StephanieAnnC (4274)
• United States
11 Jun 11
Ah, Diana. You're around today! Hello!
I see what you mean. It's as if we were talking to someone in person. Unless that person wasn't really engaging in the conversation, it could go in a similar pattern.
And of course you don't like the off topic discussions, that's why you came to mine!
I'm awfully hungry this morning, but there's nothing in the fridge. Why is that always the case? 
I see what you mean. It's as if we were talking to someone in person. Unless that person wasn't really engaging in the conversation, it could go in a similar pattern.
And of course you don't like the off topic discussions, that's why you came to mine!
I'm awfully hungry this morning, but there's nothing in the fridge. Why is that always the case? @mysdianait (66009)
• Italy
11 Jun 11
Oh no! Go and do some shopping or you will starve at the keyboard! 
I am going out now and won't be around for a bit - but then I will be back for the rest of the day/evening/night or whatever!
I am going out now and won't be around for a bit - but then I will be back for the rest of the day/evening/night or whatever! 1 person likes this
@StephanieAnnC (4274)
• United States
11 Jun 11
I'll have to remove myself from the keyboard in order to go get some food. The horror! Why can't the fridge be attached?
I hope to see you back here once you're done! 
I hope to see you back here once you're done! 
@allknowing (130064)
• India
11 Jun 11
We are discussing a topic here and unless it is something in a lighter vein I think one should stay within the ambit of the topic with some digression here and there as the one who has created the topic would surely want that discussed threadbare. I wonder where this topic will go if more are in favour of going at a tangent and covering unrelated subjects. My guess would be perhaps they will discuss which ice cream they would like in this weather!?
@allknowing (130064)
• India
12 Jun 11
Before eating our ice creams just a word or two about discussions as I have seen them here. I find there are three types. Discussions that only centre around the topic with no digressions, discussions with some digressions and discussions that go at a tangent where the topic is totally forgotten. The first two perhaps could contain quality posts and may generate earnings but the last category though it may contain pages I wonder whether there would be earnings there at all. While earnings for many are secondary, when one earns even a cent it does make one happy and so I would play safe and go for the second choice.
This topic has no subject per se but a licence to digress. I would like a chocolate ice cream with whipped cream.
@StephanieAnnC (4274)
• United States
11 Jun 11
Hey, why not? I'm all for it! I like chocolate chip mint andn chocolate chip cookie dough. 
How about you?
I don't mind when my topics go of topic as long as the first discussion starter was addressed. And you addressed it! 
How about you?
I don't mind when my topics go of topic as long as the first discussion starter was addressed. And you addressed it! @StephanieAnnC (4274)
• United States
11 Jun 11
Yeah? You put any toppings on it? Sprinkles, whipped cream, nuts?
You put any toppings on it? Sprinkles, whipped cream, nuts?
@KrazyKlingon (5005)
• United States
11 Jun 11
I have seen it happen quite often. Sometimes, the conversation just smoothly branches into a whole new direction, & other times, it just goes awry, usually from people who regularly interact with each other joking around. Those that just go unusually awry are considered hijacked discussions.
I have been involved with a few of those discussions myself. Being that I usually try to leave some kind of response in such a way that it warrants an answer of some sort. When at times, I cannot think of a smooth way to do it, I would end my response with some kind of oddball question.
So, when you go to bed at night, does the edge of the bed behaves itself? Or have you found out the floor can be a rude awakening?
@KrazyKlingon (5005)
• United States
13 Jun 11
I wish I could find that particular discussion, but it was a long time ago. I don't even remember what the discussion was originally about, but two other people & I ended up taking one of the responses & ended up talking about Ronnie James Dio. At the time, he was still alive & well.
As for the edge of the bed, it hasn't gotten me in a long time. However, it is the rudest awakening when it gets a child, because it becomes a rude awakening to everyone in the house.
@StephanieAnnC (4274)
• United States
16 Jun 11
Too bad. I would have liked to read it. I love when discussions end up like that!
Oh yes. A very rude awakening. Yikes.
@StephanieAnnC (4274)
• United States
13 Jun 11
Oh yes. Hijacked discussions are fun. Especially as you said, when your friends are around and joking around.
Edge of the bed is quite behaving. Rarely does it reach out and stab me in the knee.
Especially as you said, when your friends are around and joking around.
Edge of the bed is quite behaving. Rarely does it reach out and stab me in the knee. 
@celticeagle (159173)
• Boise, Idaho
11 Jun 11
That is the way of a discussions. They do tend to turn into something else. Even hellos from folks who don't see eachother on here enough. lol If I am lead off onto something else so be it. I dislike it when others take over and answer questions and such but what can ya do?
@StephanieAnnC (4274)
• United States
13 Jun 11
I know what you mean. Sometimes it bothers me too. It depends on my mood.
1 person likes this
@visavis (5934)
• Philippines
12 Jun 11
I like a discussion of mixture as long as every one of the group are enjoying and on the same path of discussion...
@AgentGulaman (3546)
• Philippines
11 Jun 11
Spontaneous discussion amongst individuals is healthy. It shows a lot about the comfort level of the participants in the discussion. However, I do feel there is still a need to be on track of the original topic. Thread hijacking (I think that is what it is commonly called) becomes annoying if only a few person suddenly monopolizes the thread, But if everyone goes in the direction of the topic, then everythings but just fine. For me, as much as possible I try to go with the topic, but really can't help to be off once in a while. Haha!
@StephanieAnnC (4274)
• United States
11 Jun 11
I see what you mean. I guess once the topic is addressed, you can freely add anythin else to the discussion that you desire.
@AgentGulaman (3546)
• Philippines
20 Jun 11
Yeah! Because everything is connected. So one topic can be connected to another different topic and still be connected to yet another topic and this can go on forever. Also, exhaustion of the topic may bring out new ideas ready to discussed.
@liquidblot (175)
• Singapore
12 Jun 11
it just creates more opportunities for others to join in the conversation and make chat more on mylot dont you think? i wouldnt bother getting the topic back on track, but encourage others to talk more instead.
@StephanieAnnC (4274)
• United States
13 Jun 11
I know whatcha mean. It does ive us more things to talk about and myLot is certainly good for that! Keep on talking!
@jillhill (37354)
• United States
12 Jun 11
I had a friend a while back that did that just to see if the responses kept pace with the end of the discussion! LOL...and many people didn't read it to the end so their responses had nothing to do with the subject she ended the discussion with! it was very much fun to read all the responses!
@StephanieAnnC (4274)
• United States
13 Jun 11
That's great! I'd love to have that happen to my discussion! If I was in the mood for it, that is!
@barehugs (8973)
• Canada
11 Jun 11
If I created a discussion that goes off topic I would think I failed. But then I might start an off topic discussion from scratch. Now, I am on topic, ever though I am technically off topic.
Its all about staying with your line of thought. I'm always chasing rainbows, even when the sun is shining brightly! Catch my drift?
@StephanieAnnC (4274)
• United States
13 Jun 11
Yes! I caught the drift and found the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow!
@blue65packer (11826)
• United States
13 Jun 11
I have done discussions that went off topic! I think everyone does! I usually do it because I sometimes like to ramble on and on! Sometimes I do that when I response to people's discussions,also! Sometimes when I go off the topic when I response to discussions I tell the person why I did! Some people really hate that here! I doesn't bother me.
@StephanieAnnC (4274)
• United States
13 Jun 11
Nah. It doesn't bother me! Go off topic once the topic is addressed with me and I don't mind in the slightest!
@starsailover (7829)
• Mexico
11 Jun 11
Hi Stephanie Ann C: Honestly I have to say that I don't like offtopic discussions simply because I tink that the main conversation has been lost so I'd try to return to the point of the conversation, the reason why I have started this topic or the reason why I have enter to discuss there.
ALVARO
@StephanieAnnC (4274)
• United States
13 Jun 11
Do you think it's okay if once the discussion topic is addressed for the discussion to go off topic then?
@Cutie18f (9551)
• Philippines
12 Jun 11
Yes, one topic leads to another and many times we totally go off topic and that is much like life. There are interruptions and we can't always expect events to happen in orderly fashion. In real life we talk about things then something else comes in and that's when you lose track of the topic. It's okay with me. I often am able to remember many other things when an issue comes to my mind. Other side issues surface and I often end up saying things that are off topic. LOL
@StephanieAnnC (4274)
• United States
13 Jun 11
I agree one hundred percent! You took the words right out of my mouth!
By the way, I love your avatar!
@RobtheRock (2433)
• United States
11 Jun 11
I think I'd go with the flow unless it was serious. I enjoy going into some conversations and seeing some of the myLotters do this. Some myLotters are enjoyable to read and when I have time, I read their off topic conversations.
@StephanieAnnC (4274)
• United States
13 Jun 11
Agreed! Sometimes the off topic discussions are enjoyable. But sometimes they aren't. Those are annoying.
@silentmedia (109)
• Philippines
12 Jun 11
Yeah, it's really awesome! Discussions are like life. It leads you to all possibilities. It's very spontaneous. Discussions bring you to the larger picture/ideas. :)
@StephanieAnnC (4274)
• United States
13 Jun 11
Yes, they do. And the diverse opinions and stuff are so amazing as well. That's why some discussions go off topic!
@Mickie30 (2626)
•
11 Jun 11
It is good to have a bit of spontaneous discussion amongst Mylotters. SO what if the conversation ends up somewhere else? It shows that people are comfortable talking about anything. Though I do not like it when people answer a discussion and give a completely off answer because this shows that they have not really read the discussion nor answered it correctly.
@StephanieAnnC (4274)
• United States
13 Jun 11
We definitely are a close knit community. And we act like one too! I'm comfortable talking about pretty much anything here.
Completely off answers are annoying. I mean, the discussion can go off on a tangent once the discussion tpoic is answered.
@dragon54u (31636)
• United States
11 Jun 11
On the guitar forum I belong to, we call that "thread drift" and sometimes on slow days the guys try to see how far off topic they can take it within logical parameters--replying logically to a comment and feeding off that reply. When we had a type of software that's now obsolete (hypernews), we could make designs with our thread drifts--V's, W's, Z's and one time a couple of them got together and made a rudimentary picture of a guitar! Ah, those were the days!!
However, myLot rules prohibit thread drift..it says to stay on topic or risk getting deleted. No fun party poopers!
However, myLot rules prohibit thread drift..it says to stay on topic or risk getting deleted. No fun party poopers! @StephanieAnnC (4274)
• United States
13 Jun 11
Interesting! But this would be discussion drift, technically.
@dawnald (85135)
• Shingle Springs, California
20 Jun 11
I love it when a discussion goes totally cuckoo, as opposed to one where one of the responders doesn't have a clue what the discussion was about.
@jugsjugs (12967)
•
11 Jun 11
I think that there are a lot of discussions like that, that i have responded to and i will say that they are really good ones that have been started.I also like to think that with a discussion like that there are a lot of people that respond to it and that keeps it going forever.
@StephanieAnnC (4274)
• United States
11 Jun 11
Agreed! They're my favorite! Because they go on forever and I can be free to talk about stuff. It's like a breath of fresh air!
They're my favorite! Because they go on forever and I can be free to talk about stuff. It's like a breath of fresh air!
@bounce58 (17387)
• Canada
17 Jun 11
I am actually starting to enjoy these off topic discussions as well. I try to stick to the original discussion when I start. And there are some great people here that drag the discussion to some silly other topic. It's fun!
Also, it has been pointed out here that it is actually more beneficial, myLot wise, if discussions are dragged on for a long time, even if it does become off topic.
@hardworkinggurl (37063)
• United States
11 Jun 11
Hi Steph
I seem to be them daily, and I do enjoy them as we go in so many different directions. If one was to read the box in total they will see it all makes sense.
Yes at times it does go off topic but to me it is healthy and usually what happens due to the furthering as at times if a very long box was to stay on topic than it might not make interesting read. I like at times where it turns into humor, to me that makes the topic seem much more fun.
I do not try and fix because I feel it is the flow of the conversation.
I seem to be them daily, and I do enjoy them as we go in so many different directions. If one was to read the box in total they will see it all makes sense.
Yes at times it does go off topic but to me it is healthy and usually what happens due to the furthering as at times if a very long box was to stay on topic than it might not make interesting read. I like at times where it turns into humor, to me that makes the topic seem much more fun.
I do not try and fix because I feel it is the flow of the conversation. @StephanieAnnC (4274)
• United States
13 Jun 11
I don't try to fix it either.
Definitely the funny ones are the best! I love to laugh and it keeps me entertained. Especially if it's a solemn discussion topic that turns into a happy one!
