[DocJohn]

"Hijacking a thread" refers to behavior that when someone comes into a thread conversation (usually after more than a few posts have been made to a thread) and focuses on one tiny aspect of the original poster's topic, and moves the entire thread off-topic by replying to just that one aspect. Sometimes the hijacker isn't even responding to the original author of the thread, but what someone else said. Then everyone else jumps on the bandwagon and moves the entire thread into something that has little or nothing to do with the original author's post.

Authors who begin a post do so for a reason -- they want to discuss or talk about that one thing. Sure, discussions evolve and can move beyond the original poster's topic. But that's a natural process that moves slowly over usually many pages of posts. Hijacking occurs much more rapidly, and the entire thread often devolves from there quickly.

Most people who engage in this behavior probably don't realize what they're doing, and don't mean to do it.

That's why it's important that before you reply to a thread, you ask yourself a simple question -- "Am I contributing to this thread, or am I changing the topic and/or focusing on some minor aspect that really isn't what this thread is about?"

If the answer is that you're probably focusing on some minor aspect or looking to change the topic altogether, you probably should post a brand-new thread instead. Of, if you want to start a conversation with just one member, consider using a PM instead.

I am not singling out any member here! I am just posting this because this seems to have become a bit more common recently and I want folks to realize this can be an issue when they post. Thank you.

DocJohn

[Ganesha]

I appreciate your commenting on this topic.
It's discouraging to have a thread hijacked.
thanks

[downsolong]

Hmmmm. ... thanks for the site and accolades without groveling or sucking up and appologies for missunderstandings ...buuuuut...what am I missing here?
Damit John,
What's going on: that somebody's brief out-burst weather it is my good friend saudade or anyone else is deleted within the day. It seems to me that this is no way to resolve conflicts, to the contrary it exacerbates them. We desperately need a conflict resolution forum and chat here. If not here we will find it elsewhere or create it out of dirt, suffering, pain, and blood. I and many others appreciate this site so much, but the criminal underfunding and lack of responsible accountability, and organization of the mental heath system and the science and practice of mental health in the US and world wide have left and continue to leave way more need that any one wizard of OZ can reasonably oversee.
Perhaps I've missed something here, that seems likely as I can in no way keep up with all the goings on here.

Though I do make the harshest of criticisms I am attacking the ideas and behaviors not the people, in intent, I hope you all can know that at a deeper level that I can even intend to convey

~skcuss me- brain fart~ hope you're well~ best wishes~ Down

[downsolong]

idk , nvm, just trying to find my voice, lost in the shuffle long ago.
~ I mean well but ... yes I agree those who start a thread should be the priority ... with concideration for ... argh...

[DocJohn]

And would a "conflict resolution" forum not just devolve into flaming and argument without constant, daily attention? I'm sorry, but I just don't have that kind of time (and neither do the other moderators).

We have a set of rules here and all we ask of our members is to try and follow them. They are not arbitrary rules setup without forethought and experience (I've been running communities online for over a decade, so I have *some* idea of what I'm doing here...)

If you don't agree with a particular rule, you're welcomed to PM me (or another moderator or admin) and we will discuss it and see if we believe it's fair or not. We're certainly open to listening and to change, where it makes sense for the entire community...

DocJohn

[emwell]

I never even thought of this being an issue until I read this post. I can see what your point is here.

I am not sure if I have ever hijacked a thread. I may have. But I do believe I have been hijacked. At the time of the thread, I did not realize what had happened. All I did know was that I stopped going to my thread. The subject appeared to have changed from the original.

Thank you for making me aware of this potential situation.

[jennie]

I appreciate the definition of hijacking a thread.

I know I have been guilty of doing it. At least once, I responded to one person within the thread. Then that person responded back to me. We were both online at the time and we ended up posting back and forth within the same thread, within an hour. We should of taken it to PMs or to a chatroom. At the time, it was quite innocent. I don't plan on doing it again . . . but, it can happen easily. I have seen many threads hijacked. I'll keep this "hijacking" definition in my mind each time I respond to a post. Thanks!