[mel020377]

Not sure that you all mean by highjacking. Am I dumb or what!!! lol

[SeptemberMorn]

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"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

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This appears as a "sticky" when you go to the main page of "General."

[mel020377]

Thanks!!!!! I dont feel so goofy now