Is it bad manners to stray from the thread topic?

Is it bad manners to post an aside in a thread?

In other words, in trying to make a point, a respondent makes an other point. Is it bad manners to respond, to clarify or provide information regarding this second issue? Or should the point be immediately taken to another thread?

Should threads follow the normal meandering course that most conversation follows or should a rigid convention of staying on point be followed?

Personally, I'm a stickler for organization. I have to force myself not to split threads sometimes.

I think of threads as a sort of conversation. Naturally conversation takes it's course and topics change as the conversation progresses. How boring would it be to talk with a friend about only one topic for the duration of a conversation? That certainly isn't a conversation I would enjoy.

However, I do notice a lot of replies around here that are simply one liner jokes that often have not much to do with the topic at hand. That's quite annoying to me, as I'm sure it is to others.

It would be nice if we could keep jokes to the pub boards and make jokes on threads if we have something to add to the subject at hand. Thoughts?

-Danny:walkman:

It might make some people feel better to note that some "one liner jokes" are, in fact, not "jokes" at all.

It might make some people feel better to note that some "one liner jokes" are, in fact, not "jokes" at all.

Okay so what you're saying here is: Something that appears to be a joke may not be a joke at all. Fine and dandy if it has something to do with the thread. If it doesn't take elsewhere is all I'm saying.

I believe what Johnny is saying is that while it may not appear germain to the topic at hand it may actually be if you have sufficient insight. The inside joke might be an example. The requirement for background knowledge is also a possibility. The following joke is such an example:
The capital B on Burns (at the end) is a clue.

__________________________________________________ __________________

Tony Blair is visiting an Edinburgh hospital. He enters a ward full of patients with no obvious sign of injury or illness and greets one. The patient replies:

"Fair fa your honest sonsie face,
Great chieftain o the puddin race,
Aboon them a ye take yer place,
Painch, tripe or thairm,
As langs my airm."

Blair is confused, so he just grins and moves on to the next patient. The patient responds:

"Some hae meat an canna eat,
And some wad eat that want it,
But we hae meat an we can eat,
So let the Lord be thankit."

Even more confused, and his grin now rictus-like, the PM moves on to the next patient, who immediately begins to chant:

"Wee sleekit, cowerin, timrous beasty,
O the panic in thy breasty,
Thou needna start awa sae hastie,
Wi bickering brattle."

Now seriously troubled, Blair turns to the accompanying doctor and asks "Is this a psychiatric ward?"

"No," replies the doctor, "this is the serious Burns unit."

All conversations have a flow that is what makes them conversations.

However, some threads when just not a general conversation and have great learning tools I think they should be their own thread. Makes it easier for people to find.