They're my forum guilty pleasure.

I'm not trying to encourage this type of behavior, but was curious if anyone else reacts to locked threads the way I do. If I see a thread has been locked, particularly one I've not read, I'm compelled to read the whole thing and watch the downward spiral. Kinda like when a fight breaks out on Springer.

Same here. I consider it a study in disfunctional communication.

Also, some dark part of me hopes this thread gets locked just for the delicious irony of it.

I like to try and figure out where the thread started down the inevitable path to being locked. Was it right from the beginning, or did snarkiness stop by for a visit and overstay his welcome?

My god, that's a brilliant comparison, Legion.

Nothing funny has been said in this thread, and yet I'm highly amused by its existance. I've got to wonder what Certis makes of it.

Reading locked threads is like watching NASCAR

In before lock!!

I can't help but read them. I love drama.

Just about every one of those options would be viable. Sometimes I read them, sometimes not. But I could say the same for unlocked threads.

There needs to be some kind of rule that says threads can only be locked with a line from Whitman or Frost, just to restore some kind of class and dignity.

LOCKED!

I've never understood the concept of locking threads. If the discussion strays so far that it's no longer acceptable then just delete the damn thing. What's the point of leaving it locked but completely visable.

I enjoy the occasional ban as well.

-"What have you done today?"
-"I banned Derek Smart".

Locked threads actually do serve a larger process. Except in the cases where specific elements need to be edited or deleted it provides an example for those reading it of what we do not consider acceptable. Locking a thread but leaving it up is the online equivalent of putting a thread in the stocks for a few days so everyone can look, laugh, and throw rotten fruit at it. But it should also be a reminder of how not to act.

Locked threads tend to not be egregious examples of behavior which do get deleted ... and you maybe just never even realize it was there at all.

I look for the post of no return, then watch as the two combatant's swing their e-peen in a fight to the death while everyone else cheers them on/throws poo at them.

I'm interested to hear what Certis has to say about this topic. And see his non-conformist spiffy new avatar, of course.

I read locked threads, in part for the reasons Elysium mentions. They help set the standard for tone and conduct. Granted, the CoC already accomplishes that purpose, and locked threads are usually the result of people crossing the line when they should have known better.

I appreciate how GWJ's consistent moderation keeps this place a great place to visit, so I suppose I also draw some satisfaction in seeing that process at work.

I'll admit the locked threads offer some guilty pleasure curiosity value. I'm not the one moderating the site, so I have the luxury of looking at them from that perspective. I'm sure if I were in Certis' or Elysium's shoes I'd be less amused.