Here is the problem with the open thread as I see it. It begins to break down from what is actually ON the show to so many other things, such as personal recollections of the sixties (which some of the Boomers feel they own lock stock and barrel. Hey, I'm a Boomer and I can say that! And you know the old saying, if you remember the sixties, you really weren't there!) We had a lot of offended people this week on the Open Thread, and again, I think people begin to get preachy there (we've all done it), and it moves too far away from the show itself. So many on these boards it seems, fancies themselves a screenwriter wannabe, actor, fashion consultant, director, etc. There are also those who try and CONTROL the conversation, and if something they take umbrage with is posted, they launch an all out assault, and this deviates the conversation AWAY from the series. Of course, no poster can just keep posting "Great show, really like it, etc. There has to be at least a little controversy to add some zest to the thing.
I also think that a subject can be talked or discussed into the ground! Literally! After a certain point, everything that can be said about an episode has been said, at least in my opinion. And, as much as I enjoy MM, I do have other interests (as I am sure everyone else has). After a certain point, anything can become boring and repetitive, especially, when people get down to dissecting every last little nuance of each and every scene! (Did you see the way Bobbi moved her hand and jingled her bracelet? Or, what WAS the significance, really, of that blue Easter Egg the priest handed Peggy, and who among the church ladies dyed it?). That wasn't on an open thread, but took on a life of its own. Anyway, the conversation about the blue Easter egg became a little ridiculous, as do so many postings in the open threads where posters emphatically claim they KNOW EXACTLY what went on in the sixties - everywhere at every minute! Come one, not EVERYONE was doing the same things all across the country in say, 1962. Just because the west coast was into something then, didn't necessarily mean that the Midwest was, or wherever. Not everyone lived in the EXACT same fashion as everyone else, as I am sure you already know full well.) Again, I think on the Open Thread it's an open invitation (pardon the pun) to post about almost anything, and with nearly 400 posts, no one is going to sit and read them all; this causes redundancy later on, with posters posting the same things that were posted five days prior. And then people read the posts and get worked up later.

.....analyzing this too..... agreed it seems to be a little overwhelming, intimidating, unwieldy and cumbersome.... but not bitching - thanks, AMC, for hosting these discussions - respect!

does anyone have a suggestion as to how this might function more efficiently?

maybe break each episode down into five +-topics?

this would require the services of a list angel or other moderator-type....

just wondering.....

Figaro,
I agree an open blog like that gets terribly out of hand. Can't seem to focus in on any topic or make any conclusions on something you really want to find answers to. One example and one I learned quite a bit from was the blog about the French film. It any blog should have won a mug or cap should have been that one. It was so well researched and amazinfly documented. It was one subject matter that was followed through to the point that we learned the name of the film Don watched in previous episode! It was very interesting for me to read.
Dry Manhattan,
I don't know of any other way except the way it was done before the "open thread" method. I've never blogged before and this is my first experience doing so.

Hi Nora! Can you share what you have been working on? I would love to watch for you on a show/movie.

There is a lot to catch up on, I agree, but I do enjoy reading the posts from Maddicts.

I am not computer savy enough to suggest a different format, like you, this is the first time I have joined a talk forum. It comes from love of the show, and sharing thoughts on the show, and the history of the 1960's.

I don't even bother going to the "open forum." It's too much of a mish-mosh and some of the posts are off the wall.

I like the idea of the open thread being put up as soon as the episode airs. It is a good idea, I think. It gets crowded in there, though, after the first rush of comments are made. What if it were a timed forum and only open for comments for , say, 24 hours. It would still be open to read, but not to comment on. That would encourage people to open new topics about ones they read on the open thread, but also make the number of comments more manageable. Just a thought.

Laurie B: Just an observance: I notice you also like to beat certain horses to death. I don't think anyone is immune to attaching themselves to a topic if it interests them and they want to continue discussing it. I think that you are, perhaps, one of the more frequenet posters here, which means your words are "in type" as much, if not more than anyone else.

People in glass houses ...

I felt sorry for Nora coming in and looking at the prospect of reading 300+ posts in order to make a coherent comment on a show! But, what would make it better?

Would numbering posts be an effective solution? Faced with the same prospect, would you wish to find your friends (or familiar people) and see what they are talking about? Or, would you rather see who commented on something you've found interesting and add a new thought? Please, everyone...give your ideas to AMC on the appropriate thread. Let's do more to control our environment above complaining and wringing our hands or turning on each other.

There is no way to control anything on an Open Thread (remember..the Forum asked for the change).

We can only control our reactions to the people who come here...

This is what I think...each of us must decide what type of forum we want this place to be: (screennames withheld in the interest of peace)

--There is no way to control fans who drop a controversial comment just to see the reaction.

--Some people come here with no intention of communicating, but just wish to post their comment and leave....

--Other fans read every single comment and then type a response.....

--Some fans consider it a social circle and treat the board like a computer IM conversation to the exclusion of everyone else...

-Some people are happy just lurking...

Each of us must decide how we will react to each type. Everyone should be welcome if their interest is discussing the show.

Me? If you're new, never posted before, and drop a controversial post here...I choose to ignore it. I won't comment until the posters profile can give me a sense of that person. And, like Dry Manhattan, I sometimes hesitate before hitting 'Submit.' I assume posters have read the topic (some people don't) and seen the show (Mad Men). I also assume we come here with a respect for each other, and have only a positive excitement to share.

Is it too much to ask? Will you contribute your ideas? Let's Roll!

I love Open Thread because I hate having to switch around among upteen different topics. Some of you just like to see your words in type, that's why you go on and on and argue incessantly about one topic. Sorry I know this sounds mean, but it's true.

Even with Open Thread, as you can see, there are plenty of other Topic threads as well.

.......Well, it is nice being able to see it all in a linear fashion. I've spent a lot of time searching and looking, to and fro and around and around, for ways to get back to this, that and the other, and many times don't.

What plagues this board is the same thing plaguing every board.

Everyone is talking and no one is listening. That's the normal human condition.

In ancient times, I think they called it The Tower of Babel.

So, putting the heads together, what would make it less unwieldy?

An open thread with subtopics?

Improving on this is important if the goal of getting lots of traffic for AMC and Mad Men is going to happen in a functional way....

This is tough!

Anyone?

....g'day, chopin47....

agreed, SOME of the people (certainly not me) on here are just really "caught up."

honestly, it's a twelve-step issue with these types.

Extremists.

seriously, the reason i say that is from trying to get back to conversations from the VERY recent past, and it's just a huge run-around-in-a-circle deal.

do any writing on here, and you had better be keeping track elsewhere, because getting back is a job of work.

Since I posted this blog, I believe Clayton very intelligently put a "view list of all talk topics" above all blogs. This will make it easier to browse and click to the ones you'd like to join in conversation!chopin47,
How is Law and Order organized exactly, you may have something there.
Hi greytone,
I feel the luuuv!
Hi 60's child,
Just worked on "Cold Case" on location 60 miles away and long hours, but fun a flashback scene worked with my 1971 Cadillac Sedan DeVille and lots of fun.
Also, coming out Eagle Eye,Frost/Nixon, a regular on True Blood HBO, etc., but this isn't about MM and bloggers may resent this post. Nice to talk to you again!
Michelle Kay and Laurie B.,
What do you think if within the "Open Thread" there would be the big blue letters starting a certain new topic, then its easier to search and focus on one thing at a time and make conclusions. Huh!

.....WHAT THE $%^&????

okay, maybe it's my computer, but something is wonky with the time..... I replied WAY AFTER chopin47 kicked my butt.

what the $%^&*z8 ?????

Dry Manhattan,
I don't agree with your "Everyone is talking and no one is listening" comment. I enjoy reading the posts on this site, even the few that are off the wall. I love this show and when I read the comments here, I get to experience others' viewpoints and the details they got that I missed.

It is a show, not a documentary, and some people get way too involved in historical accuracies. But I think that's a compliment to the show's staff because they get so many little details right, bringing back lots of memories for us older baby boomers.

I do think this forum needs organization. The only other forum I visit semiregularly is Law and Order CI - I like the way it is organized by topics, with the date and time of the original post.

Dry Manhattan: It's not just you...something is amiss. I posted something and wound up right above the last poster on the page before I started my comment.

Hi Nora! Thanks for sharing! It all sounds very exciting! I think I am living vicariously (sp) through you. I think many of us wish we were working in the entertainment field. Though I know from previous postings you have made that it can be very frustrating.
As always, I wish you all the best in your career!

Dry Manhattan, Jolie10, I had the same crazy thing happen yesterday with the posts. I was answering a question, and the answer showed up before the question. I just assumed it was me because I am so techno-challenged.

....I thought it might be my computer, but it's not..... you're in LA, right? Maybe it's a West coast thing?

Something that's been nagging me this week.....

If there were ever a model for manners and congeniality on this site, it would be greytone.

She wouldn't say "s**t" if she had a mouthful, and always uses postiive reinforcement, regardless of how objectionable.

I'm personally totally guilty of just about every one of the "bads" on her list this week, and wanted to acknowledge that I'm pretty sure I got spanked in there somewhere, in one or more of her posts.

And, thank you!

Yeah, I had the same thing happen too. I think when, AMC starts to add stuff to the site things get weird, like the timing thing and blankin out, etc. I noticed, they had added infor to the "Blog" section last night and it might have been why it tweeked out.
Dry Manhattan,
greytone is a good model. As a matter of fact there should be a contest on who has the best manners blogging on this site.
As far as getting a better blog system, I think we're getting it. These Blue Lettered blogs are beginning to pop up more and people are back commenting on those again.
Sizzie,
I like the idea of giving the open thread blog a 24 hour limit or to limit the amount of blogs right after the new episode airs. It's exciting to have people tune in right away and comment, but not to the point that it gets out of hand like 360+ comments that get way off subject.

I just went on the "open thread" blog for epi 5, and it sounds like all these hungover people after a big party. I hope this doesn't continue with episode 6. Well, got to get my tv ready for Mad Men and get all my food ready to watch A-M-C!!!!!!!!

Thanks Dry Manhattan,
I'm sitting here watching the old episodes. Here in L.A. we're still on No.1. Yeah I'm surprised no one else blogged on "La Notte", but it was very well researched on "The French Film" too. It's amazing how intelligent some of these bloggers are. Hopefully, we won't get another "open thread" on Episode 6. It just goes nowhere and rambles on and hard to figure out who's talking to whom. Thanks for remembering, but I caught the end of that blog you had written. I seemed to catch on to what you were saying and know it was all in jest. It's nice to write what you think and express yourself. Sometimes I feel our subconscious starts talking as we go on and on. Oh, well, it's fun because we all have this same common bond, the love of this show! Thanks.

.....I get the feeling that people are shy about starting a new topic.....

"Joan's Ass," for instance. The original poster went on and on and on, waxing passionately and elaborately. Some people were offended, and some arguments ensued. Overall, it had a largely negative impact on an otherwise overloaded thread.

As an aside, in reading the Open Thread again, I'm getting the feeling that this original poster may possibly be using two or three different aliases to ratchet up the illusion of more people with the same viewpoint.

How many LONG entries did that take up? How far off topic are any of those comments really?

What I'm saying is, if you want to talk about Joan's ass in great detail for three or four days, start your own thread. The interest, should there be any, will follow, and you won't be monopolizing the psyches of a bunch of unwilling captives.

I feel bad for a thread like La Notte by blue. That was a GREAT thread, and got no attention.

.....also you, Nora Paradiso. You were the first person who was nice to me on this board. Thanks!

Dry Manhattan,
I was answering your blog and it ended up above yours. The timing is messed up again.

Yes, Dry Manhattan and Nora...
Great posts should be marked as favorites, don't you think?

And we should ignore the ones we have no interest in. Giving them any attention (aka, cheerleading, goading and trying to match them word for word) is a waste of time. Most of the time all trolls can do is grunt. Coming on a public board and trying to help people is also a waste of time. That's what got me caught in the thing with the butt watchers on the Open Thread for Episode 5. My intent was to help (describe how they appear), and ended up kicking up a lot of dirt for a topic thread that had sat with 0 comments for 12 hours! After my post on the open thread, you can see it fed the beast. ...and, as you said, the really interesting posts are overlooked.

As I said before, I also assume (in error) that people actually read the posts. I had forgotten that our private lives get in the way of real communication. That's what happened on the Nominations post I started. It is apparent Nora, you were in a hurry and wanted to post with little/no time for an in-depth conversation. In the crunch to answer you even got huffy thinking another poster was referring you to a job!..and it wasn't the case at all. No one meant any harm, people just want to talk about the show and all that it entails.

...so we go forward, ladies.

I'm going to make suggestions that give us a place to post random thoughts (like the days you have no time), plus a place where Maddicts can go to find out information by Topic/Character. Cruising the threads today I discovered many really good discussions under totally different topics. Most of those discussions will never be seen unless we try to stay on topic. Staying on topic cannot be policed. Each person must commit to it personally.

It is easy to be overlooked and misunderstood here, and all we all are trying to do is talk about the show. The key to communication is reading (listening) to what the other posters says. Questioning your own thought process always sharpens your vision.

(Nora...please do not take personal offense in my using you as an example of being misunderstood. I felt I was. My intent is to merely provide an example.) And, I kindly request you two refrain from complimenting me...it makes me the focal point for the trolls...but, it makes me feel good to know you understand.

Gotta go...this week's episode is about to start!

I loved the last open thread--it was the first time I'd posted in the forums, even though I've watched the show since the first ep of season one.

I enjoy the freewheeling nature of open ended threads. Narrow topics make for narrow commentary. Generally humorless, narrow commentary.

But then I also fancy myself a screenwriter, am obsessed with Joan's ass and think I know everything that went on in the 60's.

How's it going greytone! (Oops, sorry, I'm new, please ignore that.)

And to top it off, Dry Martini--is already using the term "spanking" here in his apology no less! I'm contacting AMC right now."

As for those who use this as a kind of IM with no regard for others, I too am disgusted by this. (Umm, Laurie B---when are we getting together for Draper-Bobbi role play sex again? Text me!)

Okay, geeks enough whining. Look's like Duck's dead. And guess I better create a very specific post about it.

Hopefully "RIP Duck?" posters will clean pithy and chaste...

o(ops)... will "be" clean, pithy and chaste.

JimK...
You always speak so eloquently of many, many things. My issue is that (at least) one poster doesn't tie the oogle into Mad Men and can't get off the topic....

You spelled my name right, so I'm told I should be happy...

???

????

OOPS!
(Out Of Order Post)

My Duck killing himself post was already trumped and off the front page. Grrrrr.

greytone:
Like Draper and JFK and other alpha males of the 60's I can't spell it's dyslexia tied to a fear of death I think ...

Open your heart to the newbies greytone. And they will open their heats to you.

JimK,
Is that, "open their heats to you", a freudian slip? Ha,ha Take care! That Laurie B. I can always find her on the "open thread". She is really funny and did you read the Attention Deficit Theater she links to? I howled last week thinking of it.
greytone,
I understand everything you said. Thanks for bringing it up.
Dry Manhattan,
Tell us what you won!?