What Makes an Interesting Thread Topic?

[JackDaydream]

I am writing this with some, but not complete demoralisation I have written many thread topics and have enjoyed some interesting discussions. I am grateful for that as I do come to the forum for worthwhile philosophy discussion. Definitely, I don't see popularity as the main factor, with the only opposite problem being that many threads which don't catch on just get buried and lost.

The way I see it is that there may be a fine balance between theory and lightweight discussion. Personally, I prefer something in between the two. As a means for thinking there is the extreme of heavy academic theory and lightweight chit chat. In interacting on this site, there are so many possibilities. The one thing which disappoints me is that it seems often that there are only a few threads which are going strong at any one point and they are usually those with really questionable or inflammatory premises, which go on to be endless pages of heated conflicts, including denigrating of others and even insults. Perhaps there is something wrong with me for getting fed up with this and, I may be regarded as boring for not being extreme enough in my ideas and arguments.

Personally, I come to the forum for exchange of ideas, whether I am responding to any others' threads or my own. I read and write on the forum in conjunction with my own reading and philosophy exploration. In many ways, I do find this works but sometimes it seems to amount to winning arguments. That may be important in connection with rhetoric and debate. However, as someone who tries to listen to others and not come to stark oppositions I do wonder about how does it work for others?

I am raising this for thinking about any future threads which I may create, and for others to reflect upon in their engagement on the forum.

[LuckyR]

In my experience, the best threads are based in broad, popular topics that invoke philosophical issues, yet are not themselves philosophical.

[JackDaydream]

In my experience, the best threads are based in broad, popular topics that invoke philosophical issues, yet are not themselves philosophical.

You may be right, in the sense of the aspects of life which affect daily life and understanding, being looked at from the widest angles may evoke thinking which may be about philosophy beyond its academic pursuit. In some ways, the day to day issues and concerns may be looked at in such a way that goes beyond the surface, into the nitty gritty areas, untangling many knots.