Why the same NLBS thread for so long?

Just wondering why everyday that I open up ATS, the first thing I gotta see is that ridiculous thread about whether the US is a Christian nation or not. There are two spots for most popular threads at the top of the home page, so if no new NLBS threads are being made, can't you guys bump that thing out of there and start rotating member threads again like it used to be. Just a thought.

a reply to: Rezlooper

I agree on this...I often am baffled at what makes the most popular threads. I know they try to break it up by categories but I don't even check the front page any more unless I accidentally go there.....I just go straight to new topics...unless im away for awhile I may check the front page.

But to be force fed the nlbs as top topic every month is kind of lame...not that I dislike them...so are interesting and done well.

a reply to: Rezlooper

There's still an active discussion there. If it's the most popular thread, why SHOULDN'T it be on the most popular threads page?

If it's difficult for you to view every day, I suggest you set ATS to open to a different page. I always open to MyATS.

a reply to: Benevolent Heretic

How many weeks now has it been at the top? Active discussion or not, there have been numerous threads worthy of TOP of the PAGE status over the past couple of weeks. And I like to skim over the home page to see the most popular threads. I also check Recent, New and My ATS every visit to the page. I guess over my three years of active membership at this site, i've never seen a thread sit so long on the home page. Is it because there are no more NLBS threads made and they are waiting for a new one, or are we being force fed their opinion about the US not being a Christian nation?

I wouldn't buy a newspaper that had the same headline for a month, either. If its membership the site wants that might have adverse affects on new membership.

If user driven(?) then its at the top because it gets the most replies. I don't know either way, though.

Since you brought it up I looked… the last page has an interesting discussion going on.

It's product placement. They are trying to increase their youtube hits/views and increase twitter followers/retweets.

a reply to: intrptr

That's what I thought to is that it can't help with new visitors to the site.

originally posted by: Rezlooper
a reply to: Benevolent Heretic
And I like to skim over the home page to see the most popular threads.

I don't know how threads get displayed on that page, but if it's the most popular thread and you want to see the most popular threads, I don't get the problem. If you don't like the fact that it's a popular thread, don't go to that page.

s it because there are no more NLBS threads made and they are waiting for a new one, or are we being force fed their opinion about the US not being a Christian nation?

I seriously doubt you're being force fed ANYTHING. This site is 100% voluntary. I have no idea why it's on that page. I never visit that page. But if you're looking at a page and you don't like what's there, don't visit that page.

I wouldn't be concerned about new members. It may bring in more because it's there...

And if ATS is trying to increase the visibility of NLBS, I think that's their choice. But perhaps they'll see your thread here and decide to do something differently.

It is a good discussion going on.

a reply to: Benevolent Heretic

if its the most popular thread then that is completely ok...but it seems they are always the most post popular threads and they stay there until the next one comes out...i actually just thought it was there because because it was slotted to be there...now im thinking "how in the hell are the nlbs threads the top threads on ats".....:/

a reply to: Benevolent Heretic

I'm always signed in-logged on and page auto-opens to NEW....and never see those.

a reply to: Rezlooper

So you disagree with the thread calling it ridiculous and moan that is a popular thread.
Make your own site if you want every topic to follow your thoughts.

originally posted by: rockpaperhammock
a reply to: Benevolent Heretic

if its the most popular thread then that is completely ok...but it seems they are always the most post popular threads and they stay there until the next one comes out...i actually just thought it was there because because it was slotted to be there...now im thinking "how in the hell are the nlbs threads the top threads on ats".....:/

Like I said, I don't look at that page, but wouldn't the top threads be listed in the "top" section? I don't know how threads end up on the "home page" or why some (you) think the home page has the most popular threads... Maybe it's the ones ATS want to promote... And that's OK, right?

a reply to: Benevolent Heretic

Well I think that is the exact question...we are curious as to which threads get put up there...I don't think that is anything bad. I'd like to know how the site works. And if they want to promote it is fine...it is their site, but at least I would know its a promotional thing instead of the actual popularity.

originally posted by: Benevolent Heretic

originally posted by: rockpaperhammock
a reply to: Benevolent Heretic

if its the most popular thread then that is completely ok...but it seems they are always the most post popular threads and they stay there until the next one comes out...i actually just thought it was there because because it was slotted to be there...now im thinking "how in the hell are the nlbs threads the top threads on ats".....:/

Like I said, I don't look at that page, but wouldn't the top threads be listed in the "top" section? I don't know how threads end up on the "home page" or why some (you) think the home page has the most popular threads... Maybe it's the ones ATS want to promote... And that's OK, right?

I could be wrong --- assuming does that sometimes.

But, I've always equated top thread to most active.

Since my personal interests can't always be favored, I silently scroll on by and let others enjoy being Top Dog when the "wagging tail" fits.

Oh really good question. Why when the rest of us need to create compelling interesting threads to make the "front page" these guys get place of honor "just because".
And stay there. Generating more responses because our general expectations is that threads on the front page are worthy of our attention. This is like having a choice of chicken in water with vegetables or soup for lunch. Which is to say, no choice at all. I think these threads should be required to generate interest before they are force fed to us. Like any other thread let us decide if it's so interesting it's front page worthy, or not depending on actual member response.

originally posted by: boymonkey74
a reply to: Rezlooper

So you disagree with the thread calling it ridiculous and moan that is a popular thread.
Make your own site if you want every topic to follow your thoughts.

The NLBS threads are site-promoted threads, they are not the most popular threads. I believe the rest of the threads on the home page are listed by most popular. Maybe I'm wrong, but after a few years of membership, that's what I was under the impression. What I'm asking is why are they leaving that one thread on top for so long...make room for some other content, but hey, it's their site and they can do what they want. I'm just making suggestions here because yes...the thread is ridiculous...IMO.