Web Fix the 'Escalated' tag on the forums

[RPoule]

hi,
I've been noticing something. idk how "new" all these tags are since I only recently rejoined the forums. But to me it's quite clear the 'Escalated' tag isn't really functioning the way its name implies.

If I understand correctly, a thread only gets hit' with an 'Escalated' tag when a Staffmember decides to 'hand it out' so to speak. I will elaborate on how this is a problem in a moment. First though, to be perfectly clear, this is the definition of 'Escalated' : to become, or make somethinge become greater or more serious. On a forums, I imply this meaning as 'Quickly risen to popularity (a lot of replies)' and 'A lot of debate (A wide spread of opinions in those replies).

I think a thread should automatically been given the 'Escalated' tag once it hits a specific number of replies. Why? Because out of the last 10 'Escalated' suggestions I found, all of which we're given the 'Escalated' tag because a staffmember agreed to the points made in the thread. This is proven quite easily by @Elenahh (note this is not to discredit her or her hard work in any way, she's not doing anything wrong, the system she works by is). A recent thread was given the 'Escalated' tag on the 7th reply, while all the replies before that shared the exact same opinion. That thread didn't escalate, it just alligned with @Elenahh 's opinions so naturally she gives it the 'Escalated' tag. After all she stands by the points made in the thread and wants to see them implemented ASAP. Now I can't stress this enough, Elenahh is not doing anything wrong here, and that thread deserves to be given a good read. But, so do others.

This thread, got 415 views and 24 replies within a week. For current Forums Standards, that's escalated. The opinions were pretty spread out and there was quite a lot of debate around the subject. Should've recieved the tag. I can't blame staff for not handing it out. I also don't think they shouldn't be allowed to hand it out. I just think that, say after 20 replies (within a day) a thread automatically recieves the 'Escalated' tag.

This won't mean threads that critisize cubecraft will then recieve the 'Escalated' tag more because people often respond in great masses to those. Out of the most relevant threads which recieved the tag, most of them are actually cubecraft critiques anyway.

The 'Escalated' tag gives users an incentive to read the thread, it doesn't hurt the forums to have more threads which acquired the tag. And the current way it gets handed out is in a way too controlled and opinion-based manner. Staffmembers should still be allowed to hand it out, but once a thread hits a certain point, it should be labeled automatically.

Bye.

 

[RickDeKlomp]

to become, or make somethinge become greater or more serious. On a forums, I imply this meaning as 'Quickly risen to popularity (a lot of replies)' and 'A lot of debate (A wide spread of opinions in those replies).

It makes something become greater or more serious. This doesn't mean that all threads with loads of replies should be escalated. When something is escalated, it becomes greater or more serious.

I think a thread should automatically been given the 'Escalated' tag once it hits a specific number of replies.

I have to disagree with you here. Sometimes replies don't have to do anything with the thread, like your conversation with Ducky Here

Also, the escalated tag doesn't mean a lot. Basically no escalated threads have been implemented so far. And some threads might not get the escalated tag because similair threads were made, which is the case here:

 

[RPoule]

It makes something become greater or more serious.

I figured the dictionary would explain the term, I guess not. You can't just choose if something deserves to be escalated or not, it just happens. The tag therefore represents a thread that has already 'Escalated' by the time it obtains the label. It's a measurable variable, that's why you don't need a staffmember manually labelling it.

Also, the escalated tag doesn't mean a lot. Basically no escalated threads have been implemented so far. And some threads might not get the escalated tag because similair threads were made, which is the case here:

To be fair, I realised my example wasn't that great the moment I posted it, but I couldn't be bothered editing the thread. There are plenty of good examples of threads that clearly sparked debate in the community but didn't get the tag, just scroll around a bit.
I mainly disagree on your "doesn't mean a lot" part, because if it really doesn't, it shouldn't exist in the first place. I am however leading towards thinking it does mean something, it directs forumusers to the threads where quality arguements are being made, these are the threads with the best, most original or most wanted suggestions. More active responses (result of the directing), combined with the tag itself results in a higher noticability and a more detailed view on what the community wants. That's the goal from the entire suggestionsection right? Explaining our wanted and needed additions.

 

[RickDeKlomp]

I figured the dictionary would explain the term, I guess not. You can't just choose if something deserves to be escalated or not, it just happens. The tag therefore represents a thread that has already 'Escalated' by the time it obtains the thread.

I agree but that's not how it works here. When a thread is escalated, it means the thread is forwarded. Threads escalate- yes, but that doesn't mean it needs to have the 'Escalated' tag, since some escalations are not usefull at all/ don't need to be forwarded. For instance, all complains about Sentinel.

And like I said before: "Sometimes replies don't have to do anything with the thread". I don't think it's usefull to give all good threads the escalated tag, if none of them will be implemented. The escalated tag will become a way to give people what they want, so they'll stop discussing.

 

[RPoule]

I agree but that's not how it works here. When a thread is escalated, it means the thread is forwarded. Threads escalate- yes, but that doesn't mean it needs to have the 'Escalated' tag, since some escalations are not usefull at all/ don't need to be forwarded. For instance, all complains about Sentinel.

And like I said before: "Sometimes replies don't have to do anything with the thread". I don't think it's usefull to give all good threads the escalated tag, if none of them will be implemented. The escalated tag will become a way to give people what they want, so they'll stop discussing.

Why would you want people to stop discussing? It's not a way of telling the users to tell them they have been noticed and can all go to rest now.
They'd completely mis-understand the use of the tag. It has an amazing purpose, which I explained in my post previous to this.
If they'd prefer the tag to say: "Forwarded to management and developers, thanks for your input." the tag could use a name-change. But I don't believe that's what the tag is for. (And also, 3/5 most recent escalated threads included Sentinel rants ._.)

"Sometimes replies don't have to do anything with the thread"

As for this part, I get you, but THAT's the type of thread Staff should interrupt in by telling people to either stay on subject or lock the thread entirely because it's a useless suggestion. Just like back in the day :)

See where I'm getting at? They're currently manually highlighting the best suggestions, while it'd be way better and healthier for the forums to filter out the trash ones.
*Hereby I do not mean deleting every suggestion that isn't original or meaningfull, I mean the ones the forums is highly saturated with, such as the 'Sentinel rants' you mentioned.