Wednesday's Most Active Threads

Looking at the the list of yesterday's most active threads, I am not feeling a huge amount of inspiration. The threads seem to have a depressing cast to them. For instance, the thread with the most replies yesterday and the third highest number of views was titled, "What is wrong with Americans? Target lost $400M due to mass theft" and posted in the "Political Discussion" forum. The orignal post links to an report on a recent telephone call between Target executives and reporters on which it was disclosed that Target has had a profit loss of $400 million due to "organized theft" this year. The original poster asks whether our society is descending into anarchy and seems to blame these thefts on lack of law enforcement. The thread is mostly a regurgitation of partisan talking points such as criticism of liberal politicians, complaints about parenting, and moral decay. From the other side, posters described Target as a terrible employer, compared retail theft to white color crime and crimes by political leaders, and discussed social issues. The article to which the original poster linked was succinct and clear in the analysis provided by one quote that was included: "I think wealth inequality has everything to do with all this."

The thread with the most views yesterday and the fifth number of replies was titled, "I'm moving to the suburbs" and posted in the "Real Estate" forum. The original poster has decided to move to the suburbs, but doesn't know where to begin the search. The original poster includes a detailed list of requirements for a new home, one of which is good public schools because the poster's family can't afford private. Many of the replies debate the advantage of paying more for a house zoned for a strong public school versus paying less for a house and using the money saved to pay for private school. Several posters offer recommendations for neighborhoods, the pros and cons of which are then debated. The Real Estate forum has had a long running competition between various parts of Northern Virgina which gets heated at times. In this thread, Arlington is recognized as being a good fit for the original poster, but McLean boosters are not having it. The rivalry between these two groups is such that I often wonder if they have their version of gangs. Instead of being identified by their colors, they can be told apart by the brand of their brown sandals. They meet at the tennis court at noon, assuming its not raining.

A thread titled, "Laid off am I obligated to train during transition" and posted in the "Jobs and Careers" forum was second in number of views and fourth in number of replies yesterday. The original poster has been laid off and the department in which the poster is employed is being consolidated with another department. An individual from the other department has asked the original poster to train her how to do the original poster's job. The original poster wants to know if this is required. Most replies recommend doing the bare minimum in order to ensure the original poster receives the promised severance pay. Others warn about burning bridges. Many posters provided fairly detailed advice about how to approach the situation in a professional manner that protects the original poster's interests while meeting any obligations. At least one poster urges the original poster not to take being laid off personally, that it was just a business decision and argues that taking a business-like approach can improve the chance of being rehired.

The final thread at which I'll look today is in the "Relationship Discussion (non-explicit)" forum and titled, "Is it becoming trendy for young (rich) kids to marry right after college?". This thread was third in number of replies yesterday, but only seventh in number of views. The original poster says that due to her children having attended private schools and selective colleges, they have many acquaintances in affluent social circles. The original poster has noticed that many 22 to 24 year olds from this social group getting engaged or married and asks if this is a current trend instead of waiting to a latter age to settle down. Responses are all over the place. Some agree that it is a trend, others say it is not. Some posters argue that marrying young or waiting is cyclical, changing from one to the other regularly as one generation sees an earlier generation having problems as a result of their decision and doing the opposite. Some of those replying say there have always been couples marrying just out of college so this is nothing new. Never hesitant to offer judgement, some DCUMers ignored the question about early marriages being a trend and simply provided their opinion about getting married young. They would be the first to divorce predicted these not at all cynical posters.