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Does anyone post bad titles on purpose?

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piojo

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For years, I've been thinking a vague title meant lack of communication skills. But I often click these posts to see what they're about, or at least mouse over them.

Is it possible that vague titles sometimes get more responses, and do people do it on purpose to take advantage of that?

Here's a great case for it: "yeast question" will probably get more attention that "how do yeast labs overcome the generational limit (caused by cumulative cell membrane damage)?"
 
And by the way, how do yeast labs overcome the generational limit (caused by cumulative cell membrane damage)?
 
Vague titles usually come from less-experienced brewers, so I can probably answer their questions.

Specific titles often mean experienced brewers who already know more than me about the topic in question, so I often skip them. That, or I just don't know anything about the topic (i.e. wine, kegging, welding...) in the first place, in which case I might read in order to learn something, but I probably won't pipe in.
 
@FatDragon Clever to notice that. I think I've done the same, but without realizing I was making that (correct) judgment.
 
Pics of Bad Titles is going to be the name of my Iggy Pop tribute band.

Seriously, I think many of the vague titles are created by people who are in too much of a hurry to think of a more descriptive one.
 
As a member of several forums, and moderator of two (not here) it seems the all too common "vague title" thread is the result of forum inexperience.
I see titles like, "Question?" and "Advice needed", etc.
Sadly, the most experienced/knowledgeable members who could probably assist them the best scan over these to address more specific issues. It all depends on volume and how busy they are.
 
I think people create a post title more like an email subject: "yeast", "fermentation", "Brewing issue"

They fail to realize that what they really need is something closer to a newspaper headline: telling of content or query, but short enough to keep attention.

I do thin that HBT seems to be worse than other forums I frequent for this.
 
When I see a title like “yeast question” when browsing through recently posted threads, I simply look at the number of replies listed and if it’s >3, I don’t even click it, assuming the question has been addressed. If it has a specific title, I might be more likely to view it regardless of number of replies if I want to learn something.
 
What is the OP’s question? I’m confused?
I thought my question was perfectly clear! I want more information on going commercial with a co-founder.





(I'm kidding, sorry for being naughty.)
 
And by the way, how do yeast labs overcome the generational limit (caused by cumulative cell membrane damage)?

The question is moot. Yeast labs wouldn't want to overcome the generational limit or they wouldn't sell more yeast. They probably have the answer shelved somewhere. Bastards.
 
The question is moot. Yeast labs wouldn't want to overcome the generational limit or they wouldn't sell more yeast. They probably have the answer shelved somewhere. Bastards.
I think the question was more along the lines of "how do they keep their own strains true to the original without in-house mutation and degradation?"
 
I think the question was more along the lines of "how do they keep their own strains true to the original without in-house mutation and degradation?"
I was referring to senescence. Some people think there is a generational limit on yeast, that it gets weaker in each generation. That's why you sometimes need to re-pitch into a stuck ferment, instead of just letting the existing ones restart. They aren't like fresh yeast.

The more I think about it, I suspect it's not true. Senescence is certainly real in mushrooms, but that condition only exists as long as they can't sexually reproduce and create non-senescent (strong) spores. But if done carefully, yeast can be reused for many generations, and I suspect infection and mutation are the only obstacles.

I think what does happen with wine and mead is that the yeast get stressed by the high gravity, and their generations really do deteriorate. But it's because of a tough environment, not because of anything fundamental in the cell. Does that jive with what you know?
 
"Senescence" breaks my self-imposed limits on syllables, silent letters, AND sibilants. I refuse to recognize the existence of such a word. That's about as much as I know about generational limits on yeast reproduction.;)
 
"Senescence" breaks my self-imposed limits on syllables, silent letters, AND sibilants. I refuse to recognize the existence of such a word. That's about as much as I know about generational limits on yeast reproduction.;)
But can't you just imagine a dragon or serpent saying that word? Senescencessssssss
 
For years, I've been thinking a vague title meant lack of communication skills. But I often click these posts to see what they're about, or at least mouse over them.

Is it possible that vague titles sometimes get more responses, and do people do it on purpose to take advantage of that?

Here's a great case for it: "yeast question" will probably get more attention that "how do yeast labs overcome the generational limit (caused by cumulative cell membrane damage)?"
Just taking a stab a time the original question-
Could it be that our fermentation hobby/passion involves producing a delicious form of alcohol? I think that may be at least one reason for vague titles. With a full time job and kids, I rarely drink more than one beer per night. However, I have come across quite a few postings where it seems that someone has very bad typing skills or is a bit tipsy.
 
Maybe it's the start of a progression into click bate, click rate optimized titles.
E.g.
"Top 5 yeast questions for you (you'll never guess what number 3 is!)"
 

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