[POLL] Vote on Unlocking/Locking the "Undefeated Season Watch" Thread

What is your opinion on the "Undefeated" thread?

  • Unlock It

    Votes: 78 45.6%
  • Lock It

    Votes: 93 54.4%

  • Total voters
    171
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SeoulSoxFan

I Want to Hit the World with Rocket Punch
Moderator
SoSH Member
Jun 27, 2006
22,089
A Scud Away from Hell
Hey all,

I locked the recently posted "Undefeated Season Watch Thread". I do understand the interest in discussing the topic as well as being uncomfortable in seeing it on the board (for whatever reason).

If the majority wants it unlocked, I'd be more than happy to do so.

Thanks!
 

Bergs

funky and cold
SoSH Member
Jul 22, 2005
21,613
I voted "unlock" on general principle, but hate the thread.
 

InstaFace

The Ultimate One
SoSH Member
Sep 27, 2016
21,766
Pittsburgh, PA
If you're superstitious, don't go into the thread / participate in the discussion.

It's no longer so remote as to not be worth a passing breath - they've only started 7-0 in 3 seasons (2007 and 2015 prior to 2019). Almost half the season is gone and they've never been at any sort of risk of losing a game, in fact only one game wasn't a blowout. There's going to be an outpouring of articles discussing the possibility, mathematically estimating the probability, talking about the team in the context of history. It's a worthwhile topic for Pats fans to bandy about. And if people get too arrogant about it, you can make fun of them.

But I don't see any reason to make it "the topic that shall not be named".
 

Time to Mo Vaughn

RIP Dernell
SoSH Member
Mar 24, 2008
7,204
As the thread starter my vote is obviously to unlock. I see it as a place to discuss two main topics: the remaining schedule and historic accomplishments as the season continues. I hate the idea that superstition gets in the way of actual discussion, especially with the analytics focus of this forum and entire message board.

As most people thus far have voted to keep it locked, I'd love for a few more to post their reasoning. I appreciate both the opportunity for discussion and candidness about his viewpoint from @SeoulSoxFan.
 

JohnnyK

Member
SoSH Member
May 8, 2007
1,941
Wolfern, Austria
I voted to lock it. Slight superstition aside, I feel it is somewhat redundant as we already have a thread on the defense where each post is basically a new superlative, one on the offense to discuss that side of the ball, there's a schedule thread and individual opponents are talked about in the pregame threads. I don't really see what should be discussed in this thread that isn't better suited for the specialized threads.
 

DebSox

New Member
Jul 14, 2005
69
Let’s not jinks this people. Plus way to early for this conversation. I vote lock it.
 

E5 Yaz

Transcends message boarding
Lifetime Member
SoSH Member
Apr 25, 2002
90,020
Oregon
Keep it locked -- not because of karma (the fact it was started already put it into the universe), but because it's destined to become a train wreck
 

JoePoulson

Well-Known Member
Gold Supporter
SoSH Member
Feb 28, 2006
2,755
Orlando, FL
I voted unlock. Embrace the challenge, don't hide from it. Nothing we did worked before so why worry about it now. This team is a MONSTER and why not enjoy them right now at their peak. And so what if they lose a game eventually; it's hard to run the table in the NFL and it wouldn't be because of that thread.
 

kartvelo

Well-Known Member
Lifetime Member
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Aug 12, 2003
10,461
At home
Personally, I don't really care about an undefeated season. Yeah, it'd be fun. What I remember about 2007 is the last few games it looked to me like the team was winning using smoke and mirrors, and the D especially looked like it was running out of gas. I would have preferred they'd come in to the SB stronger than they did, even if it meant losing one of the games leading up to it. Just my armchair amateur analysis.

A strategic loss here and there while trying out some new things, or while playing vanilla and keeping some things in their pockets for the playoffs, or resting some guys who need it more than the team needs a win that week,... it's fine with me. Get them to the SB rested and ready.
 

BigSoxFan

Member
SoSH Member
May 31, 2007
47,094
Keep it open but ban Dernells from posting for rest of season if they lose to Cleveland this week.
 

Zososoxfan

Member
SoSH Member
Jul 30, 2009
9,209
South of North
If people want to talk about it, they should be able to. It will either be not applicable in the next month or it will be still in play and traffic will pick up. Also if you don't like those posts, consider that they will all be in one place and more easily avoided.
 

johnmd20

mad dog
Lifetime Member
SoSH Member
Dec 30, 2003
61,996
New York City
Locking the thread is weak. Embrace the situation. This team isn't just 7-0. Their point differential is ONE SEVENTY FIVE after 7 games.
 

OurF'ingCity

Member
SoSH Member
Apr 22, 2016
8,469
New York City
I voted unlock only because if not in that thread, it's inevitably going to be discussed elsewhere if they start getting closer to 16-0. Plus, I don't really see it as "jinxing" anything because, unlike say a no-hitter, it's not obvious to me that an undefeated regular season is even something to be hoped for.
 

drbretto

Member
SoSH Member
Apr 10, 2009
12,075
Concord, NH
Any bad juju the thread could cause has already happened.

This team seems to be potentially historically good. I mean, I don't know football like you all know football, but I know what a special season smells like. This team stanks of it. It's a totally valid conversation at this point. Inevitable even.
 

Toe Nash

Member
SoSH Member
Jul 28, 2005
5,600
02130
Unbelievable that a Red Sox board might not discuss something because of bad juju in 2019. And as this thread shows it's going to bubble up elsewhere so if you don't like talking about it you should support an unlocked thread.
 

Burn Out

Member
SoSH Member
Jul 19, 2005
282
Probably in Traffic
It makes me sick to my stomach to think that the undefeated season thread will be mocked on the Sons of Ken Anderson message board on Monday 12/16.

But unlock it.
 

Spelunker

Member
SoSH Member
Jul 17, 2005
11,863
Keep it locked -- not because of karma (the fact it was started already put it into the universe), but because it's destined to become a train wreck
Exactly. I voted lock because it'll be a terrible thread: the good parts will be redundant with other threads, and the rest of if will be gamethready. The best outcome is a good version of a GangGreen thread.
 

SumnerH

Malt Liquor Picker
Dope
SoSH Member
Jul 18, 2005
31,893
Alexandria, VA
I hate the idea that superstition gets in the way of actual discussion, especially with the analytics focus of this forum and entire message board.
It's an awful look for a board that prizes itself on rational discussion and not sucking.

Mojo jokes and superstitions are fine in game threads, but they shouldn't limit actual discussion on the board.
 

lexrageorge

Member
SoSH Member
Jul 31, 2007
18,099
I vote unlock it, as I've seen far worse threads on here. And there are threads about win totals and predictions on the other subfora on this site. But I realize that the thread has a higher likelihood of becoming banal, so I'm not broken up if it remains locked.
 

Import78

Member
SoSH Member
May 29, 2007
2,091
West Lebanon, NH
I don’t have a strong feeling, but it seems premature to be talking about going undefeated less than halfway through the season. Especially with the hardest section of the schedule coming up.

If we make it to 12-0 I’d be happy to talk more about it.
 

SeoulSoxFan

I Want to Hit the World with Rocket Punch
Moderator
SoSH Member
Jun 27, 2006
22,089
A Scud Away from Hell
Thanks for all the thoughtful input.

How about this for a compromise solution? If the Pats go 12-0, with the bulk of the tough contests out of the way, we unlock this baby.

It seems the objection is on the quality of the thread if we unlock it now (rather than for "mojo" reasons). On the other hand, thread would invite much more substantial discussion as the team does get closer to finishing the regular season undefeated.

Thoughts?

P. S. This only applies if the final tally is to keep it locked.
 

PedroKsBambino

Well-Known Member
Lifetime Member
SoSH Member
Apr 17, 2003
31,192
I wore the same tee-shirt and hat 8 straight games in 2004 from the ALCS through world series (yes, I wore something under it so it only smelled a bit!)

I've posted "win today' on every elimination-possible gamethread for 15 years.

I am a rational, logical person and yet I cannot rule out the possibility of karma

Lock the thread. Do not mess with the juju
 

Laser Show

Member
SoSH Member
Nov 7, 2008
5,094
Thanks for all the thoughtful input.

How about this for a compromise solution? If the Pats go 12-0, with the bulk of the tough contests out of the way, we unlock this baby.

It seems the objection is on the quality of the thread if we unlock it now (rather than for "mojo" reasons). On the other hand, thread would invite much more substantial discussion as the team does get closer to finishing the regular season undefeated.

Thoughts?

P. S. This only applies if the final tally is to keep it locked.
I think this is entirely reasonable.

It's overwhelmingly likely that the first loss of the season will be during the Ravens-Eagles-Cowboys-Texans-Chiefs stretch. If they get to 12-0 they'll have survived 4 of those 5 and only have a hobbled Mahomes, the Bengals, the Bills, and the Dolphins left.

While I'm as tempted as anyone else to talk about it, the reality is that there is nothing to talk about right now. The competition is a clear step up in the second half. I want to see the next 4 or 5 games before considering whether this could actually happen.
 

DJnVa

Dorito Dawg
SoSH Member
Dec 16, 2010
53,850
Locking a thread for something outside of racist, sexist, homophobic, doxing etc. seems a little weird, at least before it becomes an actual trainwreck.
 

djbayko

Member
SoSH Member
Jul 18, 2005
25,895
Los Angeles, CA
If there’s a thing such as “karma” or “juju” which can somehow cause Internet discussion to affect the performance of entirely separate people who are unaware of said discussion, then were already screwed by this very thread I’m posting in now.

It’s silly. Unlock it.
 

McBride11

Member
SoSH Member
Jul 15, 2005
22,109
Durham, NC
Lock - seems redundant with D thread, celebrating what is, nations tears, and weekly pregame thread. If we want to talk about the Ravens / Browns etc, most teams have their own threads.
I feel it will dilute posting from the other more focused threads
 

DennyDoyle'sBoil

Found no thrill on Blueberry Hill
SoSH Member
Sep 9, 2008
42,283
AZ
I don't think the Patriots are going to go undefeated.

I don't think it matters whether or not the thread is unlocked.
 

SeoulSoxFan

I Want to Hit the World with Rocket Punch
Moderator
SoSH Member
Jun 27, 2006
22,089
A Scud Away from Hell
After reading all the comments, I went ahead and unlocked the thread now.

Although it feels early and (personally) not a comfortable topic thread, it'd be overstepping boundaries of an admin to keep it locked and not have folks join in on the discussion.

Thanks to @Dernells Casket n Flagon for getting the thread started & everyone here for voting + weighing in!
 

DonBuddinE6

Member
SoSH Member
Jul 25, 2005
361
Talking about 19-0 here has exactly the same effect as does a baseball's play-by-play guy talking about a potential in-progress no-hitter. Which is to say, zero.

Sports are good for two main things: playing them and talking about them, and not necessarily in that order. I'm fine with letting the people who want to talk about it do so.

Edit: Thanks, SeoulSoxFan
 
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