What is Thread Rot?

From Barbelith

Threadrot is a term that refers to anything added into a topic that may derail the thread or lead discussion within the thread to go off-topic.

Threadrot tends to make idea-based topics (or "threads") veer into personal commentary. For instance, a topic about a protest in Soho might suddenly veer into a discussion of this really great Indian restaurant just a couple blocks away, and from there into a discourse on the relative merits of various vindaloo vendors.

There are some Conversation threads that are entirely (and rightly) made up of threadrot, while in the Revolution forums (you know... all of the serious ones), threadrot is generally frowned upon - even if it is occasionally inescapable.

On the lighter side, it is delicious on a lightly tossed salad with pecans.

See Topic Abstracts.