Hit-and-run posting
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Hit-and-run posting refers to a tactic were a poster at an internet forum enters, makes a post, only to disappear immediately after. The post often consists of a lengthy text making lots of claims that can be, but isn't always, on topic. Another variety is the sole posting of a URL or link that leads to material that might be used as a discussion primer, but with no added opinion of the poster. It differs from plain spam since forum spam often is posted by spambots, while Hit-and-run posting on the other hand is done by a real person. Also, while spam mostly consists of advertising, hit-and-run posts usually has at least some bearing on the topic at hand. However, since the poster doesn't stick around to defend the posted material, or even discuss it, it is considered lame and disrespectful, especially by forum regulars, who tend to be angried by the fact that the hit-and-run doesn't become obvious until some or several replies already have been made. Hit-and-run posting often follow the principle of "throw enough in and some will stick", where the poster hopes that even though he/she will not defend the post, it might at least persuade someone of its merits, and sometimes its motive is plain flamebaiting. Answering hit-and-run postings after they have been diagnosed as such is sometimes considered "feeding the trolls" and is therefore discouraged. Hit-and-run posting tends to occur more frequent in debate on controversial topics.
The term "Hit-and-run posting" is sometimes used, unjustifiably, against people who don't have as much time to spend on a forum as others and therefore have trouble keeping up with the posting pace.
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From USENET group talk.origins:
"I have noticed the appearance of a Creationist who seems to be posting his school essays for public edification. It is unfortunate that he does not believe enough in his works to try to defend them, but hit-and-run tactics are par for the course here. "
Bad Astronomy forum, rule 9:
"Hit & Run"
The technique of posting a single provocative statement (or, commonly, a URL to a pseudoscience website) and then never posting again in a thread is greatly frowned upon. This is only a step above trolling. Barely.
Hit and Run posting
I reserve the right to delete hit and run posting without needing to justify the action. Posts which are obviously intended simply to drop links onto the board rather than to engage in debate will be removed.
