Explanation for locked threads

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I've noticed that recently the moderator stance seems to be more active than in the past (locking a thread instead of just a warning), and I like that. However, I think it would be beneficial if a moderator could provide a brief explanation (just one or two sentences) of why the thread was locked, especially since some users might genuinely not know what they did wrong. A simple "this was locked because it degraded into insults" or "this was locked, as it's a topic that is simply not right for these forums" would go a long way in helping the users improve, I think.

The most common cause of a thread being locked is that it has degenerated into a flame war or general bickering with no productive content. If there is no explanation that is the usual cause. Occasionally a thread may be locked because it has been created by a banned member who has sneaked back on to the site again and it has been locked to dissuade such behaviour, this isn't normally stated because it would "feed the troll". Another common reason is a newbie bumping an old thread with an emotive issue in the Haven or elsewhere. But you do make a good point and we should in general state the reason for threads being locked.

Right, I'd better lock this thread now...

Isn't this thread against the rules? Discussion of locked topics? This appears to be a gray area for discussing them then since you were fine with it so does that mean I can post a thread in the Random Discussion asking "When you see a locked topic" and then asking what do you do about it? Do you open it to read it because you find it tempting because you are curious to see why it was locked. Or do you just skip it. I almost posted this a few days ago and then I realized "Wait, wouldn't this be breaking the rules here? Discussion of locked topics" and since I had to ask myself that, I assumed it probably was against the rules so I canceled out on it.

It would be against the site rules to discus a specific thread and the reason why it was closed. But this thread is talking about locked threads in general, so it isn't against the site rules.

The general principle is that if a thread is degenerating into breaking the site rules then it is locked. Some threads are created about topics (or mocking/attacking specific members) and break the site rules from the outset and they are generally removed completely.

I think it is good practice for moderators to generally state why threads are closed, but there are occasions when it isn't always appropriate - there can be things going off behind the scenes about particular members that only moderators are aware of and it isn't really proper to disclose the reason publicly why the thread was locked as it could lead to a lot of embarrassment for certain members or even cause general anger or conflict towards some members.

It is not unheard of for one member to create a thread deliberately to embarrass or antagonise another member without even naming them, but done in a discrete manner that few (other than the target member) realise the nasty intention of the original poster. Such threads are usually quietly locked.

I think that rule is for discussion of a specific topic that was locked, i.e. "Why did you lock my thread it was great you mods are just jealous of me" or something similar. This is more of a suggestion to help reduce the number of threads in general that need to be locked by providing feedback.