Reverse threads/deletion policy

[Jux]

I've just been reading a thread which is now deleted as it was a reverse; this does bother me as often on reverse threads people have spent quite a lot of time formulating replies which are then lost.

I think about users and lurkers who may gain some insight into their own situations by reading one of those replies, and that leads me to question the deletion policy.

The only people who benefit from a reverse being deleted is the OP, who is probably using a different name so needs no protection. Now, admittedly I had quite a lot of sympathy for the OP of that particular thread, and I don't get the antipathy towards reverses anyway, but why not just close the thread rather than render everyone's time and effort useless by deleting the whole thing (and possibly doing a disservice to some poor soul out there)?

[CarolineMumsnet]

Hi, Jux

Thanks for raising this.

We try not to have a blanket policy to hit the red button in such circumstances, and we do try to take a view on each thread case by case. Saying that, it's a fair point that maybe we could consider closing rather than zapping such threads more often in the right sort of circumstances.

Would you be able to mail in to contactus with the thread that was deleted to help us have a proper think on it? Thank you.

[Jux]

Oh, thanks Caroline. I can't send it to you, I don't think I can, as the first I realised it was being deletedd (or had been) was when I clicked Post; so, it doesn't appear on my I'm on page. I don't mind losing my post and I don't really know that there were posts worth preserving on that particular thread, but I know it does happen.

[IdleBet]

I can't stand 'reverse' threads. They should be banned.

It winds me up when you see:

I'm calling reverse.
Must be a reverse.
Is this a reverse.

[Jux]

Yes, that is annoying but easy to scroll past. I'm not in favour of banning Reverse Hunting, particularly as it is akin to the banned troll hunting, which I think was a mistake. We lose something of MN's personality every time another thing gets banned; automatic deletions are the stuff of the devil imv. It is far more interesting (and fun) to read users creativity on things which are frowned upon! Banning should always be the very very last resort, with deletion very close behind.

Close threads which get out of hand. Bunfights are OK; if you can't cope, leave the thread there are plenty more.