I’m waiting - threads when the OP doesn’t return

I’m so sorry you needed such drastic MH treatment. X

I was sectioned for lengthy periods so no I couldn't just return. I'm aware it would be perceived as rude but it was not intentional. By the time I was able to there were several extremely rude comments which in contrast were very much intentional.

On some posts I did state in my OP I probably wouldn't return but just needed to vent and get it all out. I don't agree that name changes are ruining this site, I actually think it keeps it a safe place for many to open up.

So you start loads of threads and just don’t bother returning?
If name changes weren’t allowed, this just wouldn’t happen. Allowing name changes is killing this site.

But could you not have returned just to say thanks , the situation needs all your atttention now so can’t reply fully, but the responses have been helpful? It’s rude to get people spending time and thought on you then just blank them.

Oh that’s interesting. Especially the one where it might be a man just come here to wind women up. Again though, why bother?! Madness.
Oh and love ‘whackaloons’! Going to have to try and remember that one 😁

This is why I don't take it that seriously, because I hate the idea of someone getting their jollies at my expense.

And if I'm honest, I can't believe so many people continue to add their 2 cents worth long after it's been established that the OP posted and ran and they aren't saying anything different to what 100's have said before them. I think some just need to be heard.

I've started threads in the past and never returned to them for various reasons.

From stupid things like dinner party recommendations (dinner party never took place due to health reasons/hospitalization)
Seeking advice about mental health conditions (again hospitalization or shame).
Relationship issues, honestly I name changed posted to vent and get it all out and then never returned but the advice on the thread really helped me to see sense, but the fallout took up more of my headspace than replying to threads and by the time I returned there were lots of people making quite cutting comments about the fact I hadn't returned.

Some of them are froth-bait so the OP and their mates can piss themselves laughing at MN on Reddit.

Some are by AI learning bots.

Some are by unpleasant men.

Some are by general arseholes, inadequates and whackaloons.

And some are from genuine OPs who post naively on AIBU then probably almost immediately regret posting on MN. But they are a minority, I would say.

I agree @MrsTerryPratchett and have noted it on another thread. There are a high number of new threads. Usually threads stick around a while and get a bit boring but so many fresh ones in the last few days.

I think there's a strong chance that an AI has been built for the purpose of generating threads/replies. They could be optimized for different outcomes, eg to create consensus, create division etc.

Doesn't really bother me, but many of the threads I follow aren't asking for advice. Sometimes when it's asking for suggestions for recipes or holiday sightseeing then OP could periodically say 'thank you'.

There have been a few threads where OP says something fairly innocuous and gets horrible responses. In those cases it's probably better for OP to walk away/ignore/not post replies.

Absolute class example pustulating along in AIBU
20 pages of trans froth and the op long gone
Kind of proves MNHQ aren't bothered by this goady bullshit
all about the click innit

Especially if it's an unrealistic amount of time passed that OP would not reasonably respond in.

This is absolutely hilarious and I kind of hope it's true 🤭.

Oh yes. If a thread is more than about 100 posts I just read the ops posts to get up to speed.

That reminds me of the old spoof Japanese gameshow Banzai.

One of the regular characters was Lady One Question. She would begin an interview with a celebrity with just one very basic question and then just stand there in silence, nodding her head and staring at them, ever after until the celeb got bored and left.

Hey... are WE the celebs now?!

@MrsTerryPratchett I know what you mean and I do agree but I also reserve a degree of rage for posters who just put "any update OP?" particularly when it's about something awful like a suspected affair or seriously unwell child.

The may as well just put next installment for my personal entertainment please.

I agree, it's like someone just walked into a room, dropped a stink bomb, then left the room locking everyone in , then watched everyone turn on eachother 🤭.

At first I was shocked at the level of commitment of the posters continuing to respond with long posts for 10/20 pages, then I remembered that lots of people don't bother to read the OP updates anyway, so no one is hurt. Utter madness.

You mean as in 'Goady Bollocks and the Three Teddies'?!

Damn I never thought of that, not only do I work for mum's net for free I also work for large language models for free 🤬🤬🤬

My theory is that there is a group of people somewhere (perhaps on a forum) who run a competition.
The winner is the person who gets the highest number of replies on a thread that they start with one post and never return.

Agree but as alot of replies especially in AIBU can be quite rude and nasty I’m guessing most people are put off returning