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Original poster

For the 9th time - zombie threads

115 replies

BIWI · 24/10/2021 17:39

There's obviously a reason why people don't realise threads are zombie threads - partly it's because the warning posted by MNHQ only applies to the first person who posts on a thread. Thereafter, it's down to posters replying to that first person.

But even if people then go on to post 'this is a zombie' thread, it gets ignored - highlighting just how many people don't bother to read anything other than the OP.

I know it's been asked about before on here, but nothing ever seems to get done - you say you'll pass it on to the tech team, or will raise it at your next meeting (or whatever), but still it carries on.

Is there a reason why nothing has changed?

(I know some posters don't care, but there are a lot of us for whom this is really irritating, so I'm asking for me and all of those Grin)

OP posts:
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Oftenithinkaboutit · 26/10/2021 18:18

Yes, she could
Point is - she didn’t want to.
And it was welcomed by previous posters

Sparklingbrook · 26/10/2021 17:55

Zombie threads can, of course, be entertaining but there was one recently that got revived (possibly by a spammer) prompting all sorts of "how are you now OP" "can we have an update OP" when it was immediately clear from reading the thread that there had been a very tragic outcome to the situation. MN shut it down very quickly thank goodness

I remember that. It was awful.

SunshineCake1 · 26/10/2021 17:41

@Oftenithinkaboutit

That she would not have got if it had been locked
She could. She could have sent them a PM or started a thread and @ them.
Oftenithinkaboutit · 26/10/2021 16:44

Same has happened to me

Oftenithinkaboutit · 26/10/2021 16:44

That she would not have got if it had been locked

Oftenithinkaboutit · 26/10/2021 16:44

@BIWI

I don't get this though. Even if they're 'shut down' - by which I assume you mean locked? - they're still there to read and benefit from.
But the pp has support from the previous posters and took great comfort in this
Original poster
BIWI · 26/10/2021 16:42

I don't get this though. Even if they're 'shut down' - by which I assume you mean locked? - they're still there to read and benefit from.

OP posts:
Oftenithinkaboutit · 26/10/2021 16:23

@Flittingaboutagain

The thread I'm referring to, with all the previous posters' own stories resonated so strongly I definitely wouldn't have replicated that with my own thread or linking to someone else's. The OP was really lovely and clearly enjoyed contributing all these years later too!

To me, Mumsnet isn't just about getting the facts it's about experiences and connection and time can be useful to give context and a depth of perspective. I do agree some threads have clearly run their course or are very sensitive in nature but a blanket shut down of all old threads seems unnecessary to me.

This With bells on
Flittingaboutagain · 26/10/2021 15:12

The thread I'm referring to, with all the previous posters' own stories resonated so strongly I definitely wouldn't have replicated that with my own thread or linking to someone else's. The OP was really lovely and clearly enjoyed contributing all these years later too!

To me, Mumsnet isn't just about getting the facts it's about experiences and connection and time can be useful to give context and a depth of perspective. I do agree some threads have clearly run their course or are very sensitive in nature but a blanket shut down of all old threads seems unnecessary to me.

Oftenithinkaboutit · 26/10/2021 15:06

As per previous poster

Some see it’s a zombie but it sufficiently resonates that they post. And previous posters return to offer support that they may otherwise have missed the thread

Original poster
BIWI · 26/10/2021 14:44

Yes it really does expose those posters who don't bother to read a thread. And this is one of the key reasons why something has to be done about zombies - when posters don't bother to read the thread, thus realising that there hasn't necessarily been a happy ending Sad

OP posts:
vajingleberry · 26/10/2021 14:00

TBF, I don't think a lot of posters know that there are a wide selection of topics available at all.

Zombie threads can, of course, be entertaining but there was one recently that got revived (possibly by a spammer) prompting all sorts of "how are you now OP" "can we have an update OP" when it was immediately clear from reading the thread that there had been a very tragic outcome to the situation. MN shut it down very quickly thank goodness.

Also, new posters will revive an old thread with their own question instead of starting a new one, and you can guarantee that most of the replies will be to the original OP because no-one has read further than that.

We can all get caught out now and again, but the correct response is "oops - didn't spot it was a zombie Blush" instead of the agonisingly contrived excuses as to why they hadn't spotted the date/reams of previous posts saying ZOMBIE.

Oftenithinkaboutit · 26/10/2021 13:40

@Sparklingbrook

I don’t think many people know the 30 Day topic even exists…
Perhaps something for mumsnet to promote for those that are posting on something that they don’t want to come back to them
Sparklingbrook · 26/10/2021 12:36

I don’t think many people know the 30 Day topic even exists…

Oftenithinkaboutit · 26/10/2021 11:05

I love a zombie!

ErrolTheDragon · 26/10/2021 11:04

@Oftenithinkaboutit

*The original OP may not want that 'attention' either at a later date.*

If you start a thread, that really is something that you should be willing to accept surely.

If you suspect something you don’t want to come back to you, post on 30 days. Job done

I don't agree. If you want to discuss a particular topic then it obviously makes sense to do it on the relevant board. Given that the norm on MN is to not resuscitate 'zombie' threads, there's no reason an OP should be expecting it to resurface years later.

'Hijacking' other people's threads is - rightly IMO - generally considered poor form on MN.

Oftenithinkaboutit · 26/10/2021 10:57

The original OP may not want that 'attention' either at a later date.

If you start a thread, that really is something that you should be willing to accept surely.

If you suspect something you don’t want to come back to you, post on 30 days. Job done

Oftenithinkaboutit · 26/10/2021 10:55

@ErrolTheDragon

I'd have thought the best solution there would be to start a new thread but include a link to the one which was helpful.
Confused
ErrolTheDragon · 26/10/2021 10:55

@Oftenithinkaboutit

I imagine some don’t want the attention of being the OP.

Tagging on to a thread that resonates is something they feel more comfortable with. And I get that.

The original OP may not want that 'attention' either at a later date.
ErrolTheDragon · 26/10/2021 10:54

I'd have thought the best solution there would be to start a new thread but include a link to the one which was helpful.

Oftenithinkaboutit · 26/10/2021 10:53

I imagine some don’t want the attention of being the OP.

Tagging on to a thread that resonates is something they feel more comfortable with. And I get that.

Sparklingbrook · 26/10/2021 10:47

Starting a new thread may not have done that for her

It probably would have. If there were lots of replies on the Zombie thread, why wouldn't people reply on the new one?

Another alternative would be to PM the OP of the Zombie thread to see if they are still around.

Oftenithinkaboutit · 26/10/2021 10:43

@BIWI

But *@Flittingaboutagain* that thread will still be there, for you (and anyone else), to read! So you can still get all the heart singing moments you need.

And there's always the opportunity to start a new thread ...

What if she didn’t want to start a thread? This thread struck her as having been responded thoughtful and helpfully. It drew back those same posters and helped her.

Starting a new thread may not have done that for her.

Sparklingbrook · 26/10/2021 10:34

I think starting a new thread rather than reviving a years old thread is the way to go.
Who knows what advice may have changed in that time. Plus it will avoid the scenario where everyone starts replying to the OP again, not the person that bumped it by posting their situation.

Original poster
BIWI · 26/10/2021 10:29

But @Flittingaboutagain that thread will still be there, for you (and anyone else), to read! So you can still get all the heart singing moments you need.

And there's always the opportunity to start a new thread ...

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