To think that people need to read the thread before they comment

[Mehitabel6]

I have been on a lot of threads recently where it is quite clear that people have read OP, but nothing else, not even the last post, before they comment.
Has it not occurred to them that things have moved on in 3 days?
It is especially annoying when OP has already apologised and admitted they were wrong- and yet they still get attacked.
It looks very silly when everyone has worked out it was a spoof, been saying so for the last 100 posts and someone pops up and answers it seriously!

I admit to not always reading every post, but I do get a good flavour and read the last page before commenting. If it is very long and has been rumbling in for days then I don't bother reading or commenting.

AIBU is the most usual place that this happens. Probably people are keen to make their point, but not keen to hear other views.

Yes I would say that to someone in real life. If you had read the thread that I referred to, it was horribly, horribly insensitive to the OP that people didn't bother to read her posts.

And why would you just jump into Mumsnet and assume that you don't need to bother to read anyone else's posts? How arrogant is that?

YANBU to think it but starting a thread to inform posters how YOU expect them to use Mumsnet?

Yes, what a total cow, outlining some of the problems that may occur when people are so focused on broadcasting their views that they can't even be bothered skimming the thread, and suggesting that there may be a more polite and constructive approach.

I mean, how fucking dare she.

Advice to newbies-RTFT.

people have a short attention span these days

YANBU

I hate it when a poster admits they WBU and you get hundreds of posts after banging on about how unreasonable they are!

Just RTFT!

Absolutely, op! Mumsnet should definitely be saved for those who will take it very seriously. Welcome to all those with endless amounts if time and concentration who will endeavour to avoid looking like an arse at all costs.
All the rest of you folk just go away or read only and svoid messing up the threads.
Are you for real op?

Why are there so many arsey responses on here?

Are you seriously so arrogant that you think your opinion is the most important one on the thread and your time is too precious to even skim read a few pages to see how it's moved on? Really??!

I think avoiding looking like an arse is good advice.

As, clearly, SeenSheen you haven't RTFT, I'll repeat this for you:

There was a thread recently that was a prime example of this - someone posting about a positive pregnancy test (after lots of problems conceiving), but then very shortly about losing the baby. But still posters were congratulating her, because they hadn't read the whole thread

So how about comparing looking like an arse with someone who might have a bit of consideration, compassion and empathy?

Or are you just an arse?

I tend to mostly only read the OP's posts.
Then skim the rest.
This is very useful when the OP is clearly restating the same point repeatedly because someone has misquoted them, a sub-argument has cropped up wherein the OP is accused of doing something s/he absolutely hasn't done (and has said as much within their first few posts) but no one has at least RTFOP'sPosts.

So I say we start posting ALFRTOPP.

Yes and people really should floss, say please and thank you and wipe front to back.

Ideally people should do lots of things, but sometimes people are not ideal, and I am sure everyone has fucked up on a mn thread. I just don't think there is much to be said on the matter as those who care will rtft those who don't or haven't the time ...

PS I have now actually read this thread.

1. lol at mackerel

1. Sparkling "snippy bitch plop" excellent description of the posts of the mindless, when in a bad mood

Just an arse I expect thanks bIWI just a busy arse who rather enjoys reading a few threads at the end if the day and perhaps commenting on one or two. Much as I might like to read each and every amazing post I selfishly let RL I.e. a life outside of Mumsnet take priority.

I see where you're coming from. I think we all do but if it's s long thread it's nye on impossible to read and digest every post. And some posts stick on your mind more than others,

Hear hear, Thingummy.

Here's the thing. If I'm too busy to skim the thread or even just read the OP's posts, then... I don't post. It's really easy. You just don't type anything in the box at the bottom of the thread.

And not posting saves even more of that time you're strapped for, meaning you can fit in another potentially interesting OP or two.

Somehow, I find MN operates just fine without my potentially misinformed thoughts on a long-running, multi-page thread.

Jassy

I have a certain fondness for those who manage to be so dim witted that they just can't manage a whole thread whilst at the same time so arrogant that they feel they absolutely must post.

It's a perfect storm of fuckwittery.

What a loss to the Internet if their comment wasn't there. [sadface]

I have never understood the mindset that means you post if you can't be bothered to read at least the first page and the most recent page properly, and skim the rest.

It always strikes me as massively self-centred to think that what you have to say is far more important than any developments in the ongoing convo.

And occasionally there is a really crass example. Most of the time, though, it is just tiresome when someone posts for the umpteenth time something that has already been discussed several times in that very thread.

I struggle to even buy the "oooh, I don't have nearly enough time to read the whole thread" excuse. Most of the time, the first and last pages are sufficient to understand if anything has changed.

If you haven't got time to read it the answer is not to post an opinion. There are plenty of short threads that you can choose.
It isn't a question of 'thread police' it is just irritation. I feel sorry for the OP they often read all the replies, make a full apology and say that they realise they were wrong, and you know it is useless- they will still be attacked and often quite horribly. It isn't necessary to read the whole thread, you can scroll through to get the general idea, or at least read the last couple of posts, or find out subsequent posts made by OP.
If you do that you would at least pick up basic information - like knowing that the thread was a spoof and not supposed to be serious.

Yes, I am for real SeenSheen - I am on MN for fun, so I am not expecting people to take everything seriously. I just don't think it difficult to read more than OP before irritating everyone by making it clear you haven't a clue where the conversation has gone. You would at least pick up that a thread was a frivolous bit of fun and not come in 7 pages on thinking OP was serious!

Long threads are a discussion. People talking together. Not just a long string of one liners. That's what sets MN aside from Twitter or Facebook etc. More supportive, more interesting and more amusing.

Posters who bark out their opinion based upon the first post hundreds of post later without RTFT appear such a prat. Seriously. It's like some idiot leaning into an ongoing conversation in RL, bleating out some random shit and wandering off again. At best it leaves everyone and worst can be upsetting.

If you cant be arsed to read the long threads then stick to the short ones.

Anyone who expresses any opinion whatsoever about good MN posting habits is liable to be shouted at for being thread police.

You have put that so much better than me Eponas it was what I was trying to say, but not as well put.

Yes all the thread police stuff is baffling. I am surprised the yawnsome thread police picture hasn't been deployed.