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.

My favourite recently was a thread where a few people posted in response to the thread title, without even reading the opening post. They must have been really pressed for time!

(Can't link at the moment, but it was a thread started by HoneyDragon titled something like 'AIBU to think we should have an Australian-style points system', and her OP went on to relate that to MN - not the EU, as some people assumed from the title alone.)

I read MN most days (AIBU, Chat + Rships mostly) and tend not to read the threads that have got really long unless i know i'm going to be sat down for long enough to get to the end. I get to grips with a good long thread in the evenings usually.

It can be frustrating when you finally read a long thread that has been hanging about for days (which you haven't bothered to read as it didn't pique your interest) only to find out that you've missed out on a total corker and missed the point when your input would have been really helpful, or relevant.

Pah!

YANBU

RTFT or at least read the OP's posts or don't post at all.

princess I was just about to say it also niggles me when people don't even read the OP!
For example, say there's a thread about a missing cat with a fairly short OP which says something like:
'Cat's been missing for 2 days, we've handed out flyers, spoken to the neighbours, called local vets/RSPCA'

And then people post saying 'How long's the cat been missing for? Have you thought about handing out flyers? Call around the vets and RSPCA'

Thank you for the link, Pausing. Brilliant thread in which Fenella shows immense grace & those posters who didn't RTFT show immense daftness

Some people haven't got time to read through hundreds of posts befor commenting.

Then why bother to comment?

Exactly Mehitabel. It would be like in RL saying 'I haven't got time to listen to what you have all said but he's my very important opinion anyway'.

*here's

Generally a long thread have the same people who have been discussing the subject for days. Of course people can join, but a quick reply to OP just looks silly- it has moved on. Why would the rest of us be bothered to read it when we haven't been bothered with?
In RL people at least find out what a conversation is about before they comment- they don't assume on a Thursday that it is the same conversation they heard a snippet of on Tuesday.

I see your point but I don't think people are obliged to read every post! I haven't, not even on this thread!

I often don't read every post but you do need to read the last few to see where it got to before you wade in attacking OP who admitted they were wrong several hours ago!

As I said upthread Bonnie

Use MN however you like. Just don't be an arse. Posting on a thread with hundreds of posts without reading any of them increases chances of looking an arse considerably.

Not obliged at all but just beware I guess.

Perhaps Mynsnet shoyld issue special passwords to those deemed worthy of posting on Mumsnet. That would keep out the likes if me who do not read all of the threads they post . Anyone posting comments deemed boring and unworthy could have their ability to post withdrawn. Perhaps later leading to a banning of any right wing comments thus leaving Mumsnet free for the back slapping regulars who are never arses?

Brilliant idea Seen

Well, to be honest Seen, you're one of the worst for bitch-plopping at the moment.

If anyone could do with actually bothering their arse to RTFT it's you.

I've yet to see you say anything helpful or constructive. Just a sparky comment, then off you trot. Every bloody time.

Perhaps posters could just be encouraged to read at least the first and last pages before posting? That would be nice for the OP because they'd receive more helpful contributions, and nice for the poster because they'd be in less danger of looking like a twit.

Don't you just love posters who look back over everything you've ever said and then pick on that. The polar opposite of those who don't read the threads! Perhaps they should be given gold status as they are clearly much more invested than most of us.

I haven't looked back over anything, as it happens. I don't need to in your case. I tend to notice bitch-plop extraordinare's when I come across them.

Quite telling really.

And I'm already at 'Atrocious Cunt' level, if you don't mind.

I passed Gold aaaaaaages ago.

Advanced Search must exist for a reason....

I'm guilty of this sometimes, have never been rude to anyone though, everyone is allowed their opinion

Of course, UglyBugaz, but the examples in this thread show how people's opinions can be at best irrelevant and at worst hurtful if they haven't at least read the first and last pages to get some idea of how the thread's developed.

PrincessF oh I had a ball with that one .... Right at the height of election froth too.

Here if anyone wants to boggle quietly is an example of posters not only not bothering to read the thread, but read the op either, yet still commenting

Has anyone suggested that you shouldn't post if you haven't read the thread????

Oh, well, I don't agree with that. It can spice up a tedious thread if some eejit comes on and repeats some point that was cleared up days ago.

And who cares if you repeat something or don't read the thread - its anonymous
So
Do what you like!