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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To think threads where the OP doesn't return within a set period should be automatically zapped by MNHQ

36 replies

ComposHatComesBack · 30/09/2015 00:05

There's always been a problem on this site with goady fuckers starting deliberately provocative threads and then sitting back and watching the carnage ensue and the problem seems particularly acute at the moment.

Would one solution not be to delete any thread where the the op doesn't make a follow up post within 24 hours (for the sake of argument) the thread gets zapped? I realise it wouldn't be a panacea, but would make it less easy for those whose sole intention is to start a bunfight whilst standing there gawping on the sidelines.

It wouldn't take any great technical change, if a threads has been up and the op hasn't responded in the first 24 hours someone reports it as 'goady - op not returning' and mnhq zap it on the spot, unless there were compelling reasons not to zap it.

OP posts:
MrsTerryPratchett · 30/09/2015 00:06

But sometimes the idiots start interesting threads. The radical feminism one has been a goady fucker bunfight but also interesting.

WorraLiberty · 30/09/2015 00:10

I agree it's infuriating at times OP but I have to agree with MrsTerry

It always makes me laugh when no-one's seen sight nor sound of an OP for hours, until someone suddenly mentions it and they appear immediately Grin

They've either been lurking and rubbing their hands together, or sock puppeting I reckon.

Original poster
ComposHatComesBack · 30/09/2015 00:11

But could an interesting discussion about so called 'radical' feminism take place elsewhere on the boards without having the frame device of a transparently goady post? If the only way we can have an interesting discussion about important topics is by arguing against the inflammatory ramblings of an idiot, god help us all!

OP posts:
WorraLiberty · 30/09/2015 00:13

I didn't bother reading that thread because I didn't fancy the title, but it's very possible that the OP name changed and continued posting either for or against the points in their opening post.

HQ wouldn't have a clue unless someone reported a suspicion.

ReallyTired · 30/09/2015 00:14

People have lives and families. Sometimes people don't post for days if something comes up. I feel that threads should only be deleted if they break mumsnet guidelines.

EnthusiasmDisturbed · 30/09/2015 00:16

I agree with Terry

what would be far better is people not to engage with those they know as trolls, type reporting if you want to get message across and do so but why engage with them endless funny comments about bridges its Friday and so on

IceBeing · 30/09/2015 00:17

I think many a bunfight calms down after the first 100 posts into an interesting discussion between moderates....with the occasional person who hasn't RTFT interjecting twaddle I admit.

If you start threads in those board areas you don't get the same interaction. I tried a heavier weight discussion on a topic and got like 30 posts. A GF started something similar a week later and its at 500+ posts and still being interesting.

FanOfSpam · 30/09/2015 00:20

What is 'sockpuppetry'?

Original poster
ComposHatComesBack · 30/09/2015 00:27

Really I'd suggest that if the op doesn't have the time or inclination to check on a thread in the first 24 hours and acknowledge or interact with other people's comments, the need for it wasn't that pressing in the first place: no one will be harmed by not knowing what a complete stranger thinks about the woman down the street who claims benefits but has a solid gold Rolls Royce. There are of course exceptions to this and MNHQ would be able to use discretion, also no one would be likely to report an abandoned 'should I buy milk or plain chocolate digestives' thread as goady.

Ice That really depressing, but I've probably been guilty of that in the past, ignoring the sensible rational debate in favour of wading in on a goady fucker thread and getting my two pen'oth in.

OP posts:
Paddletonio · 30/09/2015 00:33

Yabvu

So annoying when posts are deleted

Just let them stand if they're interesting

TamaraLamara · 30/09/2015 00:38

Spam, sock puppetry is having several usernames on the go and using them to debate/argue with your other persona(s) in order to influence the direction the thread takes or provoke other posters into responding.

DixieNormas · 30/09/2015 00:42

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

MrsTerryPratchett · 30/09/2015 00:49

The luck/fortune/buying your own house own was really interesting and, even though I said it was fucking ridiculous implausible, it was still worth engaging. Not with the OP necessarily.

Although possibly the common enemy helps. Groups are more cohesive with one and at least it's not a 'real' MNer if it's a GF.

DarthVadersTailor · 30/09/2015 01:13

Genuine question here - is it a prerequisite that someone has to reply to a thread? I know some people purposely start a thread to provoke others into a heated debate and the like but if someone asks a question and simply wants to read others opinions without having anything else to add is there anything really wrong with that and are they actually obliged to continually interact on the thread?

noeffingidea · 30/09/2015 01:30

No, I don't think they are, Darth. People shouldn't have to post if they don't want to.
No one has to be 'goaded' either. If you feel you are being trolled then just step away.

sproketmx · 30/09/2015 01:36

Or they could live in scotland with unreliable shitey Internet. ... bain of my life these days Angry

sleepyelectricsheep · 30/09/2015 01:38

YABU I sometimes take a while to reply to my own threads as life takes over.

As this is mumsnet not idle-person-with-no responsibilities-net that would be totally inappropriate IMO.

StitchesBurstinBath · 30/09/2015 01:40

sometimes whatever comes of posting doesnt help at all. the poster is called an idiot or that she is wrong . or sometimes she might think everyone who answered is an idiot. Should she reply saying she thinks they are all incorrect about things?

ChipsandGuac · 30/09/2015 01:44

There have been several lately where the OPs are moving to NY. They never, ever come back. I'm presuming they're all just really busy but another side of me is thinking, "Is there a troll trying to flush out the NYC posters?!"

Maryz · 30/09/2015 01:54

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Original poster
ComposHatComesBack · 30/09/2015 07:44

Maryz I agree it wouldn't solve everything but may slow down/frustrate obvious goadyfuckers. It wasn't me best thought through idea I'd admit.

OP posts:
Egosumquisum · 30/09/2015 07:53

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

MythicalKings · 30/09/2015 07:55

I agree that GF threads should be left if an interesting debate emerges from it.

Bunfight ones can go, though.

AnyoneButAndre · 30/09/2015 08:07

Bun fight threads do go though. And MNHQ presumably does use the OP's behaviour (or lack of) on the thread to decide about intervention, and to gauge goadiness

I think it wouldn't be a useful rule. You could start a perfectly good "OMG I found a huge spider IN THE HAT I WAS ABOUT TO PUT ON! where's the worst place you've ever found a spider?" thread full of funny anecdotes with absolutely no need for the OP to return. That doesn't need deleting just because it gets reported by an arachnophobe, but it would be on that rule.

Trills · 30/09/2015 08:21

You seem to have a very fixed idea of What MN is for or How threads should work.