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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Zombie threads - what's wrong with them?

35 replies

hipstercat · 30/05/2019 17:58

My random wondering of the day... Why is it always pointed out with annoyance if someone posts to a zombie thread? Is this part of some kind of internet etiquette I'm unaware of? Why is this bad?

OP posts:
gamerchick · 30/05/2019 17:59

Because people reply to the first post, which is irritating if it's years old.

Or people will reply not realising it's their own thread started years ago.

babynumber2onboard · 30/05/2019 18:06

What's a zombie thread?

Original poster
hipstercat · 30/05/2019 18:10

But the question is usually relevant to other people as well, so why does it matter if the discussion was started years ago and the original poster is long gone? 'Reviving' an old thread has the same effect as posting the same question again on a new thread, doesn't it?

OP posts:
bruffin · 30/05/2019 18:11

Its because nobody reads the lastest thread, answer ops 10 year old thread, whose weaning baby is now a huge 10 year old etc or advice has changed
Have seen some upsetting ones ie miscarriage post bought up which the original OP might find upsetting.

bridgetreilly · 30/05/2019 18:13

It's very irritating to e.g. suggest names for a baby that is now ten years old. In general, if you've got a question now, just start a new thread about it.

bruffin · 30/05/2019 18:14

Also it is trolls who bump zombie threads either to stir up trouble, or spam their business or get kicks for their fetish

Nearlythere1 · 30/05/2019 18:44

I agree OP, i was on one just the other day when the conversation had got into full swing again, all of us fully aware it was a zombie thread, then up pops some idiot going "zombie zombie zombie" as if we're fucking morons. Superior moo honestly, did she think her useless interjection would make us all go, "oh no, i'll just leave this conversation in full swing because of this"?. And I told her that, and mumsnet deleted my comment.

SilverySurfer · 30/05/2019 19:23

It's irritating - if you wish to discuss a subject start a new thread, don't dredge one up from years ago.

The most ridiculous was someone who dragged up an old thread to answer a question (re a buggy I think) and she didn't even notice that it was her who asked the question eight years previously - she was answering herself Hmm

ThreeRandomWords · 30/05/2019 19:29

I don't see the problem. Often, people come across threads by googling and are looking for some advice from someone who has been in a similar position. The advice may no longer be relevant to the OP, but may still be useful to others.

gamerchick · 30/05/2019 20:34

Also it is trolls who bump zombie threads either to stir up trouble, or spam their business or get kicks for their fetish

Or bump their post count although baby names is handy for this, yanno before asking for pee stories.

The most ridiculous was someone who dragged up an old thread to answer a question (re a buggy I think) and she didn't even notice that it was her who asked the question eight years previously - she was answering herself

I don't think that's quite what happened. Someone else bumped the thread

Seriously, it's bloody annoying. So just don't.

Personally I'd have the buggers locked since people can't see the message that it's an old thread before posting. The one that's right in your face Hmm

HardAsSnails · 30/05/2019 20:38

Because shit like this happens:

www.mumsnet.com/Talk/general_advice_tips/752184-hauck-stroller-pound-25-Asda

Passthecherrycoke · 30/05/2019 20:39

On other forums I’ve been on you’re expected to add to old threads rather than start multiple threads about the same subject so I can see the confusion and think MN is unique in getting so annoyed about it

HardAsSnails · 30/05/2019 20:40

For some stuff it's innocuous, but when it's something upsetting or challenging for the OP it can feel really insensitive to bring it to the fore again. It's also a PITA to read through a thread thinking through your post and then realising pages later that the kid who wouldn't stay in their buggy is probably now doing GCSEs.

gamerchick · 30/05/2019 20:41

Heh I stand corrected Grin

BumandChips · 30/05/2019 20:42

Because people reply to something that got asked ten years ago.

SilverySurfer · 31/05/2019 12:23

I don't think that's quite what happened. Someone else bumped the thread

Nope - she bumped it herself - see the link in HardAsSnails' post.

gamerchick · 31/05/2019 13:39

Yeah and I already acknowledged that.

5foot5 · 31/05/2019 13:45

Well it's irritating if it is a long thread and you spend 20 minutes reading it through to see if anyone has made the point you were going to, only to realise that the issue is 5 years old and so the question is now irrelevant.

Sparklingbrook · 31/05/2019 13:45

Because nobody RTFT and just answers the OP who is long gone. They are always really long threads too for some reason.

Threads are usually bumped by trolls madly googling something or other and coming across an MN thread.

But if you want to comment on ancient threads that even have a warning about that rather than starting another one 'because that's what other sites do' then crack on.

continuallychargingmyphone · 31/05/2019 13:47

I think it’s worth pointing out it’s a zombie so people don’t waste time but I don’t know why people get so wound up by them to be honest.

Onescaredmuma · 31/05/2019 13:56

I came here expecting a thread about zombies I'm actually a little disappointed!

Sagradafamiliar · 31/05/2019 14:00

It's never just a case of 'hey this is a zombie thread, looks like OP will be long gone now', it's knickers-in-twist 'ZOMBIE THREAD!!!thanks a lot fuckwit' like you've gone into their house at Xmas and pissed all over the presents.

SerenDippitty · 31/05/2019 14:12

If you see a thread you haven’t noticed before that already has several hundred replies, pretty safe bet it’s a zombie.

FrogFairy · 31/05/2019 14:12

Isn’t it about time for the moving the furniture for the carpet fitter thread to pop up?

Provincialbelle · 31/05/2019 14:14

I’ve seen the odd one revived but what kind of weird fetishist revives discussions on buying buggies or splitting restaurant bills etc like most Mn threads I read.