To think that if you start a thread you could at least post on it at least once?

[DoNotGetADog]

I’ve noticed recently so many threads where people start it, get loads of replies/advice/questions and then when you do “show all” they have not posted on the thread again at all after their initial OP.

AIBU to think “what is the point in this?” and that it makes for boring threads?

Journalists

Or they have a life...

Trolls

So easy to spot, they post a really vague but interesting OP then never come back, ensuring bun fights and pages and pages of “are you ok OP???!!!”

...or they don't like the answers given.

I agree! I also think it should be Mumsnet law to update your thread with the outcome of the problem you posted about!!

Likely trolls. If a thread was posted more than a day ago or has more than 50 replies with no more posts from the OP I don’t bother.

If a particularly long thread I read the OP’s posts first before responding, or not.

I think we all need to bear in mind that, however weighty or interesting the matters discussed, this is still just the internet and can only ever hold a certain status in the context of somebody's real life. Any number of things could lead to an OP not being available to update a thread - a sick child, an unannounced visitor, a migraine, a row with a partner...it's annoying when a thread doesn't deliver closure/satisfaction for the reader, but perspective is needed.

Bored people, trolls or journalists.

FYI, you don't even need to press See All to find this out. There's a See Next link as well, which is absent from the OP's final post in a thread, so if it's missing from the first post, then they haven't posted again.

Also posters who make statements which could make for an interesting discussion but refuse to answer questions.
Recently a poster said that there was going to be civil war between Brexiteers and remainers.
Maybe he/she’s right, but I’d love to know what she envisages happening in this civil war. For a start, guns and bombs are in short supply outside the armed forces so what weapons will be used?

A bit like this op?

That’s interesting - thank you

Sorry, forgot to quote! That is interesting, thank you!

Oh I know and fully understand all that - it’s just that recently on most threads I read the OP never comes back at all. I never get really invested in threads, and obviously people have other things going on in their lives. But then they didn’t have to post in the first place did they?

I don’t mean they don’t reply for 20 minutes either - I mean I’ve just clicked on a few threads that were started days ago and have 3 or 4 pages of posts but the OP never commented beyond the first post.

Nobody has to do anything, but it’s just another of those signs that MN isn’t what it used to be and there’s little enjoyment or interest to be had now.

I know what the answer to that is though…

There's always been threads like that, at least in the time I've been on. Journos, hand grenade trolls, bored people etc.

Committed people may give a one liner to some random thing someone's posted but that all. Or one word posts. Just give them a swerve.

This is a good example of such a thread - and VERY similar to another similar thread recently where I suspect it was a journalist really trying to write a tips and tricks for cost of living type piece if you could call them a journalist that is!

www.mumsnet.com/talk/_chat/4561232-what-am-i-doing-wrong-on-this-salary

I was just thinking this this morning, there seems to be a lot more recently.

I’m guilty of this, though I usually post again at least once. What usually happens is that i reply to the first few posts, then get caught up in something else, then by the time I get back my OP has slipped off the front page and it feels like ancient history even if it’s only a couple of hours old. I feel like surely everyone has moved on, anyone who wants to comment already has and I don’t want to drag people back into my thread. I always read all the responses though.

i guess it’s the difference between question / answers, and an ongoing conversation.

and yes I think there are more lately.

Usually journalists or trolls who like to sit back & watch the carnage / bun fight. Usually easy to spot as they're about contentious issues or ones which divide opinions.

Some of the responses can be quite upsetting, though, if you are feeling a bit fragile. Asking for advice, yes rude not to acknowledge. Just starting a conversation? Without a strong view?

I wish there was something to indicate that an OP had posted an update on their thread.

I check in advance if the OP has made more than one post to stop myself getting invested.

There's the filter? I see it on my iPad and I think my phone?

Yes you can filter by OP posts on the iPhone at least. There's a funnel icon on the top right.

I don’t see how this reasoning justifies anything.

Its a bit like starting a conversation with someone and then wandering off without acknowledging their reply.

It doesn’t matter if your op has “slipped off the front page”.

Unexpected life events aside, why start a thread on social media if you have neither the time, inclination or attention span to engage socially.

Just Google your query if you only want to read info or opinion?