AIBU to suggest Mumsnet delete threads if the OP doesn't return within a number of replies?

[SecondUsername4me]

There are many a thread running where the OP comes on, asks for advice and opinion and for 2 weeks the thread is buzzing with responses yet the OP never once returns. Not to add clarity, not to say thanks, etc.

Surely MN could have a way to pull up all thread where the OP hasn't returned in (say) 2 weeks/50 replies and auto delete them? Even if just for the main AIBU/Relationship/Parenting ones?

It's annoying when OPs don't come back, but sometimes other people carry on the discussion without them/ other people might find the advice useful etc.

So I don't agree that the threads should be deleted. Personally, if a thread had sparked a discussion and people were still actively engaged in that discussion, I would find it intensely irritating if the thread suddenly got zapped simply because the OP had gone AWOL.

Most of the time if OP hasn't returned within a couple of days it's because it's a fake post, so yes, maybe.

They could be useful for others, so they shouldn't be pulled.

YABU. The OP doesn't have any obligation to come back.

I think people use MN differently. Lots of people come and post something then get on with their day and check back for answers later. Not sure there is anything wrong with that. Of course it’s annoying when they never return though.

The worst is where you type out a useful reply and then OP comes back and just says “Anyone else?” 😂

I don’t think they should be deleted, however, a banner at top after maybe 24hrs stating ‘OP has not returned’ may stop people wasting their time.

YABU. The OP might not be able to return but might still find the thread useful.

Having said that, it's very disappointing when the OP creates a huge build up and then vanishes!

They’re often goady threads and it’s predictable the OP won’t be back. It’s a wind ‘em up and watch them go’ thing by the OP. Mumsnet are probably very happy for the traffic they bring, it happens lot of threads so I can’t see them deleting them.

Return to clarify and say THANKYOU??

It's just an everyday, chat forum. Nothing special!

I had a thread deleted - for replies being ‘unhelpful’ - while I was writing a reply. It had way more than fifty replies in a really short time and was really bickery (the usual nasty brigade arrived as well) so I wanted to pick my words carefully to reply in case I got piled on. There was also good advice, amongst some goady stuff, and I didn’t get the chance to re-read it. I’d have liked to thank those people. So no, I’d say let people process what’s being said to them, they also might have jobs, kids, other stuff to do.

Sorry, but this is a terrible idea imo. What about all the other posters posting on that thread, who might be in the middle of a conversation, who come back to it and it's gone? How annoying would that be if it kept on happening?

Yep! 😂

I get what you mean, OP.

When I start a thread I engage with it as I know how frustrating it is when OPs don’t come back.

There have been a couple of times when the issue was too upsetting so I left my thread, but this wasn’t after the first post, but quite a few posts in.

Sometimes when clicking on a new thread I check if OP has returned before replying.

Yes those posts threads should be deleted for arrogance 😂

You think MN should delete threads 'buzzing' with responses

I do get your point but some people turn the post into their own saga and over invest in other people's drama's, and stories and posters may not be true (shock horror although people are not allowed to mention people may be fake)

Sure I comment but I never think it's always true, people have to take responsibility for the way they post and what they post may possibly be a troll.

And the over used expression but we only hear one side

This is a good idea

Sometimes when clicking on a new thread I check if OP has returned before replying.

Yes - I nearly always click the filter button to check, and read any replies from the OP even if I don't RTFT. Saves time in the long run.

Haha yes!!

Sorry I should clarify - there obvs are some threads where the OPs message just starts a conversation (eg, anyone watching X, what are peoples thoughts on Y). Fine.

I'm more talking about the "I did x, friend did Y, who is in the right?" Type ones. Even if Mumsnet put an auto "should we keep this thread Live" button after 50 unanswered posts and if the responders feel they want to hang around, they have a choice.

But yes, in the main these posts are either trolls or people who've lied a lot across their threads.

@Whenwillitgetwarm

its easy enough to look & see there's no 'next' post.

@SecondUsername4me no I don't agree because there can be a lot of posts quite quickly & they may be feeding a baby/cooking dinner/at work etc.

people can use the 'next' or 'all op posts' functions if they're bothered.

Yes this is a great suggestion! Better than mine.

Yes very unreasonable. Some of the best threads they don’t return to, that’s hours of entertainment. Some of us have long bus journeys!

I think this is a good idea, although I think it should be longer than 24 hrs.
I find it irritating when the OP posts a couple of posts at the beginning and then the replies go on and on and on. Yes, it might be helpful to some people but I find it annoying.
It's almost like the OP lights the touch paper and then watches it burn

No. I'd be miffed if I spent ages typing out a reply to a post and it was a waste of time as the thread was deleted just because the OP wasn't responding quick enough.

But what I would like to see is the return of the column that showed who started the thread, and when they started it. I really liked that as it was easier to spot zombie threads. (I'm not bothered about the other column with who replied last and when because I felt terribly self-conscious when it was my name on it!) Even better would be if zombie threads had a different colour for the OP, that nobody else has, so you can see it's over so many months old.