To propose that MNHQ set threads to self-destruct if OP does not return within 3 pages?

[FireAway]

Light hearted (I think).

3 pages or time limit? Exceptions for sensitive boards (mental health etc)

All others, no reply after the OP - pooofff

No I don't think 3 pages as threads can move fast, people don't always sit by the phone waiting for replies. Maybe after 24-48 hours.

Fair point. 12 hours maybe?

Nah, I don't think it matters a lot of the time. I have been on threads with great advice or entertainment value without the OP coming back. There might be some that could really use some more detail from the OP, and I agree that's frustrating. Not sure what the rule would be for determining that though.

@InMyOpenOnion It’s mainly the goady type ones which annoy me most tbh

No they could be at work or in bed. Sometimes threads just blow up.

If they have the auto email alerts activated, possibly an email to 'invite' them to come back and re-engage with their thread after maybe 12 hours.

Ideally with a message that we know we're all busy, but it's unfair to the MN community to start a thread and then not return; so if you haven't posted again after another 12 hours, it will be assumed that you changed your mind about the thread, so it will auto-delete.

I suppose the only issue with that would be that it would enable serial ploppers to get away with it. If people realise/notice that you have a load of threads that you never returned to, they may decide not to bother engaging at all in the first place; but if all of your plop-threads have gone pooft without a trace, they may not as easily notice that you're probably a serial time-waster.

Ooh just had a thought. Any that end with the word "Discuss" should be instantly zapped 😁. They're often the goady ones.

No, I wouldn't want that. The OP just starts the discussion, it's the responding posters who add the interest, insight, opportunities to debate that makes a thread interesting. If the OP comes back, great. If not, well mostly we do a good job of talking amongst ourselves.

Please do not do this for Relationship threads, or others where people have many reasons that it may be hard to return on cue. Health, Bereavement, threads where women are trying to leave abusive partners.

Their posts are not there for our entertainment. Not a soap opera.

I think it's fair in cases where posts are asking for advice. If it's just a generalised 'music in the garden' type post, where basically it's everyone piling in to exchange experiences, then the OP shouldn't need to sit on the board. But when someone is asking for specific advice on a specific subject, then coming in every so often to comment is only good manners.

Buggered if I know how you'd do it though, because there are different time zones; people having to go to work; people going to bed...might be a bit hard to actually DO it.

MN does email people who start threads around 24 hours later suggesting you could go back and update your thread. I think it only happens if the thread has fizzled out and you as the OP have contributed very little. I suppose some people turn those notifications off or don't check that email address.

Mostly, though, my impression is that people who don't go back and update are the ones who see their thread not going the way they hoped, or what we call on FWR 'ploppers', i.e. the ones who say something goady and then retreat back to Reddit or wherever they've come from armed with the screenshots of other people's replies which are all they really wanted from the thread.

Sometimes threads fill up quickly and sometimes OPs have their actual lives to deal with. Some people post with very difficult situations to deal with, asking for advice or help or support.

It's not done for your entertainment.

If you're bored, there are literally thousands of other threads you can go to to get your jellies.

YABVU

i usually check. 1 post and 10 pages, not worth adding to.

I half-and-half agree @FireAway as some OPs just post-and-run.

Make it so the thread provisionally locks itself instead of being deleted outright, and set the time limit to 1 week or 1 month. Then the thread locks itself, and the OP is notified by email by MNHQ with a link to unlock the thread if the OP wants to return. Otherwise, no return, and it stays locked then it shouldn't be a wind-up as much as before.

I don't think anyone is owed a response.

Time limit definitely, but not number of pages.

I've sometimes posted then got on with work or something and not got back to the thread for hours. There might be two posts on it or there might be manage pages by then

But I do wish people would use their brains a bit
And see when op last responded /check for any updates before just posting countless similar responses

Agree - instant deletion

I agree, not mental health, relationships, bereavement etc

btw I’m not really expecting MNHQ to pick up my brilliant suggestion, just wanted a moan

Yeah, I think 3 pages is a bit too soon, as sometimes there's something others want to hear about at it gets really full but OP may be busy or still not have an update.

You are taking my tongue in cheek suggestion very seriously

Maybe after 10 pages click the "see all" on the OP and if there are no follow up posts, just scroll past the thread. If there's no traction then threads tend to "die" anyway.

this

so many useful threads on mumsnet pop up on google searches ect

if they were all deleted just because an OP didn't reply for x amount of time it'd be a great loss

I know this is the sensible approach 😊

Plus it's not all about the update.

Lifes not a soap opera

That, and reporting the OP if they seem to you to be a goady ‘plopper’ rather than a genuine poster,