Zombies | Mumsnet

NameHelpNeeded123 · 2022-01-20T08:50:56+00:00

Why can’t you just put a notice at the top of old threads saying it’s a zombie thread. It works for the ‘MNHQ have commented on this thread’ message. Just do the same for zombie threads!!? Say any thread that hasn’t been posted on for 6 months or something. Maybe OPs can be the only ones allowed to resurrect, if they’re coming back to give an update or something.

TheChemicalMother · 20/01/2022 08:55

Especially aggravating when Zombies appear in the ‘trending’ list as a 2016 thread is at present, attracting even more posts.

Seeline · 20/01/2022 08:57

Yes!!

This is asked for again and again - surely it can't be difficult.

Something at the top of the thread that stays there!

InvalidCrumb · 20/01/2022 08:57

It's been requested repeatedly over the years. Some sort of colour scheme, different background etc the older the op is, or having the date in very large font if the op or last post was several months/ years ago.

The bbcnews etc has a header on old articles.

I don't think it's a problem that threads can become ongoing discussions but something really needs to point this out in the top of the thread otherwise it gets weighed down in clueless posts and people pointing out it's a zombie...

gamerchick · 20/01/2022 08:59

But there is a message saying it hasn't been posted on for ages, start a new thread. Yes it's irritating but a notice at the top won't work either.

Whinge · 20/01/2022 09:02

@TheChemicalMother

Especially aggravating when Zombies appear in the ‘trending’ list as a 2016 thread is at present, attracting even more posts.

I agree.

Perhaps it's just me but I really don't see why threads can't be locked to new posts (except the original OP) after they've been inactive for a period of time (perhaps a year)

There's no reason for a thread from 2016 to be open to new posts, and posters reviving old threads has the potential to cause upset or distress to the original poster.

Parpophone · 20/01/2022 09:04

There is a warning, but it disappears after the first resurrection post.

There are usually loads of posts pointing out that it is a zombie but, as with most threads, posters don't bother reading anything other than the OP, don't bother to check if the OP has updated and have absolutely no interest in what anyone else might have said (even if there are hundreds of replies).

ChardonnaysPetDragon · 20/01/2022 09:04

There is a zombie notice when you try to post on a zombie thread. It only stays for a couple of messages or something. So subsequent posters post in good faith, not having seen the message.

What happens usually is someone googles something, a zombie thread pops up and they post on it, so it's resurrected, and everybody starts posting.

I posted on one, thought I had a bit of a deja vu, scrolled and realised I'd already posted on it in his first life under a long forgotten name change.

Original poster

NameHelpNeeded123 · 20/01/2022 09:12

I KNOW it’s been requested a lot in the past as I have requested it about 10x myself 😂 definitely needs to be at the START of the thread, who reads 20 pages?? Most people just read the first few posts and then chime in with their own thoughts. So if the last few pages are people going ‘THIS IS A ZOMBIE THREAD’, those posters will never see that and it just keeps the thread in active.

I personally don’t often read the posting date because invariably zombies are funny/gripping/gobsmacking and therefore once you’re hooked by the OP you have forgotten to check the date because you’re engrossed in the posts rather than the date.

Either that sort of zombie, or the zombie where someone has googled a specific niche issue, found a years-old thread and then posted on it instead of starting their own thread. I kind of understand that a bit more because multiple threads on the same topic get tutted at too.

OP posts:

Mollysocks · 20/01/2022 09:14

I agree although I’ve noticed a lot of the time people know it’s a zombie, their first post is, I know this is a zombie but xyz. Maybe they need to be locked after a certain time? Kept up for reference as a lot of threads are helpful but no one can comment.

Although I do wonder when I see them trending if that’s because MN have selected it for trending or because the thread has had so many comments/views in a certain time frame. If the former then I doubt anything more will be done as it’s obviously part of generating engagement/traffic and therefore money.

Seeline · 20/01/2022 09:15

I do read through them and it's not until you get to the end of the thread that you realise that it is a zombie. So annoying and such a waste of time!!

Original poster

NameHelpNeeded123 · 20/01/2022 09:19

Although I do wonder when I see them trending if that’s because MN have selected it for trending or because the thread has had so many comments/views in a certain time frame. If the former then I doubt anything more will be done as it’s obviously part of generating engagement/traffic and therefore money.

I think you may be on the money here actually @Mollysocks ! Certainly explains it!

OP posts:

SoupDragon · 20/01/2022 09:22

I believe that "trending"is based on the number of page views so even if people have looked, thought "zombie" and not posted it stays there.

TroysMammy · 20/01/2022 09:25

Perhaps posters who resurrect zombie threads have a 7 day ban for doing it

MNHQ

KimMumsnet · 20/01/2022 10:55

Morning, all.

Thanks for your feedback on this. Just to let you know, we are listening to what you say about this and reviewing all your comments. Please do bear with us a bit longer - this is definitely something which is on our radar.

TheChemicalMother · 20/01/2022 11:46

I suspect that there are various 'MN Sports' out there in the internet playground - and 'what is the oldest Zombie I can resurrect without detection?' is one and 'what is the most banal Zombie thread I can resurrect and how long can we keep it going?' is another.

SO many zombie threads arise from the dead in the middle of the night, woken by first time posters.

Mollysocks · 20/01/2022 12:35

@TheChemicalMother

I suspect that there are various 'MN Sports' out there in the internet playground - and 'what is the oldest Zombie I can resurrect without detection?' is one and 'what is the most banal Zombie thread I can resurrect and how long can we keep it going?' is another.

SO many zombie threads arise from the dead in the middle of the night, woken by first time posters.

SO many zombie threads arise from the dead in the middle of the night, woken by first time posters.

Yes this is so true.

I am positive (although can’t prove it) that I saw a zombie thread appear in the middle of the night once and no one had replied since like 2012. I remember wondering why it had appeared and then forgot about it until now. Weird glitch maybe?