[Mountaindewed]

I've noticed that there are a lot of posts responding to threads or posts from months ago that are not relevant now. Including some real silly posts like responding to holiday threads when it is nowhere near that holiday. I think someone responded "Merry Christmas" to an old Christmas post last year during the summer.

Can anything be done about this? I don't know what, but I just don't get what the point is in responding to posts from months or sometimes years ago.

[unaluna]

Yeah i get all riled up because i think someone has returned after being gone for a long while, then i realize no, somebody just replied to an ancient post. I hate when that happens.

Also i think management doesnt like it because it pulls the thread up from history, and i think the site performs better when the threads are fully current, not half new / half old.

Also im bummed that there is not a gif of billy crystal on SNL whinng "i hate when that happens!" They are usually pretty gross so i wont link one here, but you can google it.

[LadyShadow]

I can agree a bit about responding to holiday posts, but sometimes I like resurrected threads with good subject matter that have been buried somewhere in the forum. There are some really cool hidden gems on this site, and it's kind of fun to bring them back to life. (Recently found some in the addictions section).

[divine1966]

I saw posts replying to ten year old threads about irrelevant situations, like giving people college advice when they long graduated or dating advice when they’ve been married for a decade. I am not sure how people find old threads. It doesn’t bother me but sometimes just like una I think old members returned and it’s not the case.

I doubt anything could be done. It’s just a nature of online forums I think

Happy 4th of July. JK 🤣🤣🤣

[Crazy Hitch]

I think if it’s a few years I’d personally report the post and ask for it to be locked

[DocJohn]

We will close old threads (like older than a year or two) if we see someone new post to it. You just have to report the post to us and we'll take care of it. We have no way of proactively doing this.

[divine1966]

Originally Posted by LadyShadow

I can agree a bit about responding to holiday posts, but sometimes I like resurrected threads with good subject matter that have been buried somewhere in the forum. There are some really cool hidden gems on this site, and it's kind of fun to bring them back to life. (Recently found some in the addictions section).

I wonder if you find informative threads with like strategies or good links, you can create a new thread but put that info in.

[Fuzzybear]

Originally Posted by LadyShadow

I can agree a bit about responding to holiday posts, but sometimes I like resurrected threads with good subject matter that have been buried somewhere in the forum. There are some really cool hidden gems on this site, and it's kind of fun to bring them back to life. (Recently found some in the addictions section).

Sensible reply, couldn’t agree more.

[nonightowl]

Originally Posted by Fuzzybear

Sensible reply, couldn’t agree more.

Me too. I never knew of or understood this harsh rule. Just because something is old doesn’t mean it isn’t still relevant, whether to the op or another member.

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[unaluna]

Originally Posted by nonightowl

Me too. I never knew of or understood this harsh rule. Just because something is old doesn’t mean it isn’t still relevant, whether to the op or another member.

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I think the reason is technical, not a harsh judgment as to its relevance. Its like moving the sugar bowl to the counter rather than leaving it in the basement and having to make a special trip every time you have a cup of tea.

[Mountaindewed]

Originally Posted by unaluna

I think the reason is technical, not a harsh judgment as to its relevance. Its like moving the sugar bowl to the counter rather than leaving it in the basement and having to make a special trip every time you have a cup of tea.

Haven't you been noticing this happening a ton since I posted this thread? Before no one cared really about starting up old threads. Now a lot of them are popping up again.

[unaluna]

Your giving people ideas!

[Discombobulated]

Hmm I can see both sides to this.

I have revived older threads, this week I revived one that had died down and people did join in again, it was a fun thread.

I have however had people revive one of mine (about an issue I had) and respond to my first post, no criticism of individuals, they meant well but it was kind of triggering to be reminded of a painful place if you see what I mean. That said, I’d prefer to be consulted rather than just have my thread closed down because that feels a bit heavy handed to me. I’d prefer it if the original poster was asked if they wanted it closed rather than just closing it.

[LadyShadow]

I've been going in and resurrecting some of my old threads. But just like @Discombobulated said, they were fun threads with a fun idea that I thought would be cool to bring back. I don't really see the harm in it unless it's really triggering to someone.

[Fuzzybear]

Originally Posted by Discombobulated

Hmm I can see both sides to this.

I have revived older threads, this week I revived one that had died down and people did join in again, it was a fun thread.

I have however had people revive one of mine (about an issue I had) and respond to my first post, no criticism of individuals, they meant well but it was kind of triggering to be reminded of a painful place if you see what I mean. That said, I’d prefer to be consulted rather than just have my thread closed down because that feels a bit heavy handed to me. I’d prefer it if the original poster was asked if they wanted it closed rather than just closing it.

I completely agree …

[MuddyBoots]

I think the addition of the "similar threads" portion at the bottom of the page (unless it's always been there? Never really paid attention) is at least partially to blame. I just scrolled down and there is a thread from 08 there and the most recent was '21.

[TheGal]

Instead of old posts, how 'bout responding to new threads, by using the "New Thread" tab?

There are a lot of posts there without even one reply.

[nonightowl]

Originally Posted by MuddyBoots

I think the addition of the "similar threads" portion at the bottom of the page (unless it's always been there? Never really paid attention) is at least partially to blame. I just scrolled down and there is a thread from 08 there and the most recent was '21.

Oh it’s always been there. Yes those links can be old but as long it’s open it’s fair game. Disco makes good points about both sides. It is sad to find pages and pages of unanswered threads. Yet someone can start a new thread on one of the subjects and everyone posts in it. I think it’s because it appears on the first page or second. That being said, it doesn’t take long for threads to fall into oblivion, once new threads appear in that forum.

Closing someone’s thread because it’s months old or a year is heavy handed.

But then they will start a new one if they know it’s closed. Asking the original poster is a good idea. If someone doesn’t want further replies that may come months later, they can ask for it to be closed. There are dozens of threads on the same topic, maybe in different forums though. That’s redundant to me. There’s multiple “check in” threads yet some move and others don’t.

The site in general isn’t nearly as busy anymore.

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[LadyShadow]

I agree @nonightowl this site is a lot less busy than it used to be. Like I said I kind of like resurrecting the older ones because if it's a really good idea, shouldn't we at least give the original poster credit? Or maybe they haven't logged in a while and are like "wow someone finally answered my thread." It might make a difference in making their day or week, we never know.

[Discombobulated]

I agree that this site is much quieter these days, it feels like we need all the replies we can get whenever we can get them.

[TunedOut]

Ladyshadow, when some of the fun threads ended up in my reply feed, it gave me a good feeling. We can go back and look at threads that are years and years old. There have been times where I have thought about returning to some of my previous threads but am now learning to look forward, be in the present, and not go back. IMO, healing and forgiveness go hand in hand--part of that process for me is not to return to old issues where I was hurt by others in the past (I know I have hurt others too). So, for me, I think it is the best not to look at threads about those topics (I am not talking about current, or presently ongoing issues--that is one of the things this forum is for). Wouldn't you all say that many who come here for support are trying to heal from the past?

[lizardlady]

With a tip o' the hat to Lady Shadow I feel like the odd one out here. I don't see the problem with resurrecting old threads. This is a site for mental health support. Each of us is at a different place in our personal journey. I might have heard something a million times, learned what is being said a long time ago, but it might be brand new information to someone else.

A suggestion for those who dislike old threads being being reactivated - skip over the thread.

[nonightowl]

Okay I wasn’t even sure about posting in THIS thread. There’s pros and cons to both reviving old threads or not. And everyone’s definition of “old” is different. I don’t think 6 months with no replies anymore is old.

If one puts “unanswered threads” in the search field, pages of threads come up, some years old. Maybe if someone started a thread in 2014 and nobody replied (or even if someone did) AND the op hasn’t even logged in since 2014, then maybe purge threads like that. But the downside is that other members could benefit if it is revived, interacting with one another….OR it could trigger.

If I see something I want to comment on, I post. I don’t notice dates, I focus on CONTENT. And I glance at the members in it. The date is too tiny for me anyway, especially on a tiny screen. I recently posted in a thread that at the time had no replies. The op was pleasantly surprised, saying they didn’t expect a reply. Others responded. Someone revived an old thread of mine from 7 years ago and it became active again. I didn’t mind but others probably did.

I’m glad I don’t have to make this decision, if one will be made. That’s my take on it, take it or leave it.

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