# Automatic Locking of Old Threads

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/automatic-locking-of-old-threads/294845>\
**Category:** About This Message Board\
**Created:** [March 16, 2005, 5:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/automatic-locking-of-old-threads/294845 "2005-03-16T17:46:38Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 2\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![1010011010](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/1/ea666f/32.png) [@1010011010](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/1010011010)\
**Post date:** [March 16, 2005, 5:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/automatic-locking-of-old-threads/294845/1 "2005-03-16T17:46:38Z")

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Since there’s a frown about town on the subject of resurrecting long dead threads, why not lock all threads automagically after a month of inactivity?

Still in the database, still searchable, just nobody can pull a Lazarus on 'em.

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**Author:** ![Chronos](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chronos/32/134_2.png) [@Chronos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chronos)\
**Post date:** [March 16, 2005, 7:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/automatic-locking-of-old-threads/294845/2 "2005-03-16T19:12:30Z")

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First, there’s no automatic method already in place to do this. If the Mods wanted it, they’d have to code it themselves, something which they are loathe to do.

Second, the rules on resurrection are not (in most fora) absolute, and it’s generally allowable to bump an old thread if you have something new and relevant to add to it. Even in MPSIMS, where resurrection is generally considered unnecessary, there are a few anniversary-type threads which pop up every year.

And fourth, I’m not going to fall into the trap of adding a number three, since that’s been done to death.