# Can we just dump "zombie calling" altogether?
**URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-we-just-dump-zombie-calling-altogether/812293
**Category:** About This Message Board
**Created:** [April 12, 2018, 2:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-we-just-dump-zombie-calling-altogether/812293 "2018-04-12T14:57:33Z")
**Posts on this page:** 20
**Page:** 1
### Author:  [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)
#### Post date: [April 12, 2018, 2:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-we-just-dump-zombie-calling-altogether/812293/1 "2018-04-12T14:57:33Z")
I know the mods would prefer that people just report zombie threads instead of making “cute” references to what is happening in-thread, but I think it is time to make an official rule about it. It’s far too easy to link up to an old thread nowadays, and I don’t think name-calling and mockery should be the first response newbies get when they post here.
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### Author:  [@Thudlow\_Boink](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Thudlow_Boink)
#### Post date: [April 12, 2018, 3:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-we-just-dump-zombie-calling-altogether/812293/2 "2018-04-12T15:03:50Z")
> [@Czarcasm](#):
>
> I don’t think name-calling and mockery should be the first response newbies get when they post here.
I certainly agree with the quoted part, at least. It’s not clever, funny, or helpful to post something like “BRAAAINS!” when a thread gets revived. Anybody who’s still “zombie calling,” as you put it, is cordially invited to cut it out.
I’m on the fence as to whether we need an official rule. Maybe just a sticky that says Don’t do this as a matter of etiquette?
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### Author:  [@Jasmine](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jasmine)
#### Post date: [April 12, 2018, 3:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-we-just-dump-zombie-calling-altogether/812293/3 "2018-04-12T15:12:11Z")
Keeping up with all the current threads seems to be challenging enough. People actually take/have the time to peruse countless old threads just to revive them? If so, and if it is deemed a problem, wouldn’t having threads automatically close after a given period of time eliminate that?
I guess I’m not quite certain what “Zombie Threading” is and why it is frowned upon.
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### Author:  [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)
#### Post date: [April 12, 2018, 3:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-we-just-dump-zombie-calling-altogether/812293/4 "2018-04-12T15:19:16Z")
Someone Googles a topic, an old thread on that subject pops up, and someone registers and posts to that thread-no perusing countless old threads necessary.
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### Author:  [@Colibri](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Colibri)
#### Post date: [April 12, 2018, 3:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-we-just-dump-zombie-calling-altogether/812293/5 "2018-04-12T15:23:55Z")
> [@Thudlow\_Boink](#):
>
> I certainly agree with the quoted part, at least. It’s not clever, funny, or helpful to post something like “BRAAAINS!” when a thread gets revived. Anybody who’s still “zombie calling,” as you put it, is cordially invited to cut it out.
>
> I’m on the fence as to whether we need an official rule. Maybe just a sticky that says Don’t do this as a matter of etiquette?
As I just posted in a thread in GQ, I would personally appreciate it if people would stop doing this. The “joke” is beyond old. And when you just post a zombie joke, or worse, “Braaaaiiiiins,” it serves no purpose. It doesn’t inform the newbie of the policy, or why it is frowned upon. It’s almost as annoying as spam. If you see an old thread bumped, just report it. There is absolutely no reason to post a zombie joke.
This said, I don’t think there is any reason to make a new rule on it. Lame jokes by themselves aren’t against the rules, and I don’t think there is a reason to prohibit them.
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### Author:  [@Jasmine](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jasmine)
#### Post date: [April 12, 2018, 3:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-we-just-dump-zombie-calling-altogether/812293/6 "2018-04-12T15:24:13Z")
> [@Czarcasm](#):
>
> Someone Googles a topic, an old thread on that subject pops up, and someone registers and posts to that thread-no perusing countless old threads necessary.
Ah, okay, thanks.
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### Author:  [@Colibri](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Colibri)
#### Post date: [April 12, 2018, 3:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-we-just-dump-zombie-calling-altogether/812293/7 "2018-04-12T15:27:27Z")
> [@Jasmine](#):
>
> I guess I’m not quite certain what “Zombie Threading” is and why it is frowned upon.
[From the Guidelines and Etiquette sticky in ATMB.](https://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showpost.php?p=7697100&postcount=4)
> [@](#):
>
> On resurrecting old threads
>
> Please be cautious about resurrecting old threads (that is, posting to a thread where the prior post was many months or years ago.) These are called “zombie” threads, and we are uncomfortable about them for a number of reasons, including(but not limited to) that such threads:
>
> Might open old wounds. If there were hard feelings and high emotions long ago, and they’ve been quieted down, why stir them up again?
>
> Revisit issues long dead (e.g., some rant by a poster who has since been banned or left)
>
> Can be unfair. The people who posted long ago may not be around to respond to your comments, or may have forgot that they even posted there.
>
> Can cause confusion (e.g., some public/newsworthy event that happened long ago but seeing an old thread title might imply it was new or recurring – a thread from Sept 2001 titled, “NYC attacked!” for instance.)
>
> Really old threads don’t show the names of posters. They got dropped when we migrated to VB, we didn’t know why then and we still don’t, but it’s pretty much irrelevant now.
>
> So, rather than post to an old thread, you might want to start a new thread with a link to the prior discussion, and some comments in your opening post explaining what that old thread was about.
>
> Now, with that as overview, there is a difference in approach in the different forums.
>
> - In Comments on Cecil’s Columns, Comments on Staff Reports, Games Room, General Questions, and Straight Dope Chicago: We’re less concerned about resurrected threads. The reasons we dislike zombie threads don’t usually apply. We’ll generally leave such threads open, unless there is some compelling reason for taking moderator action,
>
> - In the other forums, and especially the Pit: moderators may choose to leave the thread open or to close it. Frankly, if it’s a long thread and the mod doesn’t want to read all the way through to see if whether there are problems, the mod will probably think it’s better to err on the side of closing.
>
> (Note that “thank you for answering my question” is just plain good manners, and acceptable. However, reviving an old thread just to say “I agree” is considered bad form. If you’re going to resurrect an old discussion, at least add some value.)
The standard for General Questions is that it’s OK to bump an old thread for the purpose of adding new factual information. It’s not OK just to bump one just to add a joke or anecdote, or to dispute something with a long-gone poster. I will generally close such threads, unless other posters have added new factual information after it was bumped.
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### Author:  [@Jasmine](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jasmine)
#### Post date: [April 12, 2018, 3:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-we-just-dump-zombie-calling-altogether/812293/8 "2018-04-12T15:37:09Z")
Thank you for the in depth explanation. The issue was certainly well thought out and makes good sense.
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### Author:  [@74westy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/74westy)
#### Post date: [April 12, 2018, 4:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-we-just-dump-zombie-calling-altogether/812293/9 "2018-04-12T16:17:03Z")
Zombie jokes made sense when we were not indexed by google and the only way to even find an old thread was for a dope user to search for it. I don’t think I’d even mind those jokes if the thread was reopened by a long time user. However, now that most zombies are raised by newcomers, the jokes are perplexing and unwelcoming. Not good for a message board that I am led to believe is in decline.
That said, I wouldn’t want to see a rule but I welcome social pressure as exemplified by Colibri this morning. In fact, I think I would approve of junior modding of zombie jokes but I’ll back off on that if the mods shake their heads.
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### Author:  [@Colibri](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Colibri)
#### Post date: [April 12, 2018, 4:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-we-just-dump-zombie-calling-altogether/812293/10 "2018-04-12T16:39:48Z")
> [@74westy](#):
>
> In fact, I think I would approve of junior modding of zombie jokes but I’ll back off on that if the mods shake their heads.
I’d just prefer reporting the zombie without comment besides “reported.”
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### Author:  [@kopek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kopek)
#### Post date: [April 12, 2018, 4:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-we-just-dump-zombie-calling-altogether/812293/11 "2018-04-12T16:48:36Z")
As someone who makes the jokes now and then:
a) If its a newbie I usually do it in the context of “welcome to the club and here is our club inside joke”.
b) If its an established poster I play it in terms of the inside joke. Which is pretty much how I take it when I was the one to accidentally wake the zombie or participate without catching the date. I actually find it quite a bit of fun.
In short no reason for a rule and like most things that pop up here a lot more is context than the words themselves.
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### Author:  [@74westy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/74westy)
#### Post date: [April 12, 2018, 5:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-we-just-dump-zombie-calling-altogether/812293/12 "2018-04-12T17:31:34Z")
> [@Colibri](#):
>
> I’d just prefer reporting the zombie without comment besides “reported.”
I hereby consider your head shook.
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### Author:  [@gnoitall](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gnoitall)
#### Post date: [April 12, 2018, 5:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-we-just-dump-zombie-calling-altogether/812293/13 "2018-04-12T17:36:26Z")
> [@kopek](#):
>
> In short no reason for a rule and like most things that pop up here a lot more is context than the words themselves.
Of course there’s a reason. **Czarcasm** doesn’t like it. Are you saying that’s not reason enough?
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### Author:  [@dalej42](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dalej42)
#### Post date: [April 12, 2018, 5:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-we-just-dump-zombie-calling-altogether/812293/14 "2018-04-12T17:43:54Z")
I agree completely: The zombie weren’t funny to begin with and now they’re beyond stale and add nothing. I hate being around a group of people with all their inside jokes and feeling lost and stupid.
If the thread was bumped by a spammer or a newbie posting something completely irrelevant, then just report it so it can be closed.
If the newbie adds something to an older thread, then just treat it like a current thread, no need for 8 “BRRRAAAAAIINNS” and other such nonsense posts in a row.
I don’t think it should warrant a warning, maybe a quick PM from the mod to suggest they knock it off. In a way, it’s a minor form of threadshitting.
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### Author:  [@Clothahump](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Clothahump)
#### Post date: [April 12, 2018, 6:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-we-just-dump-zombie-calling-altogether/812293/15 "2018-04-12T18:15:54Z")
I’ve pointed out repeatedly how simple it would be to fix zombie threads. I guess TPTB just aren’t interested.
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### Author:  [@Colibri](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Colibri)
#### Post date: [April 12, 2018, 6:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-we-just-dump-zombie-calling-altogether/812293/16 "2018-04-12T18:22:02Z")
> [@gnoitall](#):
>
> Of course there’s a reason. **Czarcasm** doesn’t like it. Are you saying that’s not reason enough?
**Moderator Note**
Let’s avoid jabs at other posters in ATMB. As noted, I don’t like it either, nor do a lot of others.
Colibri
Moderator
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### Author:  [@Morgenstern](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Morgenstern)
#### Post date: [April 12, 2018, 7:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-we-just-dump-zombie-calling-altogether/812293/17 "2018-04-12T19:27:04Z")
> [@Colibri](#):
>
> … a zombie joke, or worse, “Braaaaiiiiins,” …
Or “Graaaaiiiiiins,” from the vegan ones. Equally bad.
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### Author:  [@kopek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kopek)
#### Post date: [April 12, 2018, 7:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-we-just-dump-zombie-calling-altogether/812293/18 "2018-04-12T19:29:03Z")
> [@dalej42](#):
>
> I don’t think it should warrant a warning, maybe a quick PM from the mod to suggest they knock it off. In a way, it’s a minor form of threadshitting.
[https://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=513091&page=5](https://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=513091&page=5)
Starting around post #224 or 222 depending on how you want to follow it.
Threadshitting; even in a minor sense? As they say on the sports shows ---- c’mon man. If we’ve moved beyond even that small level of fun I suggest we all pack it in.
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### Author:  [@Crazyhorse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Crazyhorse)
#### Post date: [April 12, 2018, 7:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-we-just-dump-zombie-calling-altogether/812293/19 "2018-04-12T19:47:29Z")
I agree that if a zombie joke is all someone wants to contribute to a thread it is they and not the bumper who need mod guidance.
The anti-zombie policies here in general encourage such jokes though. Nobody should give a bumped thread a second thought including moderators. It shouldn’t be considered noteworthy in any sense if someone bumps and old thread. It most definitely shouldn’t have a section of its own in the board rules. That comes from a time when there were a lot more posters and a lot more interest in message boards. Today the bulk of our interesting threads have already been written. Adding to them, even years later, should be considered not only permissible but beneficial to the boards.
The policy of closing threads that have been bumped combined with the unwritten policy of new posters getting cryptic insults thrown at them when they do bump a thread are hastening the demise of this board. It is one of the few contributors to the decline of the boards that we have complete control over.
Just about the only way we’re getting new genuine posters anymore is from people bumping threads they find on Google. How they are treated by other posters and mods will determine how many of them stick around.
Knowing this opinion will not be shared by many, I can only say there will come a time when the only threads here are zombie threads. How soon that will be depends, at least in part, on how we treat old threads that are bumped by new posters.
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### Author:  [@Morgenstern](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Morgenstern)
#### Post date: [April 12, 2018, 8:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-we-just-dump-zombie-calling-altogether/812293/20 "2018-04-12T20:21:02Z")
> [@Crazyhorse](#):
>
> …
>
> I can only say there will come a time when the only threads here are zombie threads. …
Heresy.
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