# Can we just dump "zombie calling" altogether? **URL:** \ **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:** 8
**Author:** ![TruCelt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/trucelt/32/523_2.png) [@TruCelt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TruCelt)\ **Post date:** [April 26, 2018, 12:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-we-just-dump-zombie-calling-altogether/812293/141 "2018-04-26T00:34:04Z")
> [@Czarcasm](#): > > Please re-read the OP, where I state the primary reason why I dislike the “Zombieee!” type responses-I think it has a good chance of insulting newbies who don’t know what the hell the response means. Yes. That is why I have tried to identify the niche that needs to be filled and asked you all for suggestions. I’ve also observed the various responses and provided an example of a zombie call that: 1. Includes a response to the actual thread, 2. Calls out the zombie while in no way insulting the newbie and 3. Provides a footnote explaining the joke for the uninitiated. So maybe you could provide some feedback acknowledging the on-going discussion and provide an alternative that takes the concerns/opinions of others into account? Or identify what part of my example isn’t working for you beyond “I don’t think the joke is funny.” To be honest, I’m a little surprised at the mod’s responses here. I expect more from you guys than just continually parroting the same phrases. And I think you are making a mountain out of a molehill. ---
**Author:** ![engineer\_comp\_geek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/engineer_comp_geek/32/504_2.png) [@engineer\_comp\_geek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/engineer_comp_geek)\ **Post date:** [April 26, 2018, 12:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-we-just-dump-zombie-calling-altogether/812293/142 "2018-04-26T00:51:39Z")
> [@doorhinge](#): > > Who needs to be trained? The newbies or the regulars? Does anyone need to be trained? I haven’t seen any evidence that some, most, or all newbies flee after receiving a clever/smartass/smarmy reply to their post. Come on, have some common sense. If someone is new to a site and their only greeting is snarky and unwelcoming, do you seriously think that they are going to continue to use that site? And how do you expect someone who isn’t familiar with this board or its culture to understand that you are just being snarky about the necro-post and aren’t being snarky to them? From an outsider’s point of view, it’s just unwelcoming snark. As for who needs to be trained, there’s no rule against people being unfriendly. If you want to give people the impression that you are a rude asshole, as long as you don’t actually break the “don’t be a jerk” rule, we mods aren’t going to do anything about it. Training people to be nice isn’t a part of our job duties here. ---
**Author:** ![doorhinge](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/a5b964/32.png) [@doorhinge](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/doorhinge)\ **Post date:** [April 26, 2018, 2:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-we-just-dump-zombie-calling-altogether/812293/143 "2018-04-26T02:03:11Z")
> [@engineer\_comp\_geek](#): > > Come on, have some common sense. If someone is new to a site and their only greeting is snarky and unwelcoming, do you seriously think that they are going to continue to use that site? > > And how do you expect someone who isn’t familiar with this board or its culture to understand that you are just being snarky about the necro-post and aren’t being snarky to them? From an outsider’s point of view, it’s just unwelcoming snark. > > As for who needs to be trained, there’s no rule against people being unfriendly. If you want to give people the impression that you are a rude asshole, as long as you don’t actually break the “don’t be a jerk” rule, we mods aren’t going to do anything about it. Training people to be nice isn’t a part of our job duties here. Yes, I think they will. New people usually understand that they have to learn the rules, regulations, and quirks of any new group/website they join. Do new members actually expect the regulars to conform to the needs/whims of every new member? Many people seem to appreciate the fact that there is no rule against people being unfriendly/witty/snarky, but some in this thread are actually trying to train others not to respond with snarky remarks in the case of zombie threads. Maybe you prefer the term “polite request”, or “subtle suggestion”, instead of “train”? _Bad poster. Don’t do that._ So what happens now? Members have had their say, both for and against. Will people still be allowed to post humorous/snarky responses to zombie threads? Personally, I have no problem with the humorous/snarky responses. I see this situation as someone who was perusing this site hoping to end their own ignorance on any, or all, subjects, or was just enjoying the entertaining banter regardless of the date of the thread. Knowledge is still knowledge. Does every topic have to be started anew or it doesn’t count? Which eventually leads to enforcement of the new rule. If it’s decided that humorous/snarky responses will not be allowed/tolerated in zombie threads, how will the new rule be enforced? ---
**Author:** ![Guinastasia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guinastasia/32/5751_2.png) [@Guinastasia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Guinastasia)\ **Post date:** [April 26, 2018, 2:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-we-just-dump-zombie-calling-altogether/812293/144 "2018-04-26T02:05:52Z")
> [@TruCelt](#): > > Yes. That is why I have tried to identify the niche that needs to be filled and asked you all for suggestions. I’ve also observed the various responses and provided an example of a zombie call that: > > 1. Includes a response to the actual thread, > 2. Calls out the zombie while in no way insulting the newbie and > 3. Provides a footnote explaining the joke for the uninitiated. If you have to provide a footnote explaining, I think that proves the joke isn’t really as funny as you think. Plus it kinda says, “don’t be scared little newbie, we’re not going to bite!” ---
**Author:** ![TruCelt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/trucelt/32/523_2.png) [@TruCelt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TruCelt)\ **Post date:** [April 26, 2018, 2:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-we-just-dump-zombie-calling-altogether/812293/145 "2018-04-26T02:27:56Z")
> [@doorhinge](#): > > . . . > So what happens now? Members have had their say, both for and against. Will people still be allowed to post humorous/snarky responses to zombie threads? > . . . Or do those against the zombie jokes have a proactive suggestion about how else to identify zombie threads? Several suggestions have been made. Will there be any response beyond “It’s not funny/it scares newbies”? ---
**Author:** ![Guinastasia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guinastasia/32/5751_2.png) [@Guinastasia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Guinastasia)\ **Post date:** [April 26, 2018, 3:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-we-just-dump-zombie-calling-altogether/812293/146 "2018-04-26T03:35:15Z")
> [@TruCelt](#): > > Or do those against the zombie jokes have a proactive suggestion about how else to identify zombie threads? Several suggestions have been made. Will there be any response beyond “It’s not funny/it scares newbies”? How about: “Oh hey, just so you know, this thread is _x amount of time_ old, so the person who started it might not be around anymore. Welcome to the Dope!” I know it sounds crazy, but it just might work. ---
**Author:** ![Leo\_Bloom](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/leo_bloom/32/10377_2.png) [@Leo\_Bloom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leo_Bloom)\ **Post date:** [April 26, 2018, 4:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-we-just-dump-zombie-calling-altogether/812293/147 "2018-04-26T04:23:12Z")
> [@Guinastasia](#): > > How about: > > “Oh hey, just so you know, this thread is _x amount of time_ old, so the person who started it might not be around anymore. Welcome to the Dope!” > > I know it sounds crazy, but it just might work. Mods do this all the time, as do hoi polloi. With the same welcome line. ---
**Author:** ![Krav\_Manga](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/krav_manga/32/3153_2.png) [@Krav\_Manga](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Krav_Manga)\ **Post date:** [April 26, 2018, 9:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-we-just-dump-zombie-calling-altogether/812293/148 "2018-04-26T09:50:56Z")
> [@Czarcasm](#): > > Please re-read the OP, where I state the primary reason why I dislike the “Zombieee!” type responses-I think it has a good chance of insulting newbies who don’t know what the hell the response means. Your concern for newbies [is](https://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=728743) [touching](https://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?p=16883057#post16883057). ---
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [April 26, 2018, 12:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-we-just-dump-zombie-calling-altogether/812293/149 "2018-04-26T12:19:19Z")
> [@Krav\_Manga](#): > > Your concern for newbies [is](https://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=728743) [touching](https://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?p=16883057#post16883057). I don’t know what to say. What the hell do those links have to do with either zombie threads and/or vague and tediously repetitive one word responses to them? ---
**Author:** ![Morgenstern](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f9ae1b/32.png) [@Morgenstern](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Morgenstern)\ **Post date:** [April 26, 2018, 2:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-we-just-dump-zombie-calling-altogether/812293/150 "2018-04-26T14:25:23Z")
Just to be on the safe side, I called my homeowners insurance carrier. I **am** covered for Zombie Apocalypse. ---
**Author:** ![Crazy\_Canuck](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/crazy_canuck/32/5282_2.png) [@Crazy\_Canuck](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Crazy_Canuck)\ **Post date:** [April 26, 2018, 3:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-we-just-dump-zombie-calling-altogether/812293/151 "2018-04-26T15:59:42Z")
> [@engineer\_comp\_geek](#): > > If you want to give people the impression that you are a rude asshole, as long as you don’t actually break the “don’t be a jerk” rule, we mods aren’t going to do anything about it. True story. My posting history here in the last couple years is his cite. Additionally, I can’t wait for this thread to die, just so I can bump it back to life with a zombie joke. ---
**Author:** ![Guinastasia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guinastasia/32/5751_2.png) [@Guinastasia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Guinastasia)\ **Post date:** [April 26, 2018, 5:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-we-just-dump-zombie-calling-altogether/812293/152 "2018-04-26T17:28:39Z")
> [@Leo\_Bloom](#): > > Mods do this all the time, as do hoi polloi. With the same welcome line. So obviously the zombie jokes aren’t needed. What’s your point? ---
**Author:** ![gnoitall](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/bb73d2/32.png) [@gnoitall](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gnoitall)\ **Post date:** [April 26, 2018, 5:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-we-just-dump-zombie-calling-altogether/812293/153 "2018-04-26T17:45:24Z")
> [@Guinastasia](#): > > So obviously the zombie jokes aren’t needed. What’s your point? “Need” is beside the point. They’re wanted. Not universally, but that doesn’t matter. ---
**Author:** ![Krav\_Manga](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/krav_manga/32/3153_2.png) [@Krav\_Manga](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Krav_Manga)\ **Post date:** [April 26, 2018, 8:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-we-just-dump-zombie-calling-altogether/812293/154 "2018-04-26T20:13:33Z")
> [@Czarcasm](#): > > I don’t know what to say. > What the hell do those links have to do with either zombie threads and/or vague and tediously repetitive one word responses to them? i consider your concern about insulting or discouraging new posters is incongruous given your behavious towards newbies in the past. The cited links are concrete examples of the type of tedious behaviour towards new posters that, in my opnion, is far more likely to insult and discourage new posters than a stupid zombie joke. ---
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [April 26, 2018, 8:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-we-just-dump-zombie-calling-altogether/812293/155 "2018-04-26T20:18:44Z")
> [@Krav\_Manga](#): > > i consider your concern about insulting or discouraging new posters is incongruous given your behavious towards newbies in the past. > > The cited links are concrete examples of the type of tedious behaviour towards new posters that, in my opnion, is far more likely to insult and discourage new posters than a stupid zombie joke. Those threads are from four years ago. Digging that far back just to find something(no matter how tenuously connected to the actual subject) certainly shows…dedication? ---
**Author:** ![Omar\_Little](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/omar_little/32/269_2.png) [@Omar\_Little](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Omar_Little)\ **Post date:** [April 26, 2018, 10:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-we-just-dump-zombie-calling-altogether/812293/156 "2018-04-26T22:12:32Z")
Is there any evidence that supports that there are newbies that get insulted by zombie references and never come back? Or are these just conjectures that some assume? There are numerous examples of newbies registering here, starting new threads, and never returning, without an utterance of a zombie reference anywhere. I could dig up hundreds of links to provide evidence of my point. ---
**Author:** ![Guinastasia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guinastasia/32/5751_2.png) [@Guinastasia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Guinastasia)\ **Post date:** [April 27, 2018, 1:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-we-just-dump-zombie-calling-altogether/812293/157 "2018-04-27T01:57:26Z")
> [@gnoitall](#): > > “Need” is beside the point. > > They’re wanted. Not universally, but that doesn’t matter. Yeah, it kinda does, since a lot of people find them annoying. As more in jokes have died out, I think this is one that really should as well, and I know I’m not the only one. I mean, if you find them funny, good for you, but I can’t help but cringe every time I see one. It’s like Dopers can’t move on. ---
**Author:** ![Terminus\_Est](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/terminus_est/32/3087_2.png) [@Terminus\_Est](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Terminus_Est)\ **Post date:** [April 27, 2018, 2:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-we-just-dump-zombie-calling-altogether/812293/158 "2018-04-27T02:44:06Z")
> [@Guinastasia](#): > > Yeah, it kinda does, since a lot of people find them annoying. As more in jokes have died out, I think this is one that really should as well, and I know I’m not the only one. I mean, if you find them funny, good for you, but I can’t help but cringe every time I see one. It’s like Dopers can’t move on. A lot of people find throwing stuff in the quarry annoying. I dare say more people than find zombie-outing annoying. And yet the mods continue to allow quarrying. ---
**Author:** ![Guinastasia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guinastasia/32/5751_2.png) [@Guinastasia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Guinastasia)\ **Post date:** [April 27, 2018, 3:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-we-just-dump-zombie-calling-altogether/812293/159 "2018-04-27T03:27:50Z")
> [@Terminus\_Est](#): > > A lot of people find throwing stuff in the quarry annoying. I dare say more people than find zombie-outing annoying. And yet the mods continue to allow quarrying. And I wish they wouldn’t. However, at least it’s only one person doing that. ---
**Author:** ![Krav\_Manga](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/krav_manga/32/3153_2.png) [@Krav\_Manga](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Krav_Manga)\ **Post date:** [April 27, 2018, 6:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-we-just-dump-zombie-calling-altogether/812293/160 "2018-04-27T06:06:09Z")
> [@Czarcasm](#): > > Those threads are from four years ago. Digging that far back just to find something(no matter how tenuously connected to the actual subject) certainly shows…dedication? Has your attitude towards new posters improved in the last four years? [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-we-just-dump-zombie-calling-altogether/812293.md?page=7) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-we-just-dump-zombie-calling-altogether/812293.md?page=9)