# What happened to the "surgeon" thread?

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-happened-to-the-surgeon-thread/462449>\
**Category:** About This Message Board\
**Created:** [September 7, 2008, 3:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-happened-to-the-surgeon-thread/462449 "2008-09-07T03:55:11Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 4\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![mangeorge](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/d78d45/32.png) [@mangeorge](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mangeorge)\
**Post date:** [September 7, 2008, 3:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-happened-to-the-surgeon-thread/462449/1 "2008-09-07T03:55:11Z")

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I replied to a thread (in GQ) with six questions about surgeons and got the “not authorized” message. Seemed odd to me, because I’ve been good and have successfully replied in other threads, so I looked for it in GQ. It’s gone? Not closed, evaporated. I searched for it too, but nada. I didn’t see anything disallowed in it, so I’m mystified. I don’t remember who the OP is.  
What happened?  
Peace,  
mangeorge

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**Author:** ![WF\_Tomba](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/d9b06d/32.png) [@WF\_Tomba](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WF_Tomba)\
**Post date:** [September 7, 2008, 4:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-happened-to-the-surgeon-thread/462449/2 "2008-09-07T04:10:58Z")

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I believe they have a Disintegration Policy for threads started by sock puppets and the like. That’s usually the explanation.

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**Author:** ![mangeorge](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/d78d45/32.png) [@mangeorge](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mangeorge)\
**Post date:** [September 7, 2008, 4:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-happened-to-the-surgeon-thread/462449/3 "2008-09-07T04:22:43Z")

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> [@WF\_Tomba](#):
>
> I believe they have a Disintegration Policy for threads started by sock puppets and the like. That’s usually the explanation.

Okay. Seemed ordinary enough a query to me, though. It would be nice if the disintegrator would give some explanation.  
Thanks,  
mangeorge

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**Author:** ![Marley23](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@Marley23](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marley23)\
**Post date:** [September 7, 2008, 4:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-happened-to-the-surgeon-thread/462449/4 "2008-09-07T04:23:03Z")

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Yup. [Just as a general guideline](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?p=9034110#post9034110):

> [@C K Dexter Haven](#):
>
> If you have a question about a thread or poster who “disappeared,” please DO NOT post an inquiry. In probably 95% of such cases, the thread (or poster) that vanished was an attention-seeker – a spammer , sock, or troll. They’re out for any attention, even negative attention, and we don’t want to give it to them. They disappear, as do their posts. And as do posts about them.
> 
> So, if you have a question about such, please email a moderator. DO NOT post your question. DO NOT give these folks any publicity, acknowledgement, or recognition.