# Why do people open accounts just to post to zombie threads? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [October 24, 2016, 5:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-people-open-accounts-just-to-post-to-zombie-threads/769604 "2016-10-24T17:45:45Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![RivkahChaya](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rivkahchaya/32/8919_2.png) [@RivkahChaya](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RivkahChaya)\ **Post date:** [October 24, 2016, 5:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-people-open-accounts-just-to-post-to-zombie-threads/769604/1 "2016-10-24T17:45:45Z")
Every couple of weeks, it seems, some topic will pop up when I hit “New Posts,” that will turn out to be a revived thread (sometimes so old, no one on it even posts anymore) with one new post at the end, and the join date will be this month and year. Do people really come here, comb through old threads, and get so riled up by whether or not jury duty letters should be certified, that they MUST open an account NOW, to post an opinion, one which the OP will probably never see? What motivates that? Is it people following tangents from mailbag posts or something? Do they not look at the dates? ---
**Author:** ![boytyperanma](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/4491bb/32.png) [@boytyperanma](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/boytyperanma)\ **Post date:** [October 24, 2016, 5:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-people-open-accounts-just-to-post-to-zombie-threads/769604/2 "2016-10-24T17:50:05Z")
The message boards content shows up on Google searches. They search the topic they are interested in and get a link to one of our threads. Upon reading a post or thread they decide they’d like to reply, so make an account to do so. It’s an ingenious trap to catch people incapable of reading dates. ---
**Author:** ![QuickSilver](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/quicksilver/32/7832_2.png) [@QuickSilver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/QuickSilver)\ **Post date:** [October 24, 2016, 6:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-people-open-accounts-just-to-post-to-zombie-threads/769604/3 "2016-10-24T18:00:43Z")
I wonder if board software policies can be implemented to lock threads \> say, 3 years old. Read them if you want but if you simply MUST respond, open your own new one on the subject. ---
**Author:** ![Omega\_Glory](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/7c8e57/32.png) [@Omega\_Glory](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Omega_Glory)\ **Post date:** [October 24, 2016, 6:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-people-open-accounts-just-to-post-to-zombie-threads/769604/4 "2016-10-24T18:08:38Z")
New posters don’t know that some people here frown on bumping old threads. ---
**Author:** ![Musicat](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/musicat/32/20189_2.png) [@Musicat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Musicat)\ **Post date:** [October 24, 2016, 6:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-people-open-accounts-just-to-post-to-zombie-threads/769604/5 "2016-10-24T18:09:11Z")
One reason you find old threads posted to is due to spammers. Sometimes the spam is quickly caught, the post & poster deleted, but the thread still shows as having new posts by the time you see it. > [@QuickSilver](#): > > I wonder if board software policies can be implemented to lock threads \> say, 3 years old. Read them if you want but if you simply MUST respond, open your own new one on the subject. I don’t think this is such a good idea. There have been times where an old thread would have been the best place to put something new about the topic, and starting a new thread would break the link. I’m not against a warning message about the zombie condition, but unless vB implements such a user feature, it would take a hack of the system, something not considered Kosher around here. ---
**Author:** ![QuickSilver](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/quicksilver/32/7832_2.png) [@QuickSilver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/QuickSilver)\ **Post date:** [October 24, 2016, 6:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-people-open-accounts-just-to-post-to-zombie-threads/769604/6 "2016-10-24T18:15:15Z")
> [@Musicat](#): > > One reason you find old threads posted to is due to spammers. Sometimes the spam is quickly caught, the post & poster deleted, but the thread still shows as having new posts by the time you see it. I don’t think this is such a good idea. There have been times where an old thread would have been the best place to put something new about the topic, and starting a new thread would break the link. > > I’m not against a warning message about the zombie condition, but unless vB implements such a user feature, it would take a hack of the system, something not considered Kosher around here. So you’re comfortable with [flip-flopping on this particular policy](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/archive/index.php/t-320043.html)? 😉 ---
**Author:** ![Riemann](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/riemann/32/3133_2.png) [@Riemann](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Riemann)\ **Post date:** [October 24, 2016, 6:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-people-open-accounts-just-to-post-to-zombie-threads/769604/7 "2016-10-24T18:17:37Z")
> [@QuickSilver](#): > > I wonder if board software policies can be implemented to lock threads \> say, 3 years old. Read them if you want but if you simply MUST respond, open your own new one on the subject. That wouldn’t do at all. The only thread in SDMB that I’m subscribed to is this one: > **[The most useless accessory in my car is now even more useless](https://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=643968)** > > My car has this date display which I think is the most completely useless accessory possible. It’s not part of the clock - the clock is part of the radio display. This date display is a separate LED display built into the plastic thing on the ceiling... I’d be devastated to miss the quadrennial updates. ---
**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:** [October 24, 2016, 6:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-people-open-accounts-just-to-post-to-zombie-threads/769604/8 "2016-10-24T18:19:39Z")
This is only about the 50th time this question has been asked and has been a conundrum of the masses for years. There have been many new posters that have joined and become prolific users on this site after finding that old zombie thread they had to revive. There have been many more that post and move on never to be heard from again. It’s a part of this place’s culture. ---
**Author:** ![Musicat](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/musicat/32/20189_2.png) [@Musicat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Musicat)\ **Post date:** [October 24, 2016, 6:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-people-open-accounts-just-to-post-to-zombie-threads/769604/9 "2016-10-24T18:58:48Z")
> [@QuickSilver](#): > > So you’re comfortable with [flip-flopping on this particular policy](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/archive/index.php/t-320043.html)? 😉 You linked to a google search result, which mixes up quotes and removes the attribution, often making it appear that one poster said something that they didn’t, but only quoted. Very misleading. Here is the true link to the same 2005 thread, but without the misquotes: > **[Why don't the admins just lock all old threads?](https://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=320043)** > > Every once in a while, someone revives a zombie thread, and a mod promptly locks it and notes that we should not revive old threads, and instead just link to them. Is it possible (and simple) to lock all threads older than, say, 6 months? This way,... And no, I haven’t changed my opinion about this in 11 years. ---
**Author:** ![QuickSilver](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/quicksilver/32/7832_2.png) [@QuickSilver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/QuickSilver)\ **Post date:** [October 24, 2016, 7:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-people-open-accounts-just-to-post-to-zombie-threads/769604/10 "2016-10-24T19:19:58Z")
I stand corrected. ---
**Author:** ![Musicat](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/musicat/32/20189_2.png) [@Musicat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Musicat)\ **Post date:** [October 24, 2016, 7:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-people-open-accounts-just-to-post-to-zombie-threads/769604/11 "2016-10-24T19:52:08Z")
> [@QuickSilver](#): > > I stand corrected. Sit down! You’re rocking the boat! ---
**Author:** ![Asimovian](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/asimovian/32/172_2.png) [@Asimovian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Asimovian)\ **Post date:** [October 24, 2016, 8:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-people-open-accounts-just-to-post-to-zombie-threads/769604/12 "2016-10-24T20:30:08Z")
Just to address a couple of reports I’ve seen thus far, my reading of the question in the OP here is asking about the motivation of random people on the internet, not about moderator action in zombie threads. Hence, I think this thread is in the appropriate forum for the time being. ---
**Author:** ![Arrendajo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/e0b2c6/32.png) [@Arrendajo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Arrendajo)\ **Post date:** [October 24, 2016, 8:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-people-open-accounts-just-to-post-to-zombie-threads/769604/13 "2016-10-24T20:55:24Z")
One of the most enjoyable aspects of SD is not realizing you’re reading a zombie thread until you come upon your own post. ---
**Author:** ![Baker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/bb73d2/32.png) [@Baker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Baker)\ **Post date:** [October 24, 2016, 10:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-people-open-accounts-just-to-post-to-zombie-threads/769604/14 "2016-10-24T22:36:07Z")
Oh yes, sometimes I’ve planned out a response then see the exact same words I’ve already posted, sometimes a LONG time ago. ---
**Author:** ![Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/qadgop_the_mercotan/32/83_2.png) [@Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Qadgop_the_Mercotan)\ **Post date:** [October 24, 2016, 11:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-people-open-accounts-just-to-post-to-zombie-threads/769604/15 "2016-10-24T23:25:56Z")
> [@Baker](#): > > Oh yes, sometimes I’ve planned out a response then see the exact same words I’ve already posted, sometimes a LONG time ago. Even worse is to first compose an opinion on the topic which then turns out to be completely the opposite of what you originally posted. :smack: Oh well, at least I can sometimes blame it on new evidence having come to my attention in the interval. ---
**Author:** ![Musicat](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/musicat/32/20189_2.png) [@Musicat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Musicat)\ **Post date:** [October 24, 2016, 11:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-people-open-accounts-just-to-post-to-zombie-threads/769604/16 "2016-10-24T23:27:17Z")
> [@Baker](#): > > Oh yes, sometimes I’ve planned out a response then see the exact same words I’ve already posted, sometimes a LONG time ago. Consistency…the hobgoblin of great minds. ---
**Author:** ![Randolph](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e5b9ba/32.png) [@Randolph](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Randolph)\ **Post date:** [October 24, 2016, 11:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-people-open-accounts-just-to-post-to-zombie-threads/769604/17 "2016-10-24T23:49:57Z")
I’ve always thought this board should include a style that makes the post date turn redder and bolder the older it is, so you could visually infer a post’s age while just scanning. It wouldn’t be very difficult to do. (I was a vB developer for a few years.) ---
**Author:** ![RivkahChaya](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rivkahchaya/32/8919_2.png) [@RivkahChaya](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RivkahChaya)\ **Post date:** [October 25, 2016, 12:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-people-open-accounts-just-to-post-to-zombie-threads/769604/18 "2016-10-25T00:00:40Z")
A lot of times I realize it’s a zombie when I see the name of a poster and the word BANNED under it. ---
**Author:** ![seal\_cleaner](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e274bd/32.png) [@seal\_cleaner](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/seal_cleaner)\ **Post date:** [October 25, 2016, 1:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-people-open-accounts-just-to-post-to-zombie-threads/769604/19 "2016-10-25T01:35:34Z")
> [@RivkahChaya](#): > > A lot of times I realize it’s a zombie when I see the name of a poster and the word BANNED under it. And then, of course, you select “see all posts by” and try to figure out how they got axed. ---
**Author:** ![Gatopescado](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gatopescado/32/5711_2.png) [@Gatopescado](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gatopescado)\ **Post date:** [October 25, 2016, 3:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-people-open-accounts-just-to-post-to-zombie-threads/769604/20 "2016-10-25T03:59:47Z")
Google is the Devil. (This ought to fuck things up! 😃 ) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-people-open-accounts-just-to-post-to-zombie-threads/769604.md?page=2)