# Zombie threads: an idea **URL:** \ **Category:** About This Message Board\ **Created:** [November 3, 2015, 12:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/zombie-threads-an-idea/736481 "2015-11-03T00:35:41Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 10\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [November 3, 2015, 10:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/zombie-threads-an-idea/736481/21 "2015-11-03T22:35:36Z")
> [@AHunter3](#): > > Easiest solution: on the standard “list of threads” screen add the (existing) column for thread started date. (won’t stop zombies so much as will notify the cogniscenti that a given thread dates back to way-back-when) > > Ideal solution: write and implement code that makes a warning appear at the top of any thread, when opened, if thread was started \< x months ago, “WARNING: This thread was started in Xxx of XXXX; you may want to consider whether you want to post to such an old thread”. Why? ---
**Author:** ![TBG](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/c89c15/32.png) [@TBG](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TBG)\ **Post date:** [November 4, 2015, 9:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/zombie-threads-an-idea/736481/22 "2015-11-04T21:25:30Z")
Maybe people posting a new ATMB thread with the word zombie in the subject line should get some sort of popup or something letting them know this has already been talked about to death and while it’s not forbidden to post about, it’s highly unlikely yet another thread will accomplish anything. ---
**Author:** ![dracoi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/90db22/32.png) [@dracoi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dracoi)\ **Post date:** [November 4, 2015, 9:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/zombie-threads-an-idea/736481/23 "2015-11-04T21:54:59Z")
> [@DrDeth](#): > > The annoying thing is the poster who feels a need to waste Hampster energy on posting nothing but a note that they found a Zombie. Who gives a rats ass? Nothing at all is added by such a post. Well, it is worth mentioning it for everyone who might not notice how old the thread is. Not in a “You bad person, you shouldn’t have posted” way but just an informational way. ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [November 4, 2015, 9:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/zombie-threads-an-idea/736481/24 "2015-11-04T21:57:47Z")
> [@dracoi](#): > > Well, it is worth mentioning it for everyone who might not notice how old the thread is. Not in a “You bad person, you shouldn’t have posted” way but just an informational way. Why? Everytime I have seen it, it’s a “gotcha” kinda post. ---
**Author:** ![Clothahump](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/51bf81/32.png) [@Clothahump](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Clothahump)\ **Post date:** [November 4, 2015, 10:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/zombie-threads-an-idea/736481/25 "2015-11-04T22:03:19Z")
> [@Siam\_Sam](#): > > We could require new posters to deposit $100, refundable in six months minus $10 for each zombie thread bumped. There would be no refunds. The mods would have spent it on hookers and blow. ---
**Author:** ![Colibri](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/colibri/32/1841_2.png) [@Colibri](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Colibri)\ **Post date:** [November 4, 2015, 10:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/zombie-threads-an-idea/736481/26 "2015-11-04T22:04:07Z")
> [@DrDeth](#): > > Why? > > Everytime I have seen it, it’s a “gotcha” kinda post. As a moderator, I appreciate it when a poster lets people know it’s an old thread. What I don’t find particularly useful is when people just make zombie jokes without explaining the reason. While posters who have been around will know, this may just confuse a newbie. ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [November 4, 2015, 11:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/zombie-threads-an-idea/736481/27 "2015-11-04T23:16:05Z")
> [@Colibri](#): > > As a moderator, I appreciate it when a poster lets people know it’s an old thread. What I don’t find particularly useful is when people just make zombie jokes without explaining the reason. While posters who have been around will know, this may just confuse a newbie. Ok, sure. If you are posting to make a point, and also mention, “Well, note this is a zombie thread, with no replies for over a year” then I gots no problems. It’s when your only contribution is to snarkily point out “It’'s a Zombie, durr, hurr!”, then I think it’s a waster. ---
**Author:** ![Allthegood](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/c68b51/32.png) [@Allthegood](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Allthegood)\ **Post date:** [November 5, 2015, 3:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/zombie-threads-an-idea/736481/28 "2015-11-05T03:02:42Z")
I still don’t understand why you people throw such hissy fits over zombie threads. So what if a thread is old and cold? Who is it hurting? _ducks the rotten tomatoes that will now be thrown at her_ ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [November 5, 2015, 3:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/zombie-threads-an-idea/736481/29 "2015-11-05T03:21:15Z")
> [@Allthegood](#): > > I still don’t understand why you people throw such hissy fits over zombie threads. So what if a thread is old and cold? Who is it hurting? > > _ducks the rotten tomatoes that will now be thrown at her_ Agreed. 🆒 Are you channeling the Grapist? ---
**Author:** ![Briny\_Deep](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/briny_deep/32/17188_2.png) [@Briny\_Deep](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Briny_Deep)\ **Post date:** [November 5, 2015, 7:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/zombie-threads-an-idea/736481/30 "2015-11-05T07:11:59Z")
> [@TBG](#): > > Maybe people posting a new ATMB thread with the word zombie in the subject line should get some sort of popup or something letting them know this has already been talked about to death and while it’s not forbidden to post about, it’s highly unlikely yet another thread will accomplish anything. Yes, I see that now. I have no objection to closing the thread. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/zombie-threads-an-idea/736481.md?page=1)