# What would be a good way to deal with duplicate posts?

**URL:** <https://meta.discourse.org/t/what-would-be-a-good-way-to-deal-with-duplicate-posts/40215>\
**Category:** Community Building\
**Created:** [2016年二月26日 06:39 UTC](https://meta.discourse.org/t/what-would-be-a-good-way-to-deal-with-duplicate-posts/40215 "2016-02-26T06:39:52Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 1\
**Showing post:** 6

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**Author:** ![purldator](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/bcef8e/32.png) [@purldator](https://meta.discourse.org/u/purldator)\
**Post date:** [2016年二月26日 07:42 UTC](https://meta.discourse.org/t/what-would-be-a-good-way-to-deal-with-duplicate-posts/40215/6 "2016-02-26T07:42:06Z")

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> [@Drew\_Warwick](#):
>
> The problem we’re looking at here is people not reading the thread – not the initial choice of location for the “known issues” list.

[![](https://global.discourse-cdn.com/meta/original/4X/2/f/5/2f5092e5405367bb835d2f68e08c05720a5ae1db.jpeg "Matrix Architect Scene") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZKpFFD7aX3c&t=2m26s)

> [@Drew\_Warwick](#):
>
> I’m wondering: are the fears of behavior programming and posting scare off without merit, or are they actually an accurate estimation of what would happen if duplicate posts started being deleted? If those concerns are real, what would be a better way to deal with duplicate posts?

All of them have merit. Priorities must be set clear on what is most desirable; mitigating (or outright extinguishing) the utmost undesirable of behaviors, fostering others, through any means those in power wish to do at their Will; to come about the conclusion as to how they, and you, see this community.

> [@codinghorror](#):
>
> Deleting the dupe replies also keeps the topic shorter, so more people can process what’s in it. It’s a good idea.

This is an answer, I feel, that leans toward structured, groomed content.

Depends on the community in any given context, if that is more valued. Deleting content for the sake of keeping the presentation orderly can swiftly veer into–

> [@Drew\_Warwick](#):
>
> posting scare off without merit, or are they actually an accurate estimation of what would happen if duplicate posts started being deleted?

–that kind of territory. This I have seen. The most pathological form comes from crowd/social psychology as [the spiral of silence](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spiral_of_silence).

I only offer this viewpoint for future readers to consider the “collective consciousness” of their community overall, while also attempting some form of order to the topics themselves.

The default FAQ has a good start to this. Duplicate content is not specified (“Keep It Tidy”). Flags can be used too.

Lots of options to consider from tools already in place.

Then again, I do not know the specific context here for the community mentioned; the social mentality expected, upheld by the staff and/or the users themselves.

Lots of variables, I see.

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