[Bug]: Display deleted or removed posts when they have children #3965

[naught101]

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Summary

Follow-up from #3965 (comment):

When a user deletes a post, the comments on that post still exist in the DB, but are not accessible, because the post page is missing. The comments still show up in the inbox, but can't be replied to (I think). Clicking the "context" link leads to an error.

Steps to Reproduce

1. I made a comment on a post that got a reply from a 3rd user.
2. The post OP deleted their account and all content, including the post that the comment thread was on.
3. I can see the 3rd user's reply to my comment in my inbox
4. If I click the "context" link on that, it goes to a blank page
5. if I reload, I get an error page (couldnt_find_post)

Technical Details

Recent firefox, web-ui.

Version

0.19.9

Lemmy Instance URL

lemmy.world

[DraconicNEO]

I don't think removed or deleted posts should bounce users to an error, it would be better if they blanked the post data but still allow you to see the comment replies. Bouncing users to an error seems like a hack, especially because it isn't done for mods, admins, or even just the OP of the post.

[MrKaplan-lw]

Implementing this should probably only come after the ability for moderators to remove entire comment threads and perhaps even all comments on a post.

I can think of a few cases where posts have been removed in the past and they had a ton of problematic comments on them that weren't also removed.

Currently, those comments are visible e.g. on the creator's profile and may be seen in some cases, but it's not consistent.

[DraconicNEO]

Implementing this should probably only come after the ability for moderators to remove entire comment threads and perhaps even all comments on a post.

I can think of a few cases where posts have been removed in the past and they had a ton of problematic comments on them that weren't also removed.

Currently, those comments are visible e.g. on the creator's profile and may be seen in some cases, but it's not consistent.

Yeah being able to batch remove comments is important, though I don't know if this feature should be delayed for that reason. This might make it better for these kinds of situations since the comments would be more likely to be seen and reported than if they were simply out of sight and out of mind.