Mod's, haveyou let the Billy Goats out?

They always seem to come along at the weekend when moderation might be lower, I get that people might have more time to create a profile and start posting at weekends, but others seem able to manage during the week.

Maybe it's something we just need to watch and be aware of so as we don't get dragged in.

Yes they do come in clusters, but it is likely the mods are releasing the ‘automatically held in moderation’ posts in clusters. I’m just playing devil’s advocate — I don’t know the reason and you could be right. 

I think one or two people might disinter threads, but not everyone who's new here, they also seem to come in clusters and have names that sound like they were invented by a machine, rather than reflecting a person or personal likes and interests.

I have noticed that the bots aren’t posting anymore.

You could be right about the malicious actors but I don’t have insight on that. I have seen several threads where posts have disappeared.

There do seem to be a lot of new people posting on old threads which causes them to be bumped up. I put it down to new people initially being drawn to particular topics that they can relate to. 

I second your thanks to the Mods — not an easy job but you are appreciated.