... to think there's a sudden tendency in AIBU...

[woollyideas]

... for some people to accuse others of 'bullying' or 'attacking' when they have their views disagreed with?

I've noticed a few threads on here in the last couple of days where anyone putting across a contrary view to the OP gets accused of being mean/bullying/personally attacking. I don't like it. Aren't people allowed to disagree anymore?

More to the point, I've noticed that some of the people complaining about 'bullies' are ganging up with each other to 'tell someone off' which comes across as a bit... well... bullying.

[messymammy]

Yep, I've noticed it too.
Perhaps its the heat? (not that I'd know, I'm in Ireland and the weather is crap :( )

[Sarsaparilllla]

I think there's always a tendacny for people to say it's bullying when they don't get the resposnse they want or expect, which is a bit daft really, some people only actually want replies from people backing them up, which is unlikely to always happen

[ClaireDeLoon]

Yes, noticed this too. Lots of bullying accusations flying around when it is simply views being disagreed with.

Real bullying is something completely different, it's a bit offensive for them to suggest that someone not agreeing with them equates to that really.

[Jonnyfan]

Someone referred to a "twunty brigade" or something like that, meaning those who gang up and are rude to folk whose views they disagree with and who get threads pulled. I am also surprised how readily names and abuse are thrown about.

[nenevomito]

Blinking heck Jonnyfan you know that's not what "twunty brigade" referred to and I can even point to the other thread where you raised it. How many times do you need it pointing out?

[Feenie]

Jonnyfan's description was accurate - I know the thread she refers to, and that's exactly what was meant.

[Feenie]

And you can't point to the thread, since it was deleted.

[annieversaire]

aibu has always been a shitty little corner of MN. i really hate it.

[overgrownplant]

as it's got tons of posts on it - seems people like it

one thing i know is that mnetters love to talk mostly about mumsnet

[SuePurblybilt]

It's bullying this week. Last month it was racism, you couldn't call a Smurf blue without being jumped on.
It'll pass. We'll all be a whole other class of overbearing bigot next week.

[glitterkitten]

I agree with Claire - the bullying claims belittles and insults those dealing with real bullying. Disagreement and banter style debate is not bullying. And I hope those who interpret it as such never have to learn first hand what bullying actually feels like

[ThePosieParker]

I think people would rather say something 'controversial' and different than to actually answer AIBU.

OP :I think the sky is blue
1: YANBU
2: YANBU
3: You sound like you like everything your way OP
4: Yes OP why should the sky be blue just because you say it is
OP: But when I look at the sky it is blue
5: If you don't want people to disagree don;t post in AIBU
6: OP YABU are really defensive.




on and on and on.....

[woollyideas]

But, Annieversaire, I've never thought of AIBU as the 'shitty little corner' of MN. I think of it as the 'Speaker's Corner' of Mumsnet where people are tolerated (or shouted down) for saying things that might not be considered polite on other threads. I've always looked on it as the place where straight-talking is encouraged and welcomed, even if it's sometimes clearly bonkers an opinion I disagree with.

[nenevomito]

Feenie - the words "twunty brigade" were never, ever, ever written on the deleted thread. Not once, not anywhere. That was the OP of the second thread trying to back down from sounding like a knobber. I've explained this a number of times now, but if it helps PM me your email and when I get home tonight I'll send you the whole thread and let you see for yourself.

[OTheHugeManatee]

YANBU to mention the wailing about bullying, but less so to call it 'sudden' - it's pretty standard. IMO it's the Great Cycle of MN, probably tied to the lunar calendar.

New moon: BF/FF
Waxing crescent: SAHM/WOHM
Waxing gibbous: benefit scroungers
Full moon: everything
Waning gibbous: smacking your child
Waning crescent: random bunfight of the month

Rinse and repeat

[woollyideas]

But Posie - Sometimes the sky ISN'T blue! It's been known to be grey or pink and that needs pointing out, too!

Or maybe I just like 'controversial'

[woollyideas]

at Manatee

[annieversaire]

Oh God I knew someone would start the smurf argument again.

It's turquoise. FACT

[SuePurblybilt]

Racialist .

[overgrownplant]

smurfs are turquoise i agree

[ProfessionallyOffendedGoblin]

Do you know that some parents paint their children blue in order to claim the special smurf allowance?
And that some people claim their children are real smurfs, when in fact they are cheap knock-offs from Maccy Ds?
I think all smurfs should conform to British kitemark standards and stop wearing those annoying hats. They pretend to be like ordinary English-speaking natives, but they are really....Belgian.
Love
ProfGob, member of the TwuntyBrigade.

[alowVeraWithPurpleTwuntyPants]

But don't you think that when you post a post you expect a wide variety of answers from both sides of the debate? but it seems not to work like that.

If you disagree with something because you honestly do disagree with it, then you should be able to have your say too, without a couple of MNers jumping on you and verbally wrestling you to the floor

Although that said, I, and I'm sure a few others on here, tend to wait with popcorn on some threads to see where the thread leads before deciding whether to comment.

And then there's the odd Mner that plays devils advocate and randomly throws one-liners in just to rouse an argument. And aren't productive to the discussion in any way whatsoever. (ps, this comment isn't directed at anyone in particular, just something I've noticed)

[BuxomWenchOnAPony]

I do think there's a tendency for some people to assume "I disagree with you" and "you're an idiot" are synonymous.

That said, I like reading AIBU and think some posters a funny when they are being offensive.

I do think there are a few topics on which there is a 'mumsnet consensus' view and woe betide any unsuspecting new poster who expresses anything at doesn't quite tally with that.