Active discussions

Please or to access all these features

Talk
AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To NOT believe some of the threads posted on Mumsnet?

114 replies

NovemberMorn · 31/12/2024 13:34

Some are far fetched, some threads ask for advice then the posters don't bother to respond when asked for details, some threads just seem to be started for provocation.
I don't mind any of the above...but I certainly don't believe they are all genuine.

OP posts:
BallerinaRadio · 31/12/2024 15:19

I think the most annoying common posts at the minute are the faux 'I need help deciding if I'm being unreasonable' when obviously they know they're not being unreasonable and nobody would ever think they are.

BarbaraHoward · 31/12/2024 15:09

Sometimes I do think truth is stranger than fiction.

Sometimes an OP is an unreliable narrator, which we can all be guilty of, and another person involved would tell the story very differently.

Sometimes a relationship is too complex to accurately capture in one post.

Often it's a troll.

Always best to assume a troll and post because it's funny or you're bored or your advice might be useful to someone else. Never invest emotionally.

It's a current fashion to proclaim every far fetched or badly written post is AI. They never read like they were produced by any AI tool I've played around with.

roses2 · 31/12/2024 15:03

Some threads are so long and eloquently written I’m wondering how on earth do people get the time to sit out and write such long detailed responses when they’ve got kids!

And yes I also agree, a lot is of threads just don’t make sense and sound very far fetched.

Gloriia · 31/12/2024 15:01

Gem359 · 31/12/2024 14:49

I don't really care if some are fake, nobody can be surprised that on the internet some stuff is fake surely? Sometimes stories have several apparent holes in them, maybe it's rubbish, maybe it's because the OP is changing some details to avoid being recognised. I don't care either way.

What I really hate is the people who say they can spot a troll and spend all day doing it so half the threads on here end up being pulled - all so they can feel like some kind of superior being and boast about how they can spot them a mile off.

Unless it's someone selling something or completely obscene just leave it alone. I don't give a shiny shit if it's fake any more than I do when I watch a soap and get invested in their storylines.

Totally agree.

Gem359 · 31/12/2024 14:49

I don't really care if some are fake, nobody can be surprised that on the internet some stuff is fake surely? Sometimes stories have several apparent holes in them, maybe it's rubbish, maybe it's because the OP is changing some details to avoid being recognised. I don't care either way.

What I really hate is the people who say they can spot a troll and spend all day doing it so half the threads on here end up being pulled - all so they can feel like some kind of superior being and boast about how they can spot them a mile off.

Unless it's someone selling something or completely obscene just leave it alone. I don't give a shiny shit if it's fake any more than I do when I watch a soap and get invested in their storylines.

AngelAva · 31/12/2024 14:44

Gloriia · 31/12/2024 14:42

This. It can generate interesting discussion anyway so don't fret about it.

I'm always surprised when an op hasn't posted for like 2 weeks and posters keep saying thinking of you and hope you're ok. That is weird and overinvested

Show quote history

It's just grief vultures looking for their kicks.

Like the people who start threads about child abuse in the news and title the thread OH GOD WHEN WILL IT EVER END and hundreds of posters all join in the frothing. It's horrible behaviour.

Gloriia · 31/12/2024 14:42

STOPCOLLABERATEANDLISTEN19 · 31/12/2024 13:37

its entertainment, like Eastenders, that is all

This. It can generate interesting discussion anyway so don't fret about it.

I'm always surprised when an op hasn't posted for like 2 weeks and posters keep saying thinking of you and hope you're ok. That is weird and overinvested

Original poster
NovemberMorn · 31/12/2024 14:37

Abitofalark · 31/12/2024 14:07

It sometimes strikes me that a story isn't true yet most posters who respond are very trusting and lacking in suspicion so it will get hundreds of earnest responses offering advice and sympathy. I might be wrong of course, but...

There was one fairly recently where it seemed to me that the originator had cleared off after posting an utterly contrived get out cover story yet people kept posting for days afterwards entreating her/him/ to update and let them know she was all right. It just didn't occur to them to be suspicious of the (to me) very suspicious sudden and made-up ending. Another one the other day posted two separate threads with similar versions of the story. That was one unanswered mystery but there were other signs within the postings, such as a jarring response that didn't fit with the emotion of a supposedly distressing story.

Exactly.
There is an ongoing thread, many pages long, where the OP has not come back to update once....and the one post they did make struck me as untrue in the first place.

OP posts:
AngelAva · 31/12/2024 14:11

There is no way the amount of shaking and crying reported on Mumsnet really happens in real life

Abitofalark · 31/12/2024 14:07

It sometimes strikes me that a story isn't true yet most posters who respond are very trusting and lacking in suspicion so it will get hundreds of earnest responses offering advice and sympathy. I might be wrong of course, but...

There was one fairly recently where it seemed to me that the originator had cleared off after posting an utterly contrived get out cover story yet people kept posting for days afterwards entreating her/him/ to update and let them know she was all right. It just didn't occur to them to be suspicious of the (to me) very suspicious sudden and made-up ending. Another one the other day posted two separate threads with similar versions of the story. That was one unanswered mystery but there were other signs within the postings, such as a jarring response that didn't fit with the emotion of a supposedly distressing story.

menopausalfart · 31/12/2024 14:03

Someone wrote 3 posts, one after the other, a couple of days ago. All taken down. I find it bizarre.

Original poster
NovemberMorn · 31/12/2024 14:02

BrightonFrock · 31/12/2024 14:01

I think all threads on MN are made up. Including this one.

Cynic.

OP posts:
BrightonFrock · 31/12/2024 14:01

I think all threads on MN are made up. Including this one.

Original poster
NovemberMorn · 31/12/2024 14:00

Sherararara · 31/12/2024 13:56

Yep, it won’t last long. Troll hunting!

Show quote history

I'm not a troll though, so I hope it stays up.

OP posts:
Pancakeflipper · 31/12/2024 14:00

arcticpandas · 31/12/2024 13:55

How would you know though ? American English tend to be used in a lot of countries and mumsnet users are not all based in the UK.

Show quote history

These are describing UK systems (e.g. schools, NHS) saying they in the UK and using 'mom'. As I said - huge noticeable increase in the last couple of months.

Sherararara · 31/12/2024 13:56

OnlyHereForTheChristmasBoard · 31/12/2024 13:37

Be prepared for MNHQ to take this thread down. 'Not in the spirit', or something.

Yep, it won’t last long. Troll hunting!

arcticpandas · 31/12/2024 13:55

Pancakeflipper · 31/12/2024 13:51

Noticed a huge increase of the word 'mom' in posts in the last few months and they've turned out to be creative works of fiction.

How would you know though ? American English tend to be used in a lot of countries and mumsnet users are not all based in the UK.

Original poster
NovemberMorn · 31/12/2024 13:54

Pancakeflipper · 31/12/2024 13:51

Noticed a huge increase of the word 'mom' in posts in the last few months and they've turned out to be creative works of fiction.

Unless there is suddenly an increase in posters from Birmingham.🤔

OP posts:
Pancakeflipper · 31/12/2024 13:51

Noticed a huge increase of the word 'mom' in posts in the last few months and they've turned out to be creative works of fiction.

RupertCampbellBlacksEgo · 31/12/2024 13:50

NovemberMorn · 31/12/2024 13:40

Is free speech not allowed on here then?

Show quote history

Free speech is not a thing in UK, but there's freedom of expression, which is to stop the state persecuting people in specific scenarios.

devilspawn · 31/12/2024 13:49

NovemberMorn · 31/12/2024 13:40

Is free speech not allowed on here then?

Show quote history

It depends on the category of discussion.

Free speech allowed = car parking, acceptable food at a buffet, complaining about your husband
Free speech not allowed = anything in favour of trans people, Meghan Markle, how often to use towels before washing them

Original poster
NovemberMorn · 31/12/2024 13:45

lapislapis · 31/12/2024 13:44

I also think that a lot is true

So do I.
I read one last night that actually made me cry, it was 100% genuine imo.

OP posts:
Cherrypickled · 31/12/2024 13:45

lapislapis · 31/12/2024 13:44

I also think that a lot is true

And greatly exaggerated. Especially on the 3 thread sagas.

Lilifer · 31/12/2024 13:44

"Is free speech not allowed on here then?"

hell no! Where did you get that idea from?

lapislapis · 31/12/2024 13:44

I also think that a lot is true

Swipe left for the next trending thread