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Original poster

Damaging off-topic comments

112 replies

mranchovy · 21/12/2010 20:34

The occasional annoying, irrelevant, off-topic or unhelpful comment is an inevitable feature of internet discussions. However, an increasing number of posts that are actively damaging to the interests of people coming to Mumsnet for help and advice are detracting from the excellent information given in many cases by skilled, qualified and experienced experts in their field.

I ask that Mumsnet should use the discretion witheld in its terms to remove all material posted from the accounts of individuals who repeatedly make such posts, and take steps to prevent any more potentially harmful posts by such individuals.

I am writing this with some regret, partly because I feel some empathy for the individuals who make such posts and wish I could offer them some help that would enable them to participate in online discussion in a more constructive way, and partly because I have an emotional attachment to the concept of free speech. However, in any society that is not an anarchy, freedom must be limited where its exercise impinges on the rights of others. In this case it appears that the interests of many people, over a considerable amount of time have been and are continuing to be harmed by certain individuals exercising the freedom to post on Mumsnet and I assert that this freedom should be removed from those individuals. If you disagree, I would be interested to know why.

OP posts:
Pantofino · 21/12/2010 23:06

But this IS a chat forum, not therapy. It is good because it is self moderated. People like that! You will get a range of opinions because that is what you would get in real life.

BitOfFun · 21/12/2010 23:05

If you've got a beef with a particular poster, fgs have the balls to take it up with them- starting a whole thread to basically slag somebody off on the sly is a rather weaselly way of approaching the issue.

Original poster
mranchovy · 21/12/2010 23:04

ROFL at manchovy, sounds rude.

Etymology of Mr Anchovy

OP posts:
Tortington · 21/12/2010 22:57

i feel manchovy would be a better user name, it came to me in a flash of inspiration

Original poster
mranchovy · 21/12/2010 22:57

if someone has had a shitty experience with ...say CAHMS to use your example, then they should be able to post their experience without being labled an axegrinder

Absolutely. He has never (to my knowledge) posted his experience, just sweeping generalisations.

this is much different from those people who give advice wrongly and purport to be knowledgeable in a subject area they are clearly not.

And that is another thing that he does.

OP posts:
Original poster
mranchovy · 21/12/2010 22:54

@Pantofino

I care because I have recommended people to come to Mumsnet in the past because it can be a good place to share experiences and I feel that that is becoming no longer the case.

I care because I think that the many excellent contribtions of Mumsnet users are detratcted from by the actions of a few (OK, mainly one) individuals.

I care because many helpful people spend time dealing with inappropriate posts instead of helping others.

Etc.

No I do not feel superior to anyone else. I do feel that I am less vulnerable than many other people however - I have never (had a partner that has) suffered a miscarriage, have not been involved with social services, and although I have a child with SEN I feel that things are currently going as well as they can for them - these are all situations where vulnerable people have been confused and misinformed on Mumsnet, so yes I do want to protect them from something nasty.

And this is the only name I have used on Mumsnet for 18 months.

OP posts:
Tortington · 21/12/2010 22:45

if someone has had a shitty experience with ...say CAHMS to use your example, then they should be able to post their experience without being labled an axegrinder

this is much different from those people who give advice wrongly and purport to be knowledgeable in a subject area they are clearly not.

Pantofino · 21/12/2010 22:40

But this a chat forum on the internet! Designed so that parents can share experiences. It is NOT a lawyer/GP/SEx therapist/councellor/PG test.

GoldFrakkincenseAndMyrrh · 21/12/2010 22:34

I think it might be about one poster but it's symptomatic of MN in general. It's a site characterised by polarised opinions.

There are many public misconceptions, perpetrated by members of the public who do so because they know no better. A minority view may be correct but shouted down. What typically happens in that case is someone comes along with 20 links and the correct information is provided because there's a right or a wrong answer. It happens all the time - au pairs don't have employment rights or you shouldn't make formula with hot water are classic cases where misconceptions can be downright dangerous and in those cases incorrect advice is usually challenged.

But there are greyer situations where the opinions are highly personalised. In those cases here are often posters who are known by regulars as being axe-grinders but who unecessarily scare people who don't know how to sort the wheat from the chaff. But their experience may be genuine and valid and important to them and potentially relevant for someone weighing up whether to involve CAMHS or not.

Pantofino · 21/12/2010 22:34

yawn!

Pantofino · 21/12/2010 22:34

Though I am thinking OP and other posters are one and the same.

Malkuth · 21/12/2010 22:33

Same as Marjoriew.

scurryfunge · 21/12/2010 22:33

Lucinda Carlisle (or West Virginia at the moment)

QueenGigantaurofMnet · 21/12/2010 22:33

dunno who "him" is.

if it is always the same poster then whoever is first to the scene just posts "op this is a troll. mnhq are aware, please ignore" and then ignore!

just carry on with the thread without even acknowldgeing the posts

Pantofino · 21/12/2010 22:33

"It is absolutely nothing to do with feeling superior and that is a shitty thing to say. It is about community."

I was talking about the OP.

Marjoriew · 21/12/2010 22:33

Previously Lucinda Carlisle - now West Virginia.

Marjoriew · 21/12/2010 22:32

I know him from other forums.

AnyFuckerForAMincePie · 21/12/2010 22:32

oh, fgs, just say who we are talking about

Marjoriew · 21/12/2010 22:31

Yes, 'him' - although he regularly posts under female usernames.

Malkuth · 21/12/2010 22:30

Because the whole point of Mumsnet is to be supportive. I have no idea whether the people I am thinking of are the same as Mranchovy and I do email MNHQ.

It is absolutely nothing to do with feeling superior and that is a shitty thing to say. It is about community.

Pantofino · 21/12/2010 22:30

Spill then!

Pantofino · 21/12/2010 22:29

him?

Marjoriew · 21/12/2010 22:29

MN is aware of him. Other situations have been brought to their attention.
He just changes his name and comes back again with the same behaviour.

QueenGigantaurofMnet · 21/12/2010 22:28

i think there is a distinct difference between someone like claire khaw posting on here just to riase her own profile and not offer anything to a discussion other than to divert the discussion for her own means, and someone who has had an experience and wishes to share it.

I do recognise the scenario that marjorie describes though. As i have said, i have requested to posters like that that they seek help for their own situation as they are very hung up on it and although they want to help others they arent yet in a position where they can view a situation objectivly.

posters like that can't be deleted. it would be disregarding their experiences.

nightmarebeforechristmas · 21/12/2010 22:26

if this a thread about one poster, speak to them or email mn hq,

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