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Original poster

Are Mumsnet rules just for the little people?

913 replies

Penandink · 12/02/2012 14:54

"Troll cries make MNers look silly. If you think the person is not real, you don't have to post - nobody has a gun at your head! If you suspect the person is false and trying to hurt, or get money, tell MNHQ! How terrible if genuine people - people in trouble, people at the end of their tether - come here as their last hope for some help and advice, are savaged and go off again, feeling terrible and that they don't have anywhere left to turn to?"

www.mumsnet.com/info/netiquette

There is a very real problem on Mumsnet that there are a small group of posters who wilfully ignore this "rule" as and when it suits them. I think the problem is now institutionalised in MN as being the norm and acceptable.

These people just make stuff up about people they've never met. Once they do this other people pile in believing the bullshit, and then acting on it. The troll-hunters also don't seem to stop and think how their assumptions might affect - or even damage the rest of the site. Lets summarise their position: " I am OUTRAGED and APPALLED by something that may or may not have happened but can't be proved, because although I say it did, I won't provide any evidence"

Sometimes this place is more like a bear pit rather than a community of support and OBJECTIVE thinking and response.

They have their bit of fun and when their target gives up - off course they do having been hounded unmercifully - the Hunter claim that proves they were a troll. Disagree with the unters and sooner rather than later they will accuse you of being a man (their ultimate insult) or a troll. A suggestion that you should leave the site usually follows.

The "silent majority" don't put up with this. They just leave...

OP posts:
shabbapinkfrog · 13/02/2012 10:38

Oh OK Grin I didn't 'get' any of this thread for quite some time. If anybody finds my marbles please will they leave them in the lost property box and I will pick them up later.....

thepileofstuff · 13/02/2012 10:36

What I really don't understand is why people don't hit the report button when they suspect a troll, instead of mocking and humiliating the poster on the thread, and getting the rest of the gang to join in. I understand that to do the latter feels big, and feels clever, but is there no little voice of conscience saying: "What if this poster is real?" And is it really so clever to be able to mobilise an internet gang?

Portofino · 13/02/2012 10:36

I am asking why the OP cares so much.

Portofino · 13/02/2012 10:36

Shabba - no, my commented was directed to the OP. I know that you and others on the Bereavement boards have sadly had to harden yourself to the possibility that some posters aren't genuine. Like you, I cannot possibly imaging why anyone would do such a thing. Sad

But OP seems to think it is perfectly acceptable that stuff is made up, it happens so we should just accept it, and how very dare we try to challenge it.

everlong · 13/02/2012 10:34

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Portofino · 13/02/2012 10:33

Unless you HAVE been hounded off the boards after being (falsely) accused as a troll, I cannot understand why you are so worried by this.

Tmesis · 13/02/2012 10:32

Your argument appears to be that almost all the threads on Mumsnet are made up and that it is (a) wrong to believe that any of them are genuine but also (b) wrong to suggest that any of them in particular are made up. However, your telling us that they are all made up and that therefore 90% of posters are trolls is just fine and dandy.

shabbapinkfrog · 13/02/2012 10:32

Portofino - do you mean why do I care if 'its all made up?'

The major problem with trolling on our bereaved Mums thread is - we, I think, are quite a trusting bunch. We created our thread about 5 years ago - its a 'safe haven' - its not always sad...we have plenty of laughs on there, we scream, shout, cry, laugh, etc etc and there is always someone who knows what someone is going 'through' because they have been there. When a troll comes on they are shown the same respect and support as everybody else. After a while I usually think that something is not right with the way they are posting or the things they are saying.

Grieving for a child/children takes up most of my physical and emotional energy and to realise that someone is 'taking you for a fool' is a very hard thing to get your head around.

Portofino · 13/02/2012 10:31

And I repeat, we are supposed to accept that most threads (particularly within relationships) are made up, yes? But we are most emphatically NOT allowed to suspect which ones are made up and which are genuine and challenge the OP, because that is naughty?

RealitySickOfSick · 13/02/2012 10:29

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

everlong · 13/02/2012 10:27

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Portofino · 13/02/2012 10:25

But if it is all made up, why do you care?

everlong · 13/02/2012 10:21

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

usualsuspect · 13/02/2012 10:20

Trolling does more harm than troll hunting

OnlyANinja · 13/02/2012 10:17

Mumsnet also has rules about Trolling. Some members of Mumsnet obviously feel that they don't have to follow these rules and I would like to know why they think this is the case.

Original poster
Penandink · 13/02/2012 10:15

My argument really isn't hard to follow. Well I don't think it is.

Mumsnet has rules about Troll Hunting. Some members of Mumsnet obviously feel that they don't have to follow these rules and I would like to know why they think this is the case.

Troll hunting does harm to the site in a number of ways. HQ staff have explained in some detail why their approach to trolls is better than yours but you seem unable to accept their ruling. It does harm the reputation of Mumsnet that rules that people freely sign up to follow when they join are ignored, seemingly without any sanctions being taken.

The Hunters, some of whom have contributed to this thread, "duck and dive" to avoid addressing these points.

OP posts:
shabbapinkfrog · 13/02/2012 10:14

We have had several trolls such people posting on the bereaved Mums thread over the last couple of years. Some, I instantly suspect of being trolls suspicious!!! Over time it gradually becomes obvious. I always contact MNHQ and let them take over. Why anybody, in the right mind, would want to pretend to be bereaved of their child is way beyond my realms of understanding.

My DS4 (14 years) will give me the look that only a teenager can...walk over and close the laptop on my hands and say 'Mum, do NOT feed the troll Grin!!

Pinot · 13/02/2012 10:09

Aha! Merci.

usualsuspect · 13/02/2012 10:07

Mine was deleted for mentioning the troll word

PeanutButterCupCake · 13/02/2012 10:05

Ooooh didn't notice the deletions pinot think it was maybe because specific poster was named?

Pinot · 13/02/2012 09:59

How's a girl sposed to understand what the jeff is going on with all these deletions FFS?

Portofino · 13/02/2012 09:44

I agree with QueenOf. You roll up in a very unlikely place to say that most of what is written on the internet is made up and we shouldn't be surprised or upset that to find that something is not genuine. You then go on to say that questioning whether or not a thread is genuine or not does serious harm to other posters and the reputation of MN.

I am a bit Confused by your argument.

LilacWaltz · 13/02/2012 09:35

penandink who did you used to be? You must be a regular poster to 'know' all this stuff

OnlyANinja · 13/02/2012 09:31

:o at "shall I with draw that for you, madam?"

JustHecate · 13/02/2012 09:12

ooer, I thought that quote seemed familiar.

Obviously I agree with you, OP Grin

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