What’s the rules around asking questions in site stuff.

So if I sign up, post a few comments on a few threads then launch a woe is me story completely made up I can be considered as genuine because I have a posting history and Can't be questioned as to whether I'm genuine because I seem legit?

As mn don't have the time to trawl threads and work it out if people are pointing this out on reports for them and they aren't going to listen because the poster has a good history then they may as well remove the reporting feature all together.

Can I just add that I know @MNHQ tread a fine line and don’t want to make errors but when things are super glaringly obvious, what more is there?

The posts on that thread evidenced that the vast majority of responders knew the truth, yet apparently this was ignored. There was a lot of discussion over a certain scenario with a parent pretending their child had cancer. Posters were pointing out the bullshit, yet MNHQ dragged their heels. I wonder if a parent who is in that real situation would feel put off seeking support or if posters would be reticent to offer support based on the damage caused by grief trolls.

Some people join MN as brand new posters just to be grief trolls or money grabbers. Yes, MN is often known for being a nest of vipers but it is also known for giving a lot of support to people in heartbreaking situations, both in terms of practicalities and financially. People do join as new posters just to abuse the kindness and generosity of MNers. Just because they’re brand new or they’re not a PBP, doesn’t mean it’s all kosher.

I’m a regular name changer and I reported that thread and got a brush off reply to one report and my second one was ignored.

When you have presented clear evidence to MNHQ and you know other people have, yet you’re still told there’s “nothing untoward”, I think it is a moderation issue.

People with experience and knowledge have told HQ when certain things are completely implausible, yet they insist they can’t find anything untoward, why can’t it be discussed?

That thread is not the first time people have known someone was lying through their teeth and people got brushed off for ages and eventually, MNHQ admit its a troll.

It does cause harm. It means real and genuine posters who find themselves in tragic situations and need support then get questioned and are denied support. Being told to hide the thread if it upsets you is not the answer.

though just to be clear - we found nothing out of order behind the scenes

Can you talk at all about what kind of things behind the scenes might be considered evidence that all’s not right? (In general terms, of course, wouldn’t expect you to share details of specifics.)

I ask because sometimes it feels as though people are only deleted for being really really really obvious trolls or being PBP, and that’s it. Which makes you wonder if it’s worth reporting for anything else, like eg “is talking about ongoing IVF on one board while saying she’s 30 weeks pregnant on another”? (One I’ve reported in the past, not a current thread.)

I emailed MNHQ once when I thought a thread deletion was wrong. They reinstated the thread.

So, one that didn’t have an accurate deletion message and one that clearly breached guidelines on talking about suicide.
They are different than the recent one. The more ambiguity there is about the veracity of a thread the more likely MNHQ are to dig their heels in and stop TAATs.

If you like.

Threads about particular threads aren’t allowed on Site Stuff.

MNHQ will never allow discussion questioning their decision to allow (or delete) contentious threads. It can be irritating if you feel strongly about an issue or motivations of a poster, but they always try to tidy it all away with no further explanation.

Is the thread this is about still up?

I would agree if the thing that caused offence was done by email or pm, @SoupDragon. As it was done in public with hundreds posting and thousands reading, it might be better out in the open.

I don’t think that is the best thing to do. People have reported their concerns and have been given vague responses.

When discussion is shut down on the site all that happens is that it is pushed elsewhere.

The best thing to do in cases like this is to email MNHQ directly. Then it won’t be deleted.