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Original poster

For a slight shift in tone....

37 replies

Connebert · 03/11/2018 06:36

Dear MNHQ

Would it be possible to do an experiment and deactivate AIBU (and possibly Relationships), just for a couple of days? Often, once you hide these topics, there isn‘t much left, and the effect they give is an overall negative atmosphere. (I don‘t mean the threads in Relationships which constructively help in difficult situations, obviously).

I wonder if things would be discussed in a different tone if the starting point were different, and possibly a wider range of topics would be used, too. You influence and attract such a lot of members and it would be really interesting to see if the focus could shift a little bit to bring out the best in people.

OP posts:
FlibbertyGiblets · 03/11/2018 08:13

You can be the change .

Hiding topics is brill, have a go.

witchmountain · 03/11/2018 08:07

Windyjust hide it. It’s lovely without it. All sorts of things will spring into view. Also, have a comb through the topics list - thoroughly because the organisation is quite higgledy-piggledy having evolved over time.

It really depends on what you’re interested in!

Windycindy · 03/11/2018 07:57

This is an interesting idea. Which other boards do you recommend to an AIBU-addict?

FuckYouChrisAndThatHorse · 03/11/2018 07:26

There was a time before AIBU. Back then what happened was you got people asking AIBU elsewhere, and the responses being equally robust.

AIBU contained it to one section. So people could be aware that asking something there would get blunted replies than elsewhere.

Relationships is a lifeline and must never go anywhere.

Original poster
Connebert · 03/11/2018 07:21

Very much, actually, and a lot has helped over the years, I have to say.

OP posts:
Original poster
Connebert · 03/11/2018 07:18

That‘s a very philosophical way of looking at it, witchmountain. I still can‘t help thinking that people are actually enticed to show their worst sides by such topics, though, and that unpleasantness, Schadenfreude, etc. are actively promoted. And that that could be changed. I like all sorts of boards, otherwise.

OP posts:
witchmountain · 03/11/2018 07:12

Think about it like football. There’s an artificial contest between two sides. Posters, like fans, pile in to support one side or the other, repeating the same points and winding themselves and each other up. You don’t ban football because the fans say nasty things to each other.

Surely the great thing about Mumsnet is that you see all of human nature on here? You can’t just erase the bits you don’t like! What’s to say that AIBU isn’t contributing to the common good, just because you (and I) don’t like it? And why should people always have to have the best brought out of them?

Which boards do you like?

Original poster
Connebert · 03/11/2018 06:59

Spose so, witchmountain. I can‘t help thinking it encourages far too much, though.

OP posts:
witchmountain · 03/11/2018 06:57

It’s self selecting. If you hide AIBU you can change the tone yourself. Not sure what you mean by there not being a lot left. I almost never look at AIBU and spend very little time in Relationships and I find plenty!

I’m assuming AIBU sprung up originally because people posted lots of things of that nature and it became a natural way to organise them. I’m happy to have that in one place where I can avoid it. People wouldn’t stop posting like that, it’s an aspect of human nature, they would just clog up the other boards.

Original poster
Connebert · 03/11/2018 06:52

Maybe they are successful enough now to be able to afford to risk an adjustment or two for the common good Wink

OP posts:
Original poster
Connebert · 03/11/2018 06:46

Oh, I didn‘t think of it from the point of view of revenue, doh!

OP posts:
TeddyIsaHe · 03/11/2018 06:45

Why would MNHQ shut down the 2 boards that probably bring in the most revenue? Bonkers idea!