Why so much hate on MN?

I reserve my empathy for those who deserve it.

Maybe start with a bit less hate, as that is what the thread is about.

You might think you know these people's full circumstances but you almost definitely don't have the full picture. PIP is very difficult to get and I simply do not believe you that you know four people who are faking disability. You're just choosing to assume that to suit your narrative. (And before you start assuming I must be on benefits myself, I'm not - I'm very fortunately still able to work, for now, albeit I have various chronic conditions I need to accommodate. But unlike some people I'm actually capable of empathising with those who need extra help in life, especially as I'm likely to need it myself one day.)

And you can call me dramatic if you like, I don't give a shit. What I actually am is angry. Not with any one specific poster, but with the utter ignorance and selfishness so many people display on these threads.

My impression is that MN is better than most sites (why I'm here and not there). That might be because groups of women are more socially adept, choose words more judiciously, and are on the whole are more polite. Having praised those qualities, I'm the first to admit I don't always live up to those high standards.

But it seems the character of the site is changed for the worse. Rather than add to the negativity I want to hope. I hope we can continue in our discussions to politely ask for evidence, and carefully dissect arguments with Socratic questioning. Not take things too personally. Politics on the internet seems very polarized into extremes, because the algorithms reward disagreement. It's assumed a person's opinion on one subject determines their position on everything else. People are not like that in real life. We like individuals songs but not necessarily whole albums.

But then there's a devil in me that enjoys a good stir, and watching an argument kick off.

I enjoy other peoples opinions and perspectives which make me delve deeper into questioning in ways I've not thought of before. Part of them becomes part of me. Isn't that the essence of being social?

As I get older I try to challenge myself with the question, "When did you last change your mind?" I still have my biases but I hope I can still be open-minded enough to be swayed even a little bit, or at least to be able to think from different points of view. I'm trying to doubt more. "The fundamental cause of the trouble is that in the modern world the stupid are cocksure while the intelligent are full of doubt." Ha ha "Cocksure", what a funny word.

So, first you inferred I was without empathy, and now I am a hater?

I shall give you a miss, and will continue to post.

I think the childish behaviour is from those who infantilise the welfare system.

'Infantilise the welfare system'? That doesn't even make sense.

No, I didn't infer that. Up to you if you want to interpret it like that.

Sure you did, and you know you did.

Fine, then, if you want adult discourse, maybe you'd like to try acknowledging that you would in fact not want the kinds of struggles in your life that people on PIP have to contend with? Because you can't have it both ways.

The scandal is the utter shite that is talked by people who are clueless about PIP and simply want to spread ableism.

One is son of acquaintance. Just passed driving test, bought 5 year old BMW, now private number plate and when having his latest review she had to hide his savings as he could only keep 6k in savings (think it's 6k)

Yep. As I suspected you know feck all about PIP. There would be no need for your acquaintance (who is seems unusually keen to share her son's financial circumstances with you) to hide savings.

If I was a suspicious type I'd conclude you are telling porkies.

Interesting isn't it that any thread like this descends into 'groups of people we hate'. QED.

An omnicause of hate?

You know we can see your edits ☺️

Could I politely suggest that you go and look up the word "infantilise" in a dictionary so that you understand how to use it appropriately next time?

Yes make sure you do continue to post, like I intend to. There are false claims in benefits and Labour rewards the work shy. My sister lives next door to one who has had to be reported for harassment. Its pie in the sky to believe fake PIP claims aren't successful.

Is that the benefit David Cameron claimed?

It's also pie in the sky to think that PIP gets handed out like sweets.

Or that Labour rewards the work shy.

Feel free to try and live on benefits.

I don't think anyone said that there aren't fake PIP claims. There are, but not on the scale some suggest. It is odd though how the fakers are always boasters 🤔

Did the Tories reward the work shy?

Definitely.

they just prove over and over again that they know absolutely fuck all about it

Yeah, it's absolutely living the life of Riley on pip isn't it.

if anyone wants my Pip, they're welcome to it as long as they take my disability with it!!

I give anything to go back to my life before my disability and working long hours etc not claiming a penny, but there doesn't seem to be a turn back option and I seem to be stuck with this disability that is incredibly limiting in all aspects of life,