Why is AIBU the most frequented thread on mumsnet

[noseybugger]

Whenever I read it I feel negative and vow never to come back on AIBU.

I vow to rise aove the negative bitter comments telling myself "I am better than that" and "it is worse than school yard bullying at times".

BUT I just cannot help myself.

Most threads on here are not asking for advice but make statements much like this one.

If everyone minded their own business and didn't worry about who claimed benefit, etc. Some of these threads would not kick off like they do.

The fact that it is the busiest thread on mumsnet surely says something though1!

so what benefits do you claim?

because AIBU is a platform for everyone to express their opinion whereas other topics require a bit more tact liek relationships etc.

cos it's fun

I agree that I don't like the threads that are actually IANBU rather than anything else.

But what I do like about AIBU is that in RL we tend to surround ourselves either with people we tend to share most of our viewpoints with, and who generally don't think we are BU anyway, or with people whose relationship with us (or dislike of conflict) means that they never disagree with you. I have found AIBU confrontational - but sometimes I've learned stuff and been helped to pull my neck in when I needed to.

(mostly lurk though)

I think it's partly self perpetuating too.

Many people (like me) seem to navigate MN via Active Convos. AIBU is in active convos a lot so you get "I know I'm not AIBU but wanted people to see this". AIBU to wonder where I can buy a nice winter coat etc...

Coz we all lurve a good barney.
Knit knit knit ....

Pendant alert!

It's not a thread. It's a topic. A topic has threads within it.

And I think it brilliant.

pendant alert tee?

Oh FFS. I am really tired!

::hangs head in shame::

As the guidelines say, 'it is not a fight club'.

But if it was, we wouldn't talk about it would we.

i so love it when people do that!!

me? no I'd never make a mistake like that, I'm perfect in every way!

Simple answer, it is just about the first one you get to when you go for 'last15mins' and there is generally enough on there to never progress lower!

It's not a thread, it's a collection of threads: a topic or area.

It's active because people love to give their opinion, and AIBU is an opportunity to give your opinion without needing any expertise or knowledge (which you would need in order to give your opinion in Health, for example)

YABU, because you haven't asked an AIBU question.

I've never managed to find Brad Pitt all sweaty with a rubber glove on though

It gives me hours of entertainment!

me either narky. i think he is in disguise.

YABU because you started THIS thread in AIBU!

It's better than the telly.

Agree with Melezka.

Also, there's not many sites out there where you can post in a direct, honest and argumentative way without either being banned or deluged with obscene abuse from other members (yeah, I know the latter does happen occasionally here but not actually that often). I appreciate the freedom of expression allowed on MN and on AIBU in particular.

There's several other parenting sites out there where most of the posts are woolly nonsense and everyone pounces on you and calls you insensitive etc.. if you point out that something is incorrect or illogical.

Lots of non-parenting sites are similar. I used to be a member of a site that was so over-moderated that you weren't allowed to comment on any medical problem unless you were a doctor and had provided the site admins with your credentials! I once had my hand slapped for just posting my personal experience of various forms of contraception in the "women's issues" section... You also weren't allowed to post details of any serious issues around e.g. domestic violence, alcoholism and addiction, abuse, crime, discrimination etc.. Loads of threads were locked and removed with solemn warnings from mods and more and more people vanished. Over the years it just got more and more absurd. I got sick of being treated like an imbecile eventually and haven't been back for years.

There's a bit more reality, useful information and refreshingly different perspectives on here.

Because it's great! The range of topics, the bun fights, the OMG I can't believe someone just posted that, makes me appreciate DH more, and the help, concern and support that is shown - just look at the threads trying to help out the lady in Wales who needs to get formula.

Because it makes me angry and amused in equal measure!

Because it's fun, and when people really are in need they usually get the help they need regardless of where they post.

I do love the threads where people post in AIBU looking for sympathy when they have clearly done something daft, then go all huffy when people don't agree with them. It's quite cathartic to be able to say "oh, get a grip" when in RL you probably think it half a dozen times a day but don't want to offend by saying it out loud.

because everyone needs a good scrap once in a while. And it's the best fun when the OP has obv done summit stupid but comes on again and again to defend his/her position when everyone else is saying YABU