To think this website only represents at best 30% of the country.

[morry1000]

This site seems to be representative of a small proportion of society. The views seem to be that if you have not been in higher education you are a failure. The fact that less than 30% of the population have a degree shows how divisive some of the posts on here are.

The way many posters talk down to people less fortunate than them particularly in (Education) this is a game of Top Trumps . The equivalent of someone boasting about living in a 5 bedroom house only that is a Oxbridge Degree on this site . These same people look down and make nasty comments to people who despite having a inferior education have in many cases achieved more than them. On this site on many occasions certain posters use intellectual snobbery to put people down who may have achieved at least equally to them.

OP sorry you've had such a shit time this year, I hope things get easier for you soon.

I only found out that going to a Russell Group university was something to brag about via mumsnet, never noticed working in retail being seen as a bad thing though, that's odd.

It's weird that some people still say handicapped.. I had a work colleague refer to my son like that. I let it go as he was old and felt obviously uncomfortable trying to find the 'right' words. On here though it's pretty obvious quite quickly that it's not he done word.

The post about confirmation bias was interesting. I once read a thread where there were more people asking "why is the OP being given a hard time" than posts actually giving the OP a hard time
Sometimes you only see the posts that support what you already thought. Especially if you have a tendency towards self-depricating (sp?). When I first found MN, with a bundle of screaming newborn on my boob, I thought it was full of pro-formula, anti young-mum snobbish types but looking back I wasn't reading objectively. I was only seeing the posts that validated the negative feeling I had towards myself.

I hope 2014 is a much better year for you OP

I think that giant chip on your shoulder is blocking your view of the pages.

Actually the only thing that pisses me off is the way it is unacceptable to express (or hold) an opinion on certain subjects that is different from the majority of posters without being accused of being a troll - particularly threads about benefits etc.

People may have unpopular views on a number of subjects but you do need flame retardant pants if you dare to express them.

I kind of feel the opposite.

It seems to me that there are a wide range of people on MN but that the dominant group is struggling financially and very rarely think it's acceptable to judge anyone, whoever or whatever they are.

Well I do think most MN are intelligent people and that comes across esp in AIBU or something where we are having a good slanging match an intellectual debate, but I don't think most MNers are snobby enough to think you can only be intelligent and well informed if you have a degree.
But I do agree we are the top 30% and also the funniest