To think MN is getting nastier?

[MaggieJoyBlunt]

So far this week we've had giving birth referred to as 'calving' (in the context of women having children while young). Someone loved that one so much they immediately commented on what a great expression it was and repeated it.

We've had someone propose that Prince Phillip should be 'humanely destroyed'. swiftly followed up by a similar suggestion about taking him out to a barn or a shed or some such and shooting him.

We've had a thread about the death of a convicted murdered where several posters queued up to tell us they were, smiling or "laughing gleefully" or simply to post "lol" as a one word comment. (Okay she was a vicious killer and will not be much missed, but really?)

Add to all of that the Budget threads where in the midst of people worrying and calculating the cut to their household budget, other people came to gloat and make helpful observations such as "If you can't afford DC, don't have them."

MN didn't used to be nasty. Vigorous, challenging etc; But not nasty.

What's going on around here?

I couldn't agree more.

I think nastier AND stupider though.

I don't think it's any worse. It's the same minority being bitchy, but they post more often so you notice it more.

Stupider might have something to do with it, yes

It's certainly not very laid back and liberal here.

You'll always get cruel and thoughtless people. They're not difficult to spot or hard to ignore.

I came to Mumsnet five years ago via a link and the venom and nastiness put me off ever coming back. For the past five years I've just written MN off as a bunch of nasty idiots. However i got redirected to a thread that was very funny and have discovered that there is a lot of humour and empathy here. I also like the Mods, they have a sense of humour too.

The popularity of "suck it up" and worse; "suck it up, buttercup" seems indicative to me.

It's a general callousness in the air.

I can't really say on whether or not it's become worse but I do think there is something about online anonymity that brings out the worst in some people.

There's always been nasty bitches on MN. Fortunately they're in the minority but they do drag some threads down. They also, unfortunately, drive away some lovely, interesting, creative and funny posters who just get turned off MN after being personally attacked by one of these unpleasant, humourless harridans.

The problem is that, so often, they know how to keep within the rules and avoid being banned while spreading their jeering, sneering nastiness all over the place.

I also like the Mods, they have a sense of humour too.

This is true. (But don't say 'Mods' )

Gosh I haven't seen any of those threads.

(I've just realised that I don't know why they aren't called Mods )

I don't see that it is any nastier than before.
I have learnt not to seek advice here about children having problems at school for example.....

YY more nasty and more stupid and more bitchy.
And dare I say it, dumbed down a bit too.

Well, some people have 'Tiresome Tabloid-esque Hyperbole' as their only prose style.

Exit I didn't mean this as a TAAT, I meant in general terms, BUT:

The first is about popular kids at school and is in DsOTD.

The Prince P one is still about.

And there were two about the killer's death, one in News, one in Chat.

(Just in case you're interested. But really I mean generally-speaking.)

I've noticed that there's less funny, witty, tongue in cheek threads which I used to really love on here. Probably because so many of them have become derailed by the professionally offended. There was a Grumpy Old Lady thread on here a few weeks ago that was good fun until the PC brigade got at it and ruined it.
I do think it's more humourless than it used to be.

Sorry. What are the Not Called Mods called then? That's what they're called on both other forums I use..

I remember the post about 'calving'. Horrible.

I think I am starting to agree. I have been on here since Jan2010, when DS was newly born. Sometimes the sheer viciousness of things on threads take my breath away and I back away from the thread.

Generally though, MN has been a lifeline for me... seen me through some really tough times.

Sorry. What are the Not Called Mods called then? That's what they're called on both other forums I use..

I know honey It's one of those MN-specific things. It confused me at first. I think you're just supposed to say MNHQ and MNHQers or their names. I seem to remember it's because they don't actively moderate - they respond to reports. I might be wrong about that, though