Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Only the apps you allow.

Meet the Other Phone.
Only the apps you allow.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

See all MNHQ comments on this thread

Original poster

To think MN is getting nastier?

970 replies

MaggieJoyBlunt · 17/07/2015 15:15

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?

OP posts:
Thread gallery
6
countryandchickens · 17/07/2015 15:30

Hate to say it but I have noticed it go downhill since the prominence of a certain group of posters (who will of course go unnamed.)

I enjoyed the debate and discussion around the election - there was a lot of bile but also interesting posts on both sides.

At the moment, there's a combination of posters making every thread about them and people encouraging said posters to make every thread about them and that gets tiresome.

Original poster
MaggieJoyBlunt · 17/07/2015 15:31

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

Yes, still great, just more nastiness added in.

OP posts:
DownAtFraggleRock · 17/07/2015 15:31

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.

This. With bells on. Sad

Toooldtobearsed · 17/07/2015 15:32

It can turn nasty, mainly due to stupidity and hypocrisy.

I, personally hate the one liners that sneer at the OP. Either respond, or ignore.

There also seems to be a pack mentality, one starts and the baying mob join in.

We still keep coming back for more though, don't we?

GraysAnalogy · 17/07/2015 15:32

Mumsnet is just a representation of society. You can't expect it to be all sunshine and roses.

LovelyFriend · 17/07/2015 15:32

though I am still here :)

I thought it turned a bit after penis beaker

MissJoMarch · 17/07/2015 15:32

I think Mumsnet is just mirroring a wider social behavioural change. I read stories about people trying to photograph victims (tube suicides, RTC's), school children who are victims of on line harassment & bullying, we see pictures of ISIL murders, Twitter trolling that hurts it's victims and it goes on and on.

It seems to me that we think that when we view or comment on life behind the comfort of our smart phones we loose our conscious, humanity and morals. I don't like it.

I do think mumsnet has become a nastier place in the 6 years I've been on it.

Blayden · 17/07/2015 15:33

It is nasty at the moment but I've been here 7 years and I don't remember it otherwise. I'm a bit fed up of people saying it used to be better. It didn't. People just have rose tinted glasses. There have always been complete arseholes on AIBU, although it's extending to chat too which is unpleasant.

I do get a bit Hmm at forum crusaders pretending attempting to 'defend' the OP when all they want to do is slag off other posters because they have an axe to grind.

CruCru · 17/07/2015 15:34

There's a lot of inverse snobbery on here. It's weird.

Daisywellies · 17/07/2015 15:34

"At the moment, there's a combination of posters making every thread about them and people encouraging said posters to make every thread about them and that gets tiresome."

Couldn't agree more. There's one particular poster and my heart sinks when I see her name appearing on a thread. Because I know the whole thread will be turned around to discuss a particular issue in her life, and anyone who dares to upset or annoy her will be accused of starting bunfights and threatened with being reported etc etc. It's tiresome and boring.

FruChristerOla · 17/07/2015 15:35

honeyroar, we are self-moderating and may report anything that seems dodgy. A MNHQer will then probably come onto a thread to give a measured, MNHQ response - or delete the thread, as appropriate. They aren't 'mods' as such.

Over the years that I've been here, I've seen many up-&-downs. But I'm struggling to 'enjoy' MN this year Sad

FlyingPirate · 17/07/2015 15:35

Agreed, but I remember mumsnet getting worse around this time last year. Could it be due to the heat, or the approaching summer holidays?

LovelyFriend · 17/07/2015 15:35

I think it is because it is growing - I don't know the stats but surely it is getting bigger and bigger.

Therefore inevitably there will be more and more arses posting.

Original poster
MaggieJoyBlunt · 17/07/2015 15:35

Mumsnet is just a representation of society. You can't expect it to be all sunshine and roses.

God, no that would be HORRIBLE. But presumable people are slightly more civil when they are out in society?

I thought it turned a bit after penis beaker

Indeed.

OP posts:
LovelyFriend · 17/07/2015 15:36

FlyingPirate now you mention it I do think there is a seasonal ebb and flow

Original poster
MaggieJoyBlunt · 17/07/2015 15:38

I think Mumsnet is just mirroring a wider social behavioural change. I read stories about people trying to photograph victims (tube suicides, RTC's), school children who are victims of on line harassment & bullying, we see pictures of ISIL murders, Twitter trolling that hurts it's victims and it goes on and on.

It seems to me that we think that when we view or comment on life behind the comfort of our smart phones we loose our conscious, humanity and morals. I don't like it.

You might be on to something there. I hope not but....

Maybe the seasonal pattern theory also has something in it? At least then we can look forward to Autumn.

OP posts:
Original poster
MaggieJoyBlunt · 17/07/2015 15:39

There's a lot of inverse snobbery on here. It's weird.

What do you mean cru?

OP posts:
ilovesooty · 17/07/2015 15:40

I'm actually finding references to the PC brigade and professionally offended pretty tiresome. They're usually wheeled out to stifle any concerns or challenge people want to pose.

Quietlifenotonyournelly · 17/07/2015 15:42

Your always going to get people with black and white views on things unfortunately. It takes more thought to see things from both sides and some people just don't do that. I try see things from not just my point of view but the whole picture, it's just too easy to be mean for some.

Daisywellies · 17/07/2015 15:43

No they're not ilovesooty. They're often used to describe people determined to take offence even when they have to twist and turn people's words to do so. And that is very irritating and tiresome.

SunnyBaudelaire · 17/07/2015 15:44

" I'm actually finding references to the PC brigade and professionally offended pretty tiresome. "

me too ilovesooty - 'the PC brigade' - just wtf? why a 'brigade'?

LovelyFriend · 17/07/2015 15:44

They're often used to describe people determined to take offence even when they have to twist and turn people's words to do so.
agree

FruChristerOla · 17/07/2015 15:44

"But I'm struggling to 'enjoy' MN this year"

I'm not talking about this Summer, or during the school holidays. I noticed it from the beginning of this year-ish. I don't know why, or how, it's happened. I've been a MNer for a good few years now. The previous 'blips' could be overcome. Now ... it's .... umm Confused

Original poster
MaggieJoyBlunt · 17/07/2015 15:45

Your always going to get people with black and white views on things unfortunately.

Yes, well I can live with people being extreme and intransigent, that's absolutely fine.

It's cruelty, crassness and callousness that piss me off.

OP posts:
PeppermintPasty · 17/07/2015 15:45

I think it waxes and wanes tbh. There's a lot of 'stupid' about, but I'm sure that's not new.

I've also noticed more outrage, reminds me of that (alleged) Stephen Fry quote where he complains that more and more people say they are 'offended' these days. His summary was something like 'so fucking what'.

I do miss the funny threads that whip along and get all the witty people involved. The last one of them I remember was over six months ago alas.

Swipe left for the next trending thread