To think that the AIBU topic area doesn't work and should be abandoned?

[Westray]

Seems that every other thread is now started in this area of chat.
I guess it is often does because threads are guaranteed traffic, but it also seems to have become a viper's den, where anything is fair game to rip apart.
Yes many threads should be started in relationships, or infant feeding, or mental health, or finance, but seems that if posted in AIBU then all gloves are off, and people can be as goady or mean as they like.
New or non frequent posters may not realise this and end up getting a whipping.

It also make it far more difficult to find topics I am interested in lately, as everything seems to be posted in AIBU.

Even Mumsnet HQ post in AIBU- their recent ( laudable ) crusade to make sure women in post natal wards are given adequate food and drink for instance.

Is that really an ABIU?

YABU.

I like AIBU but I wish it was moderated better because, as you say, it often becomes a very unpleasant free for all battering fest. It's as though some people get some thrill out of kicking an OP whilst s/he's down, and can be really spiteful. I'd also like posts to be moved to their designated sections rather than AIBU being clogged with issues that would be better addressed elsewhere.

YANBU

"I guess it is often does because threads are guaranteed traffic"

I think that's probably the main reason, because a lot of people use aibu and posting here almost guarantees an answer. I also feel people are sometimes posting for a reaction or argument, or those responding with goady comments are, but then I've learned that's the nature of AIBU.
It also covers a lot of topics in one place so if you're just browsing it can be an interesting read.
To be fair I've seen the MNHQ thread about post natal wards on a few other sections as well, think they probably posted it on here too as it's busy almost 24 hours so they reach more members.
Think maybe it could be a 'vent' board rather than AIBU, it's apparent that some people post a rant, not to find out if they're being U, but to vent, and are further annoyed at being told they're being U, became they just wanted to vent and maybe have a row/feel superior because we're all human.
Maybe it could be changed to the vent board and if you have a genuine AIBU then you put that in the title?

@amicissimma agreed!

Yanbu.

I have been saying the same for years.

It's as though some people get some thrill out of kicking an OP whilst s/he's down, and can be really spiteful.

Absolutely agree, it gets very personal for no apparent reason. I've noticed it often turns childish/bullying. I guess some people get a kick out of flaming randomers on the internet, because they're anonymous.

MN is a business that makes money from advertising. Revenue is generated by the amount of traffic. AIBU creates a lot of traffic.

QED.

I think it would be good to move some stuff over to chat. What's with all the people asking where they should go on holiday?

I think the harsh responses are sometimes part of the charm though. I mean, if an OP is really sad and unhappy then people should be nicer, but it can be quite funny when someone is truly unreasonable and they're put in their place.

amicissimma you are so so right!!

I bloody love AIBU and the high volume of traffic is part of the reason. I make a cup of tea and pull up a chair. It's like the problem page of a magazine on acid. I also disagree that it's that viperish - a bit snippy at times but when things actually get nasty there's instantly more people along to take the snipers to task. I like the fact that MNHQ moderates with a light hand and if anything think threads are pulled too readily. So YA largely BU, in my view.

Where I think you have a point is that because AIBU is heavily used for traffic, the topic-specific forums can be a bit sparse, which is a shame if you're trawling through looking for info or opinions on something, or posting in hope of anything approximating a timely response. Which is a bit of a vicious circle.

I love it. Always makes me laugh and I disagree a poster in real need gets a kicking they don't generally they have huge help and support.

Come on a good mil/child parking space/ cat poo thread makes my day.

It has just become the general chat forum - but it's popular, and people get responses. ]

I see so many that start "AIBU to ask ..." I would love it if MN would respond "YANBU to ask a question, YABU to ask it in the wrong forum" and lock the thread

I think AIBU should be renamed to CAN I HAVE UNREASONABLE REPLIES or maybe just KEYBOARD WARRIORS 😂

I think people would still be nasty, they'd just do it elsewhere.

Has anyone really read a nasty comment then thought oh well this is AIBU, so fair enough! I certainly haven't . I think it's just used as an excuse to be horrible.

I love aibu.if a poster is in need of support, generally people are supportive.

I love AIBU so much. Never change.

Some posters never read or post anything other than AIBU. A lot of those bitchplop post just once then move on to the next AIBU thread.

If posters used the right topic they would get fewer replies but better ones.

Someone ages ago suggested renaming AIBU to 'Petty Gripes' which is about right.

Gives a lot of posters the go ahead to be nasty bastards.

There does seem to have been a spate of OPs in AIBU lately where the answer can never be anything other than YABU but the OP is not in the least interested in the replies.

I have not bothered to read your OP or any other posts as I'm far too busy and important for that. I'm just going to lay into you for the tiniest of tiny pieces of information and tell you that you're an awful, terrible, evil person and your whole family probably hate you. Oh and LTB. And cancel the cheque.

Seriously though, I do think AIBU is a bit of a free for all. Maybe because there's always something from here in Active convos whereas for some other topics I have to go looking for them to read threads and there seems to be less knee-jerking.

It also seems totally acceptable to go onto an AIBU thread and proclaim "I don't give a shit about and YABU because you do" or "this doesn't affect my life at all" in a way that you wouldn't do on the dog or cat topics for example.

It does work, there's a lot of traffic and you receive lots of answers. Some other subjects are quite good, property or pregnancy , but in others you don't get any traffic or replies. Now childcare is being split between nurseries/ nannies/ au pairs/ childminders. In most cases, that's too many, so you don't get any answer, vicious circle.

"Chat" Is in the "fun and game" section, which is not ideal either.

Some posters clearly have issues, that must be a shock for some new members I give you that!

Posts along the lines of "AIBU to drink this water that has been out of the tap for longer than 30 seconds" are ridiculous. Just seem like the poster is some kind of nervous wreck who needs complete strangers' validation of every second of their daily activity.

Also posts that blatantly aren't even the end of the sentence that is the section name, e.g. "AIBU... where do I go for good car tyres". Offends my sense of neatness!

And posts that are so obviously, smugly, self-gratifying can do one too, "AIBU to wear clean clothes, other people sneer at me" type rot where the poster is totally just bragging about how sparkly clean and 100% disinfected they are and the other people are basically Mr and Mrs Twit come to life.