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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To wonder why some FB friends post such blatant political views without thinking of the impact?

40 replies

PollyPerky · 04/01/2018 10:49

I'm just wondering...
I never post my political views on social media partly because I have a media presence with work, so want to seem neutral, but some FB 'friends' (more acquaintances who are also work colleagues) are happy to slag off one or other political party on FB. I can't decide if they are being blatantly goady or if they are so insensitive they may not realise that a) not everyone agrees and b) you shouldn't ram your political views down other people's throats unless they ask.

OP posts:
SnowannaRainbow · 04/01/2018 10:53

a) Not everyone agrees on politics, that's democracy.

b) It's their FB page they can post what they want and its not ramming it down your throat if you choose to read it, just unfollow them if you don't like their posts.

Sonders · 04/01/2018 10:54

I don't see an issue with anyone sharing political views, as long as they're not misconstruing opinions with facts or spreading misinformation and/or hate.

That said, I also enjoy healthy debate so I might be one of the few who's happy to challenge someone on their thoughts.

Anyway, as is always said on Mumsnet, if you don't like it - unfriend, unfollow or block. It's not a big deal :)

MrsJayy · 04/01/2018 10:54

Tbf it is their facebook and the can post whatever, but the engage brain function seems to fail with some people they are so rigid in opinion that they don't care about impact sadly.

TheQueenOfWands · 04/01/2018 10:55

They're allowed to have an opinion and I don't think FB counts as 'ramming down people's throats' as it can easily be ignored.

I have a friend who posts a lot of political stuff, some I agree with, some I don't. But it makes him who it is. I don't have to read it.

Remove them if you don't want to see it.

ilovesooty · 04/01/2018 10:55

Just unfollow or block if you don't like what they post, or unfriend them if they're actually offensive.

Rebeccaslicker · 04/01/2018 10:56

I love my uncle and he's my only living relative on my DM's side.

But if he posts one more Britain First thing...! I've had to hide his posts Sad

WhooooAmI24601 · 04/01/2018 10:57

a) I think in a civilised society everyone's entitled to have an opinion without it being considered goady

b) posting their own opinions on their own wall isn't "ramming" it anywhere. The unfollow button is your friend if you're really upset by it.

c) it's Facebook; 79% bollocks 14% bullshit 7% wankery

TooDamnSarky · 04/01/2018 10:58

I actually quite like this insight into people's politics. I've been quite surprised by some people's views
I prefer to know who the bigots are :)

Llangollen · 04/01/2018 11:03

They are having the courage of their convictions, why should they hide their beliefs? Everyone is free to use FB as they like. It's probably a bit like MN, whatever you post, someone will disagree and get offended by it, even if you are talking about zoflora.

P1nkSparkles · 04/01/2018 11:06

Actually I'm going to throw a different viewpoint out there & I think it's quite a good thing to have a diverse range of political opinions on your Facebook feed.

I think part of the problem with some of the more radical political things we've seen recently (I.e. Trump and Brexit) have take people by surprise because they have unfollowed all the people whose opinions are different to theirs - so think that everyone broadly agrees with them - because that's what they see. (I've heard terms like filterbubble and echochamber - but happy to be corrected).

I always think it's interesting to see friends viewpoints... and who surprises me. Plus you can't engage in discussion if you don't know what is being said.

WorraLiberty · 04/01/2018 11:08

Do you only express views that everyone agrees with OP? Confused

Original poster
PollyPerky · 04/01/2018 11:13

Do you only express views that everyone agrees with OP?

I think you are missing the point Hmm
I think politics and religion are things that you may choose to discuss with close friends, or family, but I think it's tactless to shout about your views on social media unless you are willing to get into a row.

I don't want to block some people because there is an overlap with work and social friends, and I need the contact for work.

OP posts:
Birdietweet · 04/01/2018 11:16

No think it’s very healthy debate. How can fb posts construe ranking down your throat.

I hate this ‘I only mix with people who I agree with politicslly’ How fucking boring

Birdietweet · 04/01/2018 11:17

Well if you can’t debste things unless you row you need a head wobble

WorraLiberty · 04/01/2018 11:17

I think it's boring but I disagree that it's tactless.

Scrolling by is such a simple thing to do.

Oblomov18 · 04/01/2018 11:20

I disagree. Your political views and religious views make up who you are. FB is about who you 'are'. Why would you not post? You post every other aspect of your personality: where you eat, what holiday you go in etc.

My friends have varying views, Labour or conservative, some don't believe in God, One runs catholic holy communion classes.
And this affects me? How?

sinceyouask · 04/01/2018 11:22

They probably think some things are more important than maintaining a "neutral" Facebook presence.
I find it odd that you feel people are tactless or shoving things down your throat for discussing politics or religion or anything else. Maybe social media isn't for you?

MrsJayy · 04/01/2018 11:23

Yes scrolling by is easy even an eyeroll and tut as you go,I don't take facebook that serious and i certainly wouldn't debate or argue with anybody on it.

Seeline · 04/01/2018 11:26

Don't these friends express the same views when you see them face to face? Surely you know what views your friends hold? On FB you can just ignore, in real life surely you have to engage?
I think it is good to see others views - it can challenge your own way of thinking and educate. You don't have to agree.

Llangollen · 04/01/2018 11:26

Why on earth should someone be ashamed or hide their religion? (or political belief).

UrgentScurryfunge · 04/01/2018 11:30

How views are expressed makes a difference. I see plenty of posts that don't align with my voting patterns and I think being exposed to a range of opinion is important. I don't want to hide or defriend people just because of what we decide in a polling booth. What I don't like is when the writing style is critical of people who don't vote the same way as them, particularly as party politics presents representatives as a package that may not be entirely to a voter's agreement. A reasoned criticism of political policy is fair game.

RestingGrinchFace · 04/01/2018 11:31

Well in a nice, liberal society there are no consequences for having a political opinion so I don't see why they shouldn't post whatever they like but then again I am not arrogant enough to think that people can be measured in worth by their political views. Some of the best scientists out there are practically communists. Do I agree with their political views? Of course not, I know better. But does their belief have a 'consequence'? Am I less likely to be their friend or hire them or to respect their professional opinion? No-again, I know better. Arguably, if Brits were more open in discussing politics then the country would be less dysfunctional and British politics less of a race to the intellectual bottom.

glow1984 · 04/01/2018 11:32

I love a good political debate on Facebook

YABU

Aragog · 04/01/2018 11:33

I unfollow any of my FB who post a lot about one topic of that kind of nature. Even if I don't actually disagree with what they say some people do post a lot of political stuff and I'm just not overly interested, so I remove it from my feed, but I can check out other stuff they post easy enough. Anyone who posts anything offensive or the like, they get deleted full stop.

To be fair I also unfollow one or two of the younger FB friends I have. I don't need to be kept up to date on them kissing and smooching with their latest boyfriend.

HermionesRightHook · 04/01/2018 11:33

I love seeing different political views points on my FB.

For one thing, when people post credulous racist bullshit I can immediately unfriend them and tend to stop mixing with them irl too.

For another, and this is my now usual experience, I can learn from their views. Often I learn things like "is closet XXX", "does not practice what they preach", "has limited critical thinking skills", but equally often I read things that make me think or have new issues I haven't considered before brought to my attention.