Can we sort something out once and for all?

[Nextphonewontbesamsung]

You are never being unreasonable to ask a question about more or less anything at all on the fountain of all knowledge that is Mumsnet. Mumsnet usually has an answer for everything, it is an amazing resource and the archive is gargantuan. So when you say "Am I being unreasonable to ask about ..." the answer is always going to be Yanbu, feel free to ask.

The AIBU topic is for those times when something has happened, or something is happening, or something is about to happen that you have an opinion on and you're not sure if your opinion is reasonable or not. It has a sort of check yourself function - you are gathering opinions and trying to work out if you are being unreasonable.

It isn't a place to ask "what are you reading?" or "how big was your second baby compared to your first?" or "can I ask for advice on [insert topic here]. You can ask those questions in Chat or the relevant topic (Adult Fiction, for example).

AIBU is not the only place on Mumsnet!

It makes the site look a bit silly to outsiders, imo. Also, AIBU for some reason has a reputation where it's alright to post with no holds barred. So perfectly reasonable conversations and topics can become a right old bunfight just because people have become used to dropping in their fuck witted so-called "straight talking" points and excusing them with "well this is AIBU after all".

A quick glance at the AIBU list of conversations just now shows at least 10% of them, maybe more, don't belong in the topic. There is an entire topic on low carbing, for example, with hundreds of threads in there.

AIBU to think the site would be massively improved if people put just a little more thought into what they are actually asking and where they are asking it?

Maybe.

But AIBU is easily the busiest section of MN. So people use it to get as many eyes on their question/thread as possible.

Yes, it's rather Catch22 though don't you think?

Why have topics at all?

YABU
I only ever look at AIBU and like the variety of posts, otherwise it would only ever be about parking, MILs, wedding and CFs who want you to pick their kids up. If it didn't have the other stuff then I don't think there'd be as many people looking at AIBU to answer those questions IYSWIM. I like it as it is - it's just evolved into a catch-all for quick advice - sometimes very serious and sometimes funny but I think it's a good mix.

It isn't a place to ask "what are you reading?" or "how big was your second baby compared to your first?" or "can I ask for advice on [insert topic here]. You can ask those questions in Chat or the relevant topic (Adult Fiction, for example).

Well, this has tested the new voting buttons quite nicely, I think. As I post, most seem to disagree.

I wonder, OP, whether you are now going to do the traditional list of reasons why everyone else is wrong?

But AIBU is easily the busiest section of MN. So people use it to get as many eyes on their question/thread as possible.

This could be solved by having a better algorithm for the active threads box. Perhaps replace it or add to it with a “newly posted” list.

YANBU. MNHQ need to sort out the boards rather than wasting time on crap like the vote button.

E.G. when they were considering merging the Teenagers board, I rather helpfully reported several threads in AIBU and suggested they be moved to Teens. MNHQ replied saying they usually only move threads when the OP requests they do. Now that will come as a surprise to anyone who's tried starting a Brexit related AIBU, but it also shows how unwilling MN are to actually makes this site better. They just can't be bothered so people will keep posting in AIBU for traffic.

@donquixtoe of La Mancha (or whichever other Spanish autonomous community you care to mention) I wonder, OP, whether you are now going to do the traditional list of reasons why everyone else is wrong

The OP may be right or wrong (I think they’re right, but that’s just my opinion) However, what you say is a bit off, don’t you think. You really do seem quite negative.

And, just for info, the “voting” is now 2:1 in favour of the OP not being unreasonable. Ain’t it just amazing how things can change?

I posted a question entitled "AIBU to ask if you would buy a house next to []" yesterday and clearly I was BU to ask as Mumsnet deleted the thread!

So yes, YABU.

Are you the internet police?

This MN voting thing is tiresome.

However, what you say is a bit off, don’t you think. You really do seem quite negative

Why? I think it's a nice question to illustrate the voting system and an OP then arguing with a majority view (no longer, as you say) is something of a trope, hence the lighthearted question.

How is that negative?

YABU

Because according to own post you've used the AIBU forum in a way that doesn't meet your own criteria. You should have put it in chat or site stuff.

Mumsnet is only still standing because of AIBU. Why would they dilute it?

@NCB2019 - obviously I have put it in AIBU so that the people who only read AIBU will see it.

(Adult Fiction, for example)

Genuinely thought AIBU was adult fiction, considering the amount of made up tripe that’s posted, yet others continue to indulge in like it’s their personal soap opera.

There is a lot posted here that could be on Chat or elsewhere, but it’s only going to get worse since this bloody gimmicky Vite button has been added, so there we go.

YANBU

In any other forum posts would be moved around for not being relevant. I don't like it when I see people saying "this isn't relevant but posting for traffic". It makes this section just a general chat, when there's already a section for that.

Vote not vite

I haven't got a "traditional list of reasons as to why everyone might be wrong" don't worry.

I think there should be a survey that will tell HQ whether their users actually would prefer the site to be tidied up (threads moved to appropriate topics etc) but HQ seem very reluctant to investigate that or even address the issue at all. Hence my little thread! .

@donquixotedelamancha Why? I think it's a nice question to illustrate the voting system and an OP then arguing with a majority view (no longer, as you say) is something of a trope, hence the lighthearted question.

You’re probably right. I’m having a shit day. I hope the weather’s good in Extremadura.

Mumsnet has farrr too many boards. I've seen this happen on other boards. When sections become too specific, they get less traffic, which means they die a death.

If you're reading this MNHQ I suggest 5 boards:

Parenting
Education
Relationships
General Chat
AIBU

Any more specific than that and you start losing people. I would never dream of visiting a half-dead board about politics, but if somebody brings up Bojo on here or chat I'll gladly add my 2c!

The thing is, there are just so many boards. You can't even see them all on one page. I just counted 28 different sections, and then each of those might have 10 or 12 sub-sections. I'm not counting properly, but that's several hundred boards. You could spend 15 minutes or more searching around to see if there is a board for whatever it you want to post about. Or you can just post it in AIBU, or chat, where anything goes.

I really think some board consolidation would help a lot as the more specialised a board is, the fewer people visit it. With fewer boards, they would all be used more, I'm sure.

Snap @Rowennaravenclaw :)

Shouldn't this be in Chat

There are so many times when I want to reply to posts pointing this out, but I hold my tongue because it won't do any good. YANBU, "posting for traffic" wouldn't be necessary if we all used the other boards properly.

@Trillis They should just let us take over

Agree with there being far too many boards. I tend to view MN on either my laptop or tablet, so filter by "Last 15 Minutes" so that I'm seeing a wide variety of topics but only the most recent threads that have been added/posted on.