Dear Haters

[Buttonitboris]

Is it just me or are other Mumsnetters being bombarded with ads, on this site, from the Scottish Government entitled 'Dear Haters' followed by we won't stand for transphobia, race hate crimes etc. I am unreasonable in finding it deeply offensive to be addressed as Dear Hater and do Mumsnet HQ feel it appropriate that users are addressed in this way?

Are these ads appearing elsewhere or is this an attempt by the Scottish Government to shut down debate on this site regarding trans/women's rights?

It doesn't exactly encourage respectful, nuanced public discourse does it, insulting people? It would be nice if politicians could at least pretend to be worthy of our votes.

If you support a government being this childish and unprofessional because you feel it justifies the message, do ask yourself how well name calling and shaming/shunning has worked in the past 15-20 years in getting people to change opinions you find unacceptable? How does it do in the winning hearts and minds stakes? Does it get people enthusiastically doing what you want, or does it make them angrier, more bitter, more entrenched in those views, and disappear underground because the conversation can't be had openly. Hence forecast polls that no longer work because those voters can't be honest about voting intentions? How do you think Brexit happened?

The way around all of this is listening, engagement and debate. Not trying to insult and alienate everyone who has different views and the whole 'you're not my friend, you can't be in my gang and my daddy's bigger than your daddy' five year old playground idiocy. Run a country like bloody grownups, for pete's sake.

Agree it's a juvenile and embarrassing way to communicate policy. Maybe we should all send them an email?

Dear Govvers, haterz and fakerz fuck off, tired of the drama, just me and the kids now, PM me hun.

I think it's overegging it to take this so personally. No one is addressing you (personally) as a hater unless you are one. If the shoe fits and all that.

If you're not, scroll along.

That said, the word 'hater' shouldn't be in any official publication - it's too casual and juvenile, not to mention a buzzword used to incite a reaction. Looks like they succeeded.

The new Hate bill being proposed in Scotland is terrifying.
Just one commentator opposing it. www.heraldscotland.com/news/18834930.humza-yousafs-hate-crime-home-bill-deranged---opinon-kevin-mckenna/?ref=twtrec

These adverts were on giant billboards last year and I used to drive past one and I found it incredibly offensive.

I don't know about overegging, but if op feels personally targeted by this ridiculous and undignified campaign, surely it's yet another example of it not working? Lots of people don't understand how this kind of communication works and if they are getting stuff popping up on their phones that looks like the government calling them names in a personal way (and it is personal form of address) then they're going to feel suspicious and got at.

No one is addressing you (personally) as a hater unless you are one. If the shoe fits and all that

And there. That's it. That's exactly what it's successfully manipulated you into doing.

You're saying right there, as it prompts you to do, "are you in our gang? Because if not, shame on you."

That's exactly what's wrong with it. And that's apart from the stupid language like some embarrassing down wiv the kidz attempt.

You can’t blame the ad targeting algorithms but you can blame the Scottish Government for a waste of tax payers money for such a crap advert. “Dear haters” sounds like the office junior has written it!

And the whole what the actual fuck is a 'hater' anyway, and shouldn't you actually check on that, because in one of those cases it means 'women standing up for women's rights' and they have one hell of a lot of a point.

But do you wanna be in my gang where the cool kids are? who want to rape and kerb stomp women who say women should have rights?

if they are getting stuff popping up on their phones that looks like the government calling them names in a personal way (and it is personal form of address) then they're going to feel suspicious and got at
Stop being silly. If people think the government is sending them personal messages via their computer and phones then they need to see their doctor. That is not a healthy response to an advert.
There are lots of valid criticisms of the campaign and the proposed law. The Kevin McKenna article linked above is a good example. But pretending OP genuinely thought they were being personally targeted is disingenuous nonsense. It's as insulting as the advert and the proposed bill.

I guess the advertisement is working perfectly as intended if it's causing this much of a stir amongst people, it's controversial on purpose and you've fallen into the trap, now you're doing free advertising for them through word of mouth, I've never seen that ad but thanks to you and this thread now I know about it.

I don't know the op but I was thinking more of people like my old ma, who at 78 doesn't understand a lot of what her phone gets up to. I've had to talk her down a few times before and am not pleased at the thought of the actual government taking part in crap like this.

Have they done another one aimed at men who make misogynistic statements, catcall, rape and abuse women, including domestically (and financially as well as physically)?

All I'm getting is multiple adverts for Dunelm Mill, I must have a really boring search history

I guess the advertisement is working perfectly as intended

That it implies the Scots govt act like a bunch of juvenile bullies and silly words like 'haters', name calling and dismissing is a fast way for cowards to cover up real and serious social issues that should be faced and addressed?

Really not convinced they intended that. Seems a bit masochistic.

I got ads from a company with a promo video about closing the toilet seat yesterday. I don't know why. Apparently 50 pc of people don't close the toilet seat when they flush and every surface in the bathroom is covered with tiny droplets from the toilet every time.

@YetAnotherSpartacus

Have they done another one aimed at men who make misogynistic statements, catcall, rape and abuse women, including domestically (and financially as well as physically)?

I'm guessing ...no

If you're not, scroll along.

But if the point in it to encourage those who've been victims to come forward, how will something that one is meant to 'scroll along' after that bit if it doesn't apply to them help anything? I'd think a more 'We'll stand with you' type of vibe would be better.

It doesn't seem well thought through and I'd be interested to see if they've collected any data on its effectiveness yet.

@Babdoc

This is the same SNP who have just appointed a biological male as Women’s Officer. A transgender biological male who ran a rape crisis centre, dealing with traumatised women who wanted a female only service, and who then boasted about trying to make it “fun” for them. Any woman who still votes SNP needs her head examined.

This. Oh but if you think this is wrong then you are a “hater”...

@YetAnotherSpartacus

Have they done another one aimed at men who make misogynistic statements, catcall, rape and abuse women, including domestically (and financially as well as physically)?

AHahahahahahahaah - don't be funny, none of this is aimed at men of any type - it's all aimed at getting women to sit down, shut up and move over, and allow anyone who wants to take over their spaces, awards, safety, healthcare, prizes, scholarships, recognitions, jobs - did I miss anything?

I'm not transphobic - but I am strongly opposed to self-ID and "TW are women" because it is too easy for abusive and predatory men to take advantage of this. I believe that women and children, and their spaces, need to be protected, and that statistics for crimes etc need to be reported by biological sex, not by gender identity - and have been vocal about this.

I don't get this type of ad. But if you do, I agree that it is inappropriate. "Dear Haters" is a disgusting way to address someone.

I don't see the ad on MN, but it's running on local radio in Scotland just now. Don't take it personally!

What next - dear poo poo breath? You are ruining my life? All the other kids have a PS5?

😂