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AIBU?

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Original poster

WTF has happened to Mumsnet?

267 replies

Humblebottomous · 29/10/2023 08:45

First we had troll posts, then massive influx of posters from the US (frankly I found it annoying negotiating the different reference points) and now all these ridiculous AI threads which seem to consist of long winded posts about non-problems.

I’ve been on and off MN for years but does anyone else feel it really has had it’s day.

OP posts:
AllProperTeaIsTheft · 29/10/2023 08:58

Well I'm pretty sure the vast, vast majority of the gazillions of posters are real people, and Americans are definitely allowed on a public forum, so... no. Not sure what you mean about negotiating the different reference points of Americans tbh. Plenty of MNers do get weirdly passive-aggressively inquisitive about anyone who dares use something that might be an Americanism though, so you're not alone.

IvorTheEngineDriver · 29/10/2023 08:59

It's nowhere near as light-hearted as it was when I first joined in 2014.

KezzaMucklowe · 29/10/2023 09:00
Hmm
Theimpossiblegirl · 29/10/2023 09:01

I've been on Mumsnet years too and it's definitely not the same. I take a lot of the content with a large pinch of salt and don't start threads because of the pile ons.

I'm still rubbish at spotting trolls and AI though.

fluffypotatoes · 29/10/2023 09:01

What's wrong with Americans?

Mothership4two · 29/10/2023 09:01

IvorTheEngineDriver · 29/10/2023 08:59

It's nowhere near as light-hearted as it was when I first joined in 2014.

Agree. It used to be full of humour and jokes.

FlorenceBoot · 29/10/2023 09:02

Americans are most welcome!

I scroll through Active Convos and struggle to find anything of interest.

Lots of bots.

Irritated by the "Me (f32) and partner (m35)" posts - get back to Reddit!

FlorenceBoot · 29/10/2023 09:04

Very long OPs. Lots and lots of irrelevant detail in the OP - opposite of drip feeding.

FlemishHorse · 29/10/2023 09:04

You’re not wrong about the AI written scenarios started by “name changed for this” though. I can’t imagine what satisfaction the OPs get from it. Is there an undercover league table of most threads started/most responses?

Londiniumrocks · 29/10/2023 09:05

What would be the point of using bots???

YankeeDad · 29/10/2023 09:07

yeah, what's wrong with Americans?

[dons helmet and body armour. But no gun, because I am not that kind of American.]

Squirrelsnut · 29/10/2023 09:11

It is different, yes. I started here in 2007 and used to literally cry with laughter (if not spitting out my tea) at some threads. It was more joyful and less savage.
But maybe that's a reflection of the world..

Iheartpizza · 29/10/2023 09:11

IvorTheEngineDriver · 29/10/2023 08:59

It's nowhere near as light-hearted as it was when I first joined in 2014.

Agreed. There are some VERY uptight people on here, just waiting to take offence at every little thing.

PermanentTemporary · 29/10/2023 09:15

It's different but I still enjoy being on here and start threads, usually with 1 or 2 answers not pileons... these days more likely in Elderly Parents or What we're reading, fewer pileons there.

Agreed that it used to be funnier and I don't like the Reddit phraseology. But whatever. It's still pretty UK focused to me.

WASZPy · 29/10/2023 09:17

In terms of parenting, it seems to have become a special needs board. Every post that is actually about parenting seems to start 'DC is autistic/ has ADHD'. If the post doesn't start like that, all the following posts will suggest that must be the case.

Nitgel · 29/10/2023 09:19

Of course it's not the same, it evolves like everything. Think it's still fun and helpful.

daisychain01 · 29/10/2023 09:19

Londiniumrocks · 29/10/2023 09:05

What would be the point of using bots???

For the traffic and the clix

blotchyredanditichy · 29/10/2023 09:19

How do you spot AI or a bot? Really interested to know

AsWrittenBy · 29/10/2023 09:21

Christ not this again

This comes up so often "it's not like it used to be"

MorvernBlack · 29/10/2023 09:22

Mothership4two · 29/10/2023 09:01

Agree. It used to be full of humour and jokes.

Show quote history

It used to flip from rib achingly funny to tragic in the space of a couple of threads on Chat.
I used to read threads to DH and couldn't get my words out as I was laughing too much.
But on the other side of the coin, people laid their souls down too, particularly remember one lady losing her daughter to cancer, her posts were absolutely heartbreaking.

I do wonder if there are too many subgroups now, so Chat doesn't have the variety. But I don't know where the funny posts have gone.

BubziOwl · 29/10/2023 09:22

YankeeDad · 29/10/2023 09:07

yeah, what's wrong with Americans?

[dons helmet and body armour. But no gun, because I am not that kind of American.]

There's nothing wrong with Americans. But when most of the big/popular English-speaking forums are a primarily made up of Americans, it's nice to have a space like mumsnet primarily made up of other British women who have a similar sense of humour, mannerisms, and points of reference.

donquixotedelamancha · 29/10/2023 09:23

fluffypotatoes · 29/10/2023 09:01

What's wrong with Americans?

Their chocolate is awful.

EightOfHearts · 29/10/2023 09:23

daisychain01 · 29/10/2023 09:19

For the traffic and the clix

Show quote history

I don't understand the AI thing either? Why do people want traffic and clicks? Who is it that's using the AI?

I also don't get how people can tell when it's a troll? There was a thread I was really enjoying and it got removed, I was clueless.

MorvernBlack · 29/10/2023 09:24

AsWrittenBy · 29/10/2023 09:21

Christ not this again

This comes up so often "it's not like it used to be"

"It were all green fields, when I were a lass"

Tbf, it has definitely changed, somethings for the better, some not. I don't miss the royalty and in jokes.

theduchessofspork · 29/10/2023 09:24

Mumsnet, Glastonbury, Pubs… nothing is the same..