WTF has happened to Mumsnet?

[Humblebottomous]

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.

I prefer it now too. People are more to the point these days instead of trying to be hilarious amongst each other. I found the vibe quite nasty about 8 or 9 years ago. But now I think there are quite a few more level headed people willing to help others.

An example of this is on the stepparenting threads. The posts are definitely more balanced these days, rather than a thread full of women taking the piss and/or being downright nasty. There’s definitely been a push back by sensible supportive posters in the past 2 or 3 years who weren’t there before.

I don't read that topic but I agree with you. It's not as combative as it was -- AIBU excepted

Hersheys! 🤢🤢

Yes! It’s the same old thing over and over and over….‘should I complain about this teacher/GP/Midwife/HV/police officer/bus driver….’ etc. So many people wanting to report everybody! Wondering if they’ve been offended….honestly, I’m here out of habit!

I've been on MN (had a couple of accounts which I deleted and then came back) for a couple of years so I don't have anything to compare it too but watching from afar, the pile ons are pretty horrendous. You could start a thread to say your husband has left you and a load of people will start abusing you for having not left him first.

Having once been the subject of a pile on for posting a honest question, it's incredibly upsetting when it happens. I can only assume there's some posters who take a secret joy in kicking people when they're down.

How is it small minded to remark on your differing cultures and values?

I don't see any substantial difference between Americans and the British anymore, apart from Americans being friendlier to strangers, having more interesting home décor and being (generally speaking) better conversationalists.

Its small minded to think that the differing cultures and differences produce a ranking from better to worse. It is small minded to think that “the way of my people” is magically always best. Its also a bit problematic on the internet and in a multicultural world to assume that the majority of posters, even if they are from the UK, are just like some idealized white/some class/christian/Englishwoman (that is the previous poster’s little England reference). Lots of non English, non white, non Christian people read and post on mumsnet and consider themselves British, at least, if they are not necessarily permitted to think themselves English.

You may not be many people do. It is not about being Superior, it is about understanding that it is ok for someone to have those references to begin with. There is no scale but there is a difference and that should be tolerated like it is the other way around.

The creators of the AI, for training.

That's your take on it though. English people are just that born in England. I thought the reference points someone referred to are pretty country based, hence it not being wrong to point out that the Americans have different reference points and different values and that's not pointing out a hierarchy but it is pointing out a difference. I am English and can trace my family back to the fifteenth century on one side, on another I have Scandinavian heritage but I am not going to pretend that isn't my heritage as it offends someone just as I wouldn't others to deny their cultural heritage.

I blame penis beaker. Once that was splashed all over the internet, it brought people who were just looking to troll or start an argument in AIBU. Once people had to start a thread with lighthearted, all downhill from there. Yet here we are, still posting.

When I joined, back when this was all fields, you could have a proper conversation with likeminded people, not much judging and posters listened to all opinions without the need to belittle those who went against the grain.

I voted YABU as I think there's still more wheat than chaff and it's pretty easy to avoid the chaff if you've a mind to.

There does seem to be a lot of posters who are quick to pile on to an OP. Someone upthread mentioned a recent one in which the poster was nearly in an accident and it was just plain nasty.

As for those pesky Americans, I learned in here that they don’t even hang their washing out. Truly shocking! And before the pile on, I am being lightheaded!

Rules, customs, traditions, language, and education are not uniform across the UK either.

They mainly drink coffee, which they make using a wide variety of methods.
But some of them drink tea, which they make using tea bags, boiled water from their kettles, and either a mug or a teapot.

Did you know that many people born and bred in the UK say mom, not mum?

Ah, are you really serious? All my blood is from the British Isles, so who are you, you bloody fifteenth-century Johnny-come-lately, tainted with Viking blood, to be a gatekeeper for Englishness?

Our chocolate is awful too. Or downright extortionate price wise and then still not the same.

Our chocolate is awful too. Or downright extortionate price wise and then still not the same.

Aldi Moser Roth chocolate is great and not expensive! All that Cadbury, Thorntons, Galaxy stuff etc is awful though.

Agree OP.
Definitely more wholly made up threads which are generally overlong and I suspect AI generated.
Many sound like teenagers making it up for fun.
I hate the Reddit 32f business - I stop reading as soon as I see it.

There are more 'obsessed' posters who are obviously posting on loads of sites, be it Meghan haters/lovers, Labour Party interns, Hamas supporters, trans rights activists etc.

What I do miss is the wit that would have me laughing out loud and reading out threads to my husband.

Exactly - they love the good old days when it was all just white, middle class yummy mummies who could honk with laughter at boarding school references and talk about Boden clothes and London house prices… 🙄

How the hell did you arrive at conclusion that I was painting myself as gatekeeper for the English. I only remarked on being English as those that are not English are at lengths to point out the difference in the UK, I don't claim to be Scottish when I don't have a clue. English are not Americans just as Americans wouldn't want to be English, there was a real backlash by the whole world about being Americanised why is Britain any different?

I have been on the site for a very long time and that is a ridiculously lazy stereotype, it has loads of contributors from London, it's inception was in London, which is probably the most multi-cultural city in the country, if anything it was much more frequented by people who sent their children to state school and were left of leaning in lifestyle and politics. It is much, much more conservative now as way more conventional opinions.

This. I remember about ten years ago posts were so funny I couldn’t believe the level of wit and I also used to read it out also to my now x. At one point someone put together the funniest moments and it was the most hilarious thing I ever read.

i was on a thread the other day and there was a glimpse of the old days and one or two posters showed a spark of the sane talent, but still not to the same scale.

even the vitriol is less creative!