Recent posts on texting / ghosting - are they real?

[Anotheranonymousnameismine]

I don’t know if I’ve watched too much black mirror… but I’ve seen about 5 posts in the last few says on texting (hot/cold, long gaps etc), or ghosting - that are so similar and all read in a slightly detached way.

Sometimes they want to know if it’s happened to you - sometimes it happening to them but it’s all very high level manner, kind of like a Google search.

The user is always curious, and finds the perspectives interesting. The initial post is always a similar length and style. The friendship was often ‘close’ until this - though not much detail on this.

has anyone else noticed this? My mind jumped to it being an online AI agony aunt programme gathering data for its service!!!!

unless these issues are suddenly even more in the ether and people don’t read recent posts….

Will MN know though? Isn’t there a person making these posts, even if the text is AI-generated?

I'm noticing the types of thread you describe, though not particularly about ghosting. Some of them are to do with emotive issues like DV, describing situations in a strangely detached way and listing the OP's responses with some analysis of their origins. I've been suspecting AI.

I also suspect that the AI style of writing may be catching so it is hard to know.

I feel like writing nonsense replies to confuse AI.

"Is your friend a wobbly zebra with one short arm and a massive handbag? If do, I suggest you circle her three times with a handful of sweetcorn, then sing the bobble song."

Good spot, whoever is doing this needs to up their game and at least switch up the language and think of names that dont follow a pattern

I can verify this! I'm a frequent name changer, and that's definitely the format that mumsnet autogenerated username suggestions follow.

Not this one, I chose this myself!

It would be to train so models. It would be polite for mnhq to let us know if that’s the case though.

AI uses 'reaching out' a lot. I've noticed at least 2 of the posts OP listed above have this phrase. I think you're on to something OP.

Yes, I have been reporting these. There is a pbp who does this, apparently.

I've noticed in Travel a few posts that ask vague questions about best places to go on holiday - with no details given, budget, children, sort of holiday etc - which immediately makes me think someone is just farming for info

i also noticed one on ‘talking about money with people’ yesterday :(

There’s another on texting today. I’m going to share the similar threads in a bit!

What is a pbp @commonground ?

Yes I agree - re mmhq. I feel also like takes energy from folks who actually ARE having friendship issues as there’s gonna be fatigue from this!

I’ve really appreciated this convo / mutual investigation.

@commonground you mentioned reporting. I might try that too or I’m considering emailing mmhq directly if that’s possible. I feel like they might brush off but worth a try.

pbp = Previously Banned Poster.

I just press report (waves at BigRedHedgehog etc) and it's usually zapped (although most of the stuff is made up on here*, so don't drive yourself crazy!)

Edited to add: in. AIBU, Chat and Relationships primarily. Safest places are probably Gardening and Telly Addicts!

https://www.mumsnet.com/talk/am_i_being_unreasonable/5199331-to-feel-frustrated-with-a-friends-flakiness

thanks for the spot!! they like to start and overnight thread.

I reported it (maybe you did too - or others), and can see it's been deleted :)

It's a tricky one, it is a real post lockdown issue and something I'm experiencing although I've not started a thread about it. The sheer number of similar sounding ones is very off though.

I suppose there is a market for AI friends for people whose real ones have all flaked on them.

https://www.mumsnet.com/talk/am_i_being_unreasonable/5200891-to-think-that-my-friend-continuously-stops-talking-to-me-as-a-control-tactic

https://www.mumsnet.com/talk/am_i_being_unreasonable/5202834-to-feel-like-im-on-a-rollercoaster-with-a-friend-who-keeps-me-at-arms-length

Thx!!!
gosh they are persistent :)
Though I feel like mumsnet are responding more quickly to reporting now?

https://www.mumsnet.com/talk/am_i_being_unreasonable/5206637-to-struggle-with-a-friend-who-goes-silent-randomly