"Armchair Ivestigators"

[justcba]

Long time reader but not poster.

I am of the opinion that if you see something online you don't like, don't read it or click on it, scroll on. Personal attacks on those with differing views are not necessary and only portray the poster in a bad light.

This article today makes the point that online "armchair investigators" may actually be able to help.

www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/crime/nicola-bulley-conspiracy-theories-aliens-dog-b2279642.html.

so annoying when you read and re-read and then still have a typo!

Couldn’t agree more.

And berating the amount of an individual ‘armchair investigators’ (AI) time invested, is hypocritical - when the ‘armchair investigator police’ (AIP) spend just as much time policing the thread, as the AI does posting.

if the AIP are to be believed, then AIs are trying to undermine the polices’ job as investigators. They can’t see that they themselves are doing the same thing to MNHQ. It is amusing that the AIP think their actions are diametrically opposed to the AIs.

‘post and let post’ I say, posts that cross lines get peer reported and/or spotted by MNHQ anyway.

we’re never going to all agree on what’s post worthy or what crosses lines, so it makes no sense attempting to convert established thread regular posters to an alternative way of thinking, which is only better in your own opinion. The only opinion that trumps others in that regard is MNHQ., so if you’re not them, then it would be easier all round if you just move past threads you don’t like.

I agree too.
There isn’t any point in the news section on mumsnet if we aren’t allowed to discuss things in the news that concern us. You do start to wonder why certain people want discussion shut down.

There is a big difference between discussing a news story and behaving like an amateur detective and coming up with theories about a real life situation being suffered by a family.

That was being discharged.

Personally I was contributing mainly to provide known facts to cut down on the random wild speculation.

All of the threads in the news section are related to real life peoples situations. There isn’t any difference. People make the threads about the news because they wish to discuss it in whatever way they see fit.

As a newbie, what stunned me was how some (not all) “armchair investigator police” posted vile and personal attacks on the “armchair investigators”.
Then due to these posts being reported, Mumsnet took down the whole discussion - which was “armchair investigator police” wanted in the first place.

Does Mumsnet usually take down the whole discussions rather that ban the vile and personal attack posts?
If so, then won’t the tactics of the “armchair investigator police” always succeed?🤔

Thank you for the positive comments.

I've been waiting for the AIP to jump on. If you have while I'm typing, see my username...

People don't always agree, such is life. I'm not comfortable with anyone trying to silence anyone else, even if I don't like what they're saying.

I don't have a problem with amateur detectives as such. Surely all detectives are amateurs to start with. Someone, somewhere may find out something that leads to an answer. I agree that there is a lot of unnecessary and unkind comments but sadly the internet allows people of that disposition to run riot.

The article is regarding Nicola Bulley but there are numerous cases being discussed on WS and its a well regulated site with posters who genuinely want to help victims and their families and have had some success with this.

I find it much more scary the desire of people to stop free speech. MN is good at deleting posts that are against guidelines but to have to delete whole threads due to others decision on what is decent is scary.

This was evident in a mass way during covid, an over reaching desire to stifle any conversation usually under the guise of 'scaremongering'

The AIP posters over the last couple of days used MN rules to get the thread pulled...I understand it is automatically hidden after a number of reports...I find this worrying.
I would question the motives of anyone trying to prevent free speech, and believe we all should.

What makes the AIP's view more important that those who CHOSE to participate in the thread? Nothing, it isn't. As I said, scroll on...

Reading with intrigue

Feel sorry for the poster who made the last thread that just got deleted again, some really nasty comments on there towards the op. There was no need at all it was bullying

@davegrohll
I agree. That last thread escalated so quickly. Some unnecessarily insulting comments.

I find it unbelievable that people feel the need to be so personal and yet still think they hold the moral high ground regarding the threads. Quite disgusting to tell someone to call their Crisis Team or the Samaritans because you don't like their thread! Does it make you feel better to be so unkind?! Seriously, I find these people 'sadder' than those who are invested in this case.

I found it hard to get past the fact that the journalist used her surname repeatedly. It just seemed so disrespectful.

I won’t derail the other thread(s) but I think there is a fine balance between what I personally find distasteful.

What I find normal is discussion about hoping the family get resolution, personal safety, the status of search as reported by the police.

what I find a little distasteful is the amateur detective work (has anyone considered she escaped by boat, why was Paul at home, have the police checked the bus timetables?) as this makes it feel like a real-time true crime podcast. Some people (maybe not here but elsewhere on twitter or Reddit) seem to be enjoying the case.

personally, I’m amazed there have been so many threads. Fundamentally, there haven’t been any real updates in two weeks except for the odd sightings of cars and people.

I’m not the thread police so no doubt these threads will continue, but i just wanted to express why I find some of the commentary in bad taste.

I believe in free speech and once you start talking about what's appropriate or not, you're discussing censorship.

Whether you find something distasteful is very much a personal preference, content is always going to be very varied and although I believe fully in voicing concerns, bullying and personal attacks should not be tolerated.

I suspect the posters responsible for thread policing also have a low tolerance in the real world for opinions that differ to those, and struggle to understand perspectives outside their own viewpoint.

Or they're just bored trolls.

I agree with this. I'd like to see the threads continue as free speech and debate are important but some posters go too far. It's good that they are challenged and that there are views on both sides.

I would rather Mumsnet did not become another tattle.... actually we don't have the right to character assassinate and pull people apart at the seams all under the guise of 'helping'. I hope there is standards.

Shocking the vitriol of posters that don't agree with a thread. Personal insults, using mental health as a character flaw, horrendous aggressive language, all dressed up as if they have the moral high ground.

I don't get the hate for speculation tbh. If my family member was missing I'd just not read it. Its human nature to speculate surely . I have noticed some (probably very sheltered, clueless) mumsnetters seem to think mn is more prominent and important than it is. Its a niche website, whilst popular, not a world leading opinion maker

The aggressive backlash is ott but I suppose that’s SM these days.

I prefer to avoid what I want to and not let it take up headspace. I don’t bother with some platforms and hide threads on here that I don’t want to bother with.

People are turning up at the house/river/village and doing their own searches and silly social media posts

It's ridiculous

None of which has been happening on MN.

Apart from silly posts from people like you...

I guess you'll be down at the newsagents burning newspapers in the morning will you? Or policing your local pub in case anybody discusses things you don't approve of?