Mumsnet in the Times by Caitlin Moran

[morningpaper]

Mumsnet in the Times

Here's a nice article about Mumsnet - make way for the newbies.

And blimey don't Justine and Carrie have a lot of children?

I couldnt care less about the highlighting of considered notable posters.

What's the difference between this and "who's your fav/most funny/most lovely MNer" type threads?

They have actually contributed a helluva lot to MN and considering the wide-reaching manner in which they do so, I don't see a problem with them being singled out in such an article about the community that is mumsnet. I think it's foolish to think that their is no heirarchal status in any community. It doesnt mean one poster has more power than another, it just means that they are more considered or widely known simply through their contribution to the community.

Cod is, well, cod. She brings so much levity to the board, particularly when, as has recently been the case, there has been a great deal of sourness. But, she's great at the no nonsense support and the potty training threads.

Aitch - fantastic ongoing efforts to disseminate all she knos about Gill Rapley's BLW ethos.

Littlelapin - tireless volunteer for many MN good causes.

Hunkermunker - her constant and consistent support for mothers who are struggling with how they feed their babies is incredibly admirable. She has, in the past taken a great deal of time out of her personal life to assist people to b/feed, who may not have succeeded without her knowledgeable, caring, and considered support. (Along, of course, with the amazing tiktok).

And all of the above named posters do this, under fire of constant criticism, accusation of "cliquery", and many other manner of vileness.

They arent paid for their time, they get no official thanks from MNHQ, or elevated posting status.

There are many other posters on here that support posters extensively, and there have been many occurences of helping those who really need it, by means of 200 mile round trips with emergency provisions, etc.

It's just that the above named tend to do so, regularly, and, often in the face of criticism.

And this kind of thread sums up pretty much why I've hardly been on MN recently, and why several other posters have given up on MN for the time being because they are constantly flying in the face of aggression, bitterness and back-biting.

Oh, and I expect the article will draw in several more trolls on the hunt for a 'sympathy collection' now that Caitlin has told the world that MNers are quick to dip into their pockets for a good cause.

Just what MN needs. Not.

The End.

good aeticle, though i was also saddened by the naming and quoting of a few posters.

not for any high brow community spirit type reason's, but because i wasn't one of those mentioned

On a more positive note, if people are to be quoted isn't it a good advert to all those newebies that come on moaning. Lapin has only been here a year or so and already she is seen as a "tribal elder"

shows that its not the length of your stay here that counts, its the quality of your posting and the mark you leave on those you meet whilst your are.

VVV apologies if I have misinterpreted your post but...

It is sad that you see only bitterenss and aggression in this thread.

I see humour, gentle ribbing, acclaim for a well written article, random references to anal sex, mild diversions to mexican bandits and much community spirit (natch).

Pretty much like the rest of mn yes, and a damn good reason to stick around.

As for trolls - agree, but we're usually pretty good at sniffing them out and nobody should send cash to those you don't know anyway.

oh yes, trolls. we will have to be cautious about that, ladies. sympathetically cautious, though. it's a shame, but i think it's a fact of life on here now...

i've only been here about a year and a half, mamazon. although i am VERY grateful that there is no post counter on MN as i fear i would have to open a vein at the amount of time i waste on here...

Talking about MN generally Slur. And one or two posts highlight what I mean quite well I think.

The rest is, of course, somewhat amusing

God yes a post counter would be awful as would a hours counter

Message withdrawn

ooh I hope my post didnt come accross as being critical. Im rather proud to be part of it all the last 4.5 yrs, even though Im one of the more background little voices.

I dont have the same literary abilities as most, but my strenghts lie elsewere , like in tree hugging and what type of bag to wear doing so lol .

but it is just how writing an article goes these days, those eds love a sidebar because it's easily ditched if a paying advert comes in, i wouldn't read anythng too sinister into it. not that i'm sayinig anyone is...

melsy can you please advise me on how to prepare edamame pods on that other thread?

Yup just re-read thread. I really don't pick up aggression or back biting. About four/five posts about singling out posters as celebs, insigated by twig.

Well, you can disagree about whether it was good to put in the article. I think it was funny actually. The archetypal mners covered a good range and there all good posters who can certainly take me taking the piss out of them by quoting cm's article at them.

I reckon there was maybe one or possible two posts that felt a bit, " found an opportunity to have a dig at certain regs"

But only one (maybe two)

The whole rest of threads is good ol fashioned mn.

DOn't geddit.

if an hours counter i shall state here and now that it may seem thati am here constantly but i leave te pc on all day and just flick back and forth

honest guv

Aith i am stunned that your a relative newbie too.

Its cos your all clever and smart and funny and (is my nose brown enough yet?) not like these chavvy newbies we get in nowadays

i think there are some excellent newbies around actually. LLD shows terrific promise, if she's still around after yesterday's dust-up.

Oh I dont disagree slur. But the one or two posts that prompted my response are the insipid type of posts that have been spreading throughout MN over the last few weeks.

So, my response may seem disproportionate to this thread, individually, I agree, but, to the situation as a whole? Well, I dont think anyone can disagree at the bashing that the named posters have had over the last few weeks.

MNers also think that journos get paid vast sums of money to swan around pontificating and being glamorous

whereas actually they all seem to stare at a blank screen all day and wish they had some actual people to talk to and then churn out something that will get them slagged off by 2,000 people on the internet the next day and then they receive a cheque for £70 six months later

which always strikes me as being very DULL in actual fact

350,000 monthly users? Where?

Are 349,000 of them on the Buying and Selling boards? Is that why MN wouldn't get rid of them?

OH MP, you dont get a regular bashing, and you are on the payroll arent you?

I'm sitting on the fence re the sleb side of things because I can see both sides of the argument. I found the article good on the whole but and not a million miles away from TMMJ's point about teacher summing up posters, I was a little uneasy with the 73% being at least degree standard educated.

Yes I am a degree student myself but how exactly does one define intelligence?

VVV pax

Yes there has been a fair bit bashing occuring of late on mn general and lots of rather dull, acusations of cliqueness/bullying/elitism newbie vs regs stuff.

We should start a band of fighting mners that seek out meanspirited posts and parp on their heads.

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