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See all MNHQ comments on this thread

Reasonably balanced article about MN in Scotsman - with hint of an MN app for iPhone

22 replies

MmeLindt · 09/03/2010 11:54

here

Nice to see an article that is not bashing MN for being a bunch of harridans.

"Mock the mumsnetters at your peril. They have a way of coming out on top."

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franke · 09/03/2010 12:06

Yes, I think she must be a mumsnetter . Although I don't think she got it quite right with the bits at the end - what to say, what not to say etc.

But do we really think this will be the "mn election"?

MmeLindt · 09/03/2010 12:16

A MN election? No. I don't think so.

I think that the press is overegging the pudding with that one.

I would be interested in knowing if anyone really has had their voting intention changed by one of the webchats.

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StewieGriffinsMom · 09/03/2010 13:49

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MmeLindt · 09/03/2010 16:40

Could be, SGM. It is the first time I have seen it.

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StewieGriffinsMom · 09/03/2010 18:31

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MmeLindt · 09/03/2010 20:09

True. It seems like every second journalist is writing (or blogging) about MN at the moment.

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AgentProvocateur · 09/03/2010 21:26

Nice article, but is Carrie having a wardrobe malfunction?!?

Prunerz · 09/03/2010 21:37

Gawd, that is SUCH a lie about 75% of users having degrees or beyond.

Just total bollocks, along with the middle class profile. I think MN did start out that way...but it isn't now. It's like 60% of the threads just don't exist.

(Not that it matters, I know Justine is just talking the site up with a view to the future. It is icky to watch, though.)

Rhubarb · 10/03/2010 08:26

All mumsnetters are middle class and wear Boden - this article just reinforces all the stereotypes that are out there about Mumsnetters.

I thought it was a bit of a lousy article that stated nothing new. As she said at the bottom - she herself just stated the obvious.

Negative articles like this are the reason we get so many trolls and not enough newbies who feel threatened before they even try us out. And this bollocks that we're not welcoming to men - there are plenty of men on Mumsnet and only a minority of women have a problem with that. I value their contributions.

The media really is vilifying us.

MmeLindt · 10/03/2010 09:40

Prunerz
I am assuming she based the 75% on the MN census.

I did not see it as negative. I thought it portrayed MN as a place where if you ask a question you get an honest answer.

Which is what I tell my friends if I recommend MN to them. It is not fluffy.

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Prunerz · 10/03/2010 10:03

The MN census was not truly representative, though - it was voluntary. SO the correct statistic is "75% of those who answered a questionnaire", which is a different think and wouldn't stand up in any sort of reputable statistical study.

I would also like to know how many registered users MN has, because it ain't as many as they say. If you re-register, you get a number, and it isn't even approaching 800,000, or whatever the last figure given in the media was.

Meh.

MmeLindt · 10/03/2010 10:07

Tbh, it is all a bit navel-gazey. I don't really care how many users/lurkers/posters the site has or what their level of education is.

As long as MN stays a place where I can converse with intelligent, thoughtful and damned funny women, I am here to stay.

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JustineMumsnet · 10/03/2010 10:34

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WebDude · 10/03/2010 11:14

Perhaps the statistics bear out part of what's happening (and slowly going to be 'put right') in that internet access is considered something akin to a utility like mains gas and water/sewerage infrastructure, at least in 'better off' homes.

Sure, there are many who are struggling financially, but might have had a good education, and others struggling, who quit education (and perhaps regret it), but there has grown up something of a digital divide, perhaps because computers and the net aren't seen as being so useful, if there's only sluggish broadband available (or not, in some places).

When I hear so many iPlayer 'promotions' on the BBC, I think 'what about the many people outside England who don't have fast enough connections'... Oh, I know parts of England suffer, but not, apparently, as much as 'the Regions' to give it BBC-speak (why do they have a local radio station for every 2 to 3 counties in England, but only one in English in each of 'the Regions' one may ask?)

Only 50% of households in Wales have a computer, according to a R Wales show called Mousemat. Those "in the know" are aware that web comparison sites help save you money. Booking flights, etc, etc, is often cheaper (and more convenient) doing it yourself than the non-net method of visiting a travel agent or other 'specialist' who charges you for their time.

It's great to see such figures, but perhaps worth a verbal 'we welcome everyone' to ensure that someone who feels less confident, that they 'might not fit in' or that 'everything has gone wrong for them' (and see MN as a haven for rich, intelligent and successful women, who have no time for others) will also have a look round and hopefully join, too.

redwhiteandblue · 10/03/2010 11:23

You have seen the article before. It was in the evening standard last week

WebDude · 10/03/2010 11:35

One minor disagreement ... (for Justine) ...

When it comes to membership - of course that is 'self-selecting' - it's exactly the same for every website with a forum.

One will generally find that for some (technical) sites, the membership is made up of those who have a problem / complaint and want assistance, or others (a minority) who are able and willing to try to assist.

Lots of other 'lurkers' may know some of the answers, but having to register (usual on many sites) is just enough hassle that they don't bother.

It's why there are often a tiny number of experts answering 80% of technical questions on things like Yahoo! Answers, perhaps they have retired and find it stimulating for the brain, or just competitive against the other 'top answerers'.

When it comes to complaints, people may feel so angry they will join dozens of sites for once-only postings to express how they feel about a company or government department. It's definitely self-selecting when there's a small amount of effort to register on a site

As well as those driven by anger, another group on a forum will be those who are more 'vocal' participants (apparently there every day) - they are confident about expressing themselves, on any topic under the sun, not just in there for the one-off 'get this off my chest' thread, and it seems they will make time, because they also find general topics of interest, too.

Rhubarb · 10/03/2010 12:33

WebDude - I agree with you that Mumsnet is now attracting the kind of stereotype that is portrayed in the media. I have noticed of late that there are many more outspoken members who are heavy-handed in their responses. With all this portrayal of Mumsnet being for middle-class professionals who take time out of baking cupcakes to post on biscuits, that's all you'll get.

Honestly, if I was looking for a parenting forum to join now, I wouldn't choose Mumsnet. As a working-class mum who is currently without paid employment I wouldn't feel that Mumsnet was the place for me. I would be put off by the media and that would cloud my judgement of this site.

I do get angry because journos just pick up on the controversial issues, it seems they scour the site to find someone who has told someone else to fuck off and hold that aloft as a sign of what bullies we all are. They ignore the huge community spirit that goes on such as the enormous Mumsnet support given to Trinity, the Mile for Maude and the Secret Santa. They ignore the vast amounts of time and energy we give in writing supportive posts, offering our details to someone in need of help and going above and beyond what is called upon us.

Mumsnet is a great supportive network and the media simply doesn't do that justice.

I feel rather embarrassed to be labelled with the stereotypes of Mumsnet now. It's a false label, it's demeaning and really bloody cringey.

JustineMumsnet · 10/03/2010 15:26

Don't disagree Rhubarb - I think the press have a very superficial view of MN (and most things for that matter). It's very easy to pigeonhole us, but I also think that it's undeniable that on average Mnetters are better educated than average.
(Oh and WebDude also agree that MN is self-selecting - I just don't see that only MNetters with degrees would answer our survey, while those without wouldn't iyswim)

WebDude · 10/03/2010 18:46

Understood - true to say that the sample is probably reflective of the overall make-up and a sample size of 5000 isn't something that can be easily dismissed.

Not having seen the survey, however, unless you had some 'progress bar' it might have been that after a few questions, some just 'gave up'.

Have to admit when I looked at the BBC Trust consultation regarding the 5 principles and as soon as I got to the third screenful, I remembered something more interesting to do !

Rhubarb · 11/03/2010 09:42

I filled out that Mumsnet survey.

TrillianAstra · 11/03/2010 10:04

WTF is a 'double chardonnay'? Does the writer think that it's a spirit?

WebDude · 11/03/2010 12:54

Rhubarb - "I filled out that Mumsnet survey."

So would you think that the length of it might have put people off (and skew the results that were collected) ? I don't know what was asked, or whether you'd consider the survey very 'academic' in nature (such that it could be classed as hard to fill out).

I don't want to offend anyone so have avoided use of 'class' in terms of the survey being more applicable to any one segment of the populace, IYSWIM.

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