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Original poster

In defence of WWW

188 replies

flashingnose · 18/10/2006 11:21

I am a long time lurker and occasional poster but I have to stick my head above the parapet and say that I am truly gutted that wickedwaterwitch has been hounded off of MN. I've been a member for 2.5 years and time and again, I have seen her help numerous posters (myself included) and generally post in a generous, thoughtful and funny way.

Many posters have said "oh, we always have phases like this, it'll calm down again" but tbh, I wonder whether it will. The aggression with which many people are posting at the moment quite literally takes my breath away - for example, it used to be that swearing at someone on a thread was a last resort; now, it's normal and quite often, it's the first thing people contribute.

For me, I think Enid's right - it's time for a break. I really hope www returns - if she leaves for good like aloha, MN will be a poorer place.

OP posts:
soapbox · 18/10/2006 14:22

Rhubarb - I really cannot agree with you on that. I think it is far worse than it used to be!

Rhubarb · 18/10/2006 14:24

Let's all have a little song shall we?

"Some things in life are bad
They can really make you mad
Other things just make you swear and curse
When you're chewing on life's gristle
Don't grumble, give a whistle
And this'll help things turn out for the best
And...

...always look on the bright side of life
{whistle}
Always look on the light side of life
{whistle}

If life seems jolly rotten
There's something you've forgotten
And that's to laugh and smile and dance and sing
When you're feeling in the dumps
Don't be silly chumps
Just purse your lips and whistle - that's the thing

And... always look on the bright side of life
{whistle}
Come on
Always look on the bright side of life
{whistle}

For life is quite absurd
And death's the final word
You must always face the curtain with a bow
Forget about your sin - give the audience a grin
Enjoy it - it's your last chance anyhow

So always look on the bright side of death
Just before you draw your terminal breath
Life's a piece of shit
When you look at it
Life's a laugh and death's a joke, it's true
You'll see it's all a show
Keep 'em laughing as you go
Just remember that the last laugh is on you

And always look on the bright side of life
{whistle}
Always look on the right side of life
{whistle}

Come on guys, cheer up!

chocolatequeen · 18/10/2006 14:25

If this was an actual room, with several thousand people in, I don´t think anyone would expect to get on with everyone in the entire place when discussing the emotive topics that are aired on here. Some people when debating will swear and become aggressive. Sad but true. This happens all through life, in all places, from kindergarten to parliament.

I can completely see how important MN is to its members, and I really don´t want to upset anyone at all. But this is my opinion.

chocolatequeen · 18/10/2006 14:27

I´m whistling, I´m whistling.....

Molesworth · 18/10/2006 14:28

I agree with rhubarb. I've been around on mn for about four years and this doesn't seem any worse than any of the other rocky periods I've seen on here imo.

Rhubarb · 18/10/2006 14:28

I know I will get upset if I look on the Charlotte Wyatt thread so I don't look. I'm not going to let a pathetic ignorant minority ruin my day and I really think more people should do likewise.

Now c'mon, sing it all together!

TheDaVinciCod · 18/10/2006 14:28

me and beety wnat an old folks thread

TheOneAndOnlyHUNKERMUNKER · 18/10/2006 14:28

I think it's worse in general, but there are still lots of posters I love on here.

I don't know whether it's better to stay away for a bit if you think it's getting too much, or keep posting sensibly and decently and hope it sets an example. I am speaking of sensible, decent posters here though - I'm too prone to say "fuck" to be one of those.

MN has done a lot for me and it has been one of the better forums for its openness and "top-down" decency (Justine, Rachel and Carrie are clearly very nice people and I think they set the ethos of the site way back when). This used to be a "niche" site - away from the tickers, avatars and general fluffiness of other sites. Lots of lovely posters, many of them incredibly kind and intelligent - but with an edge (love and knuckles summed it up v well).

It does seem like a lot of the love has gone and we've been left with just knuckles lately. I don't think leaving is always the answer, but I totally understand why WWW felt she had to.

And to say it's not RL - I agree with Welshy.

happybiggirl · 18/10/2006 14:38

Message withdrawn

winnie · 18/10/2006 14:43

I have no idea what happened but if Wickedwaterwitch has left Mumsnet I am truly sorry. What a loss to Mumsnet

Rhubarb · 18/10/2006 14:44

So who were the ones who hounded her? Are they regulars or name changers?

zippitippitoes · 18/10/2006 14:46

What is hounding? I think it was a barny myself

TheDaVinciCod · 18/10/2006 14:47

ill hound her if she dosnt come back

FreakyFloss · 18/10/2006 14:49

me too. i have listened to people posting 'its not rl' since i have been here. unless i start subscribing to twiglettism you are not all hobbitts in a computer, you are all real, expressing your real opinion. it is a bit like saying an email from a friend is not 'real'. it is a form of communication in todays society and therefore is very much rl - imo of course!

Heavenis · 18/10/2006 14:51

I'm just going to hijack so scuz me. Molesworth why have you not e-mailed me ? You've benn warned. hehe.
As you were people.

LazyLou · 18/10/2006 14:52

Is this all to do with the 9 year old thread?? If so, I happened to have a look at it, purely because of the title, and noticed the argument that broke out about WWW's posts.

I don't think WWW said anything out of order or nasty to anyone else on that thread, yet she was told that she was 'boring' and should 'get over it' etc. She was simply trying to say that her opinion was her opinion, and on a public forum such as this, she was entitled to say what she said, just as others were entitled to add their opinions. I actually thought her argument was a very valid one, logically thought out and nicely put, and the people who tried to shout her down, should be ashamed of themselves.

I think it is a shame that such a thought provoking poster has felt uncomfortable being able to use MN in the way in which it was supposed to be used. MN have lost a great poster, with plenty of advice etc and it is a big fat shame. That is my opinion.

Molesworth · 18/10/2006 14:52

message seen and noted heavenis!

Rhubarb · 18/10/2006 14:53

I think you misunderstand.

When people say that it is not real they know of course that everyone posting on here is real, they just mean that it needs to be taken in context. People will say things on here that they would not necessarily say in rl, in fact you don't really 'know' anyone on here, someone who is shy in rl could be chatty and mouthy on here. You also need to understand that when posters are rude and swear and rant and rave they do so because they cannot see you, they are venting their emotions much more freely than they would in rl. So the overall picture that you get on here is slightly distorted. That is what we mean when we say that it is not real life, not that it should mean any less to those who use it. Just to keep it in context.

Rhubarb · 18/10/2006 14:54

Why don't we complain then about those posters who hounded her? Surely they should receive some kind of warning if they did act in that way?

SamhainWitch · 18/10/2006 15:02

From what I can tell this did all stem from the 9yr old bitch thread, but then overflowed onto other threads too.

The majority of those having a go at www seemed unwilling to accept anything that she was saying and found it acceptable to name call and argue instead. Ironic considering it all started over name calling.

Lio · 18/10/2006 15:05

Just in case you are looking, WWW, I am sad that you want to leave.

mysticpeaks · 18/10/2006 15:11

I don't want www to go either. I have lurked on lots of threads she's been on (not added anything - I generally can only echo the wise words of her and others) I WAS however on the 9 yr old thread. I did comment and it was not in agreement with www. I wasn't rude tho (at least i hope not). I did also comment again towards the end hoping to end the argument between www and another - again i hope i wasn't rude and I in no way meant any offence. www was polite and had every right to her opinion - i just wanted the thread to move back to the original discussion rather than a fight. If www is as intelligent as I have always taken her to be then I hope she realises all of this.
Come back www you're better than this. The site will degenrate further without the wise ones (of who there are many).

LazyLou · 18/10/2006 15:14

Well said SW

happybiggirl · 18/10/2006 15:29

Message withdrawn

happybiggirl · 18/10/2006 17:05

Message withdrawn