Do you think there's room on here for diametrically opposing opinions?

[Twiglett]

When I first joined (oh yes indeedy, those halcyon days) there seemed to be a wider spread of opinions. And a greater respect for others.

Now it feels sometimes that there is an area of thinking that is deemed ok (in terms of parenting or social or political view), and it gets more and more narrowly defined as posters reinforce each other's views. Then there are extreme personalities who are seen as trolls for disagreeing with this established 'range of normality'. And possibly there are a lot of voices who just don't bother to comment because of the strength of the agreeing posters.

There have been times when someone will post a dissenting opinion and all of a sudden a huge group emerges from gawd-knows where seemingly relieved that their own sense of 'normality' is being raised.

I wonder whether respect for others is diminishing. I am certainly probably guilty of this, of posting an opposing position because the status quo seems to have swung too far away from my sense of 'normality' and 'correctness'. I'm certain I had more respect in the early days.

Of course it might just be me, I might be making no sense, or I may just be in a twonkish mood .. but anyhoo .. shall I post this?

'tis a hollisitc lve that has grown over the last year - not exclusive to this thread - don;t worry - am not a stalker!

I am only a middling-oldie - but i remember discussions heated to spontaneous conmbustion level with people like Dadslib - but there was still discussion with people debating ppoints and not resprting to sarcasm and slagging off within 15 posts. We didn't have the hmmm button then, or the angry one, or any emoticons at all - we ghad to communicate in a more real way...could that be part of the cause of recent kwik-flame tendencies, do you think?

yes Blu

oh you who art so wise

perhaps its the up and coming youngsters joining MN's whose parents didnt have MN's to seek advice on as they were growing up, causing angry, fruit shoot drinking parents of today

Don't know about the old days but there does seem to be a set of opinions that are set in stone against which you cannot oppose an opinion, suggest an alternative viewpoint or even discuss. Frustrating at times but probably not unusual in forums like this.

thats true Orm, closes down any attempt at a discussion

that is true, orm, but it's also true of the old days, and, indeed, anywhere where debate takes place really.

and I won't listen to anyone who says otherwise!

twif please acknowlede me!

pmsl @prufrock