Can we have a [star] emoticon, pretty please?

[KnottyLocks]

MNHQ have asked me to start a thread here in Site to see how much support there is for a .

The original request is here.

Hundreds of Mumsnetters have worked together since the beginning of the year to produce woolly blankets for Rinders, Blondes and a blanket and quilt for Edgar. Our current project is here: 3 blankets for the children of Magic8
Since beginning these projects, we have used [stars] to thank all contributers and supporters. We would really like to be able to give a proper to those wonderful people who have given their time, donated, or created in order to provide what comfort we could to those families who have lost their loved ones.

If you would like to support us, please post below.

Many thanks.

Or keep it next to their name permanently? Would go some way to curtail name changing too (serial namechanger here)

Another yes vote here I support the completely - it would be a fab-u-lous thing to have, so come on MNHQ, we need it for amazing people on amazing threads.

So yes please. A [Star] please.

Some mad knitters might then decided that as they've knitted 10x the squares of another person that they should have 10 s so you'd need to make sure any rules were well established before it started

If its going to be only for blanket projects, you could have a ball of wool with crossed needles......

Hmm, I'm not really keen if I'm honest. I know of LOTS of acts of off-board kindness that go on (one incredibly generous gesture last week from a stranger with her own serious troubles, to an MNer having a hard time, for example, which everyone else will be unaware of) without wider recognition, and in anonymity. I think that institutionalising "medals" in effect, is too close to the previously rejected idea of MN awards "Most X Poster" etc, and could be off-putting or breed resentment in some circumstances.

This is difficult to argue without appearing to denigrate the contributions of posters to the blanket campaigns etc, so responses on the thread may turn out to look more in favour than not. But the OP mentions "supporters" as well as contributors being thanked in this way: how do you know who supported the bereaved MNers? There could be hundreds who haven't posted, but may have been remembering the MNers in their prayers, making private donations to cancer research, even just holding their loved ones extra tight and perhaps changing how they relate to their families out of respect for the MNer's story they have been touched by.

I am concerned that a formal recognition system will undermine the freely-given small gestures that happen every day here, and encourage an 'earning your stripes' attitude, and perhaps, at worst, a 'hands-up' culture which will alienate many.

So while I absolutely support helping fellow MNers and pulling together at special times when appropriate, I feel rather uncomfortable about the idea of 'awarding' stars in connection to any kind or charitable act. Sorry.

Mistlethrush, I reckon that would look like a skull and crossbones.

Arrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr.

I don't think it'd be used like that though.

it's not an award certificate, it's just a star for posters who have been kind.
it can be secret like we said, or public.
does it matter if it gets overused?

I'm voting for the
:)

I think BOF makes a really good point. There's a lot of genuine kindness on here.

Or everyone could get a star, just for loveliness sake.

I know what Lebojof is saying - and things could get out of hand if there started to be effectively icons by names for different things. We might end up like other forums with avatars and sparklies and things . You'd have a skull and cross bones for those on knitting threads, and a dog or a cat (or a fish etc) for the pet contributors... not quite sure what the TTC people would have . Tech would have a fit! Probably better kept to the individual threads.

But, BOF, as an emoticon as opposed to award, it couldn't really be used like that. I quite like it.

You have my vote! The blankets really show the best of MN, truly lovely.

I guess it's hard to explain unless you look at a blanket thread and see the in action.

I completely understand what you have said, BOF. If the star were seen as a 'medal', then it could become exactly what we don't want: a more devisive thing. We don't really use our in that way. It's a quick and easy recognition of a lovely thing.

What next? [Rainbow]? [Sprinkled Glitter]? Sorry, not keen either. This is a site for grown ups.

I don't want to sound hard-nosed but part of what great about this place is the accepted intelligence of the vast majority of the posters. Generally, we're also a pretty articulate bunch and able to express cheers and well-doneness.

The fantastic work done by posters (e.g. amazing contributions towards blankets and other appeals) is understood by everyone to be important, useful, pride-inducing and so on. The posters who do this work don't need gold stars. They have satisfaction instead, and the true appreciation of their peers.

What BoF said. I can't really understand how it would be used except in an odd showyoffy kind of way.

And can you imagine the uproar if somebody was offhand to a starred poster? Or how trolls and busy-bodies would be trying to inch in on the taste of starry goodness to create a virtuous force-field? No, I think it's more dignified to thank MNers on a thread or something when it seems appropriate, but to leave any visual ongoing record of that as purely that.

Maybe BOF's point is why it shouldn't be an unlisted emoticon, given out to a priveledged few. I think it would be better to have it as just a simple way of saying thanks, when you want to show someone your appreciation, but nothing more complex than that. Certainly not a "formal recognition system". Then no one has to be concerned about being left out, as it is only a small gesture.

The skull and crossbones ball of wool wouldn't include the contributions from the sewers.

But if it's just an emoticon, no one will be a starred poster. It will just be something you put on one post, as a message of thanks to another poster.

I think a star emoticon would be a very useful symbol of thanks and recognition in general, it doesn't have to be seen as a badge or medal given for a specific purpose.

There may be occasional sarcastic use but I agree it's a shame not to have one just for that reason.

Unlisted, like , seems an excellent idea to me, that may appeal to those who fear we are slip-sliding towards Nethuns. Which we aren't, imo.

Perhaps I am misunderstanding what you mean then, KnottyLocks. But I don't feel very comfortable with it all the same...I started the thread which got the ball rolling to do something nice for Edgar's family, for example, and have obviously messaged posters off-board to express condolence etc, but where's my star, goddammit! Do you see what I mean? It could start a fight in a paper bag, and it's all a bit unedifying. I think Lemon and other poster's points are valid: being kind is its own reward.

To be honest, we are asking for a simple star emoticon - nothing more complicated than that.

I certainly hadn't envisaged 'starred' posters: that would be bloody awful.

Sorry BOF, cross-posted there.

I can't express my complete disapointment that we don't have a shiny evil star, it would have dual uses too! One for the amazingly wonderful supportive people of Mumsnet who amaze me on a nearly daily basis and second as a ninja star to throw at complete twunts.

It would be good to be able to say to someone 'You're a ' - bit like clicking 'thanks' on a post in MSE or Liking something on facebook.