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Original poster

Is it time to start paying for MN membership?

218 replies

SDTGisAnEvilWolefGenius · 24/10/2013 10:13

In the wake of everything that happened last night, I have been trying to think of ways to keep the goady fuckers and MRAs from repeatedly rejoining MN after being banned, just so that they can cause trouble and upset, particularly on boards like Relationships and Feminism.

If we were paying even a fairly nominal amount - say a tenner - per year for our MN membership, I don't think that is an amount that would put off people who wanted to join the site for the right reasons, but it would mean that joining, being a goady fucker, getting banned and then rejoining to cause more trouble, multiple times would get very expensive very quickly - and this might put off the trolls and goady fuckers.

Or are there other ways that we can think of that MNHQ can keep the goady fuckers off the site? Could they change the rules to say that joining just to goad people on sensitive boards is a banning offence?

OP posts:
Original poster
SDTGisAnEvilWolefGenius · 28/10/2013 17:10

Gosh - thanks RedToothBrush and ilovebabytv. You do know it is possible to discuss a suggestion without resorting to being so nasty (particularly RTB).

As it happens, I had already accepted that my original suggestion was wrong, but that there were other good ideas on this thread which did merit consideration.

But hey - don't let that stand in the way of you giving me a good kicking.

OP posts:
Original poster
SDTGisAnEvilWolefGenius · 28/10/2013 17:12

PS - RTB congratulations - you have reduced me to tears. Fucking good job.

OP posts:
PacificDogwood · 28/10/2013 17:18

Aw, SDTG, don't let it get to you.

I totally understood where you were coming from x.

octopusinastringbag · 28/10/2013 17:22

Strumpet, go down the zone board right now Shock

Grin
ButThereAgain · 28/10/2013 17:23

Don't feel bad STD. I totally didn't understand the level of vituperativeness in RTB's posts (especially when she also stressed the need for calm discussion, respect for other forum users, and acknowledgement of their intelligence). It seemed that she could have made all the same points without any harshness at all.

Strumpetron · 28/10/2013 17:28

octopusinastringbag I iz a bit fick, what's the zone board? Grin

STD that reply you received was very fucking harsh and you didn't deserve it. GOD FORBID anyone makes a suggestion these days Hmm Dont let it bother you

Original poster
SDTGisAnEvilWolefGenius · 28/10/2013 17:29

Thanks, Pacific. I don't have a problem with the fact that the majority think this is not a good idea - even with those calling it a stupid idea (and I therefore owe an apology to ilovebabytv who got caught up in my hurt response to RTB, and shouldn't have).

I think MN is an amazing place, and all I was trying to do was to find a way to prevent the trolls from causing so much pain, upset and trouble on here. I am beginning to wish I hadn't bothered.

RedToothBrush - perhaps in future discussions you could consider the sporting metaphor, and play the ball not the player.

OP posts:
Original poster
SDTGisAnEvilWolefGenius · 28/10/2013 17:30

Thanks everyone.

OP posts:
valiumredhead · 28/10/2013 17:32

OP, it's good to discuss ideas, I'm glad you postedSmile

TheGrandPooBah · 28/10/2013 17:32

OP, good on you for suggesting a solution. I don't agree with your suggestion.

However, you're absolutely right - it's entirely possible to debate the subject without resorting to spite. Please don't feel down because of some people's inability to do this. Unfortunately it's a bit of a failing in these forums that some people forget basic good manners.

valiumredhead · 28/10/2013 17:36

And it wasn't a 'stupid' idea, it's not one I agree with but that DOES NOT make it stupid.

octopusinastringbag · 29/10/2013 06:51

strumpet it's what they have in my son's class, bad behaviour means they move down the zone board, get to red three times and they go to the head teacher for a little chat. Probably not a naice little chat.

octopusinastringbag · 29/10/2013 06:52

OP i agree that it's not a stupid idea either.
Jokingly, what was that quote about me defending your right to be wrong? :)
There does need to be a solution so good one for thinking of a potential one.

SoupDragon · 29/10/2013 06:59

I don't think it is the right way to go at all. Whilst RTB was unnecessarily vicious and rude, it is true that charging excludes people who need support. If you set the fee at the level necessary to deter trolls, you make it impossible for some people to access the support.

IMO, you can't deter trolls, you just need to deal with them properly which means us reporting them.

LtAllHallowsEve · 29/10/2013 07:22

If not 'Member since 2012' what about a 'posts' count? or would people start banging on about 'Royalty' again?

SoupDragon · 29/10/2013 07:26

A post count? Hell no!

LtAllHallowsEve · 29/10/2013 07:43

Are you worried it would say "SoupDragon 15thousandeleventybillion posts"?

Grin
SoupDragon · 29/10/2013 07:52

Noooooo... Not at all.

[gulp]

youarewinning · 29/10/2013 08:01

I'd be accused of being a troll if posts in a day or week showed - So would most teachers and LSA's, people who work in education etc. We tend to post mainly in school holidays Grin (massive sweeping generalisation I realise!)

I think the thread is useful and although it's been agreed paying isn't the best solution its opened up many other avenues of consideration.

Branleuse · 29/10/2013 08:16

every site ive ever been on which started charging a joining fee, fell flat.

this site is what it is because of the fast pace of it. This is because its free.

RichManPoorManBeggarmanThief · 29/10/2013 08:20

To be fair, STDG's idea was a logical one. A paywall would probably eliminate c.60% of trolling on the site, including the most opportunistic/annoying stuff. However, the downsides possibly outweigh the upsides in terms of putting the forum beyond the financial reach of some site users. That said, I think one's perception of the MN demongraphic depends on which areas of the site you most go on. If you hang out in relationships then you'd get a very different perspective to Style and Beauty or the "where are you going on holiday?" threads. Then again, if the trolling is mainly a problem in relationships, then it's primarily the impact on those users you need to weigh up, so it seems that a paywall isnt the way forward.

octopusinastringbag · 29/10/2013 08:22

OU students would also risk being accused of being a troll - all those posts at the time an essay is due, or is it just me that uses Mumsnet as an avoidance technique during my breaks in essay writing?

MilllyMollyMully · 29/10/2013 08:36

It's absolutely ridiculous that we are all at such risk of being called a troll or a sockpuppet, even if we've been here since the site began. In fact if Justine or Carrie adopted a new username and posted as a newbie, they would almost certainly be called a troll, however inoffensive their posts.

But the troll hunting is based on the assertion that MNHQ are unable to tell a troll or a sockpuppet from a legitimate MNer. Which is bloody nonsense.

Branleuse · 29/10/2013 08:48

are trolls even THAT much of an issue???

trish5000 · 29/10/2013 08:56

Although I pointed out to RTB about her manner, I think what she does say about trolls has merit. Presumably this problem is world wide and no one has solved it because it cant be solved!

Therefore the only way is not to engage.

She does think that we can come up with some sort of action plan. tbh, I wouldnt mind her coming back here and helping to form one, since she seems to actually have a lot more knowledge and experience than most of us on this subject.