Why Can't We Have An 'Ignore' Button?

[CKDexterHaven]

Mumsnet is a constant target for trolls and anti-social men's rights types who constantly derail threads, constantly rehash old tired arguments and sometimes post downright offensive comments. Wouldn't it be easier for women to get together and talk in the way they want to talk and keep threads on-topic if there was an 'ignore' button as there is on other sites.

If you are unfamiliar with this it is a button which allows individual users to block the posts of posters they feel to be trolls, deliberately offensive or derailers. It does not prevent people who wish to see these posts from seeing them. There are people out there who really hate that women get to talk to one another and it would be great to just skip over them.

Other forums have this, why can't we?

[capsium]

As I says earlier, I don't mind trolls. You get the devils advocate, the resistive characters and overly critical in real life. Well I have certainly come across them...what I mean is I don't expect MN to be any different and would be rather dissapointed if it was. I expect my views to get tested anyway..it is what makes boards exciting...

Re. Feminist boards I have been on a few threads but always feel I am lacking in a knowledge of all the classic ideological positions. It is like you have to be really clever just to comment sometimes...just me feeling this? Maybe..

[BoneyBackJefferson]

It took a major fall out from a push to make it a feminist board to clarify that it is a board to talk about feminism.

[ShutUpPan]

Threads would become a nightmare of confusion and misunderstanding with people only hearing half of a conversation.

So no change there then.

The FWR/womens rights board wasn't intended to be so exclusive as 'feminists only' - it came out of the dreadful fall out from the dittany episodes- and the 'womens rights' bit is the signifier of that.

[TiggyD]

Wouldn't work. Threads would become a nightmare of confusion and misunderstanding with people only hearing half of a conversation.

[TiggyD]

Or...

I think A.

I think B.

[hidden]

I think C.

Not sure C would work because of the otters.

That was very rude You.

Yes. Can't believe you posted that after what Hidden Poster1 said!

[TiggyD]

Long thread about interesting subject...

...

...

So how do we solve this problem?

[hidden]

That's a good idea Hidden Poster1. Let's talk about that for a while!

What about the squirrels? Can we get enough grease?

You could try hitting it with a hammer! megaLOL!!!!

WTF is everybody on about?

[OneSkinnyChip]

See I think trolls win when they get attention. What better way to starve them of attention than ignore them? No read, no reaction. It's like they don't exist.

[WorraLiberty]

Do I want to know what travelling lemon is?

[EdithWeston]

"I remember the threads about it, but if a group were to form (and they have done in the past oldies/moldies etc.) it would be possible to subvert the boards."

Yes, possible, but I'd hope not likely. For subverting boards to limit (legal) freedom of expression would mean bullying others into silence had come to MN and that would be a shame. But starting a new website or other online group is always an option for those who would prefer that to a (mainly) unmoderated site. And the unmoderated ethos is a positive point for many.

[capsium]

^I like the possibility of trolls that is. I think people 'troll' in real life by being overly eristic, or critical for the sake of being critical and playing 'devil's advocate'.

[Panzee]

But WorraLiberty if you hide the lemon you can't play Travelling Lemon...

[capsium]

I quite like the possibility of them. I don't want to be agreed with all the time. Challenge is good, it tests your views. Being deliberately offensive however is not, and where I would draw the line. Although I often let it go though, so people can see them for what they are, which is not to be taken altogether seriously. I can fully understand deletion though, especially if confidential information is posted.

So if I was to ignore I would rather ignore as I do in real life and that is not respond.

[LatteLoverLovesLattes]

Other forums have this, why can't we

There are 101 back threads if you want to read MN's stance on this, not doing it makes perfect sense.

If someone is being A Goady Fucker, just ignore them and report them (they sometimes get banned. I know they only have to set up a new account to start again, but it's a hassle to do, so eventually they might find another playground). They feed off of replies - so don't feed them!

[BoneyBackJefferson]

Edith

I remember the threads about it, but if a group were to form (and they have done in the past oldies/moldies etc.) it would be possible to subvert the boards.

It should also be pointed out that one posters "goadyfuckertroll" is another posters good point, so what happens when the alleged "goadyfuckertroll's" points are taken up by other posters?

[Sparklingbrook]

I am happy to hide a thread about anything because I don't want to discuss topics with GFs and trolls and people who don't know when to let it lie.

MN isn't that important.

[CKDexterHaven]

I don't want to hide threads because I might be interested in discussing the topic. I don't see it as a censorship issue as it wouldn't prevent other people seeing the posts you have ignored. I don't see what individual posters would lose by having this. I know for sure there are some posters who would have me on 'ignore' and don't care about this because I would still be free to post.

[AttentionSeekingFantasist]

It's not the GFs that get me, it's the boredom. I find some posters - no doubt highly regarded and valued by many others - popping up on thread after thread with yet another made-up problem, or re-posting the same revolting anecdote they posted last month. I skim over names when I notice them, but would like to be able to just make them go away. My doing so would not impact in any way on anyone else's use of the site. Or I could just get off MN and get a life...

[WorraLiberty]

[EdithWeston]

"Then it could become a feminist board and not as a board to discuss feminism on."

It'll never be a "feminist board" and I think the assumption that it could be has caused a huge number of quite heated threads. MNHQ have been really clear that it's another MN board on which to discuss feminism. And have maintained his position through a number of (lengthy) threads, where this has been thrashed out in detail.

[capant]

I would rather MNHQ hire more people to respond to reports, much quicker.

[Panzee]

Yeah, quoting still rankles.

[WorraLiberty]

Ahh I see

Still, when said GoadyFuckerTroll makes a goady fucker trollish comment, it's bound to be copied and pasted by everyone who replies to them anyway.

[Panzee]

On other sites in the gap for your hidden poster it says GoadyFuckerTroll has posted here but it is hidden. So you know that if it's getting weird it's because everyone is engaging with GoadyFuckerTroll. It's not difficult to handle.