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Original poster

Has Mumsnet dumbed down over the past couple of years IYO? Or, if you're new, what's your impression?

243 replies

WideWebWitch · 14/10/2006 19:31

Well? Just wondering what people think about this. Even if you're new, what's your view? (I don't want to be accused of oldster cliqueiness, I'm interested to hear what new people think too)

OP posts:
CreepyCrawlyCarmenere · 14/10/2006 19:34

Is this following on from your spat on the other thread www?
And having been here for the past almost 2 yrs, I would say that, it is just bigger with a wider range of people on it. I wouldn't use the phrase 'dumbed down'.

PanicPants · 14/10/2006 19:35

In what way?

Or does that just prove it's dumbed down status?

Tinker · 14/10/2006 19:37

Think it's just bigger. The quality stuff is still there, you just have to wade through a lot of dross (to which I contribute) to get to it.

lulumama · 14/10/2006 19:37

dumbed down.......

if we're new, how do we know if its dumbed down....

don;t think people come on here to phlosophise all the time...need a bit of light relief....

i think there is something on here for everyone, regardless of intellectual expectations....and i tend to avoid the stuff that doesn;t interest me or is just descending into name calling and personal affront.......

and in all fairness.. i have had many of my parenting and life in general questions answered on here and that's good enough for me....

WigWamBam · 14/10/2006 19:37

I think the intelligent and witty stuff is still there, but the site is so big now and with such a wide range of people that maybe it's diluted somewhat and the real gems not so easy to find.

Or maybe that it's just because after a while the same old discussions crop up again and again, and they're not so fresh or interesting as they were at first.

Piffle · 14/10/2006 19:39

it's the most cerebral parenting site I've ever visited.
Also you might be right...
Two yrs ago we got lambasted and roasted adn vilified for having a Big Brother thread
this year nada, zip zilch reprimands.
I see your point

SoMuchToBats · 14/10/2006 19:40

Well, I'm fairly new, having only joined earlier this summer. I would say it is very VARIED. There are loads of frivolous threads, which is great if you're in that sort of mood, but also quite a few helpful ones, and interesting ones, for example I've been on one about synaesthesia,and seen some quite involved political ones. I think you can pick and choose, and get involved in what you want. But I don't know what it was like a couple of years ago, so can't comment on that.

FioFio · 14/10/2006 19:40

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn

Ladymuck · 14/10/2006 19:41

Agree with WWB - there is still some good stuff on here, just very diluted.. The same old items come around again and again, but actually sometimes you do find changes (eg private v state views mellow once we are choosing schools!).

Miss Aloha though...

bubble99 · 14/10/2006 19:42

I think it also depends on the time of day.

People using mnet at work, for example, tend to have different discussions to the late-night crowd.

disemboweledbint · 14/10/2006 19:44

well i'm new. have you seen other mum/pregnancy/baby forums? there are some very dumb ones out there.

CountessDracula · 14/10/2006 19:45

I think I am much less tolerant than I used to be. Things like text speak etc really piss me off and I know they shouldn't. (Well I think they should but I know that people think they shouldn't) I hate the big borether stuff and discussions of tv for morons (ie reality stuff)

Ladymuck · 14/10/2006 19:46

CD, we're also getting older... MN sometimes reminds me of that...

TwigTwoolett · 14/10/2006 19:47

I remember when it was all fields round here

bubble99 · 14/10/2006 19:48

And you could leave your back door open.

Oooer. Sounds a bit....?

SoMuchToBats · 14/10/2006 19:48

And you could buy a pint for 50p...

CountessDracula · 14/10/2006 19:48

Getting old? Moi?

Just because you are young doesn't mean it is compulsary to watch shite on tv and use text speak I know plenty who don't.

Actually I often only bother to post when something pisses me off these days, I must come across as a miserable old bat

SoMuchToBats · 14/10/2006 19:50

Oooohh, you suggested my Hallowe'en name - did I piss you off? (only joking)

PhantomCAM · 14/10/2006 19:50

I blame the parents myself

Blandmum · 14/10/2006 19:51

It dumbed down the minute aloha left.

I do miss her witty, intellegent postings

CreepyCrawlyCarmenere · 14/10/2006 19:51

Textspeak is a pain in the arse so I generally ignore it. But then if I was to only speak to my intellectual equals I'd have no one to talk to

Gobbledispook · 14/10/2006 19:52

Miss Aloha too

bubble99 · 14/10/2006 19:52

I will admit to avoiding the txtspk threads.

I know that the poster is often 'in need' but, TBH, I quite often just can't be arsed. Selfish? Probably.

sunchowder · 14/10/2006 19:52

I think the site is brilliant and yes, there are lots of threads that I avoid, either because they are "UK-Centric" and I feel that I can't really contribute as I am American, or they just don't peak my interest (reality shows, who loves who, who hates who...you know who!). The site has gotten bigger but lots of great new members. I don't know how we would ever fill the void left on Aloha's leaving..wich she would come back. But there are so many I love on here, I would miss the site dreadfully. I'm not sure I would have used the word "dumbed down", but I think I know what you mean WWW.

PhantomCAM · 14/10/2006 19:52

oooh get you creepy