Hide Poster Function

[AnnieOnAMapleLeaf]

I know this has been requested a million times over and I know that it is not a popular proposal but it is time that we had the ability to hide posters.

MN has evolved into a place that I barely recognize anymore - the lighthearted threads where you are free to have a laugh are few and far between. Instead, active is flooded with bun fight after bun fight filled with incendiary views that deter those of us who do not ascribe to the same views from posting. And these threads are routinely started by the same posters. I have been a member of MN for 9 years and it is a place I used to come to relax, have a few laughs and share parenting stories, good and bad. That is no longer the case and any attempt to start such a thread is met with eyerolls and accusations of "first world problems".

Personally, my MN experience would be much improved if I had the option to simply hide all posts by a select group of members and continue with the remainder of the threads. It is not enough to simply hide topics anymore as threads are often started in AIBU, Chat and Site Stuff in order to generate traffic.

PLEASE MNHQ, can we finally be given the option of hiding other MN members? It is a feature that is well overdue.

[MyWineTime]

Chipped Hundreds of names? no, but I do like being able to change freely, and I don't troll.
The vast majority of name-changers don't troll.
And people did explain on that thread very good reasons why they sometimes name change mid thread.

This could only ever hide a username, not an account, so it's effectively pointless.

[Chippednailvarnishing]

Yes My hundreds of names. It's irrelevant whether you troll or not, other people do frequently. I don't personally agree with anyone changing name mid thread.

As the OP has already pointed out a hide poster facility could work and I for one agree with her and as it won't affect you unless use it, it's certainly not pointless.

[bumbleymummy]

I still don't agree with the hide poster idea. I don't think it's in the spirit of the site and I think it could make some threads difficult to follow. If you don't like what someone has posted then either challenge them, report them if they're breaking guidelines or just roll your eyes and move on.

[DameDiazepamTheDramaQueen]

It didn't make a thread hard to follow at all on BMC ,iirc a text just came up saying ' you have chosen to hide this poster.' Easy .

[bumbleymummy]

I mean for others reading the thread - as someone earlier mentioned.

I also think it could ruin the spirit of the site a bit. There are some people I have clashed with on some threads but then we offered useful advice to each other on different threads. If you just hid someone because they pissed you off on a couple of threads then you would lose the opportunity to see them as something else beyond the opinion that pissed you off iyswim?

[poorbuthappy]

Could help to deal with the trolls who try to derail threads which are rolling along...

[fascicle]

MyWineTime
This could only ever hide a username, not an account, so it's effectively pointless.

I don't think it matters if a poster, blocked by a member, name changes. The blocker may or may not recognise the poster under their new name - if they don't recognise them then it's an unwitting opportunity to look at their posts with fresh eyes. They can block again if necessary, but I don't think they need to know it's somebody they've previously blocked (although they might spot that it is).

It's not something I would choose to use but I can see that others might find it useful.

[PurpleDaisies]

Could help to deal with the trolls who try to derail threads which are rolling along...

I'm not necessarily sure it would. The poster would have to be hidden for everyone or you'd get people who could see the post responding and the thread derailed anyway.

[Cavogirl]

I really get this. I haven't been on here long but with a breast feeding baby it's amazing way to learn and share and also spend a bit of time when he's sleeping (never).

I love the strong debate and it's great fun but I have already found some posters who I mentally have decided to not read. I saw one thread where the OP asked for advice on a tricky subject (or else why would she have asked huh?) there were lots of different opinions and the OP stayed on the thread. The OP then updated and said what she had decided to do only to be ABUSED about her decision for days after. I found it really upsetting (I'm probably a bit soft).

Also, some people that are just offensive , I'd really rather not encounter. IRL I would delete them from Facebook/ my phone book etc. I agree hide for 7 days would be amazing - some people are perhaps just having a goady day!

[DameDiazepamTheDramaQueen]

I mean for others reading the thread - as someone earlier mentioned.

No one else is aware of who is hidden only you.

[bumbleymummy]

Dame - I meant the thread could be confusing for others to read if some people have hidden certain posters and are therefore not replying to their posts or are repeating what the hidden person is saying. People who haven't hidden them could see a somewhat disjointed conversation and would probably pick up on the fact that someone had been hidden.

I just think it's a bit rude too. If you're chatting in a group of people there may be a few people's opinions that you disagree with but it would be very rude to just blank them completely which is what hiding someone is like IMO. We manage to muddle along ok in RL with people we may not particularly like so I'm sure we can manage online.

[DameDiazepamTheDramaQueen]

That happens anyway though, I don't ever reply to every single person on a thread and people do repeat the same stuff over and over again ( cancel the cheque?)

If you don't want to use it then it will make no difference whatsoever but I can think of a couple of posters who I actively avoid as they are so nasty and unsupportive on just about every thread they're on so I'd happily use a hide function.

[bumbleymummy]

I think it will make a difference though. It will change the tone of the site IMO.

Also, someone has previously mentioned that if people just 'hide' the nasty posters then fewer people will challenge them/report them and this could put off new people who would just think everyone thought it was ok for people to post like that.

[DameDiazepamTheDramaQueen]

I think if it changes the tone it'll probably be for the better, it's awful now. I had a huge break a while back,came back and it's even worse. Maybe time for another break...

[bumbleymummy]

There do seem to be a lot of...um... 'controversial' threads about at the moment. It seems to go in cycles. Maybe we just need to love bomb the site with lots of threads about kittens and puppies or something .

[DameDiazepamTheDramaQueen]

[PurpleDaisies]

There do seem to be a lot of...um... 'controversial' threads about at the moment. It seems to go in cycles. Maybe we just need to love bomb the site with lots of threads about kittens and puppies or something

You are absolutely right. Things seem lovely for a while, then every thread seems bitchy or angry, and then it goes back to lovely again.

Could we open up the threads about kittens and puppies to baby animals (or grown up animals) in general? I have four very nice guinea pigs I'm sure would cheer everyone up.

[Cavogirl]

Daisies- pic of the pigs ? Xx

[bumbleymummy]

I'm ok with that Purple! :)

[PurpleDaisies]

Mr Pig and his three girlfriends...

[bumbleymummy]

Oh they're gorgeous! Do they like being cuddled? I'd love a lap full of guinea pigs to cuddle. Bumbleycat might get a bit jealous though.

[Cavogirl]

Mr Pig has cheered me up xx

[PurpleDaisies]

In the main they do. Mr pig is a total softie and will come and go to sleep on my feet when he's fed up of running around. Two of the girls will sit for ages on my lap but one is really nosey and independent so she likes to wander off and see what's happening around the place. They're really great pets. Definitely underrated. All mine are poor unwanted rescue guinea pigs and while they were shy at first they've all got realky district personalities. It's lovely to be welcomed home by a chorus of excited squeaking too.

[MonsterZinc]

I see the main argument as it will disturb theology of the thread. But surely you know that if you have hidden a poster? So it would only disturb you and that would be your choice? Also on other forums you can hide but if needed, unhide to check then rehire option for that post iykwim? I actively avoid a whole section of MN because of some of the threads there. My hide list is getting quite long too.

I name change all the time as I am an idiot and always reveal too much, but never troll, so I am unknown, which is the way I like it. I think blocking a whole account would out the name changers so if this option came in I think a hide username option would be best.

I know it has been asked and denied a million times, but it isn't a tech issue as other forums do it. And if posters are calling for it, then it should be seriously considered, not just you've asked before and we said no.

[MonsterZinc]

Theology? Flow!