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Ban posters, leave threads

60 replies

Datun · 21/06/2018 02:46

There have been a fair few GFs lately. And they keep getting banned - quite rightly.

But could I ask that the threads stay?

It would be really useful to signpost them when new posters don't understand why we're a little cynical of MRA-esque posting.

Plus we're often accused of being 'tetchy', 'suspicious', etc. Those threads are why. It's galling to have them go pooff instead of being able to point to them as justification sometimes.

OP posts:
tobee · 21/06/2018 02:54

I thought we were also trying to not rise to the bait as well as leaving threads up? I know it's really hard (I've definitely got riled up and reported in the past)

invisibleoldwoman · 21/06/2018 08:16

Agree that the threads should stand.

tobee · 21/06/2018 08:39

Sorry just realised this under site stuff Blush

BertrandRussell · 21/06/2018 08:42

Absolutely agree. It must be possible to shut threads without deleting them.

Datun · 21/06/2018 12:18

Absolutely agree. It must be possible to shut threads without deleting them.

Yes, that's an extra point I hadn't thought of.

You can close threads instead of delete them wholesale.

You won't have to moderate them. You have made the point that you have consigned the thread to the naughty step.

It really would be very useful and an expedient use of the ban/delete hammer.

OP posts:
C8H10N4O2 · 22/06/2018 10:22

Absolutely agree. It must be possible to shut threads without deleting them

I agree with this as well.

There are GF/racist/*ist posters here who persistently dog whistle and use low level goading. Then the thread gets deleted and they play innocent next time, denying their previous claims/comments (including claims about professional expertise).

The challenge is that individual comments may skirt the line and are left, but its the pattern that creates the atmosphere. Calling out individual posts on thread is like playing whack-a-mole. Wiith the new guidelines on excessive reporting even playing whack-a-mole on individual threads is discouraged.

Lock the threads, let bigots and GFs be seen for what they are, deletions and all. Half of the old threads are like swiss cheese anyway so its not exactly a new situation

Snappity · 22/06/2018 13:27

No, the problem is the posts and threads. They definitely need to be deleted

thebewilderness · 22/06/2018 22:14

Sometimes the Goady posts are responded to in very effective ways and so I would like them to stay with a statement from a mod on why they were closed to further comment. That would serves as a better deterrent as well as demonstrating MNHQ previously stated endorsement of what they call free speech.

Jozxyqk · 22/06/2018 22:20

I agree. Threads could be locked instead of deleted.

Datun · 23/06/2018 04:31

Snappity

No, the problem is the posts and threads. They definitely need to be deleted

Do you have specific threads in mind, Snappity?

OP posts:
ScienceIsTruth · 23/06/2018 04:52

@snappity isn't keen on biological reality, so would probably rather those threads disappeared. Also, TRAs obviously don't want evidence of their deliberate goadiness left 'laying around' for others to see.

Snappity · 23/06/2018 05:06

The purpose of reporting posts is to flag posts which shouldn't be here. Simply locking them rather than deleting them is nonsensical - if locking was sufficient a post wouldn't need reporting in the first place.

TerfsUp · 23/06/2018 05:33

I agree with locking threads.

daisychain01 · 23/06/2018 05:39

It'll never happen. The minute the GF is "found out", it's quick let's get rid of the nasty mess off the site.

QuoadUltra · 23/06/2018 05:40

No, of course it needs to be deleted. MN is about its content.

If your post is goady or breaches the rules - you don’t get to leave your post there for all eternity.

Why do you need to point to threads? Report post, MN will moderate, end of.

daisychain01 · 23/06/2018 05:44

Oops posted too quickly!

Meant to say - the rationale that leaving GF threads up shows the trolls how it's done is faulty thinking imo. What it does is give actual examples of a wind-up thread, so people become more aware of what a bad thread looks like. It's an education.

I've noticed people are often getting good at not rising to the bait, even when the poster is a caste-iron wind-up merchant. In fact I'm amazed at how tolerant people are at times, not always, but more than they used to be on here. People are starting to know the rules of the game on MN. Still Work In Progress at times!

thebewilderness · 23/06/2018 05:46

If your post is goady or breaches the rules - you don’t get to leave your post there for all eternity.

Mumsnet do no proactively moderate so they depend on people reporting.
If no one reports it the post stays.

QuoadUltra · 23/06/2018 05:58

Ok, but we are talking about moderated threads.

Datun · 23/06/2018 16:20

I'm objecting in the strongest possible terms to the deletion of this thread.

www.mumsnet.com/Talk/womens_rights/3286354-Who-should-get-to-decide-whether-an-intersex-person-is-classified-as-male-or-female?watched=1&msgid=78889034#78889034

The thread was a deliberate attempt to inflame, which it largely failed at (although not completely).

Many women, including me, spent time and effort refuting arguments on that thread for the benefit of people who are either lurking, or not au fait.

But, by far and away the most important point to that thread is the game being played here, and you are being played along with it.

They are started deliberately to goad women. Either for the sport, or the screen caps. Probably both.

When they have had enough fun or enough people catch them out on the thread, they go into 'deletion overdrive' in order for the thread to be pulled.

The women are left distraught with no closure. Again, a deliberate outcome.

A few days go by, and they will start again on another thread.

Please leave the damn threads. So other people can become aware, and not get caught.

It's deliberate manipulation, and you're falling for it.

Deleting posts which are beyond the pail, all good, all normal mumsnet rules. Pulling entire threads, incredibly frustrating and counter-productive in the extreme.

Please consider closing threads, but not deleting them. They will just drop down list, they don't need dusting, or feeding.

OP posts:
ballsballsballs · 23/06/2018 16:25

I agree with Datun.

BertrandRussell · 23/06/2018 16:32

I agree with Datun too. Particularly about the intersex thread.

Datun · 23/06/2018 16:33

"We think this thread has run its course, so are closing it, for the time being."

Could you at least trial this option? See how it goes.

If it proves problematic, on any level, you can change your mind!

OP posts:
Beamur · 23/06/2018 16:35

Unless the post is incredibly offensive, then I'd agree that it should remain visible otherwise the meaning in a thread is lost.
Perhaps a compromise might be to close a thread and then delete it after 30 days? So it can stand as an example briefly but not be kept indefinitely.

Waddlelikeapenguin · 23/06/2018 18:06

I agree with Datun.
You're being played MNHQ.

upsideup · 23/06/2018 18:48

If someone posts something thats offensive and it is upsetting people it should be deleted as keeping it there is only going to offend and upset more people and why would we want to give the troll that extra power?