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MNHQ

Thread sabotage

146 replies

JustineMumsnet · 08/09/2007 20:45

Evening all,
As you know we aren't ones to intervene when threads go off topic as a rule but we think that sabotaging threads you would rather weren't on Mumsnet/find distasteful is not really in the spirit of the place. We are, after all, generally in favour of free speech and people's right to express their opinions - even ones we might prefer not expressed.
If you believe any particular posts break our abuse policy - i.e. are personal attacks, obscene or defamatory - please do report them and we will respond as soon as we can - though not always immediately at weekends/after hours/during England matches.

Cheers,

Mumsnet Towers

OP posts:
niceglasses · 09/09/2007 12:22

They are easy to avoid yes LG, but people also have right to voice an opinion on the (tasteless) direction in which in these discussions are going - to fail to do that for sake of giving pple the 'right of free speech' is a deriliction of duty to me.

It goes beyond ignoring them to me. On the whole I did ignore them, but to continue to do so in the face of some of the discussion yesterday was just plain morally wrong. Morally for me anyhow.

niceglasses · 09/09/2007 12:23

sorry meant hychee not LilianGish

Blandmum · 09/09/2007 12:32

haychee. what yuo seen to be missing is that if I simply ignore these vile posts I'm am taccitly giving my concent of them. And the misguided people who *want to discuss chlidren being eaten by pigs will think that their behaviour is normal. Whay I think isn't true.

However If I post this I'll be told 'Freedom of speech, I've a right to say this' or 'If you don;;t like it, don't read it.

Wheras I feel that I have the right to say, your posts revolt me, and just becauseI'm ignoring them It *doesn't mean that I approve.

What next, 'If you don't like dog fighting, don't watch?'

'If you don't like racist comments, don't listen'

There are somethings that shouldn't be said in a civilied world.

haychee · 09/09/2007 12:42

Ok MB i get it. I understand. However i dont agree that speculation of the case on here is wrong.
I was so cross when the thread was bumped out of existence that was wrong. It was also wrong to detail suitcases etc on the thread it was far too detailed and has clearly upset alot of people.
I dont mean to make enemies, i just want that known. I am not a troll. I am an adult just like you who has opinions of her own.

OberonKenobi · 09/09/2007 13:00

"Such anxiety provoking threads are easy to avoid though are they not?"

So the purpose of them is to provoke anxiety?

Is that a responsible, adult way to behave on a public forum?

lornaloo · 09/09/2007 13:05

VVV Im not having a go at anyone. Im just trying to defend myself. You dont know me at all so comments like narrow minded and small IQ are just rude and an assumption you cannot make from one thread. Im sorry but you cant.

startouchedtrinity · 09/09/2007 13:12

Thank you LG. FWIW my anxiety isn't too bad atm so I can handle this (just), but I know there are other mntters in the same boat who will find this very hard. The only way to avoid these threads is either to not go on active convos, and thereby miss other discussions you may enjoy, or to avoid mnet totally - which may coincide with a time when you really need someone to talk to. I appreciate that people have a right to free speech but dispute that Mnet is the place to have this type of discussion, or that Mnet itself should set free speech as its priority rather than the mental well-being of some of those who come here for help and support.

VeniVidiVickiQV · 09/09/2007 13:15

LL, it wasn't VVV, it was me, Hunker. I was generalising, not directing that all at you. But you'd have to admit those threads haven't been frequented in the main by the creme of top thinkers, surely?!

lornaloo · 09/09/2007 13:20

Is it really your job to be giving your consent to these posts though?

stepfordwife · 09/09/2007 13:20

.."freedom of speech" (aka as feral ramblings in many cases) surely inherently means using judgement, bloody 'ell, just basic decency , to know when to use that "freedom."
how would you feel if it was YOUR child?

startouchedtrinity · 09/09/2007 13:25

People seem to have lost the ability to self-censor and empathise.

Something expat said has stuck a chord. These threads, and the way mnet has changed generally, probably just reflect how our society has changed. I think we are losing the distinction between fact and fiction, everything is treated as entertainment and the huge amount of violence not just in films but on television is fuelling this.

Blandmum · 09/09/2007 13:25

But if I say nothing I'm letting people who post this stuff 'get away with it'

Like turning a blind eye.

When something ghastly happens the cry alawys goes up, 'Why was nothing done/said, Why didn't people do something?'

If I hear some one telling a racist joke, if I say nothing I'm condoning it. If we want a decent society, we all have to step in, if something is wrong. And to my mind, these posts were wrong.

lornaloo · 09/09/2007 13:26

Funny you should say that Stepforwife I was just sitting here thinking about if it was my child and yes you are right I'm sure it would really upset me. I think I will be far more consious of what I discuss from now on. I went on that thread not realising I would be upsetting people.

lornaloo · 09/09/2007 13:32

Tbh Im probably not a big thinker and obviously rather naive as I genuinely didnt think anything I was doing was wrong.

stepfordwife · 09/09/2007 13:32

yes, were all just so lucky, aren't we, lornaloo .to have the luxury of it not happening to us. btw, sure you realise, but 'your' was a general you and not directed at anyone personally.
that's what it's so easy to forget - these are real people witrh a real emotions, a real tragedy - whatever the truth turns out to be and, most of all, a real beautiful little girl.

lornaloo · 09/09/2007 13:40

There was no need to be sarky there stepforwife. Yes we are very lucky it hasnt happend to us. Since the day she went missing ive thought about how devastated I would feel if that were my child. But I hadnt thought about how I would feel if people were discussing it on here and thats what I meant by my last post. I was sitting here thinking about how it would make me feel if people were speculating about it. I can see your point thats all im saying. Your right...

stepfordwife · 09/09/2007 13:44

er, i wasn't being sarky at all, lornaloo, but sorry you took it that way. wouldn't try to score-point, especially on this topic, genuinely meant we were ALL lucky it wasn't us.
but, as you said earlier, that's the trouble with posts - the tone can be misintepreted.

lornaloo · 09/09/2007 13:46

Sorry I thought Yes, arnt we just so lucky, was abit sarky as if I dont know.

lornaloo · 09/09/2007 13:50

Basically I hadnt thought I was doing anything wrong in discussing on that thread. Im starting to realise now that it clearly is a bit of a sensitive subjuct to be discussing so freely on the internet and like you say with people I dont know. I know that now and see your point. You are, of course, absolutly right.

startouchedtrinity · 09/09/2007 14:15

And of course Madeleine McCann doesn't just have parents, but grandparents, aunts, uncles and loved ones, any of whom could be reading this site.

VeniVidiVickiQV · 09/09/2007 22:25

Agree totally with gess, Martianbishop and hunker (albeit masquerading as VVV...)

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