Please, please, please can we have a feature to block individual posters

[RudsyFarmer]

Honestly I can’t believe how aggressive some of the posters on the site are. Pure anger pouring forth regularly. I am not expecting MN to ban any posters based on their vitriol, but can we at least have an option not to see their posts?

And yes I know I can leave before a divisive ChatBot comes and helpfully posts this on the thread.

The option to block would also instantly remove the power of the current night troll.

I understand if someone is being offensive and impolite, and basically being a troll.

Other than that if it's just a person's opinions that you disagree with then why do you want only opinions that agree with your own, ?

And I can understand the reasoning to a degree, but just asking would that option then leads down the path of dictatorship and censorship and basically eco chambers ?

I agree for that case, although sometimes I wonder if this is one of those, where you want to introduce a feature but know their will be resistance, so then the problem "troll" is created and all of a sudden the majority want the feature implemented.

A site I used to be on allowed this , it was great. No one knew they had been hidden just you and it made user experience much pleasanter.

I think MSE forums used to use that method, but then it went to shit and everyone left anyway 😂

I only find angry posts annoying when they derails a thread. Everyone starts arguing about the rude posters point instead of the thread.

Otherwise just ignore. Why engage with the aggressive posts; all the “ FFS” and sarky put downs. If people don’t debate the rants they’ll be no point in writing more vitriol.

You don't have to if you can block them, don't even have to read their crap!

That I can understand and agree with,

I would like the feature. I name change a lot, so that even if I'm recognised posts can't be linked.

I think some of the anger is where people think they've recognised someone (they're usually wrong) from other places and want to stick the boot in.

Though the main problem is that there's a lot of angry keyboard warriors, with poor comprehension skills, who just go around jumping on posters. I find Mumsnet generally supportive but these people spoil things.

I'd be happy with a 'hide post' or 'hide posts in this thread only' function if for some reason MN doesn't want to give us the 'ultimate power' to block a poster altogether. At least give us the ability to hide their upsetting posts. I've also wished for this for posts that aren't nasty or mean-spirited, but are simply upsetting for personal reasons.

You could just not read their posts. I scroll past loads of one-on-one arguments and individual prolific posters on particular boards.

Sounds like it's the other way round.

That too.

If you don't like it don't read it

I'd like this feature too. It's easy enough to say don't read those posts but you have to start reading them to know you don't want to read them, and then the irritation arises.

I dislike blocking because it does make threads hard to follow. You get divergent conversations/arguments happening within the same thread. If people have blocked you, you think you're replying to something they wrote or asking a question, then nothing happens. One of the main reasons I left all my Facebook groups was because of the non-sequential nature of discussions when half the participants can't see each other.

@AcrossthePond55's idea of a 'hide post' or 'hide posts in this thread only' function could work well, though.

I just don’t think the threads run in the way you are describing. Perhaps I’m thinking of the pile ons and you’re thinking of more cerebral conversations where everyone’s input is useful.

It doesn't matter, though, @RudsyFarmer. If you've blocked me because you don't like my views on something and then, another day, you post a question I can answer, you won't see my reply! Worse still, if another poster then quotes or refers to my answer with a bit of extra information or a tweak, it'll be meaningless to you.

There has to be the ability to easily sort that though in your scenario. I can imagine that could well happen and if there was a button saying ‘see post’ for example I could give you another go.

To be honest though if youve just been absolutely foul to someone in another post and I decided to hide you from that point I could live without your help in another area of the site.