This place is the opposite of an 'echo chamber'

[pombear]

It's a 'conversation womb', nurturing and growing thinking to help it get out there in the world.

Bear with me - I'm looking for the opposite definitinon to an 'echo chamber'!

It's where many women accidentally ended up, maybe already on Mumsnet but nonchalantly browsing Style and Beauty, empathising with those in Relationships, gwaping at an AIBU or looking to buy a pram (waves at India!).

Maybe accidentally through Twitter, or via the Daily Mail (penis beaker, whether we liked it or not) or randomly via a google search for 'childfree but love cats'. Not necessarily parents, but up for thoughtful discussion.

And many women, however they got there, got to FWR, paused, listened, researched, listened again to so many points of view here and elsewhere.

And then they started talking to each other here, then to friends and family, to politicians, at events, on Twitter, on facebook, on the streets.

Though there are some constrictions, this place doesn't block thousands of voices because a few people don't like what's being said.

It's the opposite of an echo chamber, despite the efforts of others to paint it as such.

Sorry, not sorry, that we're talking and other people are listening.

You are right. The "echo chamber" concept applies to places like Twitter and Facebook as there you choose which voices to follow and can block those you disagree with or restrict what you say to be only visible to people who will agree.

Here, anyone can post on any topic (subject to basic rules eg no personal attacks) and it is visible to everyone and anyone in the world can reply.

It's completely the opposite of an echo chamber. On twitter/facebook you can post a load of bilge and get only likes/loves/support. Here, you get your arse handed to you.

When the opposite opinion in a disagreement fails to offer a coherent argument in support of their position here, you know it's not due to blockings/defriending having silenced them. It's because they have nothing to say.

Agree. Am sometimes in the minority here so can confirm it’s no echo chamber!

inquiquotiokixul

Exactly this:
When the opposite opinion in a disagreement fails to offer a coherent argument in support of their position here, you know it's not due to blockings/defriending having silenced them. It's because they have nothing to say

And time and time again, the 'ploppers', the 'you're all transphobic' brigade drop in to debate here, they leave again, without any evidence that people are "shouting them down" here.

So many threads with so many people asking them to engage further in the discussion - and yet they go, either in a flurry of 'you're all horrible' or just disappear into the night without any further engagement.

Absolutely anyone can post here as long as they follow the community guidelines (which again got more restricted thanks to people who are trying to shut discussion down - mainly trans activists).
What's uniquely powerful about this forum is the ability for actual considered conversation, which is female-led.
It's amazing.
Anyone with an opposing view is allowed to vocalize it. We have some regular posters who disagree with everything gender-critical women have to say. They don't get banned or deleted, as long as they aren't breaking the rules. But they do get a multitude of posters arguing counter-points.
That's why I really enjoy MN threads, they allow everyone to read the arguments in full, with a variety of different thoughts.

Agreed -that's why I'm here and I'm sure there are many others who feel the same.

I have signed up today after lurking for so long because I am utterly sick of the way discussions are conducted elsewhere.

I am tired of every debate being framed as 'if you think X, you must also think Y' or that if you agree with something someone says you must agree with everything they say (and vice versa ).

The over simplification and polarisation of every issue is ruining society.

Discussion on here is nuanced, varied, inspireally and incredibly interesting.

This is a breath of fresh air.

Well done mumsnetters!

Oops! 'Nuanced, varied and inspiring '

bluetitsaretits

Welcome! Despite the external voyeuristic males want to paint this place as an echo chamber, I've definitely found it a nuanced and valuable place to sort out my thinking around feminism. I have a feeling that their portrayal of this place is simply projection and frustration. (Waves to you all!)

And, as always, i want to nod to the women who were doing the heavy-lifting for many months and years before many of us are who all talking here, who were shouting about these issues before most of us realised what the fuck was going on.

Totally agree. For quite a few issues including Brexit, trans issues, disabled rights, experiences of poverty and wealth, I definitely feel I have heard/read a much wider range of opinions and experiences than in real life.

Agreed -a big thank you to all the long term posters here who have been doing the virtual leg work. There are some incredible women here, it's really heartening.