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Original poster

MUST WATCH "David Baddiel: Social, Media, Anger and Us" BBC2

60 replies

RedToothBrush · 13/12/2021 21:37

This is a hugely important documentary. I would urge everyone on this section to have a good watch.

It covers some highly relevant subjects connected to identity.

Its a really good background to some of the political conflicts we current see and stuff like cancel culture

Its just over 2/3 though but already I think its bloody brilliant.

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Original poster
RedToothBrush · 13/12/2021 21:38

Its currently talking about the madness of crowds and performative communication.

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Blinkinname · 13/12/2021 21:39

Thanks for the reminder op, I'll stick on watch from start now

batmanladybird · 13/12/2021 21:40

Ooh thank you

ScreamingMeMe · 13/12/2021 21:41

Sounds good, thanks OP!

FrancescaContini · 13/12/2021 21:43

Also watching right now!

Can’t help but think - WHY did you let your DD use social media from early teens?

David Bowie’s prescience back in 1999 re the potential power of the Internet to alter the way we communicate with each other was pretty mind blowing.

Original poster
RedToothBrush · 13/12/2021 21:46

@FrancescaContini

Also watching right now!

Can’t help but think - WHY did you let your DD use social media from early teens?

David Bowie’s prescience back in 1999 re the potential power of the Internet to alter the way we communicate with each other was pretty mind blowing.

Social pressure. Its hard to say no. And I think that perhaps a lot of parents in their late 40s and 50s who haven't grown up with social media don't grasp its power properly.
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FrancescaContini · 13/12/2021 21:48

Sali Hughes from the Guardian talking about a site called Tattle Life (never heard of it but it sounds totally poisonous) - very articulate on being actively, repeatedly targeted online. Poor woman 😢

LightningJenny · 13/12/2021 21:52

A chill went down my back at some of the language and tactics described in this. Terrifying how social media is being used to propagate nonsense.

AnyOldPrion · 13/12/2021 21:53

@FrancescaContini

Also watching right now!

Can’t help but think - WHY did you let your DD use social media from early teens?

David Bowie’s prescience back in 1999 re the potential power of the Internet to alter the way we communicate with each other was pretty mind blowing.

Mine all kind of rejected it. I’m quite proud of them really, because I never thought to prevent them, though I did give them smart phones very late, which might have accidentally done the trick. I just thought they didn’t need them and were more likely to be mugged for their phones…
Original poster
RedToothBrush · 13/12/2021 22:04

It is interesting saying about the 'quiet people' who don't speak on social media.

It has always been important for me on MN to speak what I feel and never be afraid of being different to others. A lesson I learn in the days of the early internet forums was people always agree with you, but are often afraid to voice it, but will quietly message you thanking you. And you should always look for and listen to the quiet voices as well as the shouty ones.

When I came to MN I carried that forward. I find it fascinating that was the note he ended the programme on. Its soo soo true and invaluable.

I never ever tweet. I read and digest instead.

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BreadInCaptivity · 13/12/2021 22:43

@FrancescaContini

Sali Hughes from the Guardian talking about a site called Tattle Life (never heard of it but it sounds totally poisonous) - very articulate on being actively, repeatedly targeted online. Poor woman 😢

That site is indeed awful imho. It's based not so much on topics but "threads" about individuals that are just massive pile ons with very little moderation, full of very personal nasty comments and untrue/unsubstantiated rumour.

I ventured over there once and backed away very, very quickly....

That said SH is no friend to MN either. She's been very vocal in her criticism of this site and "siding" on Twitter with a certain golfing enthusiast in their condemnation of "us".

I believe this stems from some S&B threads that questioned her professionalism by suggesting she was plugging certain items in her column for personal benefit when there's no evidence whatsoever to suggest this and it's something SH has strenuously and repeatedly denied.

From memory the recommendation of a £40 (or more) shower cap was something a number of poster found ahem....a bizarre recommendation and jumped to erroneous conclusions.

That aside I think it's fair to say that SH has been involved in a number of SM episodes that some might consider controversial or question her judgement/approach, though others might say she's been effective in standing up for herself. All depends on your perspective....

BoreOfWhabylon · 14/12/2021 02:41

Fascinating. Thanks RedToothBrush

Link for any who might want it
www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/m0012kf0

Bellendejour · 14/12/2021 08:09

I think SH got a hard time on Tattle but I also remember that she and a few others has a little social media clique where they slated Dawn O Porter, calling her Prawn Hmm and ripping apart her columns/work etc. And then I remember Giles Coren doing some random insta story about how she had given his wife a hard time (she had a food column). I think that all got uncovered on Tattle so some of it was about her hypocrisy in going on about being targeted etc when she had been a bit of a bully herself.

FrancescaContini · 14/12/2021 08:25

@Bellendejour

I think SH got a hard time on Tattle but I also remember that she and a few others has a little social media clique where they slated Dawn O Porter, calling her Prawn Hmm and ripping apart her columns/work etc. And then I remember Giles Coren doing some random insta story about how she had given his wife a hard time (she had a food column). I think that all got uncovered on Tattle so some of it was about her hypocrisy in going on about being targeted etc when she had been a bit of a bully herself.
I don’t know anything about any of this as I don’t use any SM so am not “up” with who said what about who (frankly don’t care) in gossipland, but what struck me by the end of the programme was the extent to which DB was so entangled in NEEDING online validation, despite his attempts at “detoxing” from it. He’s truly addicted. I actually found it quite disturbing, and sad.
picklemewalnuts · 14/12/2021 08:36

@AnyOldPrion I think the same worked with mine- late phones, limited gaming/tv time. Neither do social media at all, though one of them is a keen gamer.

MarciaDidia · 14/12/2021 08:40

I shall try to watch this. Would you recommend it to tweens/teens pestering for social media accounts or is it sweary/too hard-hitting? I could imagine making watching it a pre-condition to permitting social media engagement or even sending it to schools for PHSE lessons. But I suspect it will not be age-appropriate.

Original poster
RedToothBrush · 14/12/2021 09:10

@MarciaDidia

I shall try to watch this. Would you recommend it to tweens/teens pestering for social media accounts or is it sweary/too hard-hitting? I could imagine making watching it a pre-condition to permitting social media engagement or even sending it to schools for PHSE lessons. But I suspect it will not be age-appropriate.
I don't think there is anything too sweary or too adult in the programme actually (unless my memory is just being shit). There is a family who got arson attacked due to social media and thats not nice. But I also wouldn't say it was pitched at teens either. I think its one to watch yourself and make a decision. It really needs a similar programme to be rehashed for a more BBC3 audience for what you are looking for I think. This is definitely more 'gen x and older millenial' pitch - but thats perhaps a given with Baddiel as presenter.
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MarciaDidia · 14/12/2021 12:04

Thanks RedToothbrush

SequinsandStiIettos · 14/12/2021 13:37

Would have missed this had it not been your recommendation red
Thank you Flowers It was vey good indeed.

SequinsandStiIettos · 14/12/2021 13:37

very

SequinsandStiIettos · 14/12/2021 13:45

One blanked expletive which is quite clearly cunt, otherwise fine. I do think showing it to teens would be productive, yes

RoyalCorgi · 14/12/2021 13:49

That said SH is no friend to MN either. She's been very vocal in her criticism of this site and "siding" on Twitter with a certain golfing enthusiast in their condemnation of "us".

I remember that, and it put me right off her. I have complete sympathy for how awful it must be when those people on Tattle were so nasty about her, or when people on Mumsnet made libellous comments about her.

But then to side with the golfing enthusiast, who is a deeply nasty piece of work, undermines her claim to be on the side of the angels. At least do your due diligence, Sali, before leaping in to take sides in an argument you know nothing about.

sashagabadon · 14/12/2021 16:03

I think DB is part of the problem though. He is provocative on Twitter and is equally guilty imo of all the things he accuses others of. I think they should all come off Twitter personally. It is no good for any of them.

Snoozer11 · 14/12/2021 16:59

I think there's generally more vitriol by posters on AIBU than there is on Tattle.

Chosenonetosurvivethenight · 14/12/2021 17:07

Fascinating documentary.
The whole idea of cancel culture versus consequence culture is really interesting/worrying. There is such a feeling of right and wrong think here. They didn't address how 'wrong think' is measured and who decides (dictates) it. As we know you cam be cancelled for saying a woman has a cervix so what will be the next wrong think and why is that not worrying.