Gransnet forums

AIBU

To think that GN would be better moderated by older people?

(120 Posts)
trisher Mon 04-Mar-19 13:18:59

I have spent a lifetime in political debate and other discussions. I think one of the requirements of such discussions is a certain robustness and an ability to use language. But GN is apparently moderated by the snowflake generation who see anything posted that is reported by anyone as controversial, and although they can't delete it, because it doesn't contravene the guidelines, they send out warnings. I think older people moderating the site would do so with more flexibility and less response to those who constantly report. I have had many accusations thrown at me about my politics which I haven't and won't report. So let's have some older moderators on this site who won't find controversial posts threatening.

Elegran Tue 05-Mar-19 15:05:19

Not all the posts that are complained about get deleted, notentirelyallhere. The person on moderator duty at GN looks at them first. Some seem to be passed as OK and other not-so-nasty ones get the chop.

For instance, a thread which looks to me suspiciously as though it is by a familiar hand apparently hasn't (so far) merited deletion.

janeainsworth Tue 05-Mar-19 15:29:57

Is there any evidence that posts are deleted even though they don’t actually breach guidelines, but because people complain about them? Have you been told this by GNHQ Trisher?

I too would prefer that offensive posts are left in situ. Then we can all see which posters cause the most offence, for what they are.
Perhaps if people knew that their vitriol was there in perpetuity they might moderate their own language, rather than just playing the game of seeing how far they can go and how many posts they can get deleted.

Framilode Tue 05-Mar-19 15:30:29

I do find someone who spends their time correcting the spelling and grammar of other posters offensive, even when asked not to do so.

I think the mods should intervene with this.

sodapop Tue 05-Mar-19 16:05:34

That's annoying and ill mannered Framilode but not offensive, just don't respond to her.
I don't think it warrants intervention by the moderators.

MissAdventure Tue 05-Mar-19 16:07:58

I do.
I think its the height of bad manners, particularly when a new poster is met with someone pointing out their errors.
If it were me posting for the first time, it would also be the last.

Anniebach Tue 05-Mar-19 16:13:40

Being on the receiving end of having my spelling errors corrected , often, it is offensive, i am use to it but it could deeply upset a new poster

MissAdventure Tue 05-Mar-19 16:22:07

I was thinking, when I read the thread asking if our mums would have liked gransnet; my mum wouldn't have passed the standards set by the self elected grammar, punctuation and spelling police. sad
No wonder some people are nervous about posting.

sodapop Tue 05-Mar-19 16:22:48

Different strokes for different folks, this would annoy me but not offend. We all have different levels of tolerance.

MissAdventure Tue 05-Mar-19 16:25:29

I don't think its for members to take it upon themselves, so it's lucky I'm not admin!

Gonegirl Tue 05-Mar-19 16:33:58

I wonder. Is the GNHQ office a totally swear-free zone? No occasional "bloody", or even, (heaven forefend!), the actual (preposterous!!! hmm ) "eff" word?

MissAdventure Tue 05-Mar-19 16:39:05

I'm sure they all swear like troopers! wink

sodapop Tue 05-Mar-19 16:44:37

MissA gringrin

trisher Tue 05-Mar-19 16:51:53

Just don't think their Grans should!
janeainsworth for the most part I don't object to my posts being deleted if they breech guidelines (although I would prefer them to remain) I do understand even if I disagree. The thing that really got me was being "warned" because some people had complained even though the post didn't breech guidelines. I think there also may be a disproportionate number of deletions at weekends when the moderators are probably younger staff covering, and anxious to show what a good job they are doing.

Framilode Tue 05-Mar-19 17:09:57

Miss Adventure I saw the spelling correction on the thread for new posters. It was that that I thought particularly mean.

I am all for robust debate as long as is doesn't get personal.

CariGransnet (GNHQ) Tue 05-Mar-19 17:33:33

To address a few concerns:

- The number of complaints we get about a particular post makes no difference to the way we view it. All reports are treated on their own merits

- We are a post-moderated site so we rely on you to report things you think we should look at. Reporting something DOESN’T mean it will be deleted (no matter how many people report it!) It does mean we will take a look

- We won’t delete a post because it contains swearing (with a couple of exceptions...you can read more about those in our netiquette section) We are aware that everyone’s tolerance for bad language differs but we are all grown ups grin

- We have very few rules and really do prefer not to delete posts. Robust debate (argument...a rose by any other name etc stdavids and yes I realise that’s a daffodil but I’m working with what I have) is fine (of course) as long as it doesn’t resort to personal attacks

- (to jalima) nope, no objections to being called mature. Or immature. Happily both

trisher Tue 05-Mar-19 17:59:56

Cari thanks for your explanation. Could you please tell me why the messages I receive when I am notified that a post will be deleted always mention a number of posters, if the number is not relevant? And could you explain why I was issued with a "warning" when my post did not contravene guidelines although a number of posters had reported it? You see much as I like GN if its policy is only to scrutinise when posts are reported it does lead to a culture of reporting by some, not because the post is necessarily offensive but because they disagree with the views stated. The result is, because those of us who believe in free speech don't report posts, a rather unbalanced and frankly boring set of diatribes from a limited number of posters. It is ruining threads on GN and limiting posts I believe.

GrannyGravy13 Tue 05-Mar-19 18:10:45

trisher I agree with your post.

I would never ask for a post to be deleted unless it was deeply offence to another poster, or a post to which I had responded had been deleted and, therefore my post became irrelevant.

Asking for a post to be deleted just because you do not agree with the opinions contained therein just shuts down debate.

If I am found guilty of any of the above I hope someone would point it out to me in a polite and reasoned way.

Cherrytree59 Tue 05-Mar-19 18:23:07

Carigransnet I have a vision of GN and MN crew all sitting together in the same HQ office sharing ginger biscuits.
BTW the MN crew seem a feisty lot
Am I way off the mark??? grin

varian Tue 05-Mar-19 18:58:31

The main difference between them is that MN are more tolerant of swearing.

Day6 Tue 05-Mar-19 19:12:30

Asking for a post to be deleted just because you do not agree with the opinions contained therein just shuts down debate

I completely agree GrannyGravy

Differences of opinion should always be acceptable.

I have lots of friends with views different from mine. We don't fall out. We agree to disagree (and 'robust' debate usually follows!) grin

varian Tue 05-Mar-19 19:17:39

Although I don't like swearing (and I think that tolerance of swearing is probably a generational thing), I am very struck by the contrast between the weight of views on brexit on MN compared with GN.

It does confirm the findings of 2016 referendum vote analysis that old folk were more likely to have voted Leave. I am one of the minority of old folk who voted to Remain and therefore prefer MN to GN.

MissAdventure Tue 05-Mar-19 19:20:24

Brexit again? sad

sodapop Tue 05-Mar-19 19:25:01

It hasn't crept into the Whitsuntide thread yet MissA !!

Cherrytree59 Tue 05-Mar-19 19:25:39

When do you cross the line to becoming old?
I'm still in my fifties (just) and voted leave in 2016.
I read MN as well as GN.

Day6 Tue 05-Mar-19 19:31:16

It does confirm the findings of 2016 referendum vote analysis that old folk were more likely to have voted Leave

That's another partisan smear Varian It suits your agenda even though on GN I'd say that when Brexit is discussed there are just as many Remainers on threads as Leavers.

Let us not forget, we are a generation of women that fought for equal rights, fought for sexual liberation and many of us went on to further education and professional work lives - as well as raising families. Many of us can hold our own - fight our corner, so to speak.

I find it odd that older women like you need to portray their generation as somehow blinkered, lacking in the thought processes and unable to see beyond their noses because they are now grandparents.. and voted to leave the EU.

Now there is a bit of robust debate for you. hmm