A like button?

Another reason why a green and red button is good (like/dislike or agree/disagree, whatever you think it means):

It would out the bullies! People often recognise when bullies are in action but they don't do or say anything. This would give them the chance to red flag the bullies and show them up. I think that would work well.

‘Shy posters’; what is the point of joining in; and then not joining in?
I honestly don’t get it, I really don’t

Shy posters may be posting on less contentious threads, household or gardening or whatever. There are many of them. But they may be shy about having an actual discussion and giving their viewpoint which puts them in the firing line from people who disagree.

Chestnut,
I will make myself scarce now
Bye all ?

Who decides what “bullying” is ?

I don’t understand how the like buttons would “out” the bullies either

People have already said that they can spot when posters are ganging up on someone. Maybe 'bullies' is a strong word, but it does happen and people do recognise it.

Chestnut

But surely a green button would give those who are not confident a chance to show what they think without putting themselves on the line and being bullied.

Good point.

It doesn't out anyone, but suppose someone pointed out that people were taking things too far; a flurry of others agreeing might make them think...
It might make them stop.
Or, they may start demanding to know who had pressed their "like" button...
Either way, it would show that not everyone agreed with their behaviour, which isnt always to do with "a difference of opinion".

The site is for any and everyone to use, whether they're the strident type, or more fragile.
It isnt owned by the "scroll on by" mindset.

None of which matters, because the like button isn't going to happen.

Maybe 'bullies' is a strong word, but it does happen and people do recognise it.

I personally call them the ‘pile on gang’. I’m not prepared to get into it with anyone as enjoying the tennis but there is a clique that, if one or two are involved in a heated discussion, without fail certain names can be guaranteed to appear from nowhere to pile in. I find it funny; almost as if there’s a call for the cavalry.

I know some of the less robust members get upset by it and anxious about posting because I’ve had the PM’s.

Anyway back to the tennis

15 love!

tickingbird

^Maybe 'bullies' is a strong word, but it does happen and people do recognise it.^

I personally call them the ‘pile on gang’. I’m not prepared to get into it with anyone as enjoying the tennis but there is a clique that, if one or two are involved in a heated discussion, without fail certain names can be guaranteed to appear from nowhere to pile in. I find it funny; almost as if there’s a call for the cavalry.

I know some of the less robust members get upset by it and anxious about posting because I’ve had the PM’s.

Anyway back to the tennis

Yes I've seen this too. Reprehensible behaviour but at the most they get a short ban and then reappear and proceed as before. Well known names as well.

FannyCornforth

‘Shy posters’; what is the point of joining in; and then not joining in?
I honestly don’t get it, I really don’t

Some posters are rude and off putting and if challenged, rally a troop of bullies to harass the challenger.
Other posters feel distaste but know if they express that they will also be targetted. So a like button supporting the victim is a way of expressing solidarity.

Sounds strange that this has to be expressed on a forum for older more mature women. But I have twice seen posters, posting about a parent who was either seriously ill or deceased, being the recipient of unpleasant and spiteful posts.

As long as that is allowed, posters are going to feel intimidated as some members seem to have no boundaries.

So when might one use a “Like/Dislike” button?

If I was to post a picture of a jumper I’d knitted or a plant I’d grown, would I rather have lots of likes and no comments, or lots of people telling me how they liked my work? Answer: the latter.

If I posted something lots of people didn’t like, for whatever reason, would I prefer lots of dislikes and no comments, or several people telling me why they didn’t like it? Answer: the latter.

What if I’m behaving in a way that many people find unacceptable? Making comments about a deceased parent, for instance? Will a bunch of “Dislikes” affect my behaviour, or is it more likely to be an intervention by a real poster telling me how I’ve gone too far, and a report to GNHQ? Whether we like it or not, the answer is reporting; this site is not run by the posters, and we don’t get to choose what’s acceptable and what’s not. The “higher authority” is GNHQ, that’s what we sign up for when we join.

Last thing; there are lots of posters here with lots of knowledge about lots of things. Many of them tell us what they know and discussions ensue. But if I turn up and say “night is day, that’s my opinion”, I can expect to be told how I’m wrong. I should be expected to be able to stand up for what I think and not just go “No, no, night is day, that’s what I believe, and I’m entitled to my opinion. You and your clique are just bullies!”

I'm think it's a good idea. I often read posts from the regular keyboard warriors to which I disagree, but when I have posted a reply the rudeness and harsh replies put me off posting anything.

MrsHappy ??

So, asking sincerely MrsHappy, how would it have helped you to have an anonymous like button?

Pretty obvious really. She could click a red dislike button instead of posting which will incur some nasty reply. As she said.

And other than making a little red symbols appear on the forum, which will mean nothing at all to the poster who you dislike, and which will be ignored, what good will it do? I posted above about why it won't make a blind but of difference. So repeatedly telling us "it's obvious" doesn't answer the questions.

Instead of a "dislike" button we might as well all have a big red plastic button to bash next to our computers. It will have the same effect. Let us get it out of our system but be completely useless as regards other posters on the forum.

Bullies apparently are those who ask for more information or who challenge misinformation.

Anyway it is all academic as no changes are ever made !!

Chestnut

But surely a green button would give those who are not confident a chance to show what they think without putting themselves on the line and being bullied.

I don’t think that buttons show what anyone thinks, though. Unless questions are all phrased so that they can be answered yes or no, they are pretty much meaningless.

Also, being disagreed with is not being bullied. I am disagreeing with your viewpoint about the value of voting buttons, but I am not bullying you, am I?

I don't think (though I only speak for myself) that disagreeing is bullying, but neither do I think that spelling out what I do think is, is helpful in any way.

Why not just use the quote facility and write agree/disagree underneath?
Red and green buttons are useless for colour blind people as my OH will tell you.

MissAdventure

I don't think (though I only speak for myself) that disagreeing is bullying, but neither do I think that spelling out what I do think is, is helpful in any way.

Why not, Miss A? Isn’t spelling out what we think the whole point of a discussion forum?

I really don’t understand how anonymous ‘agrees/disagrees’ will put off ‘bullies’. If someone wants to put someone else down, and all they have to do is click a button, there is a mindset that will love that - no need to make an effort, no need to expose that they are even doing it, just a click to say ‘I don’t like you’. Or a way to cheer for their mate who is, in turn, putting down someone on an opposing ‘side’ of a disagreement.

Look at these buttons in use on Ravelry - basically a site about knitting and crochet, which on the face of it are uncontentious subjects . People take against one another, and some post only have to appear to get dozens of ‘dislikes’, whatever they say. There is even a forum for people to gather to read posts about which threads have ongoing arguments on them, so that they can ‘rubberneck’ on them - all anonymously of course. It’s all very easy to avoid on there, as it is a massive international site, and there are hundreds of forums about knitting with many labelled ‘no chat’; but GN is a chat/discussion forum, which needs discussion to survive.

We keep hearing that there are numerous ‘lurkers’ who never post. I understand that GN aren’t bothered, as it is the number of readers of the ads who pay for the site, whether they post or not, but lurkers add nothing to the experience for those of us who do post (or for other lurkers, for that matter). In fact, we have heard of people who never make a contribution themselves but are happy to report others’ posts when they don’t agree with them! Why should their desire to continue not to contribute yet make their feelings known be taken into account?

Also, people get very upset as it is when they feel ignored. how will those people feel if not only do they get no replies, but no ‘likes’ either?

Oh, and I agree with my post above, and have had 243 PMs from others who do likewise

Doodledog

Oh, and I agree with my post above, and have had 243 PMs from others who do likewise

I too agree with your post.