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Respectful Debate…,where’s it gone?

(70 Posts)
Cossy Fri 02-Aug-24 19:40:35

Like many other GNs I enjoy balanced and respectful debate and was grateful to find a website to exchange my views with like minded supportive people, which most GNs are, however, particularly of late, threads carry whiffs of aggression and complete disregard for other OPs feelings.

I’m neither over sensitive nor naive, but for the love of god (or whomever floats your boat) let’s not forget we are all human beings, with very different life experiences, opinions are completely valid, but opinions are not facts.

Sometimes it’s best to simply agree to disagree.

I wish you all a grand weekend. flowers

Primrose53 Sat 03-Aug-24 18:28:03

RosiesMaw2

^They then resort to calling people horrible names who think differently. Knuckle draggers, thugs, racists, morons, lacking in compassion etc are just a few of their choice labels^

I have never seen these on GN and would sincerely hope not to.
I don’t engage with people who use such epithets in RL and would see no reason to change my habits on line.

These are just from today RosiesMaw2. Aren’t they dreadful?

RosiesMaw2 Sat 03-Aug-24 18:26:07

They then resort to calling people horrible names who think differently. Knuckle draggers, thugs, racists, morons, lacking in compassion etc are just a few of their choice labels

I have never seen these on GN and would sincerely hope not to.
I don’t engage with people who use such epithets in RL and would see no reason to change my habits on line.

Primrose53 Sat 03-Aug-24 18:16:10

sadly there will never be respectful debate on here when some people cannot accept that their views are not shared by everyone.

They then resort to calling people horrible names who think differently. Knuckle draggers, thugs, racists, morons, lacking in compassion etc are just a few of their choice labels.

I read a post elsewhere today from an elderly lady who said she is very quiet, well mannered and non aggressive but whenever she gives her opinion - which is that we need to close our borders like many other countries and sort out our own problems first - she is pounced upon and called a racist or other horrible name. That is despite her having mixed race grandchildren.

Callistemon213 Sat 03-Aug-24 18:14:50

Cossy

Well I just hope those “missing” re-appear and are ok.

Bring back humour x

The sad thing is we'll never know, unless someone is in touch with posters in real life.

RosiesMaw2 Sat 03-Aug-24 18:05:05

Sadly even nostalgia isn’t what it used to be grin

BlueBelle Sat 03-Aug-24 17:50:58

I was wondering too Cossy ? Missing in action

Not all of it was good old days though, I left for a while because of a poster no longer with us having a a nasty go at me in my very early days I m told it was her sense of humour I was also deemed a wicked old witch by a poster who liked to ‘fly through the air with her handbags’ remember her ? I also remember a poster who came back with a new name being extremely vitriolic to a good few posters and upsetting a lot

I think we tend to remember the good bits and wipe out the bad it wasn’t all flowers and wine

OnwardandUpward Sat 03-Aug-24 17:23:07

It would be nice if people could speak kindly to each other and respect each other's views.

Telling someone that they are wrong is unlikely to change anyone and only make them argue back , but reasoning with them or asking them questions may help them examine their facts and beliefs, or possibly you may also gain more understanding of the issue.

Anything that promotes understanding and tolerance is helpful. We can't always think the same, but we can agree to disagree and can always have respect and kindness for others.

RosiesMaw2 Sat 03-Aug-24 17:12:06

You’ve got me looking too - 25 pages of the Gransnet Olympics and not a single grumble- one deletion though of what was clearly an intruder!
Happy Days- lovely to see some names we no longer see sad

Joseann Sat 03-Aug-24 16:20:27

I occasionally dip into the P debates in N&P threads. I mentally psyche myself up for a bit of disagreement, but it doesn't really worry me too much! Once it starts to get nasty, I opt out.
It's a shame when News items become unpleasant, especially when contributing posters want to express their opinions or talk about their own experiences. Some criticisms can be very harsh. It seems to me that there is an overwhelming desire to be right pervading GN at the moment. There's only one way, and that is their way. This doesn't give others room to explore their own feelings when chatting.
Humour is definitely lacking. Even if you try to make a thread a bit more lighthearted after some frostiness, you can get ticked off or ridiculed.

Oreo Sat 03-Aug-24 15:47:34

AGAA4

Thanks for reminding me of happier times on Gransnet. I used to be in the Argy a lot in those days. It's true we don't have the laughs we used to have that were so good for the soul.

I keep reading about that so put a search on it.
😂Wish I hadn’t found it as I nearly wet myself reading it, particularly comments by yourself, and posters ixion, grandmajet ,doodle, Pogs and Merlotgran.There are very many threads on it and all run to 1.000 comments each.

Cossy Sat 03-Aug-24 15:40:22

Well I just hope those “missing” re-appear and are ok.

Bring back humour x

Maggiemaybe Sat 03-Aug-24 15:37:26

Respectful debate has gone the same way as tolerance for others and the humour. I used to blooming love Gransnet. Not only for the reading club and competitions of years ago, the visiting authors and Q & A sessions with well known personalities, etc. We also had interesting, supportive and fun threads - even GNHQ would join in. I may well have my rose-tinted specs on but just take a look at this from a different Olympics.

www.gransnet.com/forums/chat/1228552-The-Gransnet-Olympics

It’s very different now. So many angry threads that seem full of prejudice, misinformation, and sniping. Even the lighthearted ones end up with people being made miserable. And not just in N & P, which was always a bit of a bear pit for the unwary. smile

Yes, a lot of the regulars have gone or rarely post, and I think the state of the forum is the main reason. It’s miserable. And life’s too short.

AGAA4 Sat 03-Aug-24 15:10:35

Thanks for reminding me of happier times on Gransnet. I used to be in the Argy a lot in those days. It's true we don't have the laughs we used to have that were so good for the soul.

Galaxy Sat 03-Aug-24 15:10:34

Yes I am missing her shouting at me too.

Iam64 Sat 03-Aug-24 15:02:48

Cossy

MissInterpreted

I don't mind a decent debate, but there are always some who take it a step too far. I now find myself also bowing out when things get to that stage, although sometimes I do find it hard.
On a separate, but perhaps related note, I have noticed a couple of regular and frequent posters have 'gone missing' as of late. Maybe I've missed something (we have been away in our motorhome quite a bit recently), but I'm wondering if something happened to make them leave?

There’s one in particular, I’m a tad worried about her and hope she’s ok

Yes - I can think of one poster who disappeared following a polarised discussion. I don’t share her politics but I wish she’d reappear
There’s also Gloriannie - she’d usually be shouting at me on the boxing thread. I hope they’re ok

MissInterpreted Sat 03-Aug-24 14:56:58

I wonder if it's the same one I'm thinking about, Cossy.

Cossy Sat 03-Aug-24 14:56:50

RosiesMaw2

I DID try with my women-only Olympic events, but few wanted to join in…sad 🛼🤾‍♀️🧘‍♀️🏊‍♀️🤽‍♀️

I joined in! I love a bit of tongue in cheek humour grin

Cossy Sat 03-Aug-24 14:55:24

MissInterpreted

I don't mind a decent debate, but there are always some who take it a step too far. I now find myself also bowing out when things get to that stage, although sometimes I do find it hard.
On a separate, but perhaps related note, I have noticed a couple of regular and frequent posters have 'gone missing' as of late. Maybe I've missed something (we have been away in our motorhome quite a bit recently), but I'm wondering if something happened to make them leave?

There’s one in particular, I’m a tad worried about her and hope she’s ok

Cossy Sat 03-Aug-24 14:53:52

Dinahmo

N & P is the forum that bets most going people going. The regulars generally have strong and sincere views. This is important because politics affects our lives.

Those GNers who post regularly about politics and may be quite forceful with their opinions are usually very kind and considerate on the other fora.

So, if you do like the strong opinions expressed on N & P it would probably be better to steer clear of it.

I have absolutely zero issue with anyone’s strong and passionate views and opinions.

It’s aggression and sheer rudeness that I completely object to, I’m not a sensitive flower and I have strong opinions too, but I do my best not to become personal.

Oreo Sat 03-Aug-24 14:50:39

Didn’t see that, I’ll go and look

RosiesMaw2 Sat 03-Aug-24 14:49:18

I DID try with my women-only Olympic events, but few wanted to join in…sad 🛼🤾‍♀️🧘‍♀️🏊‍♀️🤽‍♀️

Oreo Sat 03-Aug-24 14:45:20

RosiesMaw2

Some of the hilarious or tongue in cheek threads we used to have would simply not get off the ground these virtue-signalling po-faced days 🙁🙁🙁

Can’t they be resurrected? If only to keep any po -faced -ness away? Am happy to join in for a 🤣

RosiesMaw2 Sat 03-Aug-24 14:42:18

Some of the hilarious or tongue in cheek threads we used to have would simply not get off the ground these virtue-signalling po-faced days 🙁🙁🙁

GrannyGravy13 Sat 03-Aug-24 11:15:04

I lurked before plucking up the courage to post.

The Argy made me laugh out loud, as did Phoenix DH shopping substitutions

I was welcomed warmly by most posters, particularly Annibach , Mick’s good morning thread and dear soops kitchen. Unfortunately even those calm threads have had deletions and warnings recently…

RosiesMaw2 Sat 03-Aug-24 11:12:00

Anniebach

Oh Maw I long for those days back

Me too - and the friends who are no longer with us. 💐💐