Respectful Debate…,where’s it gone?

Maggiemaybe

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.

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.

It’s very different now. So many angry threads that seem full of prejudice, misinformation, and sniping.

The problem with misinformation is that posters on one side think it's the other side that's being 'misinformed'. And then, quite rudely often, tell them so.

Primrose53

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?

I haven’t seen that, can you clarify whether you mean people calling other posters those names?

I havent seen that either
I confess to having suggested Some Posters lack compassion during heated polarised discussion on the Stop the Boats issue .

Iam64

I havent seen that either
I confess to having suggested Some Posters lack compassion during heated polarised discussion on the Stop the Boats issue .

Some do

Perhaps when some here condone and support racist thugs and violent fascists and try to excuse what they do. It then becomes very difficult to agree to disagree.

Past history has shown that silence slowly turns into support.

You know, the first they came for ... long list of 'others' that don't conform or match someone's narrow and bigoted image of societal norm.

May I just ask what made Argy Bargy fun and humorous?
Was it like one of those humorous plays they used to have on radio like Round the Horn?
Also, if some GNetters disappear may they have been banned by GN for having a certain attitude which may not be in line with GN rules? Just wondering.

Fleurpepper

Perhaps when some here condone and support racist thugs and violent fascists and try to excuse what they do. It then becomes very difficult to agree to disagree.

Past history has shown that silence slowly turns into support.

You know, the first they came for ... long list of 'others' that don't conform or match someone's narrow and bigoted image of societal norm.

And who are the “some here”?

I haven't seen any posts that don't condemn violence Fleurpepper. None of us have been silent about it either.

I could try to say I’m not allowed to say anything but that would be as daft as ‘some posters’ who don’t share my political views who claim they’re not allowed to say anything.

Fleurpepper is correct to remind us of that famous text - first they came for……

Tuaim

May I just ask what made Argy Bargy fun and humorous?
Was it like one of those humorous plays they used to have on radio like Round the Horn?
Also, if some GNetters disappear may they have been banned by GN for having a certain attitude which may not be in line with GN rules? Just wondering.

The Argy could be very suggestive and funny -remember Rambling Sid Rumpole on Round the Horn? - but never cruel and never objectionable.
Although there was the occasional - more exactly one- poster who actually presented as male, but how would we know- who clearly had a total SOH bypass and objected to posts, even reporting them and trying to shut the Argy down.
If people “disappear” it may be that HQ have barred or suspended them which strikes me as incredibly childish ,or of course they may have thought “S*d this for a game of soldiers, I’m off!”

This was posted by a poster still with us.
id rather go with The Independents description. Parliament Square played host to a static knuckle dragging carnival of the irredeemably stupid
This was in reference to everyone who voted for Brexit.

RosiesMaw2

Tuaim

May I just ask what made Argy Bargy fun and humorous?
Was it like one of those humorous plays they used to have on radio like Round the Horn?
Also, if some GNetters disappear may they have been banned by GN for having a certain attitude which may not be in line with GN rules? Just wondering.

The Argy could be very suggestive and funny -remember Rambling Sid Rumpole on Round the Horn? - but never cruel and never objectionable.
Although there was the occasional - more exactly one- poster who actually presented as male, but how would we know- who clearly had a total SOH bypass and objected to posts, even reporting them and trying to shut the Argy down.
If people “disappear” it may be that HQ have barred or suspended them which strikes me as incredibly childish ,or of course they may have thought “S*d this for a game of soldiers, I’m off!”

I really used to enjoy that kind of humour - British music hall style? Double entente? Thanks for your post.

petra

This was posted by a poster still with us.
id rather go with The Independents description. Parliament Square played host to a static knuckle dragging carnival of the irredeemably stupid
This was in reference to everyone who voted for Brexit.

Blimey!
How did I miss that?

Also, if some GNetters disappear may they have been banned by GN for having a certain attitude which may not be in line with GN rules? Just wondering.

There was a 3 page thread on this last night, Tuaim. GNs unanimously came together to show their best sides, expressing how the site thrives on different views and opinions. No one really wants anyone banned. Sometimes, anger and prejudice can run away with posters, but this is still a caring, friendly place. We mustn't lose sight of that.

The anonymity of sites like this make people say things they’d never say in real life to someone’s face.
I mean - would someone really say ‘you’re a knuckle dragging irredeemable stupid person’. to a strangers face?
I doubt it.
Plus political forums attract people who seem irredeemably angry about life in general. So it’s a toxic mix.

Joseann

^Also, if some GNetters disappear may they have been banned by GN for having a certain attitude which may not be in line with GN rules? Just wondering^.

There was a 3 page thread on this last night, Tuaim. GNs unanimously came together to show their best sides, expressing how the site thrives on different views and opinions. No one really wants anyone banned. Sometimes, anger and prejudice can run away with posters, but this is still a caring, friendly place. We mustn't lose sight of that.

If this is the thread I am thinking of, where has it gone?

I think the OP genuinely reported herself because she was worried mentioning an allegedly banned person wasn't allowed. Probably the right call, but not before pages of GNs had added their sensible comments!

Tuaim

May I just ask what made Argy Bargy fun and humorous?
Was it like one of those humorous plays they used to have on radio like Round the Horn?
Also, if some GNetters disappear may they have been banned by GN for having a certain attitude which may not be in line with GN rules? Just wondering.

I think some left because they were targeted for their views and felt bullied. They were interesting posters who made valuable contributions and also helped make the site fun and are missed.

Yes, Round the Horn, The Goon Show, the Navy Lark. Daft British humour.

Where is the Admiral these days?

Haven't been here for a while. I agree that some people on here are very rude and disrespectful of other posters' feelings. Often the very posters who deny robustly that any such thing happens on Gransnet.