The changing face of Gransnet?

However sometimes it feels like there are partisan groups that rush to defend a 'friend' if another poster gives an opposing point of view, or simply differs in their opinion.

I agree with that, PECS. Some of the daily/ongoing threads lead to strong virtual friendships, which is good in a way but can lead to some posters being able to do no wrong in the eyes of their group.

Without knowing what’s led to the latest suspensions, it’s impossible to say whether the moderation is fair or not. Obviously some of you have witnessed what went on. As usual, I’ve been dipping in and out of the site without seeing any stalkers, provocation, victimisation or racism. I really must buck my ideas up.

I feel that guidelines must have been tightened up though, when so many people are unhappy. I’ve rarely reported anything, apart from dozens of spam attempts, but a few years ago I asked for a nasty personal attack to be removed and was told that it couldn’t be as it would affect the flow of the thread. Times must have changed!

We need the site to be moderated but in an even impartial open way..
That's it exactly, it's not even handed nor impartial as far as I'm concerned. Hazbeen.

I'm sure some people reading this haven't a clue what we are all talking about. It's recent events on here which have fired most of us up. Nothing to do with racism, fake news, nor Covid deniers.

But, Nemesia, if we call out a dodgy post on a thread, and the writer of that post then reports us to GNHQ for "ganging up" or "bullying" or "not allowing a different view", then all too often the current moderator instantly sides with the complainer and deletes our post, without seeming to investigate whether we were right to call it out.

Well this is surely where intelligent moderation can tell the difference between crying “Wolf” and genuine ganging up - whatever that might be. At what point does sharing a point of view become “ganging” - 2, 3 , 6 posters? Or disagreeing -“bullying” ?
And if we feel somebody is being personally abusive in RL, do we run to dial 999 or do we tell them to depart whence they came and/or give as good as we get?
I do not claim to have led a sheltered life but the only personal abuse I have encountered has come from behind another windscreen - is there a correlation?

janeainsworth

^So if you truly did not mean to be unpleasant....... then I apologise, sincerely. Unfortunately, as has been shown often recently, this is usually not the case^

I think that is what is usually termed a grudging apology, Biba.
Lisa was very gracious in her apology to you.
What a pity you couldn’t reciprocate.

Not at all, my apology was sincere, and I think Lisa realises that.

Nothing to do with a thin dog - but about having one's place of birth, and current abode- questionned, again and again- with the comment, open or hidden- that it somehow disallow any comment, opinion or criticism of anything that is happening in UK- and having to, again, and again some more- why what is happening in the UK is very important to me, directly impacts my life, and that of my family and friends- and our future too. Again- and again.

It is wrong, it is discriminatory and totally out of order.

And it is a form of hounding and bullying, 100%- and has a very clear purpose. like all hounding.

I am fully aware of what on-line bullying is about.. I even have a certificate to say I have been trained to recognise on-line bullying and strategies to help children avoid it on-line!

Sometimes I see people very 'hurt' when the responses to their post were not what thy were expecting, i.e. not supporting their opinion. Particularly on AIBU or estrangement (which feel like closed shops) threads.

I see posts that are brusque, to the point and a bit rude.

I see posters that are insensitive and those that do post purposefully to engage another 'group' in a difference of opinion.

I have not seen bullying.

Is there an accreditation for Forum Moderation?

PECS

Calli Exactly.. I would speak out to someone who was irritating or revisiting the same arguments over and over deliberately to annoy... 'Get of your hobby horse' or 'Let's agree to differ' or in desperation ' FFS .. stop talking nonsense' Do GN moderators see us all as rather delicate Ladies in Lavender?

I have very strong, but minority views, on a couple of topics. I rarely start a post on these as I know what the response will be. I will post if the topics appear on others threads.

I agree, but if we post something like that, PECS, we are accused of bullying.

Even something mild like "oh, do give over" or "oh, for heaven's sake, not again!" gets reported.

So it is not at all like Real Life

Agree biba.

Far too many personal attacks that are not at all about the topics of the threads.

Disagree until the cows come home about thread content or topics. That at times is the whole point. But to make personal comments about someone we don't know from Adam, bar an online username is nonsensical.

You’ve told us all that many, many times. Biba.

Thats just it Nemesia moderation on this site recently has not been "intellegent" sorry GNHQ! It seems to be a case of if a post is reported it is deleted no checking if there is anything behind either the report or the allegation. It also seems like the goalposts are change every day ie asking about a missing posters welfare.

Sorry Galaxy, I’m genuinely a bit confused.
A number of people have said no lifetime bans Jane
But in the post I was questioning, you said
So some people think the covid deniers shoud have a lifetime ban? It really isnt as simple as saying no lifetime bans

So are you saying some people think there should be no lifetime bans, or some (other) people think Covid deniers should be banned, or both?

To be fair biba, you do always find fault with the uk and compare it unfavourably with your current home country. It is very wearing to have someone living somewhere else to be so insulting about our country.

Perhaps you could try to find some plus points for the country where you spent all your adult life and where I believe your children still live.

Careful Janeainsworth, I said that once and was promptly reported. It's the invidious reporting, behind the scenes, that causes such a bad atmosphere and has everyone casting sideways glances at each other.

That's a fair point kittylester and very nicely phrased too. We had many others from all around the world and I can't think of any of them that repeatedly post so many negative and derogatory comments about or country. I know we've made some huge mistakes, both politically and with COVID, but we've got many good points and have very recently made such huge progress regarding the vaccine. But even that was negated. It sometimes feels like reverse racism.

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Are we not in danger of straying too far from the point and disappearing down precisely the same rabbit hole type of interchange we have been complaining about?

Do you consider this to be a welcoming site these days?

I feel the same Callistemon so I avoid engaging now.

That’s fair comment, Nemesia - the original question was, I have been wondering whether people have found that the site has changed in any way over the last year?

Hang on! Too many people in agreement is "a gang"!

Callistemon, I could VERY easily quote personal attacks BUT copying from other threads isn't allowed. To be fair, I think that is a good rule.

If I cast my mind back to the political furore at election time, although the discussions got VERY heated and violently emotive at times, mostly the comments weren't personal. Which isn't an issue.

But there are posters, and it is the same ones most of the time, who turn personal. Which is pointless.

I think the site can be whatever posters want it to be ixion. If you want light and fluffy chat, it is available. If you have health issues and need advice, it is there. If you want online fantasy and lighthearted role play, or even games, they are here too. If you like the cut and thrust, enter if you dare.

I think the outstanding and BEST thing about the site is that we little old ladies on here are anything but...

Nemesia

Are we not in danger of straying too far from the point and disappearing down precisely the same rabbit hole type of interchange we have been complaining about?

Yes.
Guilty.
My miffedness should not encroach on a general discussion about the changing face of Gransnet.

Yes, a lot has changed but is this due to the changing world or change of staff and a change of direction in GNHQ?

Do you consider this to be a welcoming site these days?

Yes. If you're prepared to be the GN version of a Stepford Wife.

If someone finds fault with the UK and justifies that with reasoned argument I don't think it matters where they live or come from. After all many of us have posted our opinions about the USA. It's ludicrous to think that you can only criticise if you live in a country.
I think what is emerging in some posts on this thread is a typical example of GN at its worst. Unreasonable criticism of one poster by others,

Chewbacca Nice one!