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How can we ensure views on Gransnet are given a broader hearin?

(144 Posts)
MarthaBeck Tue 18-Sept-18 16:53:17

Yesterday, I suffered a long boring train journey which was running rather late. Fortunately, I had my iPad and the opportunity to read far more constructive contributions to gransnet than I normally do. I became very aware that right across our Forum subject matters, a very high percentage of the comments were invaluable in the way they disseminated information and helped to provide informed opinions.

That focussed my mind on could those contributions be put to far better use, especially by perhaps focusing decision makers to take greater account of the massive talent and ranges of views on gransnet? Particularly, those which suggest solutions that are often outside the box but extremely constructive in their approach to problem solving.

My question is simply how can gransnet members influence
decision makers and bureaucrats to help improve our society by listen more and taking greater account of what we have to say?

I suppose I am asking the impossible and seeking a utopia
which is beyond reach. Mainly Imhave to accept because our politicians and bureaucrats will always have their own agendas and rarely listen to views outside their tribal political circles. I must becoming more cynical.

trisher Fri 21-Sept-18 11:41:55

Annie could you please stop trying to make this thread about you and me. Thanks

trisher Fri 21-Sept-18 11:40:29

*Lara what about a star system? 1 star light hearted, 2 stars more robust 3 stars take cover. I also wondered about a welcome to GN thread where people are invited to make their first post and posters are requested to keep their post welcoming, possibly with one or two experienced posters welcoming and answering questions about GN, on a rota basis and GNHQ monitoring it for accuracy etc.

Anniebach Fri 21-Sept-18 11:34:03

Hasn’t put you off trisher

LaraGransnet (GNHQ) Fri 21-Sept-18 11:33:24

Wow, firstly, thanks OP for starting this thread. It's really interesting to read how people use and see Gransnet.
Yes, we'd be very happy to look at specific issues that the GN community faces and see if they could form the basis of a campaign. Please start threads on issues that are important to you or that you think need addressing from the governments etc and report them to us so we can keep an eye and see which get widespread support.

Just to be clear and I know many of you supported this earlier in the conversation, we don't censor views or opinions unless they go against our very few guidelines. We really do try to be a very lightly moderated site and let you get on with your conversations.

What does seem to be coming up more frequently is how new posters sometimes feel uncomfortable posting for the first time or feel that the reactions to their first post were quite robust and put them off posting again. On the other hand we've also noticed how many of you are very warm and welcoming to new users but we wondered if there's more we can do to encourage them to join in earlier? Or make them feel more part of the community? Any ideas?

trisher Fri 21-Sept-18 11:32:07

Annie that's using the rules to obfuscate. Nothing to stop you posting my name, the words you objected to, and the name of the poster. However as I said it's off putting and unnecessary.
MawBroon I have seen allegations of "cliques" before. I don't think they exist as such. I do think some people just post to support other people and create 'in' jokes. For new members it's a bit like walking into a coffee morning where everyone is chatting and you feel a bit of a lost soul. In real life of course someone would turn and smile at you, on line we can't do that so the newcomer looks, reads but eventually turns away.

LaraGransnet (GNHQ) Fri 21-Sept-18 11:12:25

Oh, hello! Sorry, we are here. Let us have a quick read of the whole thread so we can answer properly.

Anniebach Fri 21-Sept-18 11:10:32

trisher, I am not going to quote names and thread titles , it isn’t permitted

MawBroon Fri 21-Sept-18 11:08:56

In any case you can’t legislate for a wider range of subjects (have you seen all the forums?) or indeed more/different posters.
GN is what its members make it.

MawBroon Fri 21-Sept-18 11:07:10

If by camaraderie you meant clique, Trisher say so.
Only too obvious when they raise their heads, but fortunately that tends only to be on certain forums
#callaspadeaspade

Jalima1108 Fri 21-Sept-18 11:00:06

We have had suggestions on this thread about how GN could be changed and/or brought to a wider audience.

We can suggest but it's not our call.
It's up to GNHQ and they may well put ideas out to all for discussion if they think any changes need to be made.

Where are you GNHQ?

trisher Fri 21-Sept-18 10:57:58

I don't think anyone wants to stop there being a supportive element to GN GG13 but some would like to see a wider range of subjects and posters.

trisher Fri 21-Sept-18 10:55:02

Annie instead of playing the "I didn't say, I didn't mean" card why didn't you in the first place say who said what and who supported that and how? i.e me. It's all this hint and innuendo and 'I'm really such a nice person' bitching that puts people off posting. Especially men who in my experience prefer a good straight argument or discussion rather than the present style of posting.

Anniebach Fri 21-Sept-18 10:50:42

GrannyGravy, so please a poster encouraged you to stay with us

Anniebach Fri 21-Sept-18 10:48:36

trisher I didn’t say you were part of a camaraderie, I asked for a definition of camaraderie and gave an example which explained why I asked .

GrannyGravy13 Fri 21-Sept-18 10:41:22

I for one did not join gn to influence decision makers of any kind.

I joined because I have had a terrible year, and although I am married with AC and numerous GC, I sometimes feel very alone.

I joined initially to read what people were saying and get to "know" you all. I plucked up to post on a thread, got viscously attacked by another poster and felt absolutely dreadful. Fortunately I had a dm from another poster that was so kind a supportive I have carried on with gn, even starting my own thread.

Surely there are forums out in there in "internet land" for everyone. Isn't it better to find the forum that suits you, rather than join a forum and try and change it?

Jalima1108 Fri 21-Sept-18 10:38:15

'It takes all sorts to make a world'
'It would be a dull world if we were all the same'

Oft quoted by my DM when I was a child

Jalima1108 Fri 21-Sept-18 10:31:40

Suggestion for new name:

BoringOldFartnet

Good idea?
It would encompass all genders

trisher Fri 21-Sept-18 10:31:19

I didn't say I was part of the 'camraderie' (did no one ntice the inverted commas? It indicates the word isn't strictly accurate) Annie I very much am not (and don't want to be)

Anniebach Fri 21-Sept-18 10:28:18

When a poster objects to being called a turd and another poster joins in and compares the poster who objects to being called a turd with the days when women suffered an attack of the vapours , is this camaraderie?

Jalima1108 Fri 21-Sept-18 10:28:09

Yes, X post MawBroon

Camaraderie is the idea behind GN I thought and its general ethos.

trisher Fri 21-Sept-18 10:27:49

Oh I agree Jalima I have a feeling this is turning me into another boring old fart. In fact I regularly think of leaving. I really think there is so little actual discussion and so much personal and 'in' sort of humour that it isn't worth saying anything. Possible the only reason I stay is because I refuse to give in to the people who I know would be delighted to see the back of me.

Jalima1108 Fri 21-Sept-18 10:25:48

Grandad I hope you're not too busy today to put your suggestions to GNHQ.

Although it's my opinion that most of the forum titles are of interest to all of whatever gender, attracting more men to the site would be a good idea.

MawBroon Fri 21-Sept-18 10:20:12

X-d posts Jalima ? I hope the “jumping on others” is NOT the intended ethos of GN??

Jalima1108 Fri 21-Sept-18 10:18:08

I thought that was the general idea and intended ethos of GN.
smile

MawBroon Fri 21-Sept-18 10:16:28

Perhaps it is the opposite of camaraderie which is the problem? When a small group “jump”on anybody who dares to encroach on their territory?