Has Gransnet changed for the worse?

May I point out that I certainly did not ignore bradfordlass's very thought-provoking post?

LOL Bradford Lass that fell on deaf ears! I sometimes post thoughtful things putting forward a theory and notice that they get ignored. I like your suggestion. I often think there's a rush to post an opinion from which you can tell that the original post hasn't been read or it's what the poster always thinks with never a deviation. The mess of the world at the moment and the passing of time can leave us feeling helpless and thus powerless so we cling to what we know because it feels safe. It does feel now as though there are lots of entrenched opinion on GN and differences are a focus for personal attack rather than discussion.

in society - not on society, before anyone corrects my typo

I think that any changes in Gransnet reflect changes that have happened on society over the same period - the polarisation in politics and the EU referendum.

There have been several 'unusual' threads which have been begun recently by new posters and it does leave me pondering if they are genuine or just out to cause some mischief or an attempt to elicit information from unwitting posters.

Flipping heck Gransnet was never a happy clappy site if you enjoy politics and I have been a member a long time and I think it is probably better , less nasty now than it has been at times over the years.

The EU Referendum has caused division and to be frank I have been shocked at the attacks and name calling that have been posted for years now. I think anybody who thinks only one side has been deploying vile, nasty comments then they should take a hard look at the copious threads that show that is most certainly not the case.

I think when those to the left / right of politics , those who voted Remain / Leave are ' singled out ' as being the ' nasty ' posters then that is in the eye of the beholder .

I don't think many people are fooled either when a thread or post is started and it is trying to look pragmatic when it is as clear as a naked hang glider there is a message behind it because it only mentions posters in a derogatory way by mentioning whether they are Left / Right wing , Leave or Remain voters.

I don't see Gransnet changing unless it becomes a sterile, one sided opinion only welcome site and what would be the point of that.?

I agree with anno that there is a little spot for those of us who are interested in spelling/grammar where we can discuss the topic while upsetting noone.
I don't enjoy games threads but wouldn't dream of poking my nose in to correct some perceived mistake.

However when a post appears on a general thread and the poster shows a degree of interest and understanding, but is jumped on by the grammar Nazis for some minor mistake, I think it's ok to tell the critic to back off.
I don't agree that it's about "demonstrating high education" but is a feeble attempt to retain a vestige of power, as bradfordlass suggests.

As for the comment about 'policing - I find a particular poster is very anxious to pick up errors and perhaps that shows an attempt at a power grab. No need to go searching for her comments as they are liberally scattered and easily spotted!
Such determined nit-picking deserves to be called out and by not doing so I think you condone the bullying.

I have only recently discovered GN. I love it. I've noticed a couple of individuals who are consistently brusque and divisive, but the vast majority of posters feel like genuine people, giving genuine opinions. I value that. Disagreement gives me no cause for concern and I notice that on the odd occasion someone is spiteful or rude, another member interjects with the equivalent of "Oi!"
I have been awed and delighted by the swell of support that builds up when a member reveals that something upsetting has happened. It really is lovely.
I myself only just received an unsolicited PM from a lady who'd read one of my posts and wanted to give me information from her own personal experience of my issue. It was a kind, supportive message with a good deal of relevant information to ponder. I was grateful and touched and responded immediately. She didn't have to go to that trouble: I'm just a newbie!

I have often had my spelling errors pointed out,

When I first joined and for quite sometime the politics thread were heated , but only recently have I been told to ‘get off the thread ‘.

I have said before but will repeat it, many members of this forum supported me in the darkest time of my life, I doubt I would still be on this earth if it wasn’t for the caring I received here, and still am , encouragement, kind words, support still and I am so grateful.

This forum has become my family x

In regard to the spelling grammar police, there seems to be a considerable number on this forum. I believe I have seen a thread only a few weeks back which was started to discuss mis-spelling and grammar on the forum.

In the above, quite a number of persons stated how poor spelling and grammar in threads upset them, and how that demonstrated a lack of education and ignorance by those who perpetrated such posts.

No doubt, those posting in the above manner in that thread would wish to demonstrate their high education to those of us who they witness as having poor education by pointing out our ignorance within whatever threads we post.

However, I believe the above action only demonstrates just how out of touch these people really are in today's world. For in that, even the courts (especially the industrial courts) no longer demand total compliance in good spelling and grammar but instead demand that reports and other documents put forward to them are able to be clearly understood by those who must read them whatever educational standards they possess, within reason.

There's a place for pedants and that is Pedants' Corner where there's no personal mud-slinging. I'm as capable as anyone of giving grammar lessons to error-prone posters. But that was my profession and I'm not here to make corrections. Anyway...I charge for my lessons!

Maybe you’re getting a bit wound up mcem Perhaps take some time out instead of policing the threads and reporting back? You might enjoy GN more.
?

I have a theory and it's only a theory mind:

Some people, as they get older find they are losing power - power over those they used to control (children etc); power over their bodies (need I go into detail?) and power over the ability to plan for the future because it is perceived this is limited.

All they have left is the power of opinion and its ability to impress or hurt.

It's a little bit like a child being naughty or destructive from sheer frustration, only this seriously upsets those who read their unpleasant, often vitriolic posts.

This theory is based only on my observations that most of us do things to increase our personal feelings of power: the way we dress makes us feel good (that's a form of power) the decor in our homes reflects (if we're lucky) our taste and status - another form of power.
Even our choices of food reflect how we see ourselves and our self-image is a source of so many emotions.

I'm prepared to be shot down in flames but I think many nasty post come from the sad loss of so much, the frustration of same - and a desperate need to claw something back.

Well fennel you're someone whose views I tend to respect but, as I stressed, it's about the other issues too and not only brexit frustration!
Eg In the last half-hour there has been yet another visit from the spelling police on another thread!

I don't think there has been a downward trend.
Except maybe because of the neverending stress of the Brexit mess we're all getting more frustrated. I know I am.
Non brexit threads usually still interesting and helpful.

Tentatively having a word.
I have been a member for only very few years, and loved the site , mostly.
I never post on the ‘argumentative’ threads, as I don’t seem to be able to put my thoughts down coherently, and am too timid to fight back. Is it worth it?
I have found that there are people that I seem to get to know, a bit, and enjoy their posts.
But, before Christmas, things changed, and I wasn’t sure that I wanted to stay. Happily I did, and a lot of the nastiness has gone, I think.
Lots of names have disappeared, but I am so glad that folk like the lovely Gillybob are back, and on form.
I enjoy the rallying round to folk with problems that they can discuss on here and get support and help.
Phoenix is always worth a read. Not meaning to leave out the others I enjoy, but at the moment I can’t recall names.
I hope Gransnet, carries on , and doesn’t deteriorate.

Charleygirl yes I too will remember the support from Gnetters, complete strangers but there to lend a virtual hand with advice and encouragement.

Being unhappy about the insidious unpleasantness does not negate the positive threads. I am not conflating 2 separate issues. Neither am I in any way nostalgic or sentimental.
I appreciate the time when posters shared profiles and we felt we knew each other better. Then we were disappointed to realise that posts could be spread all over msm and FB.
Hence the lack of trust and the withdrawal of those profiles.
Then there's GN's on-going quest to generate income streams, however badly-received their overtures are.
It's only recently we've had the arrogant spelling/ grammar vigilantes. I was never aware of such posts being sent as pm's
It isn't about cosy cliques either nor gangs of bullies. Such comments certainly did appear in the past but rarely descended to the level of accusations we now see on a regular basis.
So no, it isn't all about brexit and left/ right political schisms. I regret the lack of general friendliness, the sharing of interesting topics and even more the lack of humour.
I congratulate those who attempt to keep that going whether in the Argy or within the entertaining posts of phoenix.

I’m new, really enjoying so many interesting threads and am so impressed and humbled by the compassion shown when someone posts in distress.

I do find the personal abuse on the political threads difficult so I don’t read them. Sad really as it would be interesting to hear differing views.

Good post Rosecarmel

I think those who think GN is ‘on a downward trajectory’
Are perhaps regretting that there are now less posters agreeing with their own views.

GN is an open forum not a small club for like minded people, after all.
It’s a mine of information, help and sympathy when needed, a space to vent and offload problems, shared humour, and the RL meet ups are lovely, I have made some good friends through that.

I'm new here- But not new to change, be it seemingly sudden or gradual- Yet at the same time I'm totally guilty of entertaining nostalgic daydreams of how things used to be perhaps better- And perhaps some stuff was! But the fact remains that everything changes- I've no choice other than to adapt, to welcome views that challenge rather than reinforce my current views or old ones I've clung to- That said, I do think environment is worth defending, but that fighting words don't necessarily need to be used to do it- Instead I think it best to recognize when I'm gravitating towards or on the verge of responding to negativity with negativity- Like a magnet!

gilly has been around a long time and is a good example of how GN was and should be.
Honest and forthright, having the occasional well-justified rant, offering and also accepting advice and sympathy when needed.
Quite the opposite of the nit-picking, the chauvinistic and patronizing (often but not always from men) and the snooty and snobbish, more and more of which have appeared recently.

I love the fact that gillybob is back - she’s a breath of fresh air (and common sense)!

Gillybob puts me in mind of one of my D's. Down to earth and no side to her. Great ! That'll do me.

I hope things are easier for you now Gillybob I can't believe people can PM about these things, really beyond the pale. I'm glad you decided to return.
I have a moan on Pedants corner about spelling and grammar but not aimed at anyone personally. Its very ill mannered to correct a post in this way either publicly or privately.

Bikergran I remember that episode and also when you were having problems finding a job. People I thought were very sympathetic towards you. There are some compassionate people on GN.

I think I have been around about 7 years- I really cannot remember when I first stumbled across it.

I have met some really nice people in RL at our coffee mornings.