Has Gransnet changed for the worse?

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.

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.
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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!

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.

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

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 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.

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 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.

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

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.

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

I've been on Gransnet for, I think, about 4/5 years.

I don't think it's changed that much. There have always been some quite heated threads. Everyone has the ability to respond if they feel a person has been rude or what has been said is not factually correct. To my mind, that is the most sensible thing to do, rather than going off in a huff or making accusations of bullying.

I sometimes wonder if those people who complain about contentious threads or say they never contribute to them, are really just annoyed that some of the views expressed don't mirror their own.

As a newcomer I'm inclined to think carefully about what any longstanding member has noticed regarding changes and have empathy for the way they may wish it remained- But I don't know if those developments indicate that the site is in a downward spiral or changed for the worse- Maybe the best is yet to be ..

Rosecarmel I 'd like to think so but I'm afraid I 've recently become more and more sceptical.
I hope you continue to enjoy GN.

You can disagree with others but always be courteous in how you say it.

I do think correcting others spelling is bad manners. If they are clearly struggling.

Some posts seem to be written with almost no spacing between words which make it really hard to read.

Partly because I am a degree dyslexic and words sometimes "dont spell themselves properly" and sometimes " pop up where they should not . " which caused me a lot of problems at school."

Fairly new to Gransnet, have noticed there are a few posters who I would definitely place under the " here comes trouble" heading. Power struggle appears to be going on at times.

This country, maybe the world who knows, has changed for the worst over the last few years Divisions are much more noticible and discussed loudly I grew up in a time when no one even disclosed how they voted in an election !
Now we hang banners out ? Brexit, Immigration, worlds hotspots have divided people down the middle
Gransnet is no exception
I still enjoy it enormously

I was only discussing this yesterday with my nephew and niece who I saw yesterday, BlueBelle. As a family in the past we enjoyed get-togethers which usually ended in discussion on various subjects, nothing heated just general updates and views.

The 3 of us all agreed that we no longer liked this country and I'd said that I was glad I'm the age that I am and not just coming into this world.

I would say that those of us who were born in the 40's and 50's had the best beginnings in life when everything went at a much calmer, gentler pace and everyone helped each other. There was no battling to be better than the next person because in those days we were all the same and in the same boat just after the war.

I have been on GN a few years and always read all views on most things from household stuff, clothes, makeup, family issues , all are interesting , but I cannot abide the nasty sniping that goes on between some GN,s , it's playground name calling, in my humble opinion ,it's people who have nothing to do and all day to do it in ,

Your comment saying ‘here comes trouble’ really made me giggle Oldandverygrey! You said it so well. I go on some threads and when I see one of half a dozen names I always think ‘oh heck’.
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GN has evolved over time. At the start everyone was tippy toeing and being relatively polite. As time went by we all, well quite a lot, came out of our shells and gave it laldy! I avoid confrontation like the plague so therefore rarely comment on political or contentious threads (although there was one occasion when I was accused of racism when I compared a French politician to a toad ). There are a couple of posters who are nothing less than bullies. Sad, because there is obviously something lacking in their make up. GN has evolved over time and has lost quite a few well known characters. (Come back Jingle!).
I hope GN continues to evolve and give companionship, advice, hope, counselling, laughter and much more for many years to come. For some, it is literally a lifeline

I don't think Gransnet has got worse. I do believe however that politics has got much worse since the referendum as there is now such bad feeling between Remainers and Leavers. There never used to be such bad feeling between Tory and Labour supporters. This bad feeling shows in the political posts here as well as elsewhere.

I was shocked yesterday reading a current thread which degenerated into a sniping contest between two posters who ignored the theme of the thread completely. It was extremely childish.

I've been on GN since 2011/12. I've been impressed by the knowledge and level of debate on the political threads, and by the kindness and supportiveness on threads where the OP asks for advice on a particular issue.

As for PM-ing someone regarding a spelling error, words fail me! GN is not a forum for grammar or spelling lessons, were any of us to require them.

The spats between (usually two) posters on some threads are irritating but one can ignore them. Despite these,
I think there is still a collective good will, so I'll stick with GN for the time being.