Gransnet forums

Chat

Thread Deletions

(75 Posts)
Rufus2 Tue 29-Jan-19 13:20:18

As Barry Humphries says " if you have to explain a joke or satire you might as well give up".
Individual deletions have been getting more frequent as far as I can remember, which is fair enough if even one member feels offended (without malice aforethought). Today a whole thread, (about 10) was given the flick, even though it contained a variety of opinions. Followed up with HQ; told OP was a "mischief maker!"
Cripes! I could be one those without even trying. grin
Now I'm paranoid and afraid to post even on Mick's thread in case my weather reports of brilliant sunshine upset someone. Best to copy that little sparrow! grin

callgirl1 Tue 29-Jan-19 19:19:58

Thanks for cheering me up, I`ve just been in the kitchen to put the tea out and the oven had gone out, tea will be LATE! So this bit of hilarity was welcome.

Rufus2 Thu 31-Jan-19 07:06:12

to nick a phrase from further up, 'mischief making' it sometimes makes sense to pull it
Cari: Begging your pardon, No!, it doesn't make any sense to me! For anyone with a sense of humour, the thread held promise of being fertile ground for a clever adults-only comedy show. grin To coin a phrase from somewhere else, I wasn't born yesterday, (if onlysad) and not needing to be chaperoned. The OP would have died of embarrassment "eventually", as Manuel would say. And how do you spot a "mischief maker" anyway? confused

kittylester Thu 31-Jan-19 07:20:12

Itas not just about you though rufus. Other people are not as robust.

Anja Thu 31-Jan-19 07:27:32

Rufus these threads are not victimless. Many people are not as worldly-wise as you and feel used when they realise they have been duped.

And these individuals (if indeed there is more than one which I doubt) who start the threads feed off these responses. They have mental health issues often and having their posts taken seriously only encourages them and makes their problem worse.

I’m not talking about the odd bored adolescent who simply wants to ‘wind up an oldie’ but something quite different, sadder and in need to help.

eazybee Thu 31-Jan-19 08:17:56

I tried to start a thread to inquire why a thread discussing a serious matter had disappeared almost immediately. I was told my thread was deleted: 'as it's a thread about a thread which is against our guidelines.'
On pressing the reply button to ask again why the original thread had disappeared a message came up warning me that if I used it it it might download content from a server 'which could increase the amount of junk email you receive in future'.
Clever.

BlueBelle Thu 31-Jan-19 08:22:45

The kids usually disappear after a few posts or if ‘caught out’

Fake thread starters usually start something frightening, worrying or shocking Some kind hearted folks can spend a lot of effort to try and help and also some of the threads started especially if they cover bereavement or abuse can open up huge wounds They are not all jokey Rufus or easily identified as a joke

trisher Thu 31-Jan-19 19:56:42

What is evident about GN is that posts must be as anodyne as possible. It seems that grandparents are expected to be mealy mouthed and not contentious. Personally I would like to see a few more robust threads. I've no objection to people having supportive threads where they post good mornings and how their cat is. but it would be nice to be able occasionally to have a more confrontational few.As for the fake threads being "frightening, worrying or shocking" most of the ones I've seen have been rather shallow.
It seems that grandparents are only allowed to be 'nice'!!

muffinthemoo Thu 31-Jan-19 20:54:00

I'm just here for the week long erections

Chewbacca Thu 31-Jan-19 20:59:46

I'd be happy if I knew one would last 10 minutes muffinthemoo!

Lisagran Thu 31-Jan-19 21:04:15

muffinthemoo. Chewbacca shock. wink

Anniebach Thu 31-Jan-19 21:17:03

Aw I said I misread erection for rejection ?

Day6 Fri 01-Feb-19 07:31:05

I agree trisher

Some of us might be sweet, innocent easily shocked old people, but most of us are not. By and large we are women (and men) of the world who've worked and brought up families and faced life's realities

The 'fake' threads are usually outed by the sceptics but as in the one that was pulled, the advice was sound, interesting and at times funny. People were amused and sceptical in turn and no one was hurt.

But it was too risque and indelicate for us oldies perhaps? <sigh>

Rufus2 Fri 01-Feb-19 09:14:48

What is evident about GN is that posts must be as anodyne as possible!
Trisher; Nice one!wink Anodyne; lessens pain and dulls the brain. From the Greek through Latin; another example of wasted grammar school education. grin
Btw; I've had yet another post deleted because of "guidelines"; that's 2 in a week so would 3 in a week mean loss of licence or simply more demerit points? grin Give me strength!

Rufus2 Fri 01-Feb-19 09:34:52

But it was too risque and indelicate for us oldies, perhaps?
Day6; Certainly not for all the "Oldies" who populate this thread, who've had a ball with all their witticisms and jokes following the OP. grin

trisher Fri 01-Feb-19 10:47:42

I made two in one day Rufus2 I think that beats two in a week!!! grin But the consequences of three in a week are as yet unknown. We do know of people who have challenged GNHQ on things and were never heard of again. So if this is "goodbye" sad
I really wish GNHQ would let some of us be as ascerbic as my grandparents could be at times. They (particularly my GMs) were mostly loving and kind but when they wanted to they could be very cutting..

MissAdventure Fri 01-Feb-19 10:59:37

I would think anyone who is too sensitive to face life and death issues probably shouldn't use an online site.
Lots of genuine posters write about cancer, death, mental health and physical problems.
That's life, and I'm sure we're all old enough to cope.

Day6 Fri 01-Feb-19 19:10:13

I really wish GNHQ would let some of us be as ascerbic as my grandparents could be at times.

Oh yes. Glenda Jackson meets Maggie Smith. With a bit of Alan Bennett on the side. It would make for absorbing threads. If only....

sodapop Fri 01-Feb-19 19:27:55

I agree with MissA & Day6 we don't need to be Nannied - we are Nannies.

Buffybee Fri 01-Feb-19 20:01:31

Perhaps we should ask for a "No Holds Barred" Forum, for posters with Rhino Hides and with the proviso that people of a delicate disposition would not be allowed to complain to cause deletions.

Gonegirl Fri 01-Feb-19 20:13:38

Sometimes GNrs decide that an OP is not to be take seriously. And then the thread deteriorates into people amusing themselves by joking at the OP's expense. Trouble is, you can never be 100% sure that the thread was started by a joker. And then hurt can ensue.

The "funnies" exchanged at the end of such threads are rarely actually funny. Just a bit cruel.

Gonegirl Fri 01-Feb-19 20:14:35

And pathetically silly.

Buffybee Fri 01-Feb-19 21:14:36

I've cringed at a couple of threads like that Gonegirl when I have been convinced that the OP was genuine and some others thought it was a wind-up.
As you say, you can never be sure and sometimes life is stranger than fiction, which makes some of these posts seem unbelievable.

petra Fri 01-Feb-19 21:14:51

Buffybee
I'm with you.

Rufus2 Sat 02-Feb-19 11:06:19

I think that beats two in a week
Trisher; Of course it does! I'd take my hat off to you, except that with this heatwave I might get sunstroke sad And as you are clearly a lady I'm sure you are not kicking easy "own goals" just to bump up your score. That would be called cheating, even here in OZ; Not cricket, you know! grin
I thought I'd attained top spot on the "Deleted Posts" Div.1 table, but I defer to your skills. What will you fill the winner's cup with? OoRoo

Rufus2 Sat 02-Feb-19 11:25:11

Glenda Jackson meets Maggie Smith. With a bit of Alan Bennett on the side

Can anyone join?