Please GNHQ ... would you consider letting *EllanVannin* come back to this site?

trisher

I do think the idea that because you are older you can't have progressive views is something that needs stamping on. Age is no excuse for unacceptable views. Sometimes you might be a little bit behind the times but racism, homoophobia and sexism aren't a product of age, and no one should be permitted to say things just because they are old.

Of course it is possible to be older and progressive. But there is the stereotype, isn't there? Both examples, of progressive POV and also regressive POV are evident in the forums.

My POV is that bigotry is never acceptable. But it happens. And when it isn't reported, GNHQ aren't aware of it going on (there are thousands of posts in the forums everyday, they can't see them all). But if they are aware, well... brand image must be maintained.

I feel that the only way to change someone’s views or opinions is to put yourselves in their shoes and find out why they feel that way. No one ever changed their opinions by being shouted at or treated with contempt. Once you understand why someone thinks the way they do you can gently present facts and a different way of thinking. It does, of course, need a willingness to listen from both sides.
Telling them they are an awful person just results in more entrenched opinions.
It can be very difficult to do and I’m the first to admit I don’t always get it right but I do try and I think am getting better at it the more I practice.

Apologies that should have been practise.

Another vote for Ellan’s return.

Chewbacca, I hope that the moderator or the website owner will tell us what the rules are.

It is a moveable feast though. What is acceptable now may well not be in 10 years time . In fact I would say it is almost certain. If everything we don’t agree with just now is deleted and suppressed that sends out rather a bad message in itself. Far better that people argue against and point out the ‘offence’ rather than just delete the offender. Within obvious reason, of course. I feel we are becoming more and more prescriptive and how dare we complain about other countries and suppression/repression when we are absolutely no different.

Possibly the following rule is the problem:

"We hope you will find the vast majority of Gransnet discussions genuinely informative, supportive and friendly (even when we all disagree with each other!)"

But disagreement with an idea always implies lack of support for it!

One sort of discussion is objective and explicit , For this sort of discussion heated arguments are appropriate , and a main function of a mod may be to steer the arguments towards the original proposition or question. When important ideas that are close to her heart are being discussed it's always a risk that a Gran will feel unhappy or even insulted if her ideas are unpopular or disputed. Except for illegal material these objective discussions should be uncensored. There is a problem with labelling these psychologically risky , and I wonder if Gransnet's philosophy can cope with debates on certain topics such as religion or politics.

Then there is the sort of discussion on Gransnet that is purely for moral support and kindly advice for someone having a bad time . These discussions that I have read are above reproach as to their helpfulness, kindness, and tactfulness, and are very well moderated by the participators themselves.

The remaining sort of discussion on Gransnet, practical matters, hardly needs any moderating. Gransnet can be truly informative because older people have such a slot of experience in practical matters of all sorts.

Caleo

Chewbacca, I hope that the moderator or the website owner will tell us what the rules are.

surely the 'rules' are the guidelines for goodness sake.

A thought occurred to me, does Ellan actually want to be reinstated? She might be peed off with the lot of us.

nanna8

A thought occurred to me, does Ellan actually want to be reinstated? She might be peed off with the lot of us.

Urmstongran has spoken to EV. She does want to be allowed back. Hence the thread started by Urms.

Can someone please enlighten me as to why ellanvannin has been banned and does she live on our lovely island? Thank you

No idea what this is all about really? but what a long thread. Obviously this lady has a lot of support. I can not help but wonder if GNHQ only like your views if they are their own too???

I too would like to see EV back.

Parky

Can someone please enlighten me as to why ellanvannin has been banned and does she live on our lovely island? Thank you

Me too...
But if she seriously breached the T&C's did they have much option??
.

Visgir1

Parky

Can someone please enlighten me as to why ellanvannin has been banned and does she live on our lovely island? Thank you

Me too...
But if she seriously breached the T&C's did they have much option??
.

Me too……..
There are some ‘opinions’ that are illegal to voice on an open Internet forum.
I do think GNHQ should offer some enlightenment as this thread is such a long one requesting information.

Hope we get an answer soon. Love to know what led to this strange situation.

GagaJo

trisher

I do think the idea that because you are older you can't have progressive views is something that needs stamping on. Age is no excuse for unacceptable views. Sometimes you might be a little bit behind the times but racism, homoophobia and sexism aren't a product of age, and no one should be permitted to say things just because they are old.

Of course it is possible to be older and progressive. But there is the stereotype, isn't there? Both examples, of progressive POV and also regressive POV are evident in the forums.

My POV is that bigotry is never acceptable. But it happens. And when it isn't reported, GNHQ aren't aware of it going on (there are thousands of posts in the forums everyday, they can't see them all). But if they are aware, well... brand image must be maintained.

It's an interesting point isn't it. Presumably someone then must have reported EV or is it possible that once someone is reported and their views are considered a bit dodgy do GNHQ follow their posts? Is it possible that a ban only results because of reporting? If so shouldn't people just stop reporting anyone?
I don't understand a ban at all and think if there is a process for banning then there should be a clear indication of how it is decided and what warnings have to be given. Like the three strikes and you are out rule.
I don't like the age idea because I suddenly realised EV is only 5 years older than me and I hope I don't have entrenched views.

J52 wrote:
"There are some ‘opinions’ that are illegal to voice on an open Internet forum.
"

I understand these are posts that inform others actively how to break the law. E.g. how to plant a bomb, or how to seduce minor children.

Caleo I’m not suggesting EV did anything like that!

I understand these are posts that inform others actively how to break the law. E.g. how to plant
a bomb, or how to seduce minor children.

Strewth that's a bit extreme! Never seen anything even remotely like that on GN.

I didn't interact much with EV but we did have differing opinions on things. I don't have a strong opinion of her being allowed back or not, so this is nothing to do with that. (And no, I didn't report her)

But.

Can we stop demonising people who report things? I don't report often but I recently reported a thread that could have alarmed and frightened people for no good reason and was based purely on unfounded speculation. Months ago I reported someone for posting really offensive sexist jokes based on breath-taking stereotypes of women as sexual predators. I'm really not interested in whether those posters feel got at or not; they need to think before they post, or take the medicine.

Just adding my support to EV and hope the matter is resolved soon

Thank You Hebe.

Progress indeed! Thank you Hebe!