What has happened to GN just lately?

Marelli it wouldn't work without a strong Chairperson to control it. You would have to lock the door to stop some walking out or possibly lock it to stop them coming back in! No, I don't mean anyone, just thinking about a lot of strong minded people in one room. You never get a good team when everyone has the same personality.

The scene you paint sounds initially like the House of Commons in full cry.
They could do with more hugging there too!

Marelli A very warm hug from me to you. x

Picture this? All of the people who have 'debated' on these rather 'fiery' threads in a large room together. All putting their points forward, each shouting over the other. Would they feel the need to stand and shout, or would they sit quietly and listen (or seethe)? Would they perhaps give time to each speaker to say how they felt about the subject, or would they pooh-pooh it?
Would they get up and walk out of the room never to return? Or would they let the shouting die down and wait for order to reign once more? Perhaps if they did that, they would find themselves hugging each other at the end of the debate.
That's how I'd like to think it would end.

cheelu I don't necessarily think GN should be a soft place but I do think it should be kind and sensitive. We can have serious disagreements without setting out to hurt anyone. I have never done that but I have retaliated when it has been done to me, whether that is considered right or wrong I have felt it necessary to do that when I think someone has been unkind/unfair.

I do enjoy the fun aspects most and the ones where my experience can help someone else.

No, there is definitely still silliness

It hasn't changed. It's not that bad either.

Exactly Grannyknot

cheelu I don't take GN too seriously... got too much else going on in my life that is properly serious.

That used to be the beauty of Gransnet, Elegran didn't it. Heated debate, advice, silliness, and general chit-chat. Take your pick.

Now, it seems to be full of people spoiling for a fight on which ever thread they can find it.

Allison Moorer

Exactly, agapanthus whenever someone moans about the more serious threads, or the ones where deep debate is going on, they are advised to stay away if they don't like them. The same works in the other direction. There are threads on many, many, topics. No need to read any that don't interest you.

cheelu are you quoting the song there?! If you are, it's "a soft place to fall"!

I personally think that we all take GN too seriosly and too personal.

I am or was, defently guilty of that. And I think if it is taken too seriously GN then becomes an un comfortable place to be, instead of what it should be, which is a soft place to land..

I am a relative newcomer...or am I a "lurker"... in that I have been tempted to post Now now children ..play nicely! particularly when I read the post which I presume was deleted recently.but as I am not well known I thought it best not to.It seemed to go round and round in circles and had started off as what I thought was an innocuous question. I wondered if I was being naive and had missed something. Surely if people are only interested in deep and meaningful topics they could ignore the more light hearted ones?

First time I have entered this thread. Stood back tutting at the hypocrisy and irony of some posts. Laughable and a repeat of a repeat of a repeat of threads that have gone before.

Jody I hope you reflect your move, I thought you made perfect sense.

Tegan I wouldn't know, log off around 1800 except sometimes when DH is watching football. Prefer not to be on once brain has gone to sleep.

Yes, definitely Tegan.

Agree with Ella; also easier to get upset late at night, I find.

Sorry you feel that way Jodi , most of us are or were professional women too and the childish behaviour has come from a very few contributors. In the words of the song can we not "Rise above it"??

Thanks for your good sense, when

I think the forgiving thing is so important. Holding grudges for something that offended a long time ago, intended or not, doesn't allow for people changing their mind or their views. I would rather not respond to posts, than keep picking away at someone whose views I don't agree with. Today it's starting to feel more like the Gransnet we are familiar with. A bit tolerance and patience for each other definitely works

Greatnan is taking a break from a bloody awful few days of spiteful/child-like banter. Streuth! What are we coming to...

I am always happy for someone to point out to me that a poster was being kind if I have read their post in a different way. I prefer to think good things of people until they prove me wrong. Even then I will give them more chances to prove they are well intentioned. I am very forgiving.