where have they gone?

Theline has its uses, maybe to tone down a remark that you would liked to have made. It is not relevant to anything abusive, but it can serve to indicate just how strongly you feel about something, often this is helpful if you are feeling sad or angry.

Yet again the limitations of written conversation creates a need to express clues about how you really feel. In a verbal conversation, visual clues and tone of voice convey feelings more clearly. GN does not have all the emoticons we might find useful so we start to develop our own.

I thought that the use of asterisks was just an Internet convention to prevent emails and posts being blocked by servers' controls.

I agree. I don't swear when talking to any of my female friends or my family. Just with DH and one other male, come to think of it.

But for some reason I always feel enlivened and amused when encountering colourful language on Mumsnet.

I think Mumsnet has a different demographic ... Younger people are immune to such words as thats what they have grown up with in the street and amongst their peers.
For anyone who missed the swearing debate, I think there was a mixed reaction, but correct me if I'm wrong, and I'm sure someone will, several people thought there was no need for using language that would upset some people of our generation, who have not as yet become sensitised to its constant use.

I agree that line is really silly and pointless!

Yes that line is maddening

And what's more, it never works!

I have no problem with swearing and anyone is welcome to take a pop at my grammar and spelling - I'll just ignore them but what gets my goat is when somebody takes it upon themselves to close a thread because they don't like the way it's going.

Whether it's drawing that maddening line_________ or using the high horse/moral highground approach, it's bloody rude!!!!

Weren't most grammar and spelling comments confined to pedants' corner? Don't recall much in the way of direct criticism of posters' grammar and spelling in normal conversational threads.

I don't think we've had any comments about grammar for quite a while.
Or spelling.

I sometimes visit Mumsnet and I've never seen an asterisk used to tone down swearing.

Or comments about good grammar.

I wonder why that is!

Well, almost three at the most...

I think you have a point though Atqui. Most topics have been done before by those of us who have been posting for several years.

I must have missed previous comments about 'the F word'.

What was the consensus of opinion?

Anyway, fuck was just an example I used. I was thinking of all swear words.

Oh here we go again. Perhaps that's why people leave. There's a limit to how many times you can contribute your views about the F word.... Except of course that the newcomers won't have read the past threads about it.

It's an informal rule though.

it's not easy, when other posters are typing d*amn to just go ahead with fuck.

Right, I'm conducting an informal bit of research here. How many posters winced or disapproved when they read the four letter word?

tongueincheek emoticon

Bloody hell! I didn't know that petallus! Shit! I'm glad you told me.

I don't think it's an actual rule about the asterisks, petallus, not everyone does it.

Yes, I agree GN has become a lot less contentious.

A sort of online WI?

Pleasant and nice.

Some people may have left through boredom but as well as this I wonder if, after a few years of heavy GN passion, the fire goes out of one's loins a bit.

Just as it does with any relationship.



p.s. It would help if there was less emphasis on correct grammar and having to put asterisks in any word from mild swearing up.

I remember it well jingl and so does when I think!

'nuff said

Is it necessary to leave though? It's not as though you have to pay a subscription. I bet there are a lot of former posters lurking in the hope that things will improve.

Mumsnet here I come. This is heading in a predictable direction.

Absent that could be because they themselves were boring.

Tegan. Not prepared to make this a thread about a thread. If you can't remember the the post, and the thread, then obviously it had more of an effect on me than it did on you.

There is one thing I love, vicariously, about the Daily Mail: it doesn't half stir things up. That's good for a strong and democratic society. Well done, Daily Mail.