being a bit -nosey- interested GN past

I didn't mention personality, Gracesgran...

I don't see that it has anything to do with personality Ana. There are people who come on here in the hope of having a logical discussion who may be on other forums when it comes to their more imaginative, creative side - I still think people can have some sense of good manners.

I enjoy the ins an outs of threads as much as anyone and almost certainly drift off for a post or two occasionally but I have to admit I do not enjoy the "sledging" as they would call it in cricket or the name calling - that is not the natural course of conversation, it is more like teenagers trying to break up what others are enjoying.

I think grannyqueenie has summed up well the up and the downside of forums but, I would add that things change very quickly on the internet and, although we may have joined GN as a catchall for all our interests, there are now so many specialist forums out there. I know I share my experiences of caring for someone with dementia on here a little but I would go to the Alzheimer's society forum - In Touch for anything in depth. In the same way I belong to forums that cover my craft interests and when it comes to writing there is a large group on another forum I belong to who don't mind that I am not that good but are very encouraging.

I have never met anyone who didn't have some combination of logic and creativity but bow to your superior knowledge as you have done the degree in this. All education is worthwhile in my opinion so I am not surprised you have found it useful. I am currently acting as reader for my daughter so am learning about Organisational Behaviour at Masters level - not something I expected to do but expect little bits of what I learn to creep into my conversations too

And who doesn't love a great cat picture?

True, whitewave, in RL I keep off politics with friends, especially those who are of a leftist persuasion, one, a dear friend from way back when, practically a red flag flyer!
however, on the forum we can 'bore' as you say ( hopefully not too much)
And type our musings.

gq yes I do agree. I bore on for ever on GN about politics, but never mention to certain of my friends who I know are true shire Tories! Wouldn't want to offend them!!!!!

Makes perfect sense to me grannyqueenie. A very sensible and thoughtful post [imo].

I guess the "virtual" world is just like the "real "world, made up of a whole mish mash of folk all with our own lfe experiences which have shaped our attitudes, sense of humour, political leanings, ways of interacting and so much more. But I think the anonymity of an online forum is both a blessing and a curse. It gives a safe space to vent frustrations, ask the "is it just me?" kind of questions, have a bit of a discussion about what's going on in the world (which after all is the world all our grandchildren will live in for longer than we will) and of course have a bit of a laugh about life and ourselves too. But the downside is the opportunity to be more direct, blunt even, than in "real" life and then upset or offend people with realising it, and dare I say it, maybe not really caring!

For all sorts of reasons we can all feel isolated or lonely at times and an online forum can be brilliant in making us feel connected with the wider world. I don't meant that all to sound too "ernest", it's just me as newbie to GN trying to sort out my own thoughts, which may or may not make any sense to others. Apologies if I'm repeating what others have already posted. It's taken me so long to type on my (very unresponsive kindle) that this thread might be about something completely different now!

I think I must have some sort of personality disorder. Depending on how I am feeling I might: get seriously heavy and political, make an amusing suggestion (well I think it is!), offer what I hope is good advice, contradict someone, agree with someone or even start a thread. Why would anyone want to restrict what is talked about? I don't know about "the old days" only what is happening now.

I can never understand why some people think others are deliberately trying to derail or hijack a thread, or to stop the discussion, just because the thread has deviated a bit (or even a lot!).

It's just what sometimes happens...

I always think of threads as the spider kind. They start off in a straight line and then branch out in other directions. Which makes them prettier to look at perhaps even more interesting.

Galen no-one is replying to your question about the Hallowe'en party, they are too busy chatting on other things. start a new thread - they might notice that.

Re concerns about GN stuff appearing on FB and Twitter.
Gransnet has a Facebook page and a Twitter account.
I don't do Twitter so can't comment, but on Facebook they will sometimes post a link to one of the threads.

What is important to remember is that the OP and people who comment on the thread are no more identifiable on FB than they are on GN

I think posters sometimes forget that anyone can view anything on Gransnet.

The only way that anyone's identity can be rumbled on FB is if a poster comments on the Gransnet FB page in their real name.

It's sometimes amusing if one really has nothing better to do, to go onto the GN page and try to guess which RL name matches up to a Gransnet persona.

The moral is that is you don't want to be outed, don't venture onto the GN/FB page and comment with your real name!

And therein lies a huge difference in personality GG

There are people who like to follow a point logically and there are those whose imagination makes connections that others may not. So conversations and threads diverge.

Often I smile when I see a thread on two interwoven lines. One line keeping doggedly to the subject in hand while another, more whimsical usually, threads it's way around it, like a double DNA helix.

I don't consider it rude when people go off topic like this. And I don't think they are bored neccessarily (unless the topic has run its course). Some people just think that way and wouldn't society be boring without them?

Many people are capable of being both very logical and extremely creative (this was the subject of my degree thesis) but others cannot.

Like most people Anya, I tend to respond to the way I am treated or, on a forum, addressed. The majority on this thread have been pleasant and thoughtful. I think you will see an example of how one poster affects others as the cat posters, by going off on their own personal tangent, are beginning to exclude those who were interested in the actual subject of the thread. Nothing new there though and, of course, they are totally entitled to do that, but a small group, perhaps board with or uninterested in the original subject often do this. I have to admit I don't get it. In normal conversation I would just find it rude if the group continued to override those interested in the original topic and perfectly acceptable if they moved away (started a new thread?) to continue their conversation. But perhaps I am being over earnest and, by responding to the cat posters I too have gone off topic but this, again, is what deliberate disruption, often rudely so, of posters enjoying discussing the topic often does.

Thanks for the invite galen Let me know of the venue asap so that I can decide on transport for us both.

OK

Dogs think they're people
Cats know they are Gods

As a fairly new member I must say how much I enjoy GN. It reminds me that t here are lots of young grans, but we have the same problems and joys. I love the diversity of the forums. Keep them coming!

Cats rule OK!

But if we're talking Hallowe'en....

So cute Anya (the kitten I mean!)
See - I can do soft and fluffy too

Envious !! The dog is lovely!

I want them all! adorable things that they are.

How nice to see your soft and fluffy side GG

https://signal-corridor.live/uploads/talk/201510/medium-302034-image.jpg%3C/span%3E https://signal-corridor.live/uploads/talk/201510/medium-55728-image.jpg%3C/span%3E https://signal-corridor.live/uploads/talk/201510/medium-6883-image.jpg%3C/span%3E

Rosesarered and * Rosequartz*

I have a pumpkin carving kit somewhere; perhaps I'll get the DGC to do it for me in case I cut my fingers

Galen, I will bring my Werewolf mask and a pumpkin pie.