Disappearing contributors - part 2

Calendargirl

GSM stands for German Shepherd’s Mum.

Thank you.

Honestly, it’s such a big fat lie about “previously banned users/members” not being allowed to return! They mean not allowed til caught!

It’s pretty obvious some previously banned Gransnetters have returned under other guises!

It’s all so ruddy childish, we are all grown ups and old and experienced enough to see how stupid this whole “banning” of members who may or may not have broken some spurious made up rule!

Bye bye in case I never return!

I believe quite a few posters are banned, I’m convinced Glorianny also was last year, and also volver was, both of whose contributions I also miss. All those mentioned apart from Allira though were outspoken, what you might call marmite posters, and it appears some people can’t cope with posters being forthright, and rather than challenging what they said, have reported them, resulting in bans. I just can’t reconcile Allira being banned with the others though, because she was not a ruffler of feathers.

Good morning Allira.
We will continue to fight this injustice until the mods see sense.
This situation is very upsetting for you, stay strong.

We really are doing what we can Allira 🙋‍♀️

Thanks Petra for restating the hq reasons for the ban.
Casdon, I agree, sometimes it’s obvious a poster is a frequent flier. Sometimes because they’re returning with a new name despite a ban, or because they’re returning want to.

I also agree with the point that it’s inaccurate or unwise to suggest that Allira’s political views upset some unknown clique. My memory of Allira’s views on various contentious subjects was she was well informed, balanced and compassionate. I simply don’t understand this ban

Morning Allira

Have they ever told Allira what username they think she used that was banned? I know she hasn't ever been banned but it would be useful to know where the 'misconnection' was happening.

Good morning Allira.

As has been said earlier, much worse ‘ behaviour’ between posters is seen on Mumsnet, without apparent consequences.
I don’t understand why Gransnet works differently.
We are old enough to accept that there is a range of opinions and behaviour. Why do some feel they can behave more rudely than they would in a real conversation?

kittylester

Surely conversations in real life drift around often ending up far from where they started. We don't ostracise people in our real life circles for that.

We can, if we want, say something like 'anyway, back to the topic in hand'. Or walk away ourselves.

Kittylester exactly! I belong to a book club where we often start talking about the chosen book but then wander merrily down a rabbit hole before getting a grip and return to topic. It’s what makes our group so enjoyable 😁.

Hopefully the off topic concerning eggs in this thread won’t result in a mass banning. Back to Allira then ….

Rosie51

Have they ever told Allira what username they think she used that was banned? I know she hasn't ever been banned but it would be useful to know where the 'misconnection' was happening.

Good morning Allira.

Oh, good point! There's just something about this whole business which doesn't sit right with me. I don't know if it is down to some kind of 'misconnection' or whether there is something more sinister at work, but either way it is worrying and has implications for the rest of us too.

I’m of the mind that crossed wires are at play, that Allira has been mixed up with another poster who also vanished at the same time.

MartavTaurus

GrannyGravy13

MartavTaurus

You don't know, I don't know, Allira doesn't know???

What we do know is that they said it wasn't just based on one thread, but on several over a period of time.

That is what I am having difficulty in understanding 🤷‍♀️

Yes, I think that might be because the waters are getting a bit muddied here as to the reasons why Allira was banned.

I know a lot of prople are understandably saying that the N & P threads have caused all this, but I think we need to mindful of GNHQ's words that, the pattern of bad behaviour primarily included thread-policing, personal digs and whipping up criticism of other posters.

If it had been Allira's political views, which to my mind were neither inflammatory nor in any way racist, then GNHQ would have surely mentioned this. Allira was always very careful not to follow anyone else's lead, and she treated other's political opinions with respect.

It is her writing style, and her presence on lots of discussions, which has been misunderstood, I think by someone who is jealous that she interacted so well with other posters. That's why she was told she controlled too many threads and that she took discussions away from the subject intended with her humorous comments.

Care should be taken not to align Allira's political views with anyone else's on GN or things will inevitably end up down a rabbit hole.

Your third paragraph is getting close to the truth MartavTaurus. You don’t see Allira’s posts as inflammatory or racist and I definitely don’t but some people do and they hit the report button!

I think the mods do a good job but occasionally they panic and remove a post if someone says they are offended by something another poster writes.

A while back I used a term which I thought was perfectly acceptable and in every day use. It was reported and my post removed. I queried this and was told it was regarded by a poster as offensive. I checked this out myself and it was used all over social media with just one instance on AI where it said it might be considered offensive. I then spoke to the mods and pointed this out and was told if I turned the two words around and made it into five words that was acceptable! It is complete madness that we are having to tread on eggshells because a poster finds an expression offensive when there is no intention of causing offence. I would never knowingly do that and neither would Allira or GSM.

I have never found any poster to be offensive.
I have only ever reported the ‘Spams’ -
I still miss GSM and ofcourse Allira

Good morning Allira! We all still hope the mods will reconsider your ban and mitigate it to a suspension. Some further clarity on this situation would be appreciated by all of us but I don’t hold my breath in that regard.

In my opinion Allira’s posts have never been offensive or politically offensive…

I find all sorts of things politically offensive, so what to be honest. I don't get to say people shouldn't say them.

Sorry GG that sounded a bit snippy on my behalf, it wasn't aimed at you.

GrannyGravy13

In my opinion Allira’s posts have never been offensive or politically offensive…

Neither do I but there are always people who will find offence where there is none intended and they are quick to tell the mods.

I am so pleased that the mods have been answering so many questions!!!!!! If they're reading this thread. Will I get the shove for having the brass neck to write this?. An explanation or three would be helpful, we aren't stupid. Maybe they have realised their mistake and don't realise the word sorry is in the dictionary?

Galaxy

I find all sorts of things politically offensive, so what to be honest. I don't get to say people shouldn't say them.

Well exactly. As Evelyn Beatrice Hall said in her biography of Voltaire: "I disapprove of what you say, but I will defend to the death your right to say it." We are all adults on here - with more life experience than we may care to admit - which means we should be able to agree to disagree without anyone taking offence or flouncing off in a huff to report someone.

Well the N & P threads are quieter than usual.

Just a few stalwarts posting.

The banning of Allira has I guess made a fair few contributors wary of posting as the goal posts on moderation and punishments seem rather flexible

ViceVersa

Galaxy

I find all sorts of things politically offensive, so what to be honest. I don't get to say people shouldn't say them.

Well exactly. As Evelyn Beatrice Hall said in her biography of Voltaire: "I disapprove of what you say, but I will defend to the death your right to say it." We are all adults on here - with more life experience than we may care to admit - which means we should be able to agree to disagree without anyone taking offence or flouncing off in a huff to report someone.

Totally agree 👍👍👍

There are a few posters who like to demonstrate their perceived superiority to cause upset; they fly close to the wind then prudently withdraw for a break, sometimes with a flounce ,sometimes not. They then return refreshed after period of abstinence under a new name, because the old one has lapsed, apparently. If recognised by their style or comments they freely admit it as they have broken no rules and continue on their merry way, spreading discord.
In my opinion.

GrannyGravy13

Well the N & P threads are quieter than usual.

Just a few stalwarts posting.

The banning of Allira has I guess made a fair few contributors wary of posting as the goal posts on moderation and punishments seem rather flexible

I thought that too GG13 - they're becoming a bit like echo chambers in that they're talking only to each other. Be interesting to see what happens if one dares to disagree with the other 😂

And, should a post be deleted because just one reporter found it offensive?