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AIBU?

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Why are people utterly terrified of anyone or anything a bit different?

84 replies

OrangerySmorangery · 20/07/2025 14:00

There’s a trainspotter who posts videos on social media. He’s in his 20s, is eccentric, and his enthusiasm is infectious. The way he films himself is sometimes a little strange (he uses a head mounted camera to show his reaction as the train goes by) but it’s really difficult not to like him and his videos. I should add that I have no interest in trains or the railways beyond using them.

He’s clearly living his best life and making money doing it; more power to him! It’s actually quite life affirming.

A good proportion of the comments under his videos are really positive. However, there is a sizeable minority who make fun or are abusive in a really nasty way. Mostly male I should add.

Ive just no idea why anyone would feel the need to respond in that way. He’s a harmless guy doing what he enjoys.

OP posts:
Isittimeformynapyet · 21/07/2025 17:42

IlovePhilMitchell · 20/07/2025 14:28

Also just to add, a lot of them are trolls with the sole intent of offending so don’t let them win. It wouldn’t matter if a person was run of the mill normal (whatever that means) they’d still find something.

Edited

"Normal" generally refers to something typical, usual, or conforming to a standard. It can describe a state of being or a situation that is not unusual or out of the ordinary. In various contexts, "normal" can also refer to something that is sane, healthy, or free from mental disorder."

NewbieYou · 21/07/2025 17:38

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Nonsense. We are not a country without souls. Go troll with your hatred on another website.

mondaytosunday · 21/07/2025 17:33

I crochet and follow a fair number of crocheters on YouTube. Now one couldn’t think of a more innocuous hobby and these mainly women show their makes, do market vloggs and some live ‘crochet with me’ videos. Harmless right? Well every once in a while they will mention the hate they get in the comments. ‘You’re too fat’ ‘your voice is screechy’ ‘your makes are crap’… plus other personal attacks. I mean, why? What do the posters hope to gain? But if even crocheters can get the trolls then anyone can. Some people are so low they seem to think insulting people they wouldn’t dream of in real life boosts them in some weird and sad way.

foodymcfoodface · 21/07/2025 17:21

Guavafish1 · 20/07/2025 14:11

Most people can say what they like when anonymous.

need to change social media rules

Not sure i agree. Anonymity provides protection for women to say things without being stalked etc

Happyher · 21/07/2025 17:17

Because the internet allows you to anonymously say things in a public forum that you would never say in person. It’s really brought out the worst in people

Crushed23 · 21/07/2025 17:12

All nastiness / bullying stems from insecurity. So I wouldn’t say they’re “terrified” as such, they just have low self-worth and not much confidence in their preferences and life choices. So they denigrate others’.

Elbowpatch · 21/07/2025 16:51

They've always got to be oppressing someone somewhere

Of course, nobody else ever oppressed anybody else.

The Portuguese didn’t have a massive empire and Scotland didn’t unite with England primarily to further her colonial aspirations.

deusexmacintosh · 21/07/2025 16:42

Trallala · 21/07/2025 16:15

He's also quite unpopular amongst the 'real' trainspotting community for being rude to and unpleasant about members who have more profound neurodiversity and learning disabilities (I have a family member in the latter category). It's very much a fabricated persona that's been lucratively marketed.

Thanks for the heads up 🙏 So he's like Nardwuar, the Canadian journalist who put on a similar 'childish enthusiasm' act while interviewing bands and played off that while being a goady arse behind the scenes. Interesting.
It's a shame the trolls aren't calling him out for cynically manipulating his public image, instead of making the web and larger society an even less welcoming space for people with neurodevelopmental conditions. There will be many young people and adults with ND who may be reading those comments.

NooNakedJacuzziness · 21/07/2025 16:38

Well that escalated 😆

needtostopnamechanging · 21/07/2025 16:37

@deusexmacintosh

you get irony ?

deusexmacintosh · 21/07/2025 16:32

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Trallala · 21/07/2025 16:15

Elbowpatch · 21/07/2025 15:41

There’s a trainspotter who posts videos on social media. He’s in his 20s, is eccentric, and his enthusiasm is infectious

You do realise that it is an act? It is a character he has developed purely for his YouTube channel. He isn’t really like that at all

His real name is Luke Magnus Nicolson.

He's also quite unpopular amongst the 'real' trainspotting community for being rude to and unpleasant about members who have more profound neurodiversity and learning disabilities (I have a family member in the latter category). It's very much a fabricated persona that's been lucratively marketed.

SaywhatIthink · 21/07/2025 16:15

Some people are terrified of war coming im not.

dogcatkitten · 21/07/2025 16:15

He's just an easy target, these people don't have a life of their own and just take a poke at anyone who does. Why do they watch his stuff if they don't like it? And the answer is so that they can mock him. I hope he just ignores them.

I don't think it implies people are terrified of anything different though, it's just plain bullying, find an angle, any angle to attack people. And anonymity on the internet gives them a huge range of targets with no real way to hold them accountable.

Dwappy · 21/07/2025 16:05

OrangerySmorangery · 20/07/2025 23:11

Good point - it probably stems more from unhappiness with themselves than fear of differences.

Have you ever seen a thread on here where an adult says they like Disney films/world etc? ESPECIALLY if you don’t have children and want to go to Disney. What people say about “Disney adults” or whatever is awful.

Elbowpatch · 21/07/2025 15:41

There’s a trainspotter who posts videos on social media. He’s in his 20s, is eccentric, and his enthusiasm is infectious

You do realise that it is an act? It is a character he has developed purely for his YouTube channel. He isn’t really like that at all

His real name is Luke Magnus Nicolson.

PassingStranger · 21/07/2025 15:29

BitOutOfPractice · 20/07/2025 14:07

You should’ve read what the men were writing on the internet about the England women’s team on Friday. Absolutely appalling.

I occasionally see the poster you describe op. He’s just a lovely force of nature.

Says alot about these men dosent it.
Clearly jealous and threatened because the latest play so well.

Many men manage to support the ladies football and be positive, so as said it says alot about the ones who make negative, unkind comments.

Jamesblonde2 · 21/07/2025 14:34

When I first saw a video of him I thought he was weird and strange, an adult acting child like. I didn’t really know anyone like him. Of course I didn’t comment. But the more videos I saw of him I found him very watchable and entertaining. It’s not fear.

BeautifulSongsofLove · 21/07/2025 14:22

OrangerySmorangery · 20/07/2025 14:12

But why do bullying trolls bully? I do think, for some, that they’re terrified of stepping outside the norm themselves (despite perhaps wanting to) and so feel the need to put down anyone who does.

Of course, I might just playing armchair psychologist a bit too much…..

Some of the reasons why are discussed here www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/m00238q1?partner=uk.co.bbc&origin=share-mobile

MrsMitford3 · 21/07/2025 14:11

I love him-it was fun to watch him slowly become a thing and go to fashionshows etc whilst retaining his innocent charm.
Def breath of fresh air!

Unexpectedlysinglemum · 21/07/2025 14:10

Jealousy

I love his videos!

WhereIsMyJumper · 20/07/2025 23:18

People who rank low in trait open-mindedness

LaLaLandDreams · 20/07/2025 23:12

You won’t find a video online that doesn’t have those comments, no matter who or what.

OrangerySmorangery · 20/07/2025 23:11

cantbejustme · 20/07/2025 22:56

Francis is wonderful. He has a channel 4 show where he interviews celebrities….

Honestly I think unhappy people can’t stand other people being happy. If they put down their phone and spend some time doing something they enjoy they’d probably cheer up a bit.

Good point - it probably stems more from unhappiness with themselves than fear of differences.

OP posts:
cantbejustme · 20/07/2025 22:56

Francis is wonderful. He has a channel 4 show where he interviews celebrities….

Honestly I think unhappy people can’t stand other people being happy. If they put down their phone and spend some time doing something they enjoy they’d probably cheer up a bit.

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