To ask you about suspicious threads

[FallenThroughTheRabitHole]

I probably shouldn't have NC but I have. But I've noticed lately a great deal of threads that for one reason or another just seem odd. I know it's best to report a thread if in doubt but some threads either seem attention seeking or just down right improbable. This seems to be especially rife on AIBU. Am I alone in thinking this?

It must be really upsetting if you post about a genuine problem and get accused of making it up or starting a joke thread! A lot of OPs seem to get accused of fake threads or reverses. Often for really bizarre reasons like 'she used too much punctuation in the first post'!

Agree OP I find it difficult and I've been lurking for some time.

Please could someone explain a reverse thread?

I've been here 5 years, not that long really , I sometimes have a spidey sense towards a dodgy thread but not all of the time.

There are some right twats looking to throw a grenade in then run for the hills.

I don't spot them I believe everyone! though I only seem to read chat & aibu. Maybe they're lurking elsewhere. A reverse is where the person posting is actually the one they're complaining about, like I hate my mil but it's actually the mil posting. Maybe...I think that's right. I always forget acronyms, PITA??

Does it really matter? If you don't like a thread, don't engage. I'm sure a lot of threads are just made up or exaggerated or based on a real life event but changed a good bit. If it gets a good debate going, who cares really how true to life the OP is?

There's some where the story is so outrageous you can't believe anyone would act like that.

I've seen 3 deleted recently (yes, LJWales) that were unbelievable.

If it's made up and really nasty or emotive then fair enough, report. But if someone wants to get a discussion going on, for instance, P&T parking and, instead of just saying 'I hate those bloody spaces AIBU etc', invents some scenario to make their OP more interesting, then who cares really?

I think some people take AIBU a bit too seriously.

I think most of AIBU is made up. The whole topic is a joke and not to be taken seriously at all.

Anyone wanting a sensible reply to a sensible question should post in a different topic. Some posters never even venture out of AIBU which I find baffling. Hanging around in the hope of a bunfight and if one doesn't appear-start their own.

I have AIBU hidden and just see the odd thread like this pop up in Most Active.

I agree some one or some people are having a right laugh at MN atm.

Very odd threads about.

Yes I think there have been more iffy threads lately or maybe I'm just getting better at spotting them, or maybe just more cynical.

I agree usual, there's an air of a group somewhere going' Watch what happens when I post this on MN it will be hilarious and they will all froth'.

Yep, Sparkling. They don't quite ring true. But they all seem to push the MN buttons.

I could list a few dodgy threads ATM. There's a long drawn out Mills and Boon stylee one in chat too.

OP, I'd be really interested in hearing why you felt the need to name change for this post? I find the "I've name changed for this" introductions to posts make me uneasy and less likely to engage until there seems more evidence that they are genuine. I agree that many AIBU posts would probably get better responses if posted in specific MN areas but I appreciate that sometimes people post where they think there is most traffic. I think we all have something of a troll-dar which will be triggered by different things. Not sure there is any recent significant increase in such activity.

But they all seem to push the MN buttons.

Oh yes.

There have definitely been more bollocks threads over the last few weeks.

Not forgetting sockies all over the place.

Well. I name changed to this name change for a recent thread (not controversial but quite identifying as my son's health record is pretty unusual) and didn't get many replies although the ones I got were very helpful. Will remember to change back now!

People would be less suspicious if there was less name changing IMO.

I don't know what's worse

The random trolls or the goady regulars hiding behind a shiny new name

The latter Worra, definitely the latter.

I name changed recently just to get away from certain posters. I fear my cover has been blown though

I don't start goady threads though. I'm lovely

I've been on here for years but people don't really know me at all and I've name changed a lot as forget username/email I used and or password. It can be difficult as newcomers seem to be immediately treated with suspicion but there's good reason for it. I first joined just before mouldie gate and that was when the trolling really seemed to kick off. I think it all adds to the flavour of it all. You get loons everywhere it just seems magnified on this site