To let go of the general assumption that stories and scenarios on a forum like MN should be true

[FarFromAnyRoad]

Because mostly, I fear, they are not. I have to confess I simply do not understand the mindset that would sit and make up a whole story based on nothing but fantasy or what the author might deem a shocking or amusing scenario. I get that nobody will ever know why they do it - I suppose I'm just at the sheer quantity of it at the moment. I'm pretty sure there's only one or two people behind most of it - law of averages says there just cannot be that many bullshitters on one section of a huge forum - or can there?
And if there is a general feeling that a particular poster or posters are just making up shit but not actually trolling - well - is this OK? I don't think it is but I'm prepared to rethink if I'm told it is. What does everyone else think?

It's near on impossible to have a completely bullshit free anonymous forum.

Especially one like MN that allows no questions asked name changes.

Namechange and post cobblers is where it's at on MN at the moment.

I'm glad it's not just me who thinks this

Well, everything Ive written is true.

I'm not going to waste my time and years by writing lies and rubbish.

That's right...years and yours!

I can't understand the mentality of someone who's banned for posting bullshit goady threads and being rude to people who repeatedly tries it on again. To be fair this isn't the only forum where that happens.

I agree. I'm often surprised to open a thread, read it and realise it is yet again a certain poster (naming no names, of course). What an exciting life they lead!

hmmm, bit off to allude to another post who?

I couldn't possibly say!

I'll tell you one thing that isn't ever true.

"LOL, OP, I just spat tea/coffee over my keyboard."

I just woke the baby up laughing at your post, Blue.

I literally did spill coffee on my keyboard tonight, but I was being clumsy. I was not overcome with mirth.

But I have spat drink out through involuntary laughing before. But it doesn't usually happen on a forum, because how the fuck can you read something while looking into the depths of a cup? It usually happens just as somebody says something impeccably timed JUST as you're taking a mouthful, and leads to much painful spluttering.

There was a thread the other day that made me do that silent shoulder shaking laugh.

And TBH there's not many that do that.

Dear god I have a dull life.

The most exciting thing I've done today all week is to put together an Ikea kitchen trolley.

Threads full of "you're amazing OP, such an inspiration" set my trolldar off - usually enough details at nicely timed intervals with a worsening set of circumstances that the OP deals with in a brave and dignified fashion.

But yeah, there are loads of ridiculously unbelievable trivial shite where I think the OP is living out some kind of assertiveness fantasy - arguments in car parks etc with phrasing that seems like it was written by a bad novellist.

Many years ago at work I laughed so hard tea ran out of my nose

It's never happened whilst reading MN though

You only have to say fart on here for them to be off pissing themselves and snorting tea.

... pissing themselves and snorting tea."

I always believe stuff on the Internet.....this post has saddened me that I'm totally naive!!

For years I just assumed that pretty much everything on MN was bona fide. Then I realised that some posters did indeed seem to live their lives as though they were in Take A Break (thanks to the witty PP who said that) and not only that, they seemed to have legions of dedicated fans hanging on their every misadventure, posting admiring You Go Girl messages.

I wonder if it's become a form of reality internet fiction, a way to follow sensational stories that sound kind of true?

I'm laughing so hard at this thread that I've actually just shat a kidney.

OMG, Worra do you have anyone with you? Do post every few minutes from A & E won't you??? I literally will have to keep refreshing the thread all night.. Unmumsnetty hugs and hand holding

I think it is a form of internet fiction. It's like watching a soap on the internet.

Im in the "so what" camp. If they feel the need to do this then that's fine by me. I don't sit here in judgement to be honest. Calling people out is worse in my opinion. Just ignore and move on if they aren't up to your "standards".