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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

Trolls

339 replies

SilverOldie2 · 21/09/2015 13:02

This is sort of about another thread, but not a specific one. AIBU to say that I simply cannot understand what people get out of coming on here and starting a thread which pulls on people's heartstrings when it is completely false. I've seen posters opening their souls on some threads where they are concerned for the OP and can't imagine how devastated they must feel when they discover that it was all a fake.

I'm not talking about those who post something so outrageous or funny, you sort of know it's not true and can have fun with it

Can there be any acceptable reason why they do it? Have you ever trolled and if so why? What the hell do they get out of it? I just do not understand.

OP posts:
TheTravellingLemon · 21/09/2015 13:08

I know the thread to which you are referring. I had just starting reading it when it got deleted and the same thought occurred to me.

The goady ones and the outrageous ones I can sort of understand. But why would you make up something so horrible. I don't know why you would deliberately set out to upset people but that must be the reason, I can't think of any other.

PurpleDaisies · 21/09/2015 13:11

I missed that thread (which one was it?) but I've seen others like it. It must be the emotional responses they want. I don't get it at all.

Thefitfatty · 21/09/2015 13:14

Perhaps this is a good place to ask but what in the world does PBP mean?

Maryz · 21/09/2015 13:14

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Cloppysow · 21/09/2015 13:14

Previously banned poster

Maryz · 21/09/2015 13:14

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Weathergames · 21/09/2015 13:16

I read that post (if it's the one I'm thinking of) and thought it didn't ring true Sad

ExitPursuedByABear · 21/09/2015 13:16

What have I missed?

Again

MingZillas · 21/09/2015 13:17

Fuck knows why they do it. I feel genuinely sorry for them though, that they've not got anything better or more meaningful in their life to do.
Was it the 'my darling baby' one?

Maryz · 21/09/2015 13:17

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

EponasWildDaughter · 21/09/2015 13:17

Ah. The bereved poster with horrible mother one?

I fell for that until the update. So OTT.

There will be trolls as long as there are forums. It's crap.

Cloppysow · 21/09/2015 13:18

I think they're sitting laughing at how invested people get. And people really do.

Thefitfatty · 21/09/2015 13:18

Thanks!

Cerseithequeen · 21/09/2015 13:19

Just don't get what they gain from it. But then again...they're probably sick and need help.

Pity them.

AndDeepBreath · 21/09/2015 13:19

It feels like there should be some way more experienced posters can post a "just to remind everyone not to give more than they can" kind of reminder without being told off themselves for troll-hunting. Or some kind of troll voting mechanism ("2329 people have voted to be cautious of this thread; 82 think it's super-legit, up to you!") yes I know extremely well that this wouldn't happen for so many reasons but still

TenForward82 · 21/09/2015 13:19

I was wondering about that thread, but I HATE when people call troll unfairly. The matter of fact updates and lack of anything inbetween was a bit odd, but you want to believe people genuinely need help.

Despite people occasionally referring to me as "goady" on here, I've never trolled, and I don't get people who do. They must be very sad.

emotionsecho · 21/09/2015 13:20

PBP is shorthand for Previously Banned Poster.

I don't understand why people do it. I also don't buy into the argument that other posters in similar situations might read the thread and get something out of the advice and/or sympathy given to the Troll which is always the default statement given for no troll hunting - imo the cost to the individuals who have been duped into sharing their own experiences with the Troll is too high.

PermetsTu · 21/09/2015 13:21

People do it for all sorts of reasons. Some of them are genuinely unwell, fantasists, a particular type of loneliness or desperation for attention, a perverse pleasure or idle, unthinking whim, an egging on from mates on another forum, an exercise in research, anger, revenge, boredom.

There are many, many reasons and there are hundreds of troll threads every month.

You cannot hope to understand or eradicate it. You can only give of yourself what you can afford to lose.

EponasWildDaughter · 21/09/2015 13:21

I always say this; but any thoughtful answer on a thread will help someone, somewhere who is reading.

Even if the OP is a troll, there'll be someone with a similar problem who hasn't posted and will be grateful to read the advice. No wise words or compassion is wasted.

AndDeepBreath · 21/09/2015 13:21

The positive sides I try to focus on are: posting on these daft threads can help the poster to explore issues; they could also help someone who IS in a similar situation but wouldn't have the nerve to post.

Maryz · 21/09/2015 13:22

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

EponasWildDaughter · 21/09/2015 13:22

deepbreath :)

laffymeal · 21/09/2015 13:22

I clocked from the op that it was a horrible made up thread. Ridiculous amounts of OTT detail and very difficult to believe.

Maryz · 21/09/2015 13:24

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

goindowntoyasgursfarm · 21/09/2015 13:25

laffy which details made you think it was untrue? I'm obviously more gullible than you - I was completely taken in by the OP, and also the update, I'm afraid Sad

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