Trolls

[SilverOldie2]

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.

Also once threads have been moved to the troll topic they will be locked.

Good point.

It's a pity there isn't a public way of reporting or discussing concerns over particular threads or something, but in a way that wouldn't derail that thread in case it is real.

For example, there's one thread I've seen and posted on because I have no self control which just keeps going. It MUST be a windup as no one's that self-centred and oblivious. The topic is enough to hurt people going through it - it's made me cross and I've never had it happen to me.

However I'm not sure enough to report it. Is it just one of those things you learn to detach from - "oh well it's probably a troll, don't get invested in the fellow MNers who are getting invested" sort of thing?

If you suspect it's a troll then report it. Nobody needs to know you reported it.

I rarely report threads but that's only because my trolldar is crap.

Thanks toads. Have reported it now just in case...

IMO it's better to just report rather than pulling faces (and I admit, I am guilty of this too.) I say this because by discussing it candidly on the thread just gives the troll the attention they crave. It always starts a row with other posters and perpetuates the thread.

I think if you're wrong and the thread is genuine then it's not like anyone has been hurt by you reporting it. The OP isn't going to know it's been reported.

I appreciate the faces it gives me a clue or helps to confirm my hmmm feelings, long may they continue to be used.

It looks like I've just correctly spotted and reported a troll. So perhaps my trolldar is getting better as it's not often that I spot them .

Just saw that Toad - what a creepy one!

My trolldar went mad as soon as I read the OP of that thread. It wasn't long after it was started and there were only a few replies but I was just thinking . I reported it straight away.

I actually feel kind of smug that my trolldar might be getting better.

The fact that people were taking it seriously at first made me think my suspicions might have been wrong. It was only near the end and a few people were going too that I realised it wasn't just me.

A 'newbie' (read: PBP) starting weird topics about sharing baths with their 7 year old sister and wanting to have sex with their baby sleeping beside them.

Just a weird perv trying to get people to overshare imo.

I only read the OP and the first couple of posts of that thread and had a bad feeling about it, maybe my spotting troll vibes are getting better.