to ask what posters who are trolls get out of their threads

[LaviniaB]

Ok, name changed from earlier today but was one of many posters who tried to help and support a poster on the Relationships forum, over 2 days.

A couple of posters out of around almost 400 posts did call 'troll' though in a subtle way.

I had some doubts because the finances she quoted didn't quite ring true for their age and location, and she wasn't coming onto the thread much.

Anyway I gave her the benefit of the doubt.

It took MN almost 36 hours to delete her thread having spotted a former banned poster.

Why oh why do people do this?

Some posters spent ages offering support ( a death, and grief, were part of the thread) and it was all just a game.

I gave a lot of time. Silly me, you say. But I was genuinely trying to help.

Oh god was that one a troll?! That's so annoying. And slightly sick really.

Interesting question. There are different types of troll, I think. The worst ones get sexual gratification, or a sick thrill out of upsetting others and controlling them.

Some are lonely and dysfunctional and they get attention, which is addictive so they keep upping the ante.

Years ago, when MN was a lot smaller, there were "troll threads" which were more benign, in that everyone knew it was a regular having a laugh, but people played along because it was funny. Dumbfluff, hamster casserole, PollyChrome come to mind. Even then though, there were people who hated it and couldn't see the joke.

They enjoy other peoples misery as it makes them feel better, they're insecure and bored and get off any pretty much any form of attention. Just like some posters who are quick to give their nasty opinions rather than fully reading a post and giving constructive advice. I won't be making any posts again as some people really are dicks.

Don't get invested in threads. Remember, all time you spend on here is 'dead' time. Don't spend more than you're prepared to lose.

Well learn and lesson from this and don’t get overly invested in threads on the internet.

@Lockheart and @RedCandyApple Really? So why does anyone bother to post?

I've made some good RL friends via forums, for one thing. So I'd disagree it's 'dead time' .

And the other is it's in my nature to try to offer help if someone is asking for it.

I rarely come onto the AIBU forum as it's full of people mouthing off their opinions often in a very aggressive way. But Relationships is usually different and some posters have come back to say that the support genuinely changed their lives for the better.

I take everything I read on here with a pinch of salt!

Some will find it entertaining, some people find the positive attention affirming, some people’s stories have elements of truth or start true but are exaggerated, egged on by requests for frequent and more outrageous updates (parking and CF threads are prime examples of these). You learn how to spot them and I treat every Internet thread with a pinch of salt. I just view Mumsnet as entertainment and so as long as something interests me, I don’t really care if it’s true.

I don’t imagine this thread will last long though. Mumsnet don’t really like threads pointing out that a significant percentage of the site is fiction.

That thread had warning signs once the poster ignored pages of overwhelming consensus and was tone deaf. Any thread with a huge drip feed, especially something very emotive or designed to get sympathy should probably be viewed with caution

Like other posters, I give advice in good faith, but report threads once the warning signs are there.

Attention
They get lots and lots of attention
You've only got to look at some of the long running sagas here with the breathless pleading for updates and place marking and Pom Pom waving to see that

[quote LaviniaB]@Lockheart and @RedCandyApple Really? So why does anyone bother to post?

I've made some good RL friends via forums, for one thing. So I'd disagree it's 'dead time' .

And the other is it's in my nature to try to offer help if someone is asking for it.

I rarely come onto the AIBU forum as it's full of people mouthing off their opinions often in a very aggressive way. But Relationships is usually different and some posters have come back to say that the support genuinely changed their lives for the better.[/quote]
@Lockheart and @RedCandyApple Really? So why does anyone bother to post?

I know that wasn't addressed to me but it's quite possible to 'bother' to post without getting emotionally involved. Always keep at the back of your mind that the poster could be telling lies or hugely exaggerating. Then make up your mind whether you want to continue to reply.

At the end of the day this is just a chat forum - something to do with your spare time.

Entertainment. There's one running now - or was, earlier today - gets wilder and wilder. No-one seems to notice.

My question was about why posters do this, rather than wasting my time on such threads. I wasn't emotionally invested at all, yes, I wasted an hour or so over the day.

Just puzzled what it is that gives posters a kick out of these types of threads.

I've been on MN for years ( over 10 years) and know that many threads are fiction. Usually they are obvious and I began to have doubts over that one when she left her location - round the corner to me- and the money issues didn't seem real.

It’s just boredom really and they enjoy winding people up and seeing who will fall for it

I’m new to MN but have heard it is notorious for trolls. This is a shame as people like me have joined to get advice from real people