to wonder about the difference between a "troll" thread and a "joke" thread?

[starkadder]

Real question. Was reading the Wuthering Heights one on here (from coldcath) and it was quite funny. But also made me a little uncomfortable because some people had taken time, energy and effort to write genuine replies. Isn't this the main issue people have with "troll" threads - that they're horrible because they're seeking sympathy/advice for fake situations?

I appreciate that the authors of "joke" threads are much more likely to come clean quickly and not to drag it out...therefore meaning less people will reply seriously and that those who do will be less likely to get deeply involved, but - possibly - isn't it still just as unfair to those people who did reply?

Also, part of me thinks - "trolls" who post these very long, fake threads about emotive subjects must have fairly deep seated issues and perhaps are actually MORE to be sympathised with than people who are just having a laugh?

Or is it a question of intent - "joke" threads are OK because the authors are just having a laugh and brightening up all our evenings but "troll" threads are not OK because the authors are deliberately feeding off undeserved sympathy and advice?

Again, this is a real question - am not just stirring - and nothing personal against the Wuthering Heights author - I did think that was quite funny. But am interested to see what others think. Why is a "joke" thread OK and a "troll" thread not -or are neither OK?

I think it is an interesting question...

To me, a troll is someone who posts with malicious intent. So someone with a sob story, looking to get sympathy and cash is mostly certainly a troll. Someone who activitely distresses other posters, for example, by pretending to be suicidal, or pretending to a child in distress is a troll.

I would probably go a bit wider.. I recall being on an internet forum in the early 90s where some innocent wee posters were convinced that their US-based mate was visiting them. They waited all day at the airport - she never arrived. Later, a story about a car crash was posted. Enterprising young posters phoned the US State police who confirmed no fatal car accidents had taken place. I think that behaviour is probably best classed as trolling.

Pretending to be Cathy from Wuthering Heights is no more trolling, imo, than pretending to be Anne Elliot.

People will always play with their identity and cyberspace is the pefect playground. If I tell you "I'm not that fat" and "I have bumsex every Friday night, like a good MNetter" does it matter if my size 12 jeans are actually a bit of a squeeze?

To my mind, someone posting from the perspective of their boss, or their sister - engaging politely in a relevant (ie on topic) conversation is fine by me.

Yes, I think that is it, rasputin - the intent does matter, because a poster with good intentions will take care to reply to any "real" respondents thoughtfully.

Agree that it would be a sad shame to lose the joke threads...