Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Child-safe in minutes.

Meet the Other Phone.
Child-safe in minutes.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Other subjects
Original poster

Trolls and Stalwarts

96 replies

Plumpbump · 30/09/2006 21:44

Hi there!

I have been mning for about 6 months now since ttc and am now nearly 20 weeks pg. I read mumsnet everyday and really enjoy the threads, the arguments, the jokes etc. I post on a lovely ante-natal thread and the ladies there have been really supportive - much easier to "talk" to than those in RL.
I've changed my name a couple of times. Once to ask a personal health question and then back to the original and then more recently to PlumpBump for a more permanent change (I fancied a change and let the ante-natal girls know, but was also slightly paranoid that it was too similar to RL).
I've posted on a fair few threads with fairly uncontroversial postings.
So, that's me. Probably like many others. But I am nervous about posting a stronger opinion, wondering when I might start to become a recognised regular poster and feel awkward when trying to join in conversations with those who are so clearly established. I don't want to be accused of being a troll, or trying too hard. I've read posts which I felt were heartfelt but have seen lots of signs. I totally understand that odd people do come on and make up lies, but what about those of us that don't.
Is it just me - does anyone else feel like this or am I just being pg hormonal?
How does the average newbie MNer go from Troll to Stalwart?

OP posts:
sorrell · 30/09/2006 21:45

Go on normal threads and say normal things. Trolls usually start their own thread about their sex life, or 'should I lash my 14 year old with a whip' or stuff like that with no background.

Heathcliffscathy · 30/09/2006 21:48

ok.

if you are me.

total and utter paranoia

go to a meetup.

realise that these are human beings and some of them are special.

get into argie bargies.

feel totally paranoid that everyone hates you.

get helped massively by some people that have had argie bargies with.

feel marginally less paranoid.

get into massively serious argie bargie.

get totally paranoid.

help a few people that you've had total argie bargies with.

feel nice for a few days.

start terrible totally controversial thread.

feel totally paranoid.

but getting used that feeling.

whole thing takes about 2 years.

Heathcliffscathy · 30/09/2006 21:48

ok.

if you are me.

total and utter paranoia

go to a meetup.

realise that these are human beings and some of them are special.

get into argie bargies.

feel totally paranoid that everyone hates you.

get helped massively by some people that have had argie bargies with.

feel marginally less paranoid.

get into massively serious argie bargie.

get totally paranoid.

help a few people that you've had total argie bargies with.

feel nice for a few days.

start terrible totally controversial thread.

feel totally paranoid.

but getting used that feeling.

whole thing takes about 2 years.

nannyme · 30/09/2006 21:48

The troll thing is surely only about one's own sense of humility as any advice/response given is of interest to others beyond 'the troll'.

Heathcliffscathy · 30/09/2006 21:49

sorry about double post.

totally paranoid now.

sorrell · 30/09/2006 21:50

nannyme, some people feel very upset when they disclose personal information about their children that has been used by some wanker to get off sexually. It has happened.

WideWebWitch · 30/09/2006 21:51

I went from new person to stalwart by being here a LOT and posting prolifically.

Original poster
Plumpbump · 30/09/2006 21:52

Just 18 months to go then! I really love MN and am slightly addicted, but it is like being the new one at Girl Guides or school sometimes!

OP posts:
nannyme · 30/09/2006 21:53

I see what you are saying sorrell. But that kind of stuff is often available as an onlooker anyway, not just in response to a troll posting.

It's surely up to us as individuals to monitor what we disclose whether or not we suspect the genuine nature of the topic.

Original poster
Plumpbump · 30/09/2006 21:53

See, www (if i may be so bold), you are definately a stalwart!!! You are the Year 11 to my Year 7!

OP posts:
lulumama · 30/09/2006 21:54

glad you asked that question as i am fairly new too! i think there have been 2 or so trolls all at once lately which has made the stalwarts more which is understandable.

....and one was very convincing... anyway, i think posting something totally and utterly outrageous is a good sign of trollness- regular sensible and kind postings aren't going to get you in trouble...agree with sorrell

but - prob with trolls is that they can put off genuine mnetters with real but unusual problems from posting, or they post and get a lot of

TambaTheDragonSlayer · 30/09/2006 21:54

It was horrible when I was new - far to scary!!!

In the end I just picked a couple of prolific posters and talked to them - lots!! And then your name gets seen everywhere and suddenly you are one of them scary seeming posters that you were nervous of

shhhh · 30/09/2006 21:54

tbh as a victem of mn bashing very recently I can see exactly how you think/feel. I have been a regular mner for about 3 years but I wouldn't class myself as being "well known" etc. I post on what threads I feel are relevant to me and I also start conversations when I need advice or opinions.
Until recently I have never had any issues but this time others felt like I was looking for an argument and I was waiting for the troll comments. BUT if people had cared to look into threads I had posted on/started they would have seen that I am in fact a genuine person.

Sadly, you are always going to come across problems be it on mn or any other forums. Sadlt thats due to how people interperate your views etc.

Just do what you want to do and feel free to voice your opinion. Don't feel bullied or threated as aftre all mn is free for all views and comments.

I personally don't feel that you need to wait for a timescale before you can join in certain conversations. After all we are all grown ups. BTW I am pregnant BUT I elt like this before I was pregnant so it's not hormonal, not with me anyway!! BTW I do find that some "regular" members don't post on my threads, mmm now whether thats because I don't have the kudos or maybe they don't feel they have a relvant opinon..But who cares..!!

Welcome and happy mnetting. Proceed with caution though .

lulumama · 30/09/2006 21:57

i've posted on all manner of threads - and had some really nice responses and thanks for my opinion -

but in mn as in RL ,can't get on with everyone all the time, and when talking about emotive subjects, likely to piss someone off or get pissed off at some point...

can't take it personally...

WideWebWitch · 30/09/2006 21:58

plumpbump but my being prolific was due to:

living in the country
only having one child
missing London and having friends and being ENORMOUSLY relieved to 'meet' so many great sounding people who were articulate/intelligent/interesting
being a sahm and free at playgroup time

btw, I post to anyone if I think I can help/answer and I have time, I don't really care who they are/whether I've know them but I'm put off by large clumps of text with no paragraphs and by text speak.

Welcome to mumsnet

WideWebWitch · 30/09/2006 21:58

And now I can't post from work (don't live in country any more) so only get here at evenings/mornings and weekends.

shhhh · 30/09/2006 22:00

thing is we all need to realise that we all have different views and thoughts. MN is accessed by a wide range of religions and countries and backgrounds so we can't possibly have a happy vibe always.

Noone is wrong and noone is right.Its all down to individual choice. Who knows..maybe its easy to voice your opinions when you are no face to face to someone..

Original poster
Plumpbump · 30/09/2006 22:01

It really is a fab resource, Mumsnet. For what it's worth, any posts I have put up have been acknowledged by others in a kind way. I've got no reason to moan or be negative, just looking forward to getting passed the newbie stage.

OP posts:
lulumama · 30/09/2006 22:02

if you are enjoying posting and reading other comments,i wouldn;t dwell on it too much! IKWYM about posting a stronger opinion

i felt quite 'nervous' when posting something strong - but i think it is because

in RL i would just say it - here you have time to think before you type!!

Original poster
Plumpbump · 30/09/2006 22:02

Incidentally, is the sign new? Has it been created because of the trolling?

OP posts:
Heathcliffscathy · 30/09/2006 22:03

yes yes yes.

that is what i mean.

post away.

if you're me, you'll be paranoid (sometimes rightly).

and me too, i posted prolifically as it saved my sanity when i had ds and was at home full time and just couldn't do the mummys thing when i felt i had nothing in common with them.

there are so many interesting and bright and kind and funny women on here. some of them all of those things.

looks to me like you're getting yourself known here and now. which was perhaps part of the point of this thread!!!

hello!

Original poster
Plumpbump · 30/09/2006 22:03

I think that's true Lulumama. It's also because typing can't easily express your tone, even with the emoticons. And god forbid anyone should SHOUT WHEN TYPING IN CAPS!!!!!!!!

OP posts:
hunkermunker · 30/09/2006 22:04

Hiya PB - I'm a bit of a newbie and don't post much, so I'm not sure I can be much help to you.

I'd say lie like your life depends on it, then jump up and down and get cross when people don't agree with tou, then namechange to "DobbinIsMyFriend" and post only in recipes for a fortnight, then make up an affair with Simon Cowell and post about whether he's going to ring you later that day, start a "could I be pregnant" thread, post photos of your child having their ears pierced while breastfeeding and you'll be well away as a stalwart.

Worked for me, anyway.

Or something.

Hello. Welcome to MN.

shhhh · 30/09/2006 22:04

imo you are past the "newbie" stange as soon as you have posted on your 1st thread..!
Where are the guidelines saying you have to post x amount of times or after x amount of years before you you an offical member..! I must have signed without reading .

This is't school..! Relax and enjoy the experience.

fattiemumma · 30/09/2006 22:05

I havent been here that long but i would like to think that i am regular enough for people to know im not a TROLL.......NOW. when i first came on i had only been here about a week and then something happened in my personal life that quite frankly i was too freaked out about to ask anyone in Rl so i posted on MN.

i got loads of helpfull replies but then a few of the sorts of replies....thankfully some of the people i had been speaking to previously spoke up on my behalf and after a quick check on my histroy here on MN it was discovered that no i wasn't a troll.

If you want to post then post..about anything or giving any opinion...dont water it down for the sake of others.
If there is anyone who thinks your troll then they will say.."ohh i think she's a troll" you then prove your not by saying "no im not a troll and i'll prove it by sticking around"

once a troll is outed they dont come back..therefore proving they were indeed a troll.

we have this kind of discussion quite frequently....are newbies put off posting because of fear of being called a TROll.