Troll-hunting and subsequent Thread-ruining

[oneofsuesylvesterscheerios]

Yes, in some ways this is a thread about a thread, although its actually an interesting general point too. Plus, I don't want to carry on the discussion on the actual thread as it would be too damaging and would take it off in a completely different direction.

So... If a poster broke the rules and shouted troll, and then they were chastised (rightly) and the post removed, unless the offending surrounding comments reacting to the troll-hunt are removed too, the damage has been done surely?

We assume when someone posts regarding a personal trauma that they are telling the truth (well I hope we do) and if we suspect anything, we surely just ignore these days: we know the MN guidelines, etc.

And we know that certain situations in life happen to a lot of people (bereavement, loss, break-ups, etc). So when someone goes through a horrible time, the beauty of MN is that we don't just get sympathy and unmumsnetty hugs; we get empathy from folk who have been there themselves. We also often get bloody good advice, practical and emotional.

A thread that contains an accusation of troll-hunting is blindingly obvious even when the offending poster's comments have been removed. And thus, the damage is done.

When my dad died last I had some fantastic support from mnetters who'd suffered the loss of a parent and knew how 'rootless' it can make you. I'd have been confused and beyond upset if anyone had questioned my grief online. It doesn't matter how many positive posters there are on thread; just one snarky comment and the wave of a pitchfork is enough to send the OP packing, at a time when they might need the 'anonymous' support of MN most.

So, what I'm asking MN Towers is: if troll-hunting is banned, and it's fully acknowledged how damaging this could be on a thread that offers support to lots of people, often not just the OP, shouldn't all references and posts regarding an accusation be completely removed so the thread can remain intact and totally focused on the thread subject? Otherwise, it seems pointless.

say, you saw other posters on the bereavement topic getting emotionally involved with a poster like Dizzy, and things didnt add up. MNHQ responded with "we'll look into it" would you PM?

FWIW, there are threads I would NEVER call troll on. I report, I might post, but never troll-hunt.

Artex, yep, yep!

By "ignore", I mean report and walk away, leaving it to MNHQ to sort it out.

I see no problem with PMing someone who looks like they're going to send money, although I find it odd that that is as common as people say.

Artex, why hasn't that regular troll been banned? And if people didn't bump his threads, wouldn't he go away?

Not everyone knows hes a troll though , which is why a heads up on a thread is sometimes a good thing imo

But why hasn't he been banned?

And why do you think reporting isn't effective?

I find it hard to understand why people are so passionately devoted to troll hunting, that's it in a nutshell. I can see that it's seen by those who do it as an essential service to keep the site as troll-free as possible; but surely the debate is: is it effective? And is it in the site's best interests?

And there will always be newbies who haven't seen the troll before and don't know their style. I have seen trolls come back and unprecedented MNHQ actually commenting on threads that said poster is a troll (it has happened 3 times that I know of and only in incredibly exceptional cases). HQ just don't do it. But I am pretty certain they are getting pissed off having to block the same old trolls.

Breadbiscuit - mostly it isn't troll hunting it is more of a case that the posters read a hell of a lot of threads and thus more likely to come into contact with the dodgey ones. I know that in the last couple of weeks I have been jumping up and down all over the red button on threads all over the place. And a lot of posts and a ever some threads have been deleted as a direct result. I don't think that there is necessarily more trolls more that I am more all over the boards then I used to be.

I just think some people have been made cynical by their own experiences and are a bit troll sensitive and others (myself included here) are probably a bit too tolerant and give benefit of doubt.

I have no issue with anyone coming onto a thread and saying this is a bit unsafe. What I do think is odd is the need to proclaim it on a thread where the only apparent risk is about 5 posters coming on and saying how are you feeling today?

The only motive I can see is a personal one - acted out of the belief that it is a troll but delivered to satisfy your own annoyance at the 'troll' getting away with it.

From my point of view I'd rather see a more carefully worded warning rather than the usual delivered sneer.

I am trying to see both points of view here (honest) whilst still reeling at the idea that some posters pair of socks for the family instead of just hurling the bundle into their rooms for them to sort themselves

Yes, I think generally it's better to exercise some control over what you post.

Good post Artex.
Or what about the poster above who want's to visit a poster in rl, as she's so concerned about her?
A poster has conveniently disappeared.

A poster wh

I remember that. I actually read op, thought and walked away from the thread. Can't recall if I hid it or not. It moved stupidly fast and a lot of people were shocked it was a troll. Said troll keeps popping back for poo threads don't they? I always view those threads with a and ignore or hide.

Importantly though that thread happened during the day and it was still moving too fast for HQ. Those that happen at night are a real problem as recent vile trolls have proven, and no one could mistake them for anything but

I dont really agree with troll hunting and think that if a poster suspects a troll, should keep it to themselves but report immediately. It is then up to MNHQ to decide whether it is a troll or not and take appropriate action. If MNHQ cant prove troll then I dont see how a poster feels better equipped to do so. I understand it may be difficult to read other posters giving heart felt advice but surely as an adult using the internet, any poster has to take some basis precautions including the fact that some posters may not be genuine, and proceed on that basis (and I would rather MNHQ had a general sticky sticky listing some internet precautions rather than random posters casting their personal beliefs about other posters, no matter how sure their gut feelings are) and im sorry if this offends anyone, but re the above where a poster sent her sister with a change of clothes. Really? Isnt that one of the absolute basics we teach our children - never, ever, ever arrange to meet someone we only know through the internet? For an adult this should be common sense, and if not, they should not be on the internet. I get this is a site where people want to help each other, but at the end of the day it is an site which does not vet its members, and any poster could be anyone hiding behind a screen name. I think letting a trolls thread run until it has been proved troll by MNHQ, even if that means some posters unwittingly offer advice is the lesser evil compared to having posters throwing accusations and potentially destroying the chances of a genuine poster looking for help.