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I hope that......

(87 Posts)
j08 Sat 10-Aug-13 13:28:37

.....when the new Editor of GN takes over they don't go too mad with the red ink.

Gransnet could be in danger of losing the small amount of zing it has at the moment. hmm

Galen Sat 10-Aug-13 17:00:39

SorryJ08 you're out of line here. I've been targeted and upset by a troll in the past!

whenim64 Sat 10-Aug-13 17:09:15

So have I - just over a year ago, which resulted in me changing my username.

Elegran Sat 10-Aug-13 17:11:25

What makes you think there are none here, J08. Do you really believe that every single poster on these threads is exactly what they pretend to be? Surely you are not that naive? There have been several instances of obvious trolling, and several more where there was/is a strong whiff of the troll about the post. They don't always reveal themselves at once, they post just like you or me, but eventually they can't resist showing just what they can do.

Galen Sat 10-Aug-13 17:19:18

when same here. I think it was the same troll.

Greatnan Sat 10-Aug-13 17:28:14

I have been targeted, but I don't think they were trolls - just bullies who tried to force me off the forum by conspiring together to make negative comments about every post I made, however innocuous. I was told by one of them that I should 'look to myself' which is a novel approach to bullying - blame the victim! I'm still here!
And of course I have recently been subject to idiotic accusations - but, again, not by a troll.

Ana Sat 10-Aug-13 17:43:34

I have been targeted myself, in the past. Or at least felt as though I was being. It's easy to get paranoid about things like that on a forum.

Greatnan Sat 10-Aug-13 17:47:55

If I was paranoid, so were my many friends who commented on it!

Greatnan Sat 10-Aug-13 17:49:19

Pedantically, I should have said 'If I were....' but I am not going to comment on grammar, even my own . grin

Ana Sat 10-Aug-13 17:49:51

I didn't say you were paranoid, Greatnan, not did I mean to imply it. I was talking about myself in the main, although you're right, other people do notice these things and can be very supportive.

Nonu Sat 10-Aug-13 17:51:56

Golly oh gosh jane that certainly was food for thought , it is a big old world in cyberspace , and IMO has to be trodden carefully.

I am inclined to agree with jo8 16.33.

greatnan , I believe you are being a bit paranoic here , on-one as far as I can see is conspiring against you , it is all in your mind . Who by the by told you "TO look to yourself" , I did not see that .

Galen Sat 10-Aug-13 18:03:34

It was deleted I think

nanaej Sat 10-Aug-13 18:07:56

Interesting article jane thanks for posting it.

Trip trap trip trap, who is that commenting on the thread?

It is good to remember that the troll got his come-uppance in the story!

Trolls are all over forums and GN will not be exempt. On line targeting /bullying also exists on all kinds of forum. I am not paranoid but anyone with an ounce of awareness can see when some posters buddy up and always respond in a very similar way to particular posters. It is irritating as it often detracts from the original discussion!

Fortunately most GNers are friendly and just want an interesting on line social life to while a way a few spare minutes!

j08 Sat 10-Aug-13 18:10:50

I don't know about these "trolls" you lot seem to have experienced! Perhaps I've been lucky. But that isn't what this thread was meant to be about.

It's about fairly innocuous posts being deleted, as, I think, has been happening in the last day or two.

Apologies to anyone concerned.

I will (endeavour) to say no more.

j08 Sat 10-Aug-13 18:12:09

On this subject, that is.

Nonu Sat 10-Aug-13 18:19:18

Cheers Galen X

nanaej Sat 10-Aug-13 18:20:47

nonu I feel your comment 'it's all in your mind' in response to another poster's comment could be construed as a type of bullying.

Not accepting how a person feels when comments are made about them is not very empathetic.

Anyone is free to say they would not react in the same way or that they do not understand a particular response but another person cannot know what another person is feeling..particularly on a forum when we do not really know one another.

Nonu Sat 10-Aug-13 18:21:49

nanaej , may I enquire whether you "buddy up" or should I mind my own beeswax?

Greatnan Sat 10-Aug-13 18:24:05

Having spent many years on different expat forums, I can say that Gransnet is a haven of kindness, interest, and fun compared to most forums! I have made many great friends and had the pleasure of meeting several members. Long may it continue, and we will spot the trolls and see them off - eventually!
I do not wish to be sexist, but the truth is that some of the most vicious 'fights' I have seen on forums have been between the men!

nanaej Sat 10-Aug-13 18:32:39

I have me a few GNers at 2 get togethers. One in the NE and one in Surrey.

My views are entirely my own though they will co-incide occasionally with other posters. I am used to being a minority!

Galen Sat 10-Aug-13 18:36:37

I am my own man/woman/person!smile

Nelliemoser Sat 10-Aug-13 18:37:03

Determined trolls can become apparent after a few posts but some are more subtle at being difficult. As that article suggests if the trolling type of behaviour becomes suspected or apparent ignoring it totally is the best plan.

The idea of a moderator "muting" or bonzo-ing the offender (so no one else can see their post but themselves) rather amuses me.

I used to work in a situation where we would get a number of phone callers who would behave in a difficult and troll like manner. Just being persistently awkward and argumentative. That was definitely attention seeking behaviour.
I did notice that some others in the office found it a lot harder to disengage from such difficult callers. It might be me being more intolerant.
"I am sorry Mr/s Bloggs I am going to end this call now" worked nicely."

Galen Sat 10-Aug-13 18:38:06

In 'real life, I am renowned for speaking my own mind, so I don't see why I should be any different here!

Ana Sat 10-Aug-13 18:42:37

Galen, you are one of the most un-troll-like members of this forum! smile

j08 Sat 10-Aug-13 18:42:53

"I am my own man/woman/person!"

Galen are you sure you don't know which?! shock

nanaej Sat 10-Aug-13 18:43:31

Me too Galen