Well, I've certainly learned a lot from this thread. And like others, you Mods do a fantastic job in a very difficult environment. I love this forum. My husband belonged to a Potato forum until recently ...I know, I know ...and that forum had to shut down because of all the trolls, scammers and whatnot who plagued the place. Apparently the topic was a magnet for nut cases and doodlebugs—such a surprise, I know. But he really misses it, and so do I. Now he hasn't got anybody but me to discuss Kestrels versus Saxons with. I am learning a lot in my old age, that's for sure.
OT but tell him to check out the accidental smallholder forum - we have a strong veg growing section and he doesn't actually have to be a smallholder to join (Rosemary and Dan are rally good admins and trolling and other issues are as controlled as they are here) http://www.accidentalsmallholder.net/forum/
This is kinda' one of the reasons (yes, this a wedged segue) why I am as adamant as I am about maintaining the focus of the venue. Everyone has their interests and I know a lot of people would love for us to open space for topics that move further and further away from the original purpose of this forum. There comes a point where it's just too unwieldy to manage and keep an eye on. We just cannot be all things to all people. It's a Writing Forum. I originally came here looking to talk about writing and it's what keeps me here.... sans pay. There are places like thepork.org (if it still exists) where you can stake claim to a section of the forum and turn into whatever you want, and more power to them for that, but we're not that. We're a writing forum.
It has to be on the radar of psychology in academia. I can't imagine it not being written about and studied.
a ha https://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/your-online-secrets/201409/internet-trolls-are-narcissists-psychopaths-and-sadists
What kind of trolling goes on in a potato forum? Has this always been a thing? 19th Century Potato Troll: I must say that the Charlotte makes crisps far superior to the Hermes. Potato Afficianado: *slaps troll with glove* I demand satisfaction, sir. Name your weapon.
In my experience trolls will argue about anything - when i was a mod on the canal boat board we had a massive bust up going on about toilets, specifically pump out vs cassette ... as i recall we banned 4 and suspended 8 in bringing that little fracas under control Plus of course they are very quick to distort the thread "If you think that you must be a republican/liberal/fascist/nazi/tree hugger" (delete as applicable) so although page one was about the joys of early cropping vs main , by page 4 people are arguing about donald trump , neo nazi's , race, and gender issues and name it ... while the initial troll is sitting back and doubtless playing with himself while looking at the mayhem he has caused and the joy of the people hes provoked getting banned.
There are even forums specifically for trolls. Way, way, way back, the first time I was a mod here, there was a group of under-bridge dwellers who came from a forum called beenbanned.com or igotbanned.com or something to that tune, who made it their job to eff with me and the other mods here for a few months. Part of me knows that only a century ago people enjoyed public executions as a way to pass away the afternoon, so I know that's part of the human psyche, but still....
That - and that's just on the WWW - the darkweb probably has all sorts of places for the more determined arsehole to hang out
Wki How even has a guide on how to troll a forum ... you have to wonder .... Step one , become a sad no life loser with too much time on your hands..
Don't try to tell me when I can eat potatoes, you Leftie Potato Police, you. Flipping liberals and their "potatoes are only for dinner" nonsense. Read the Articles of Confederation and get your learn on. (troll response no.1)
&*%! you &*!^@ you ^$%#! Drumpf supporter who *&*^$&$ the $&*&#* Nazi *&!*$, and I &*^#% saw it on Facebook! (generic troll response to initial response, released under Creative Commons license; feel free to cut and past for non-commercial use).
I was going to get all superior about the potato forum and how some people will fight about anything... and then I remember the "italics for thoughts" thread, the endless "that's not really passive voice" threads, and, of course, the "tell me how to write my book... no, you're completely wrong, and how dare you tell me how to write my book!" threads we have here. Potato fights suddenly seem totally logical. ETA: And for the record... that's NOT really passive voice, and people should stop using that term if they don't know what it means! (!!!)
sometimes I can delete posts, sometimes I can't. This is a time when I can't, apparently... pretend this isn't here.