A Modest Proposal
New member
...really need help? I like to call it "pity trolling" - suicide questions that invoke great emotional response from people because they don't like seeing that others are so sad they want to kill themselves. Obviously this can be a tedious subject since if the person is not trolling, they could seriously need help. This recent question I think exemplifies the idea:
http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index;_ylt=Asbospvm8hNtiCCiu.3zFNTd7BR.;_ylv=3?qid=20101023212425AAv28MM&show=7#yan-answers
As you can see, I answered it and stated my opinion of the matter, though I didn't elaborate on it. Something about how the user listed off several methods by which he deals with misery, including masturbation and reading (the first being quite a personal topic that someone as seclusive as that user appears to be would keep, well, personal; the second being the antithesis and almost off the wall), along with how nobody EVER said "I love you" to him and all family shuns him just set off my BS alarm. That, and the numerous analogies about how miserable life is, ranting on. Also asking it in three sections at once:
http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index;_ylt=AtCwxMskItaA5twD33jaJJDsy6IX;_ylv=3?qid=20101023212112AAanTOU
http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index;_ylt=Aopx2mp0s3ngqnAaOgTic_Psy6IX;_ylv=3?qid=20101023212321AAnnWiv
I'll stop though, you guys get my point. The question is - how does one distinguish an actual cry for help from a trolling attempt?
FarCry: Hm, I find that difficult to answer - anyone who takes offense from trolling is in a way helping to feed the trolls, but one cannot fool himself into thinking it does not highlight the attention-craving and immaturity that plagues the internet.
>>>Honestly? I consider you an attempted murderer.
Huh, because I called out someone I thought was a troll... I'll take the asshole comment in stride, but murderers don't call out trolls. They would instead be the ones who told that person to off himself.
As a side note too, for what it's worth - I've come to notice that those who are *not* trolls actually respond to answerers. I still stand by what I said in that question considering the lack of responsiveness in each question from someone who "needs .
However, I understand where people are coming from when they say it's better to err on the side of caution.
*..."needs help."
http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index;_ylt=Asbospvm8hNtiCCiu.3zFNTd7BR.;_ylv=3?qid=20101023212425AAv28MM&show=7#yan-answers
As you can see, I answered it and stated my opinion of the matter, though I didn't elaborate on it. Something about how the user listed off several methods by which he deals with misery, including masturbation and reading (the first being quite a personal topic that someone as seclusive as that user appears to be would keep, well, personal; the second being the antithesis and almost off the wall), along with how nobody EVER said "I love you" to him and all family shuns him just set off my BS alarm. That, and the numerous analogies about how miserable life is, ranting on. Also asking it in three sections at once:
http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index;_ylt=AtCwxMskItaA5twD33jaJJDsy6IX;_ylv=3?qid=20101023212112AAanTOU
http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index;_ylt=Aopx2mp0s3ngqnAaOgTic_Psy6IX;_ylv=3?qid=20101023212321AAnnWiv
I'll stop though, you guys get my point. The question is - how does one distinguish an actual cry for help from a trolling attempt?
FarCry: Hm, I find that difficult to answer - anyone who takes offense from trolling is in a way helping to feed the trolls, but one cannot fool himself into thinking it does not highlight the attention-craving and immaturity that plagues the internet.
>>>Honestly? I consider you an attempted murderer.
Huh, because I called out someone I thought was a troll... I'll take the asshole comment in stride, but murderers don't call out trolls. They would instead be the ones who told that person to off himself.
As a side note too, for what it's worth - I've come to notice that those who are *not* trolls actually respond to answerers. I still stand by what I said in that question considering the lack of responsiveness in each question from someone who "needs .
However, I understand where people are coming from when they say it's better to err on the side of caution.
*..."needs help."