bpiper
Well-Known Member
I think the goodness in you, seeing the positive side of people and wanting to help them is possibly clouding your observations of human behavior.I definitely see what you're saying. I suppose I tend to draw a distinction between intentional trolling (which, thankfully, doesn't happen too much here) and behaviour that comes across as trolling even though the poster is sincere. It's not always easy or possible to distinguish the one from the other, but I do think the T-word gets thrown around a little too often on these boards when all we really mean is that we don't like someone's views or posting style.
I am all for helping people who have questions or are confused and need a clarification or pointed in the right direction, but the poster's action were not that.
On the other hand, I have seen too many a-holes out there. Some I worked for, some I worked with. One is my BIL. Maybe I just automatically look for certain behavior/traits, but I seem to have gotten good at it.
I can spot a pathological liar at 300' thanks to by BIL. They all have tells... Find the tell, find the lie.
Yes, I agree, just because someone has a different opinion than yours, doesn't make them a troll. Anyone voicing their opinion and is willing to back it up by explaining, isn't a troll. I may consider them wrong, other's may consider them right. That makes an interesting discussion board and life. Who knows, opinions can be changed. Mine have over time and good arguments.