Decoy Developments & Trolls

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Mighty Hiker

Social climber

Vancouver, B.C.

Topic Author's Original Post - Aug 23, 2006 - 02:45am PT

The plan is working, masters. A work of genius!

A low tech ST web crawler reports that the entity known as "LEB" (perhaps to be confused with other entities) has made 76 posts to its own thread "What is a Troll", in less than four days. This may be some sort of record, both in absolute numbers and in percentage - 76 out of 274 postings = 27.7%. While engaged in this solipsism, LEB has posted few if any innocent but circular questions to other threads, and started no other threads posing apparently simple but in fact obtuse questions, thus limiting interactions with other ST netizens. This has saved much time, confusion, and energy, and may have prevented several flame wars. One hissy fit and two cat fights may also have been forestalled.

The plan is all the more to be commended in that the damage is self-inflicted - LEB started this all by itself. Some provocation was naturally involved, but such is life. We merely provided the rope. A little encouragement, a little neglect, and we're off to the races.

The collateral damage, drawn into the thread (Largo, Juan de Fuca, even Patrick), is to be regretted, but it's for the greater good. We'd stop an LEB for you, too. Or at least try. Really.

Plans are to post a series of apparently innocuous questions, designed to bait LEB into further gyrations and obfuscations, and keep her distracted. LEB won't suspect, as the questions will initially be posed and sustained by other than the usual suspects. For example, Crimpergirl will begin by asking LEB about the care and breeding of turkey vultures. It is expected that LEB will be flattered by the interest, and tribute to its undoubted knowledge and skills. Within 100 postings, the thread is expected to be addressing the question "Is LEB Largo?". Within 200 posts, thread drift should pose further unknowable and undoubtedly fascinating questions - "Spumoni or Pepperoni?", "How Much is that Doggie in the Window, and is it Really a Coyote?", and "To Be or Not to Be?".

Temporary pseudonyms have been arranged with ST senior management, so as to enable necessary "bait" postings. The many ST legal experts advise that this would not be considered entrapment - LEB is just waiting to go post-al.

Whether or not LEB hopes to break the all time single thread record of 680 will hopefully remain unknown. Posing multiple questions, and having a reserve, should minimize this risk. As Einstein put it, the good lord may be subtle, but she isn't malicious. (MM: Please provide a 5,000 word essay on this topic - not a sermon - for 9:00 AM Thursday.)

This strategy may also be employed pre-emptively in other situations, as appropriate. Remember, it's for their own good.

Agent Idiosycratic Orangutan

Tarbuster

climber

right here, right now

Aug 23, 2006 - 02:54am PT

Oh man,

my gut she is a achin' in a knott of chuckles,
whilst tears of laughter have fogged me spectacles.
it's off teh bed with me.

Enuff Anders!
We Shall Sally Forth!

...onward christian so-oh-oldiers

golsen

Social climber

kennewick, wa

Aug 23, 2006 - 03:21am PT

Rest up Roy, we know how you forfeited yourself for the common good and you need some rest to wrassle with it in the morn...

johnx01

Trad climber

Aug 23, 2006 - 05:44am PT

MH

I'm with this team.......

You just let me know when you want me to step in with my baseball bat

john

TradIsGood

Trad climber

Gunks end of country

Aug 23, 2006 - 06:22am PT

Mighty - Fine idea.

As a reserve, you could use the "bear" topic as well.

Toss in a question about whether it is possible to grow rice in PA to support home brewed sake if it starts to wander into other threads.

Tarbuster

climber

right here, right now

Aug 23, 2006 - 10:47am PT

Yes gentlemen,
Lash down tight yer provisions,
We're goin' in...

TradIsGood

Trad climber

Gunks end of country

Aug 23, 2006 - 11:38am PT

A mind is a terrible thing to *waist*.

I can read LEB's mind.

Please somebody help me.

Make it stop!

Call network support. Change my router, please!

Mimi

Trad climber

Seattle

Aug 23, 2006 - 11:38am PT

Really Lois? No one's asked you who you are? I thought Rimmy had found you out through his cybersleuthing.

Okay, here goes. Who are you Lois? Is that a loaded question or what!

roslyn

Trad climber

washington

Aug 23, 2006 - 11:39am PT

you get offended easily Lois

Mighty Hiker

Social climber

Vancouver, B.C.

Topic Author's Reply - Aug 23, 2006 - 12:15pm PT

Well, I'm sorry Lois. I was just having a little fun, teasing a bit. (Not just you, either.) The "What is a Troll" thing, and all related permutations, was getting a little out of hand.

Those who believe I have a sense of humour at all would probably agree it's somewhat impish - at least some of my previous ST postings reflect that. (Black squirrels?)

Speaking of which, the entity known as Agent Idiosyncratic Orangutan hopes that this thread, if it survives, will continue in the same silly spirit. Gentle, witty repartee welcome - we all have our blind spots. Any suggestion of seriousness can find a home on some other thread. Troll-related discussions, and debate about whether LEB is a real person, and if so whom, can also go elsewhere.

Tarbuster

climber

right here, right now

Aug 23, 2006 - 12:20pm PT

Just go with it, my humble recommendation Lois.
This treatment is, as sophomoric as it may seem, an aspect of entree.
Welcome to the rubber room.
(for confirmation, take a look at the nicknames thread)

roslyn

Trad climber

washington

Aug 23, 2006 - 01:37pm PT

lois, once you become part of an internet community you have to be prepared for good natured ribbing (and not so good natured) and respond in a likewise fashion.

you don't always have to question the poster's motives.

go with it

TradIsGood

Trad climber

Gunks end of country

Aug 23, 2006 - 01:46pm PT

What do you mean by finish? !!!!

This must be a criticism, not that there is anything wrong with that. LOL.

Papa, could you please just add an explanation in the next edition, why you had the sharks eat the Marlin? Also, I am really not sure about the Joe Digaggio stuff either. Was he important to the story?

PS. I am talking about that book you wrote when you were in Cuba.

dirtineye

Trad climber

the south

Aug 23, 2006 - 01:46pm PT

One thing is clear in all of this:

Anders and John-boyx01 and Tar-Baby should be granted Official Treasure of ST status immediately.

Anders, you really are too funny, are you a comedian or a HUMOR Writer in real life?

johnx01

Trad climber

Aug 23, 2006 - 02:17pm PT

Message to Lois

Lois let me explain. SuperTaco.com is an internet based psychology experiment. We lure passing posters onto this site and mess with their heads. All these 'posters' here have their output generated by networked Superdome computers, except for 'locker' who runs off an old x286 over there in the corner.

We apologise for any inconvenience this has caused you. This message has been sent to you because the program has detected permanent damage to your psyche. Please log off immediately and lie in a darkened room for five(5) days before reposting.

thankyou

john.exe

Tarbuster

climber

right here, right now

Aug 23, 2006 - 04:36pm PT

Transpersonal Psychology.

johnx01

Trad climber

Aug 23, 2006 - 04:50pm PT

Tar

Is that like the internet version of 'cross dressing'?

john

Mighty Hiker

Social climber

Vancouver, B.C.

Topic Author's Reply - Aug 23, 2006 - 05:05pm PT

I also own a duckie. It is a tiny Tweetie Bird, no more than 2 cm high. It was found on a trail in Norway, possibly dropped by a troll or some small person. I don't know whether it floats, but will check and report back.

Aren't ducks also a kind of decoy?

AIO

ps This discussion of waterfowl not vetted by Crimpie.