OT: Trolling for fun and profit

[Steven D'Aprano]

Oh the shame... I've been caught out by a troll.

I received what I thought was a genuine email from a regular poster on
this list (not one of the really high volume posters, but someone who is
around enough that his name would be familiar) who, I thought, was trying
to make a genuine point about posting styles, conventions and tolerance of
different opinions. I disagreed with the point, but thought it was genuine
and so responded to it. He's just replied to me with this comment:

"The only reason I'm top-posting here is because it so obviously pushes
your buttons."

I well and truly got caught. I can't say its the first time I've ever been
caught by a troll, but it hasn't been for many years, so I have to
grudgingly give him points. He fooled me but good.

I won't mention any names -- he doesn't need the publicity. But if you get
an emotionally distraught email off-list from a regular, particularly if
it goes on about tolerance and "why can't we all just get along?", be
aware that there's a good chance he's just trolling.


-- 
Steven D'Aprano