An attention whore is a label given to any person who craves attention to such an extent that they will do anything to receive it. The type of attention (negative or positive) does not matter.

Here is how you recognize them:

0.Writes a comment before reading the entire OP or watching the video suggested by the OP.
1.Is uncomfortable in threads in which he or she is not the center of attention
2.Displays rapidly shifting and shallow expression of emotions
4.Consistently uses bad humor to draw attention to self
5.Has a style of writing that is excessively impressionistic and lacking in detail
6.Shows self-dramatization, theatricality, and exaggerated expression of emotion
7.Their avatars, signatures and usernames are as attention-seeking as they are.
8.Plague the special interest forums they "hate" the most. (2012, even though they have stated a million times nothing will happen, Secret Societies even though in their eyes "there is no such thing as Illuminati" etc)


We've all spotted them. They have to be the center of attention in every single thread they happen to prey on and they WILL let you know how much more important their opinion is than everyone else s.

Controversy make their loins quiver in anticipation. I will show you how to deal with them, lest you become one of them.

*First you have to identify the problem.

Is this person’s attitude bothering me because
1) they’re loud and aggressive, or because 2) they’re getting more attention from others than me?”

Think about it and be honest with yourself.

*ok, so you've spotted one and it's not you. Now what?

Remain calm. Resist the urge to protect your label of choice. Sure, they are insulting your favorite deity. Ok, they vilify anal pleasures. Sometimes they will even shove that red meat down your throat!! Remember, it's just an opinion, and you can easily...

Ignore them. You DON'T have to debate them, as you will easily identify their intentions as soon as you read the first word they type. They are not interested in civil discussions, their main agenda is to ridicule your pov and shine as brightly as they can. They are trolls but they don't see themselves as such. It is a hopeless battle that you WILL lose. Just swallow your pride and do not reply, go on your own tangent.

This might infuriate the whore and provoke their anger but you have to be strong. They might even bring over some fellow bullies to derail your thread with lame attempts at "well-intentioned" humor at your expense, of course, but just let the haters hate.

Just remember. you are not a label. This is the internet and anonymity will bring a snake out of what is otherwise a simple cockroach. Respect yourself and others, only respond to those that show respect, maturity and a serious intention to debate, no matter what side they support.

Flagged you, hope you're ok with that.

Right before I read this I commented on a thread before watching the video.

And I have a pretty loud avatar.


Normally, I consider my posts to be in genuine desire to contribute to the discussion. But I do like attention, and I think that's alright.

You mad bro?

Some people, on the internet as well as in life, are attention whores. They are energy vampires who will suck the life out of any person or situation in which they are associated. They are the proverbial squeaky wheels who desire all the grease.

If they can add something of value to a thread, I don't have a problem with them. However, most of them don't. They're way too quick to respond negatively, usually without reading what they are supposedly having such a problem with. They ridicule, derail, and generally drag down the quality of a thread.

You are right, in most cases it is best to ignore them. However, sometimes, in order to keep a thread from being completely run off the tracks, they have to be addressed.

Sometimes it is better to stand up to a bully, than to ignore them. JMHO. The trick is knowing when to stand up, and knowing when to ignore.

About three quarters thru this post did you suddenly have a porn link pop-up on your screen?

Just curious.....

For the most part I agree with the OP... Some questions &/or comments, below:

Originally posted by lupodigubbio
0.Writes a comment before reading the entire OP or watching the video suggested by the OP.

There are times when my short attention span requires that I reply/respond to a post (whether the OP or someone's comment further along)...immediately - or I will entirely forget what I wanted to say by the time I've finished reading the next comment...

1.Is uncomfortable in threads in which he or she is not the center of attention

While this appears to be a fair assumption - I still wonder, at times, if they may not actually believe others need their...uhhhh...insight.

8.Plague the special interest forums they "hate" the most. (2012, even though they have stated a million times nothing will happen, Secret Societies even though in their eyes "there is no such thing as Illuminati" etc)

On the other hand - maybe these subjects are the only ones that can draw enough emotion from them, to invest the required time, energy & thought into constructing a reply...

...They...attempt...to be the center of attention in every single thread they happen to prey on and they WILL let you know how much more important their opinion is than everyone else s.

Modification added by...me...

*ok, so you've spotted one and it's not you.

My favorite line!

Remain calm...

Easy for you to say!

...They are not interested in civil discussions...

I would suggest adding "intelligent" as a descriptor of discussions they are not interested in...

It is a hopeless battle that you WILL lose.

And - while this will generally be the norm - it is because...all you're really doing is - playing into their game - which is - to move away from the topic at hand.

Good OP.

Originally posted by PatrickGarrow17
Right before I read this I commented on a thread before watching the video.

And I have a pretty loud avatar.


Normally, I consider my posts to be in genuine desire to contribute to the discussion. But I do like attention, and I think that's alright.

edit on 12/11/2012 by PatrickGarrow17 because: (no reason given)

edit on 12/11/2012 by PatrickGarrow17 because: (no reason given)

how many times have you been reading a thread on something that you have an interest in, when somebody posts an hour and a half long video on something and say builds an argument around the video, and says please dont comment before watching video, even though you might know a fair bit about the topic being discussed. i dont know about other people but i dont have the time to watch some 2 hour long video on something just to post a few sentences about it afterwards. Where do these people get the time to watch things that long? dont people have lives outside ATS? jobs and families? between work and my kid i get hardly any time to myself, and im not going to watch hours of video i dont care about to reply to a few statements made by somebody who wants me to waste a few hours of my life watching some video they posted before i can add my 2 cents

I guess we all need a little perspective every once in a while; a look in the mirror; a refresher course; a little reminder that we're all human and to practice respect.

Somoetimes it's hard to keep cool on the net with all the antagonists.

Ahh the internet... it brings everyone together in one place... to fight it out.

... humbled again

9. Creates threads accusing others of attention whoring.

Reply to add
"Never argue with a fool lest you be dragged down to his level......"
Sage advice for the TROLLED OP

Originally posted by lupodigubbio
Ignore them. You DON'T have to debate them, as you will easily identify their intentions as soon as you read the first word they type. They are not interested in civil discussions, their main agenda is to ridicule your pov and shine as brightly as they can. They are trolls but they don't see themselves as such. It is a hopeless battle that you WILL lose.

This part is alarming. Tell me why you WILL lose?

It sounds a bit like you don't have what it takes to defend your stance and you're frustrated that sometimes others do. I understand that there are times to refrain. Your OP does not reflect that understanding, IMHO.