I noticed I had
three different ideas for "troll" related articles laying around.
That would be a bit excessive. Instead I'll just briefly comment on
them in a single article. (Thus denying myself three times the
points. Maybe I'm not such a point ho after all.)
Finally a Use for the Troll Feature!
Yes, I have
started "troll buttoning" people. Some people just deserve it. When a
person's entire "contribution" to a conversation consists of
insulting everyone else at the table, something needs done. So while
in my
original article about the troll feature on JU I stated "I see no
real use for this feature" I have finally found a purpose for it. If
nothing else the ability to brand someone a troll gives us a sense we
can do something about a bad situation. We regular users don't have
any real power here. This gives us some. When a person is being an
absolute orifice, we can do something to them. (Despite that, I'd
still rather see it go.)
The Definition of a Troll
I think the
definition of "troll" has become far too relaxed. It's reached the
point here where anyone can be called a troll for anything. To me a
troll was someone who came in making insulting and abusive remarks
for the sole purpose of inciting contentious response. (See, I can do
"overwrought" too.) Basically they made inflammatory remarks so they
could get off on upsetting people.
People are too quick
to jump on the troll button. Lately I see people accusing people of
trolling just because they were disagreed with. Sincere disagreement
-- even strongly stated sincere disagreement -- does not qualify as
trolling. Some people are yelling troll at anything less than "You
are just the most brilliant writer who ever lived." A person
misunderstanding or misreading what you said does not qualify as
trolling. A humorous aside (even if it misses the target) is not
necessarily trolling. Failing to meet your definition
of advancing the conversation -- including asking for clarification,
or wishing to elaborate on a point already made in the article --
should not qualify as trolling. I've seen people leave poorly
worded responses that show no intent of inflaming passions that erupt
into brawls. Other times some imagined failure to jump through all a
bloggers etiquette hoops results in scathing rebuke. We can't read
your minds, people! You're mixing with many different societies and
cultures here. Show a little understanding and restraint!
Please, people, let's
give everyone the benefit of the doubt. Give people a pass on the
first comment. Try to understand them. Only if they continue making
seemingly offensive remarks or "up the ante" go to the trolling
accusation. Twice is enough to establish an accusation of troll, but
first comments are too easily misunderstood. Unless of course the
first comment is "You are the stupidest &%$#* on the ^&%@#@
planet, you pathetic moronic lump of infected camel puss." I think
that could safely be defined as trolling.
Personal insults
are trolling and are never acceptable. Stick to ideas.
Unfortunately there can be a gray area on what is a personal
insult/attack. Sometimes what is mere analysis on what was said can
be construed as a personal attack. Some people see "Hello" as a
personal attack. Not a lot you can do there but make a very wide
circle when you see them coming. In this case, blacklist them and
don't read their blogs. Simple.
Frankly some of the
accusations of trolling rise to trolling themselves. They are more
trolls than the people they accuse.
Some People Deserve to be Trolled
Just as some
people deserve to be troll buttoned, others deserve to be
trolled. Some pompous, egotistical, "superior,"
I'm-God's-gift-to-the-world jerks' blogs serve no other purpose than
self aggrandizement and proclamation to the world of how fantastic
they are and inferior you are. Since their ideas are about themselves
any comment would be as well. Instant getting personal. It qualifies
as trolling.
I've been troll
buttoned. Since I've never intentionally set out to insult or inflame
anyone I don't get why. Sometimes I ponder what I could have written
to incite such harsh judgment. Other times who did it and what set
them off is more obvious than lip stick on a dog. Especially when
they decide to "insult you back" even though you never said anything
derogatory about them in the first place. They can start a troll
cascade. They just invite retaliation. Since they launched the first
insult, they make return volley justified. Trolling by troll
accusation. Maybe we should call it "the Reverse Troll." This is
where the "I know I shouldn't but what the hell" taking a whack comes
in. If I'm going to be accused of it, I may as well do it!
That's about the only
time trolling is accepted by the community. It can even become a
group activity. If they happen to take on one of the regulars, or a
top tener they are assured of getting many troll ratings against them
from their victims' supporters and regular readers. There's a reason
some people on this site exist in a state of perpetual negative
points. But of course a troll deserves to be trolled. That's
their whole philosophy. That's what they want. To give in to the
temptation, no matter how satisfying, is probably to lose. It's best
to just hit the troll button and stay above the fray.