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On The Subject Of Trolls |
Current rating: 7 |
by Robert Porter
Email: rporter (nospam) newtonbigelow.com (verified) |
30 Mar 2003
Modified: 01:20:25 PM |
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The phenomena of the internet troll and how to deal with it. |
Given the constant presence of trolls on UCIMC (as well as the IndyMedia network as a whole), it may be valuable to examine the tactics and motivations of these disturbed individuals. What follows is a brief excerpt from an excellent webpage which describes the common behavior of the odd subspecies known as the troll:
* Level one - "Playtime" - This is where the troller is simply out for the gratification provided by a quick "win". An example of this might be to join a list with a fictitious name, cause an argument, withdraw and then boast to friends about what he/she had done. Such trolls are relatively easy to spot because their attack or provocation is fairly blatant, and the persona is fairly two-dimensional.
* Level two - "Tactical" - This is where the troller takes the game more seriously, creates a credible persona with which to provoke the list, and uses recognised techniques or tactics to gain the confidence and support of individuals on the list. Provocation is subtle and invidious, so spotting this type of troll is not easy, because the persona is credible, and off-list email exchanges have caused you to believe that this person is genuine and trustworthy.
* Level three - "Strategic" - This is a very serious form of game, involving the production of an overall strategy that can take months or years to develop. It can also involve a number of people acting together in order to invade a list. Once a list is infested, it can be nigh impossible to work out who is a troll and who is bona fide.
* Level four - "Domination" - This is where the trollers' strategy extends to the creation and running of apparently bona-fide mailing lists. In such circumstances, their payoff may be the knowledge that they are dominating the emotional lives of list members, and is perhaps one of the ultimate forms of deceit that can be achieved.
From another webpage dealing with the same subject:
They don't care about the same things that brought the other participants to the site; they only want to get people riled up and see the trouble they created so they can feel big and strong and powerful because they created such a fuss. And while they're watching the outrage and anger fly, they're sitting under the bridge, laughing while they chew on the bones of their victims. All that public indignation has served only one purpose: it fed the Troll's hunger for power and made him happy. It certainly did nothing for the people who got upset.
Simply put, Trolls are bullies. They are at heart small and mean people who have a need to make themselves feel big and strong, and the easiest way they can find to do that is by mistreating other people and taking pleasure in their pain. It's not healthy, but it's also not something that will be made better by giving in to the bully. It is far better to walk away from him, to ignore him, and even suffer a few punches rather than give him what he wants by crying and begging for mercy or even fighting with him. If you are not a "good victim," he will look elsewhere to get what he wants. And ultimately, if direct action needs to be taken against any bully, it has to come from the proper authorities: in the case of school bullies, the administration and faculty, or even the police, in the case of Internet bullies, the persons on the site who have the power to block or remove their inflammatory and offensive remarks.
And here are some ways to deal with them:
* ignore postings that you suspect may be from trolls.
* don't invest any of your self emotionally until you have verified beyond all doubt that the person you are dealing with is genuine.
* if you must respond to a troll posting, don't get involved in the argument; limit it to pointing out that the posting may be considered as trollish, for the benefit of other list members.
There are lots of online resources which discuss this pervasive problem. Here are links to a few of them:
http://www.teamtechnology.co.uk/troll.htm
http://www.mj-holmes.com/trolls.htm
http://www.wikipedia.org/wiki/Internet_troll
Don't feed the trolls. |
Comments
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Re: On The Subject Of Trolls |
by thorn
(No verified email address) |
Current rating: 0
30 Mar 2003
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Excellent post/advice. Thanks. |
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Re: On The Subject Of Trolls |
by RDR
(No verified email address) |
Current rating: 0
30 Mar 2003
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Every good Bridge has a Troll.
It's my admittedly limited understanding that trolls in mythology typically live under bridges to scare travelers overhead. And the IMC is a bridge to the truth, knowledge, and enlightenment. |
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Re: On The Subject Of Trolls |
by Jack Ryan
(No verified email address) |
Current rating: 0
31 Mar 2003
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Are you guys commenting about me?
Do you come to this site to make friends or to put your ideas in the arena and see which one wins. I suspect, that you run from confrontation and that you will create a new "utopian" site in which all of your lame-brain ideas can be discussed without challenge. I happen to disagree with virutally all of your thoughts and especially your actions. Do I seek out a site, and there are many, that agree with mine. No, I am slowly, but surely converting some of you one of a time. Ignore me if you will, and I will keep shrinking your population with each passing day.
God Bless America,
Jack |
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Re: On The Subject Of Trolls |
by Tom Clancy
(No verified email address) |
Current rating: 1
31 Mar 2003
Modified: 09:43:45 PM |
Poor Jackie-poo, did you recognize a little of your obnoxious and odius behavior did you, huh? Or do you see your roll more as that of a grammar queen?
Well, Semper Phee Phi Pho Phum to you, big time faux-Marine. Ha-ha he-he ho-ho. Jackie is a phony little troll, and that's a fact Jack. Ha-ha, he-he, ho-ho.
See ya, wouldn't wanna be ya--TC |
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Re: On The Subject Of Trolls |
by Sprout
(No verified email address) |
Current rating: 3
01 Apr 2003
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TC--
It really doesn't help matters when folks respond in kind to Jack's petty name-calling and ridiculous ad hominem attacks. If the IMC is hiding some of Jack's posts because they are insulting, inflammatory, and do nothing to foster debate, then I don't see why the IMC doesn't hide the comments you make to Jack. If the IMC is only hiding the posts that contain homophobic, racist, and sexist remarks, then you're off scot-free, even though you resort to the same rhetorical strategies as he.
I don't think that anyone, progressive, radical, or reactionary, should use this forum for bullying, name-calling or the written equivalent or sticking out ones tongue and chanting "nah nah nah nah nah nah." |
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Re: On The Subject Of Trolls |
by Jack Ryan
(No verified email address) |
Current rating: -3
01 Apr 2003
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Tom,
Now you went and got sprout all upset. Nice going. Sprout says I am being censored. I must be causing a drop in membership. I've heard that some of your former members have even joined the Republican Party. Welcome to the winning team.
Jack |
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Re: On The Subject Of Trolls |
by dan
(No verified email address) |
Current rating: 6
01 Apr 2003
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did you say toll or troll or toll-troll |
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Re: On The Subject Of Trolls |
by Tom Clancy
(No verified email address) |
Current rating: 0
02 Apr 2003
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You know what Sprout, I agree. I suppose trying to mirror Jack's behavior in an attempt to help him see how valuable his contributions are was a mistake, went right over his pointy lil' head.
Ok, no more childish shenanigans from me, I'm outta here.
Peace to one and all, TC |
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Re: On The Subject Of Trolls |
by Jack Ryan
(No verified email address) |
Current rating: -2
06 Apr 2003
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Tom,
I am sorry to see you run after on anti Tom comment. I've had hundreds. Don't leave, you were close to being funny once. Well, not really but ML asked me to be nice.
Anyway, you can ignore alternative thought for only so long, until you are the only one left. I have entered conservative hell and have won may battles. I will continue to do so. Why? because like most conservatives, I work harder, study more, and have history on my side. Ban me if you will, ML and I will simply change forms and keep coming right at you with thought and the written word.
I did not see as many of you guys out there yesterday. Is our victory making you lose heart?
Jack |
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