My Viking Kitty
Posted on 11/22/2004 8:39:43 AM PST by MWS
Alright, fellow VKers, I have a small bone to pick with some of you. Not necessarily you, the one reading this post (I mean, I'd never criticize you personally... you know that...), but rather some of the other Kitties reading this post.
I think that a few of us are getting a little overzealous in the pursuit of trolls. It's good to be a little zealous, of course. After all, it strikes fear in the hearts of those who would infiltrate us and wreak havoc on all the other poor, unsuspecting FReepers we have vowed to defend. Unfortunately, some among us (again, not you personally... you'd never be overzealous...you and I both know this!) have had the tendency to lob the label of "troll" at anyone who posts an article or comment that seems a bit outlandish. I especially have a problem with this when it is done to established FReepers who have been around for a while.
My concern isn't for the person getting targetted, of course. This forum is made up of big boys and girls who can tolerate a little name calling. My concern, rather, is for the reputation of the forum itself, not to mention for the reputations of those who are making the charges. After all, it doesn't reflect well on someone who is calling for the zotting of a member who has been with FR since 1998!
The power of the Zot is a mighty weapon. It strikes sheer horror into the hearts of trolls everywhere (well... it gives us a few laughs at the expense of some hapless sap...but still). It should be used with fear and trepidation. With that in mind, we ought to keep several guidelines in mind as we go out to hunt those who wish to besmirch our glorious forum:
1.Check the dates at which people joined. People who signed up in '98 or '99 most likely aren't trolls. You might want to hesitate on attempting to zot someone who signed up in 2000 as well. Trolls are not patient beings. They don't tend to lurk for that long. I suppose it is possible they could be a troll, but not it's not very likely.
2.Check posting histories, please. Trolls don't tend to post passionate defenses of conservativism. In fact, this is actually a way of catching trolls as well. Trolls are over the top in their conservatism - because they do not understand conservatism itself, only a caricature. Read what the person has said in the past before lobbing out charges of trollery.
3.Not every newbie posting an article is a troll. Granted, it's quite possible that they are, but it's also possible that they are simply clueless as to the mistake they're making. (As a sidenote, I really do wish that there were a disclaimer warning newbies not to post articles... it really would save a lot of effort...)
4.Don't forget to sacrifice the troll heads to the Mods. I can't emphasize this enough. They get angry when they don't get their sacrifices.
I'm sure others can think of some other guidelines.
Happy Zotting!
It's like they don't even try anymore...
Kidding!
Yeah! Prepare for zot-city stupid troll!!!
Wait a minute...
Oh that's hysterical!
LOL!!
My Viking Kitty
But we want to unleash the cats!
Ouch! Too painful to watch!
Now that little fella has it ALL figured out.
Oh yeah. Don't piss him off when he's watching the game and having a beer.
I agree with point #3. The conservative movement is constatntly fighting charges of intolerance, etc. So, when a newbie posts, they are accused of trolling?!?!?
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