Posted on 01/05/2022 5:07:34 AM PST by jimjohn
The Proper Approach to Online Trolls
Interesting times we are living in, where we are in daily conflict with a progressive narrative that seeks our own destruction. This is a message to those as a caution to make sure we do not become our own worst enemy. While we seek to defeat said enemies, both foreign and domestic, we sometimes overlook the adversary within. In many cases, such an adversary may merely be a troubled soul; but just the same – a distraction.
I am referring to what is commonly known on social media as ‘a troll’: a person who for whatever reason, seeks to add nothing to enhance productive dialogue, but the opposite. These are the types who respond in threads with insults, snarky comments having little to nothing to do with the ongoing dialogue. It’s expected on other social platforms such as Twitter. Regrettably, it has too often found its way on to this forum.
I have experienced these types in the past, long before social media was even invented. In most cases, we learned it was a manner in which such persons were seeking attention they felt they deserved. In some cases, it was a deliberate attempt to change the subject matter; their way of interrupting the free flow of ideas, especially if said dialogue was constructive. In some cases, it was a subconscious cry for help. Loneliness, depression, and/or frustration with one’s self causes them to act out; jumping into the social pool as early as possible to gain attention, cause confusion, or just sharing their own frustration in life for the same reasons.
You’ll recognize them in the manner of their comments.
As we mature in life, we learn when engaging in human interaction, what matters most is not what happens to us, but how we respond to whatever comes. Regardless of how we respond, in the cases of the subjects of this writing, it is in fact the response – any response they seek. When a well-meaning person responds at what usually comes as a personal attack, the ‘troller’ has accomplished their goal of making the victim give unnecessary attention to those making the initial ‘snarky’ comment. They troll for your response, only to fire with more back in return. Arguing, insulting, and demeaning is their goal; with its primary purpose of bringing you down to their level.
But what we have learned from the past holds true today. The best response to such types is…
… No response at all.
A lack of response to their inflammatory comments allows proper dialogue to continue without interruption, and puts the ‘troller’ at odds. They must attempt to escalate the confrontation, knowing that by doing so, they will further expose themselves to who and what they really are. At a point – when they realize no one will give them their un-diserved attention, they will find another thread to harass. In many cases, when they finally recognize the social island on which they’ve placed themselves, perhaps some internal reflection may come upon them; where they learn to address others in a manner to which they expect to be addressed.
Until then, I would encourage all to respectfully ignore personal attacks on this and other forums. We have many battles to face in the coming months and there is no use wasting time battling others over ‘light and transient causes’, or people just ‘baiting’ a response just so they will have someone to talk to other than themselves. As new social platforms are being developed to counter others that have been poisoned by this type of behavior, let us all work to not become the social platform(s) that we oppose.
Just my $0.02
- jimjohn
(P.S. This post is not meant for anyone in particular. But if you feel that it is directed at you for some reason, you're probably right).
Yoda: Why must you become troll, hmm?
Luke: Mostly because of my father, I guess.
My experience from just a few years back:
There is a “conservative” online political satirical comic strip that I had been reading for a couple of years, and I was really enjoying it, and I wanted to start recommending it to my friends and family. And then the author/cartoonist suddenly and without reason started putting in beaucoup nudity, including full frontal female nudity. The change was so sudden and unexpected that I wondered if the author/cartoonist had had a stroke or something, and wiped out his brain inhibitory behavior centers. I'm serious. I personally don't think it enhanced/enhances the strip, and it didn't stop me from reading it, although it did decrease my enjoyment of the otherwise political and very funny strip. Other readers, however, or at least those who post comments, sure loved/love it. But now, no way could I recommend that strip to others, with that going on. And I didn't want the MSM to start attacking the strip just because it had now gone all porn-y—that would just be too easy a way to belittle the satirical import of the strip, and I felt like it could have a significant and useful impact on non-conservative fence-straddlers regarding the ongoing presidential elections.
So I did the right thing, IMHO, and I posted in the strip's comments area that the nudity was unnecessary, didn't help, and in fact might be bad for the strip and the “cause” it was supporting (right-thinking, freedom-loving, constitutional-supporting, conservative America). And I used the words that came naturally to me, “ I am concerned that....”
I am not a social media user, except for FR in the last few years, and so I did not then honestly know what a “troll” was and had never heard the term, nor did I know there were subtypes.
So imagine my surprise when I was banned from the comments area as a “Concern Troll.” I had to google “troll” and “concern troll” then, to understand what the author/cartoonist and other commenters were saying about me!
I had to argue my viewpoint with the author/cartoonist to get my commenting privileges re-instated, and to repair my damaged on-line reputation, and it sure left a bad taste in my mouth, especially as I thought I was among friends and it wasn't my first comment--I hadn't just flown in to attack the site. I wasn't a person trying to demean or destroy the strip and its efforts, and I had never done anything like that before, there or elsewhere. But be sure that I won't every post an honest dissenting anti-porn comment there anymore.
So give people a chance, before banning or blocking them as “trolls,” until they prove by repeated or obviously intentional non-constructive and non-participatory comments, to express heart-felt opinions and offer explanations. Don't just immediately brand them a “troll” or “concern troll” or “DU operative” (and yes, some belligerent FR people have said that about me when I didn't toe the line on which radio personality is better and what 1st amendment activities constitute “cancel culture,” etc.). (I had to look up DU, too, and I've never been to that site or read that stuff, and certainly never would agree with what I think it says.)
The answer to trolls’ (bad) free speech, is more free speech, and when that fails, just to ignore “ugly” comments and behavior (to use my late mother's Southern expression for people unnecessarily rude or mean).
“ And they need exposing and punishment.”
Thats my approach also.
If they are ignored on one thread, they will just go to another.
(: > )
Are you finally admitting you have a spanking fetish?
Ill bet you were a Hall monitor in 8th grade. 😆
Replying with a period “.” only often drives a troll insane.
Playing with trolls is just too much fun to give up. 😆
So, THAT’S how it works!!!
Thank you. I knew I liked you for a reason.
They tried to make me go to rehab.....
As long as I'm the spanker and not the spankee, why not?
Beat them till they tuck tail and slink off in shame, never to haung the internet with their dark presence every again.
Though some men, you just can't get to. Amirite, Bumble?
We know SO MANY Freepers who are active in conservative causes who have quit FreeRepublic because of a certain little girl troll who jumps on everyone here. They have said they don’t need that crap, and moved on. It is like we have an active troll here from facebook, twitter, etc. She might be Jen Psaki. She is someone very harsh and ridiculous. But driving good Freepers away.
Tyrelle ~
Everyone we know just put no response at all, but after a while, these same people moved on. In a battle of wits, this one Freeper is unarmed, but so hateful and vocal.
Tyrelle ~
Differing perspectives and discussion can be constructive to a topic concept. Everyone has the right as an individual to believe as they like. And be passionate about a topic that is very heartfelt. The problem comes in when someone has sadistic tendencies and enjoys causing others grief and harm just to cause grief and harm. They make someone their pet project to stalk and make every effort to assassinate their character as a priority over all else. There is a difference between conflicting opinions and direct personal attacks for no reason or basis.
These types are hard to just ignore because they are the type who would absolutely dox you if they could just for fun. These are the types who just never give up, follow you around with no rhyme or reason, and continue the personal attacks over and over even if you do try your best to ignore them. They are oblivious to the true overall harm they are causing for everyone else who is trying to conduct intelligent constructive dialog. At some point they have to be told to go away.
But I will be the first to admit that out of passion about a certain topic I am guilty of bashing the agenda and intentions of others. I think many of us have without intentions of being an actual troll. But it was not to be sadistic or disruptive and was always on topic.
What a great way to put it. And as part of their charm, they pretend to be 'one of us'. Think of how you might post if you were to go to Democrat Underground and try to post there. Would you come right out with it and get insta-banned? Or would you wear libtard cammy and use the subtle approach, hoping to avoid detection and the viking kitties.
The ways of the intformation superhighway are intricate.
#SomeGungFuRequired
That would be the best course of action, but sadly, too many still try to engage as if trolls can be reasoned with.
They can’t.
They feed off the response. It’s blood in the water to them. Or heroin to an addict.
In this way, should you engage, you will always prevail.
This self-defense training module has been bought to you by Bagster Style Gung Fu @ NorthShaoLinTemple and is provided free of charge and as a public service.
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