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).
Perhaps, and certainly people -- even some in this thread -- actually have that useless perpetual auto-flaming ennui tattooed on their foreheads; but Occam's says the wholesale banning of conservatives from Facebook starting in 2020 has led that krewe straight here to 'FRacebook' FreeRepublic, with deleterious consequences.
Boomer seemed to have a short half-life about a year ago.
They say “pops” in a perceived “old-timey” style, thus showing irreverence and a dig at my archeological status.
Hey Boofy, tell us how much money you have.
Tell us how many times you've lived in California.
Please tell us, Boofy. We've all forgotten how special you are.
Then tell us how come you're scared to name names.
Tell us, Boofy. Tell us, do.
A couple of months ago, I questioned a weak point in someone’s argument here. Better that our arguments are substantial than for the enemy to find a weakness and cast doubt on the rest of our position.
Another Freeper, who I otherwise respect, called me a troll. Maybe he was just having a bad day.
I’ve been bounced on DU a couple of times. The second time was for asking a question. I guess their idea of diversity is different than mine.
I got a warning on a sports site for using the phrase Chinese virus. Months later, I got a warning for posting some information about Covid. They asked me to acknowledge the warning, which I would not do. One would think numbers people would like numbers, but apparently not.
The Internet is not for the faint-hearted.
Threads here frequently go off the rails when we go after the trolls. I wonder if this is intentional on their part?
Hello, sami, could you throw up a post on a Covid thread? Gus is in the OR right now, so we need someone to distract those pesky Freepers.
Oh, def it is. They like to change the argument to something other than the 'bad news' for their side, which is the subject of the posted thread. If you blink your eyes, you find yourself arguing about something totally unrelated. Gassie's good for that one, keep an eye on him for that. The other pros too. Some of them are smart and well trained.
Luckily, most are dumb and bad at argument. And every one of them has holes (in their arguments and in their heads).
And probly their moth eaten chonies.
#AsOldAConflictAsGingerOrMaryAnn
If we're in the car and I, the Mom, am driving, and you and your brother are in the back seat yelling "Is too!" and "Is not!" at each other, it's an argument. You may either stop saying it, or walk when we get one mile from home...hopefully in a blizzard.
I was really good with threats, only had to follow through a few times...
Hahahahaha...my mom back in the Sixties when all six of us were acting up in the car, would stomp on the accelerator and get the car up to 100 mph, and when we cried for her to slow down, she would scream “I’M NOT SLOWING THIS CAR DOWN UNTIL YOU BEHAVE!”
Now, that would be worldwide news on the Internet. Back then, it was a lone car speeding down some American highway with a frazzled housewife and terrified kids!
Not it's not, it's a 415 (disturbing the peace).
(that was an argument)
Haha. I heard about this lady that strapped her kids in and drove the car into the lake. They musta really been arguing.
#Americana
Heh, my poor mom. My dad was career Navy, which meant they spent a lot of time apart until she forced him to become a landlubber...:)
In that time, she was the one dealing with us a lot, all six of us...and we could be quite contentious and feisty with each other. (If my dad growled at us, we all shut up. No, actually, we never acted up around him...)
She put up with us, and she put up with him, that great man. And we all put up with her. How I miss her.
God rest her soul, that beautiful woman.
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