Thursday, 23 July 2009
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The Difference Between Trolling And Discussing
I wouldn't think I would have to tell you this, but it seems some people have yet to grasp the concept. In a recent post, someone trolled and I really didn't appreciate it. This person will obviously try to pass me off as mad because he had such killer arguments, and I'm just mad because he disproved me and my friends, but it's not that at all. If you've followed me for any length of time you'll know that I encourage discussion and even if it leads to me being disproved than I'll take it because I'm out to learn and not necessarily prove that I'm always right.
Discussion is when someone asks a question or makes a statement to a fellow blogger, not even necessarily the host, and the fellow blogger answers the comment and begins talking in civil terms about the topic. Keep in mind, while discussing on a third party site, that they may not appreciate fifty comments coming from two people, so if it gets too long or the host asks you to leave than be sure to take it elsewhere. I personally don't mind if two people want to discuss for as long as they want on my site as long as they are keeping things low key and aren't using profanity, but some bloggers are not like me. Just be courteous and always keep in mind those around you.
Trolling is when a person comes to a fellow blogger's site and sees a topic they don't like, proceeding to comment the host, usually including profanities, with strong words and a sharp tone. They than decide to come back systematically and monitor the post making a harsh reply to anyone who agrees with the host, even if they made no reference to the troll in question. The troll makes comments and digs toward the hosts' friends such as saying they're out of their minds and they have no intelligence and even encouraging users to stay away from certain bloggers they don't agree with. What are trolls like this thinking? We have yet to determine that, but they certainly have not proven anything, even if they had valid points to begin with, except the fact that they have no courtesy and desire to be blocked.
I have only ever blocked one person in my time on xanga, because she was being absolutely unreasonably obnoxious and said some exceptionally rude things to a few of my close friends, but I am very close to blocking this user. It's alright to come to a site and make some valid points and disprove the post, but to come back again and again for the purpose of attacking every commenter? That's beyond me.
Should I block the user or give them another chance? Have you ever been trolled?
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Comments (126)
I've never been trolled to that extent.
Interesting differentiation... I've never been trolled to that extent. Yet, I've been trolled every now and again - and it's annoying... but I just tend to delete their commentary. I like how you expounded on this topic, though, very cool read.
Dunno. Have you messaged the person? I would start there. See if a pm will soothe it. If not and you are super duper annoyed, block.
I've never really been trolled either. I say block the troll. Stop the drama now.Â
If the user is annoying you that much, then block him/her.
@Krissy_Cole - Good advice, I'll try it, but I'm sure they'll come back with a "You're just mad cause I disproved all your friends."
I've never been trolled on my own blog, and only arguably on other blogs - usually on Datingish, Revelife, or one of the other -ish sites. Still, they were only arguably trolls, probably just people who argued a little more fiercely than I would have liked. They certainly didn't start monitoring my comments. I doubt they even went to my page at all, so I wouldn't consider them trolls.
If it really bothered you, block the user. They may never come back, and they may come back and be very polite, but you might not want to risk it. Personally, I probably wouldn't bother blocking them unless it happened more than once - for all I know they were having a bad day.
But if it happens excessively, definitely block them. Your blog has always been one of mutual respect and, even when people disagree with you or even get angry, they tend to not get out of line on your blog. I'd hate to see that change just because of a troll.
@AibellFaeire - Yeah I like to give everyone as much chance as possible but then again I don't want to lose good friends because of one bad one.
My "He Was Not Qualified" entry was a the perfect example. I had a few disagreements and two very strong persistent disagreements. But only one of them was a troll. And in her case we are taking about a troll (someone who does nothing but troll xanga's) not just someone trolling this one time.
Made the mistake of googling someone's 'e-mail forward turned into xanga post' and debunking it. Got called a know-it-all troll.
(Really made me mad, actually.)
I'd like to think I know how to avoid trolling. (Unfortunately, I'm not a very good debater, I just say my peace and let those who argue until the cows come home...argue until the cows come home.)
I did not block her. She made a fool of herself, so that was punishment enough. But if she had gone to other topics doing the same thing, she would have been number 5 on by block list.
@Simbathe2nd - If he does, then he'll be the one bringing up the post. I say keep it totally about being respectful in the comments. We can't tell people they are crazy or call them names or promulgate any type of ad hominem attack and expect a debate to be winnable for us. It sounds like that is what needs to be learned here (if it's the person I think it is).
Heated, logical debate is good. It keeps us on our toes.
Heated attacks are unhealthy.
I love healthy debate. I loathe the over-passionate attacks.
I never actually responded to your last post either. In brief, I am happy with the way I voted still, but cautiously. I have a very critical eye on what is going on with our federal government at the moment. As for my own state government, I can't wait to vote out my dear governor.
@Romans_837 - Yeah people do throw around the term troll a lot, but as long as you're not overly persistent or rude than you're not a troll. Always keep in mind respect and courtesy when on a third party site. even if you think the argument could go further, you're better off just ending it, since it is their turf.
@Krissy_Cole - I agree completely. A good debate where the person challenges me is great for me. It helps me learn and I sometimes even relize that I was flawed, but people must remain civil.
Oh it was agnophil, Enough said. You decide I did not bother blocking him, but I am one of the few.
I say block those who attack and offend your comments. I have an obligation to make sure my blogs are enjoyable for all to read and comment whether they agree or disagree with me.
It seems to me that trolls are those who have a big chip on their shoulder for some reason and take it out on others, even those they don't know.
And I really believe that a personal message will just be what your troll would need to add fuel to the fire.
I've never been trolled to the extent that I actually considered taking action. The only (very borderline) trolls I've gotten are those who've apparently targeted me on TheoDan's site. I'd like to think I've grown up a bit from even then to not let such things bother me. After all, they're the ones embarrassing themselves in public.
@trunthepaige - Well I wasn't going to name names but I won't stop others from doing so. I'm still deciding.
@randomneuralfirings - Oh it doesn't bother me, I'm just afraid it will bother and even deter my true friends from commenting.
Do a temporary block. I unblock most users at the end of the month.
@radicalramblings - Hmm that's an idea.
@Simbathe2nd - Your current troll has made the list a few times LOL
Normally I'd say give the person another chance, but I think I know who it is and in that case - NOOOO!!!!! lol
I get lots of trolls or creepers. My block list was around 50-60, over time I go through and unblock people, but they come back, cause problems and get blocked.
I'm totally fine with discussing and asking questions. When people cross the line to verbally attack your opinions or looks, that's when I have a problem.
Good points and comments here by everybody. Sometimes I think people add you as a friend just so they can use that as an excuse to troll too. If a person doesn't respond to you and others decently, I'd say forget them. You have better things to do than waste a ton of time arguing with someone. But, that's just me.