In Internet terminology, a troll is someone who intentionally posts derogatory or otherwise inflammatory messages about sensitive topics in an established online community such as an online discussion forum to bait users into responding. They may also plant images and data on networks that others may find disturbing (usually indirectly relating to the individual in person) in order to cause confrontation.
We may even have a few on Woyano.
So my question is. Why do they do it? & How do we manage them?
JV
53 Comments
*L*
The only problem is getting everyone to follow that advice.
After that, it's all under its own steam, and it's just a matter of time until someone brings up Hitler...
If too many people find a post abusive, hurtful, or just plain nasty, they can vote to have it removed. If that user has too many posts removed, then they should have their account suspendid for a period of time. They can still log in and do everything except post replies.
I know, I know... this is not a new idea, but it IS one suggestion.
Anyone care to comment on this?
Additionally, should there be a mechanism for expressing disapproval, in effect a way to vote minus stars?
steber has what seems like a good idea for a possible management mechanism, except that it requires an active monitor.
Meanwhile, I'm sure that any such soon would be used by someone for abuse, retaliation or other behaviors that pervert the mechanism's intent. It's something along the lines of "you can't legislate morality."
That worries me too, earz, but I can't see any way round it.
I may go and watch Revenge of the Nerds again...
1. Would you let the Team know about it?
2. Would ask for the comment's removal?
3. Should that be allowed?
I would ask for the removal of a comment which I thought was tremendously offensive. I don't think I've ever done so before, which should be some indication of how offensive it would have to be--I've been miscellaneously chatting on the internet for about 15 years now.
...should what be allowed? The removal of the comment? I think comment removal is something that should be used as a last resort, when absolutely necessary. I can't immediately think of anything that would trigger that necessity. I'm against censorship, so I think it should be very rarely used.
I actually (very occasionally) enjoy a good troll baiting session, they always seem to crack long before i do - maybe its the 12 years in call centres that allows me to endlessly deal with people well below the par of rational thought.
Although I think this problem can be solved by setting the bury threshold appropriately: around a -5 should be enough, I would think, so that it takes 5 consecutive negative votes to actually bury the comment. Of course trolls with multiple accounts could abuse it.
"welcome to the disclaimer, yes that right, the disclaimer - this american apple institution known as parental discretion which will wipe any sense of innuendo orr sarcasm from the lyrics which might actually make you think, and also insult your intelligence at the same. So, protect your families, this album contains explicit depictions of things which are real, these real things are commonly known as life, So if it sounds sarcastic, don't take it seriously, if it sounds dangerous, don't try this at home or at all, and if it offends you, just don't listen to it"
my 2c, as always un'PC but thats just me all over.
"you're doing it right now, you're giving them the power."
. . . . . . . . . . . . ?
[don't feed the trolls]
I take Woyano very seriously, like many other members here, I take time to consider what I want to express and how it may be perceived by others. I want to be as considerate as possible when commenting, but sometimes as hard as we try, we can't please everyone. That's a given. Give two people the same stimulus, let's say a cloudy day with little bursts of sunshine, and inevitably one person will say, "This weather's crap, I wish the sun wouldn't hide behind those clouds." and the other will counter, "Well I thought the weather's better than yesterday. At least it's not raining!"
But there are sometimes when I just can't look away. There's that one comment that's intended to be inflammatory, usually some type of hate speech, and whether or not the troll really believes what he or she is saying, sometimes I have to oppose that stuff. At those times it feels like keeping silent is the same as colluding or agreeing with the hate speech.
I don't mean to say that I'm going to argue with them or lower myself to their level, because that would be giving them what they want, to get the better of other members and make them lose their cool. I just have to oppose it. Sometimes that means ignoring, and other times I need to do something more.
When I just can't let something slide, what should I do?
Just don't get pulled in and start knee-jerking.
But I do think (as a general comment, not about you, or Woyano, or anyone else in particular but rather society in general) that we are starting to take ourselves too seriously.
A not so recent life experience (which I'm happy to relay if people ask) has taught that most things in life aren't really that important or worth getting worked up over. There are more important things to worry about than some immature imbecile and there infantile opinions posted in what is a relatively anoymous manner.
again, my rather pointed and semi controversial 2c
Thats probably what makes a troll tick , throwing puppy's.
These internet slang words are stupid , specifically if your just confusing somebody having a joke with being an asshole , infact me saying asshole might be offensive to some (probably most) here anyway and even then i might use the word fuck in a post , and the word fuck is very bad in some people's eye's .
Flaming isn't funny , i don't tend to ever go for anyone's throat here on woyano and to be honest i wouldn't see the point but to say thing's that other people take offense to isn't always my problem either , and if i ever get time to write my own material for here as a few people that already know me - know,
somebody's going to get all offended wether i call paris hilton dumber than a box of hammers or have a go at thier "proud nation" whatever/wherever that is.
Point being i don't mean it and its likely all in good fun.
And cdin , There's also alot of power in making people happy by getting a luagh out of them but your way is good too.
I always thought thats what it was, (mostly) kids who just want to bother people.
Hey you know AdGuy always gets the last word! ;)