LukkyKnight
Equal Opportunity Enjoyer
- Joined
- Oct 26, 2001
- Posts
- 58,516
Do you think about your responses to them?
After spending any significant length of time in any net-place where people can "contribute" more-or-less anonymously one sees a number of patterns, most of which have been identified and discussed here already. There are those seeking attention, those needing to lash out at one individual, some who feel the only way to feel good about themselves is to put others down, etc., and their common attribute is a desire to engage.
Sounds like a very childish approach when paired with their presumed anonymity, doesn't it? When children throw tantrums for attention, or say hurtful things to their siblings or parents, the effective parent will seek to educate not engage. It's often hard to get their attention, of course, and with practice children and trolls learn what works to draw others in and control the rules of engagement, but: if their behaviors fail to attain their goals then soon enough they abandon that technique. In some cases they mature, in other cases they try some other tactic.
If a troll can learn and mature, that's marvelous. When what they seek is attention it should only be granted in response to productive, constructive posts. If what they need is to be educated (new trolls can be confused and ignorant, though they are the minority of the posts) then guidance about acceptable styles of interaction is indicated, but still not engaging them "on their level." This virtual-place is a function of all who visit, and I submit that if you react to trolls as you might to a 3-year-old it will be better for everybody concerned. Put 'em in a time-out, ignore 'em, whatever works best for you. Ultimately they will tire of it, though sadly some new troll will doubtless happen along.
I presume this has been pointed out before, but it felt like a good time to inject my perspective on the strategy and/or tactics of an effective debate with cowardly, puerile individuals.
After spending any significant length of time in any net-place where people can "contribute" more-or-less anonymously one sees a number of patterns, most of which have been identified and discussed here already. There are those seeking attention, those needing to lash out at one individual, some who feel the only way to feel good about themselves is to put others down, etc., and their common attribute is a desire to engage.
Sounds like a very childish approach when paired with their presumed anonymity, doesn't it? When children throw tantrums for attention, or say hurtful things to their siblings or parents, the effective parent will seek to educate not engage. It's often hard to get their attention, of course, and with practice children and trolls learn what works to draw others in and control the rules of engagement, but: if their behaviors fail to attain their goals then soon enough they abandon that technique. In some cases they mature, in other cases they try some other tactic.
If a troll can learn and mature, that's marvelous. When what they seek is attention it should only be granted in response to productive, constructive posts. If what they need is to be educated (new trolls can be confused and ignorant, though they are the minority of the posts) then guidance about acceptable styles of interaction is indicated, but still not engaging them "on their level." This virtual-place is a function of all who visit, and I submit that if you react to trolls as you might to a 3-year-old it will be better for everybody concerned. Put 'em in a time-out, ignore 'em, whatever works best for you. Ultimately they will tire of it, though sadly some new troll will doubtless happen along.
I presume this has been pointed out before, but it felt like a good time to inject my perspective on the strategy and/or tactics of an effective debate with cowardly, puerile individuals.
