SI
SI
discoversearch

We've detected that you're using an ad content blocking browser plug-in or feature. Ads provide a critical source of revenue to the continued operation of Silicon Investor.  We ask that you disable ad blocking while on Silicon Investor in the best interests of our community.  If you are not using an ad blocker but are still receiving this message, make sure your browser's tracking protection is set to the 'standard' level.
Politics : Just the Facts, Ma'am: A Compendium of Liberal Fiction -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?


To: Oeconomicus who wrote (36340)6/10/2005 10:47:01 AM
From: Bill  Respond to of 90947
 
We've all been around SI long enough to recognize a silly argument based on quibbling and word-smithing.



To: Oeconomicus who wrote (36340)6/10/2005 10:50:37 AM
From: JeffA  Respond to of 90947
 
Remember Clintonistas don't know what the meaning of is, is. Just like their God Bubba.



To: Oeconomicus who wrote (36340)6/10/2005 10:58:52 AM
From: MichaelSkyy  Read Replies (1) | Respond to of 90947
 
If it looks like a Duck, walks like a Duck, quacks like a Duck it must be.........

Sounds like what a 'Troll' does...

Internet Trolls

(Copyright © 2001 by Timothy Campbell - July 13 2001 Edition)

What is a Troll?

An Internet "troll" is a person who delights in sowing discord on the Internet. He (and it is usually he) tries to start arguments and upset people.

When a troll attacks a message board, he generally posts a lot of messages. Even if his messages are not particularly inflammatory, they can be so numerous that they drown out the regular conversations (this is known as 'flooding'). Needless to say, no one person's opinions can be allowed to monopolize a channel.

Why Do They Do It?

Affirmation.

Regular net users know how delightful it is when somebody responds to something they have written. It is a meeting of the minds, which is an intellectual thrill, but it is also an acknowledgement of one's value -- and that can be a very satisfying emotional reward.

Trolls crave attention, and they care not whether it is positive or negative. They see the Internet as a mirror in which they can gaze in narcissistic rapture.

If you want a deeper analysis than that, perhaps a psychologist can shed some additional light on the matter.

Conclusion

Next time you are on a message board and you see a post by somebody whom you think is a troll, and you feel you must reply, simply write a follow-up message entitled "Troll Alert" and type only this:

The only way to deal with trolls is to limit your reaction to reminding others not to respond to trolls.

By posting such a message, you let the troll know that you know what he is, and that you are not going to get dragged into his twisted little hobby.

The Internet is a splendidly haphazard collection of both serious and silly material. Because it is so free, there are bound to be problems. I think that we can best enjoy it if we deal with everything that happens online with a wry grin and a ready shrug.



To: Oeconomicus who wrote (36340)6/11/2005 7:10:13 AM
From: Sully-  Respond to of 90947
 
Exactly!



To: Oeconomicus who wrote (36340)6/13/2005 9:38:36 AM
From: zonder  Read Replies (3) | Respond to of 90947
 
Oh really now. Is that your great excuse for his complete inability to come up with ANY backing WHATSOEVER for the allegation that "Insurgents are not Iraqis"?

For the record, I realize he doesn't mean NONE of the insurgents are Iraqis, but that MOST are non-Iraqis. STILL, he provided NO PROOF that even A MAJORITY of insurgents are non-Iraqis.

And no, some Al-Qaeda website saying most SUICIDE BOMBERS are foreign is NOT proof that INSURGENTS as a whole are non-Iraqis.

If anyone you labelled "liberal" or "left-wing" made such a claim without proof, you would be all over him like a pack of wolves. One of yours does the same thing, you run to nurture & comfort him, and it is ME who is picking words and "being cute".

This is frustrating. It is also intellectual dishonesty. FYI, in case anyone cares...