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Author Topic:   Trolls and Trolling
RAZD
Member (Idle past 1405 days)
Posts: 20714
From: the other end of the sidewalk
Joined: 03-14-2004


Message 1 of 37 (455147)
02-10-2008 10:05 PM


Internet troll - Wikipedia
quote:
An Internet troll, or simply troll in Internet slang, is someone who posts controversial messages in an online community, such as an online discussion forum, with the intention of baiting other users into an emotional response. [1]
Others expanded the term to include the practice of playing a seriously misinformed or deluded user, even in newsgroups where one was not a regular; these were often attempts at humor rather than provocation. In such contexts, the noun troll usually referred to an act of trolling, rather than to the author.
Recently, the word troll is also frequently used as a synonym for flamebait, even though the two words have distinct meanings.
Experienced participants in online forums know that the most effective way to discourage a troll is usually to ignore him or her, because responding encourages a true troll to continue disruptive posts ” hence the often-seen warning "Please do not feed the troll".
Frequently, someone who has been labelled a troll by a group may seek to redeem their reputation by discrediting their opponents, for example by claiming that other members of the group are closed-minded, conspirators, or trolls themselves.
An example of this last kind of behavior can be seen HERE and HERE.
In my experience trolls are defined by any one of four behaviors:
(1) posting in a manner designed to elicit a flame response or getting one to lose your cool. This can include being obscene or seeming to be extremely obtuse about even the simplest things (like what Δ means in a formula).
(2) posting in a manner designed to disrupt the discussion - going off topic, posting large amounts of irrelevant things, usually done in spam like intensity, plastering messages onto all threads. Such messages often include gross language and elements of (1) above.
(3) changing topic titles (doesn't work here) so that people are confused about where threads went, usually combined with (2) above.
(4) using an ID that mimics that of another user and then insulting other users hoping they will flame the mimicked user. This is done by using things like v-v (vv)instead of w and r-n (rn) instead of m, of lowercase L for upper case i, zero for capital o etc. Some such substitutions work better in some fonts than others, and being able to control your display font is one way to identify these. They also work better when people aren't expecting them, and read the names quickly (0perasinger vs Operasinger). Experienced users choose names that are immune to such manipulations.
If you think someone is a troll then
Do Not Feed the Troll
This is the only tried and tested, effective method for dealing with trolls. On boards that are not monitored (yes virginia they do exist) it is the only way to get rid of them. Even on monitored boards it can reduce the number of reappearances (Arnen?)
Enjoy.
Edited by RAZD, : clarity
Edited by RAZD, : added example

we are limited in our ability to understand
by our ability to understand
RebelAAmericanOZen[Deist
... to learn ... to think ... to live ... to laugh ...
to share.


• • • Join the effort to solve medical problems, AIDS/HIV, Cancer and more with Team EvC! (click) • • •

Replies to this message:
 Message 2 by molbiogirl, posted 02-10-2008 10:43 PM RAZD has replied
 Message 3 by pelican, posted 02-10-2008 10:52 PM RAZD has seen this message but not replied
 Message 9 by Taz, posted 02-12-2008 12:32 AM RAZD has seen this message but not replied
 Message 14 by Hill Billy, posted 02-12-2008 2:24 PM RAZD has seen this message but not replied

  
molbiogirl
Member (Idle past 2642 days)
Posts: 1909
From: MO
Joined: 06-06-2007


Message 2 of 37 (455155)
02-10-2008 10:43 PM
Reply to: Message 1 by RAZD
02-10-2008 10:05 PM


RAZD, I couldn't agree more.
It's awfully darn hard to keep folks from feeding our resident trolls, tho.
Just look at Hillbilly's thread. What possible purpose (other than trolling) does it serve?
I asked once that we not feed that particular troll, to no avail.

This message is a reply to:
 Message 1 by RAZD, posted 02-10-2008 10:05 PM RAZD has replied

Replies to this message:
 Message 4 by RAZD, posted 02-10-2008 11:23 PM molbiogirl has not replied
 Message 15 by pelican, posted 02-12-2008 7:25 PM molbiogirl has not replied

  
pelican
Member (Idle past 4986 days)
Posts: 781
From: australia
Joined: 05-27-2007


Message 3 of 37 (455156)
02-10-2008 10:52 PM
Reply to: Message 1 by RAZD
02-10-2008 10:05 PM


Peace brothers
Razd, I sort of had the same idea. I was thinking of opening a thread to fight you. Just you and me. This opening post of yours is real nasty and would have been an excellent starting point.
I started thinking of how to slag you off. Research all your posts going way back. Nit pick every mistake of yours I could find. No holes barred, give you an injection of venom from my expert tongue. You ain't seen nothin yet, mate. Hill Billy is a pussy cat along side of me when I see red.
However, one question came to mind. Why do you feel the need to further punish me for my innocence? Peace brother.
I never intended to hurt, harm or deceive anyone. I created myself a tangled web out of ignorance. I chose to disclose this 'loophole' in the rules that I had innocently found. One that surely you above all others should be glad to uncover. Maybe many others are doing it the same way and not revealing themselves. How would you know?
Your definition of a Troll would never own up in a million years, hey molbiogirl?
I am sorry this has caused you some obvious distress and so it has for me, been fun too. I'm tired now, Radz. I promise if I spot one personality pretending to be two then you will be the first to know. I will be your eyes and ears.
I love ya mate!
Edited by paula rose, : No reason given.

This message is a reply to:
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Replies to this message:
 Message 11 by nator, posted 02-12-2008 7:15 AM pelican has replied

  
RAZD
Member (Idle past 1405 days)
Posts: 20714
From: the other end of the sidewalk
Joined: 03-14-2004


Message 4 of 37 (455159)
02-10-2008 11:23 PM
Reply to: Message 2 by molbiogirl
02-10-2008 10:43 PM


Yes, I had a bit of a chuckle reading that one (see message). I also figured "Heinrik" as a troll when the level of information requested reached a ridiculous level of obtuseness ("can you write that formula out in words?").
Others have noticed as well. It's a matter of experience I guess.
Enjoy.

we are limited in our ability to understand
by our ability to understand
RebelAAmericanOZen[Deist
... to learn ... to think ... to live ... to laugh ...
to share.


• • • Join the effort to solve medical problems, AIDS/HIV, Cancer and more with Team EvC! (click) • • •

This message is a reply to:
 Message 2 by molbiogirl, posted 02-10-2008 10:43 PM molbiogirl has not replied

Replies to this message:
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 Message 35 by Phat, posted 10-12-2017 9:00 PM RAZD has replied

  
RAZD
Member (Idle past 1405 days)
Posts: 20714
From: the other end of the sidewalk
Joined: 03-14-2004


Message 5 of 37 (455161)
02-10-2008 11:33 PM


bump for Trixie
I decided to start this thread when I read your post
http://EvC Forum: Transitional Forms -->EvC Forum: Transitional Forms
It seems we have at least one troll around.
Enjoy.

we are limited in our ability to understand
by our ability to understand
RebelAAmericanOZen[Deist
... to learn ... to think ... to live ... to laugh ...
to share.


• • • Join the effort to solve medical problems, AIDS/HIV, Cancer and more with Team EvC! (click) • • •

Replies to this message:
 Message 6 by Trixie, posted 02-11-2008 6:20 AM RAZD has seen this message but not replied

  
Trixie
Member (Idle past 3706 days)
Posts: 1011
From: Edinburgh
Joined: 01-03-2004


Message 6 of 37 (455172)
02-11-2008 6:20 AM
Reply to: Message 5 by RAZD
02-10-2008 11:33 PM


Re: bump for Trixie
Morning RAZD!
Yeah, I know feeding the trolls isn't always a good idea, the reason I continued with Hill Billy to that point was that I like to give the benefit of the doubt. If they really are a troll they'll damn themselves before long. I think Hill Billy has achieved that and it gave me a chuckle. It also put paid to the whole premise of the thread. The next time accusations of Evolutionists' superiority is brought up, we can just link to that.
Having said that, there can be times when people unfamiliar with the internet and the history of trolling do something that starts the troll warning flags waving, yet they have no intention of being a troll. If trip-trapping over the wooden bridge manages to expose this as innocent then it's worth the risk.
I've seen the havoc wreaked by trolls and the viciousness with which they do it - they're the type of people who pull the wings off flies and set fire to kittens just because they can. I came to that conclusion based previous experience of trolls and reading around on your troll link (thanks for that, it was really informative, gave me examples I hadn't come across before).
Our troll was very sneaky in the way it was done - open a thread about how dismissive evolutionists are, behave like a troll, get dismissed and then point out how this proves the initial premise of the OP.
I agree that we should deal with trolls the way we always have, ignore them, but once in a while one comes along that is worth feeding - give 'em enough rope and all that.
Also, I've been desperate to use that phrase for years and this seemed the right time. That's one of life's ambitions fulfilled and I can face the day (even though it can't face me - it's hiding behind a blanket of fog at the moment) with a smile on my face and a little contented feeling inside. Sometimes trolls have their uses, just ask my small son who can't understand why mummy is in such a good mood this morning!

This message is a reply to:
 Message 5 by RAZD, posted 02-10-2008 11:33 PM RAZD has seen this message but not replied

Replies to this message:
 Message 8 by pelican, posted 02-11-2008 10:30 PM Trixie has replied

  
pelican
Member (Idle past 4986 days)
Posts: 781
From: australia
Joined: 05-27-2007


Message 7 of 37 (455174)
02-11-2008 7:53 AM
Reply to: Message 4 by RAZD
02-10-2008 11:23 PM


below the belt
[razdqs]Yes, I had a bit of a chuckle reading that one (see message). I also figured "Heinrik" as a troll when the level of information requested reached a ridiculous level of obtuseness ("can you write that formula out in words?").[/qs]
OUCH! THAT HURT!

This message is a reply to:
 Message 4 by RAZD, posted 02-10-2008 11:23 PM RAZD has seen this message but not replied

  
pelican
Member (Idle past 4986 days)
Posts: 781
From: australia
Joined: 05-27-2007


Message 8 of 37 (455339)
02-11-2008 10:30 PM
Reply to: Message 6 by Trixie
02-11-2008 6:20 AM


Re: bump for Trixie
razd writes:
Yes, I had a bit of a chuckle reading that one (see message). I also figured "Heinrik" as a troll when the level of information requested reached a ridiculous level of obtuseness ("can you write that formula out in words?").
trixie writes:
Our troll was very sneaky in the way it was done - open a thread about how dismissive evolutionists are, behave like a troll, get dismissed and then point out how this proves the initial premise of the OP.
I agree that we should deal with trolls the way we always have, ignore them, but once in a while one comes along that is worth feeding - give 'em enough rope and all that.
Trixie, does this mean you won't talk to me anymore?

This message is a reply to:
 Message 6 by Trixie, posted 02-11-2008 6:20 AM Trixie has replied

Replies to this message:
 Message 10 by Trixie, posted 02-12-2008 5:58 AM pelican has replied

  
Taz
Member (Idle past 3292 days)
Posts: 5069
From: Zerus
Joined: 07-18-2006


Message 9 of 37 (455355)
02-12-2008 12:32 AM
Reply to: Message 1 by RAZD
02-10-2008 10:05 PM


I would like to point out that you should be glad trolls are trolls. If they don't have the internet to vent some of their ill-intentions, they'd be out there torturing animal or even people.

This message is a reply to:
 Message 1 by RAZD, posted 02-10-2008 10:05 PM RAZD has seen this message but not replied

  
Trixie
Member (Idle past 3706 days)
Posts: 1011
From: Edinburgh
Joined: 01-03-2004


Message 10 of 37 (455366)
02-12-2008 5:58 AM
Reply to: Message 8 by pelican
02-11-2008 10:30 PM


Re: bump for Trixie
I'm not referring to you but to another troll

This message is a reply to:
 Message 8 by pelican, posted 02-11-2008 10:30 PM pelican has replied

Replies to this message:
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nator
Member (Idle past 2170 days)
Posts: 12961
From: Ann Arbor
Joined: 12-09-2001


Message 11 of 37 (455372)
02-12-2008 7:15 AM
Reply to: Message 3 by pelican
02-10-2008 10:52 PM


Re: Peace brothers
quote:
This opening post of yours is real nasty and would have been an excellent starting point.
But is it valid?
I mean, you do appear to be a troll, even if you aren't one.

This message is a reply to:
 Message 3 by pelican, posted 02-10-2008 10:52 PM pelican has replied

Replies to this message:
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pelican
Member (Idle past 4986 days)
Posts: 781
From: australia
Joined: 05-27-2007


Message 12 of 37 (455393)
02-12-2008 10:07 AM
Reply to: Message 10 by Trixie
02-12-2008 5:58 AM


troll feeding
Radz says I'm a troll and molbigirl say I'm a troll. Will they not get you for feeding their troll? Stay safe.

This message is a reply to:
 Message 10 by Trixie, posted 02-12-2008 5:58 AM Trixie has not replied

  
pelican
Member (Idle past 4986 days)
Posts: 781
From: australia
Joined: 05-27-2007


Message 13 of 37 (455394)
02-12-2008 10:15 AM
Reply to: Message 11 by nator
02-12-2008 7:15 AM


Re: Peace brothers
paula writes:
This opening post of yours is real nasty and would have been an excellent starting point.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
nator writes:
But is it valid?
I mean, you do appear to be a troll, even if you aren't one.
Well thanks sister. What is it about you self declared none-trolls that attract me so much? It's like a moth to the light.

This message is a reply to:
 Message 11 by nator, posted 02-12-2008 7:15 AM nator has not replied

  
Hill Billy
Member (Idle past 5354 days)
Posts: 163
From: The hills
Joined: 01-26-2008


Message 14 of 37 (455474)
02-12-2008 2:24 PM
Reply to: Message 1 by RAZD
02-10-2008 10:05 PM


with the intention of baiting other users into an emotional response.
Isn't it a huge assumption to make? Assuming someones intentions that is.
I mean some may assume that you began this thread just to bait others into an emotional response.
Would they be correct?

" If a body don't wanna hear what you're sayin it don't matter much how you say it" Some hillbilly.

This message is a reply to:
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pelican
Member (Idle past 4986 days)
Posts: 781
From: australia
Joined: 05-27-2007


Message 15 of 37 (455526)
02-12-2008 7:25 PM
Reply to: Message 2 by molbiogirl
02-10-2008 10:43 PM


knowing self
I would much rather be a troll and know who I am, than be an idiot in my own field and haven't a clue that I am.

This message is a reply to:
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