Re: A troll free zone- of late

Sorry to those who already read my reply in the "TENS" thread...I was
responding to comments there. But this really belongs here...

It's really ashame. Someone in pain comes in asking questions. He/she
(We'll assume Jamie is a he for sake of pronoun usage) doesn't attack,
slander, or question other's motives. In fact, he never even defends
or responds to those who ridicule his innocent questions. He continues
to sift through the attacks to glean what he can from those who post a
civilized response. Judging by his demeanor, he seems like a laid
back, nice guy.

What is his crime? That he asks too many questions? That he doesn't
research through Google(which we really don't know whether that's so or
not)? What ever happened to: "There's no such thing as a stupid
question." or "If you don't have anything nice to say, don't say it at
all".

Then he is called a "troll". Wikipedia defines a troll as "...a person
who posts inflammatory messages on the Internet, such as on online
discussion forums, to disrupt discussion or to upset its participants".
Where are his inflammatory messages? Do you really think he is trying
to "disrupt discussion"? It seems by this definition that the trolls
here are the ones responding with comments like suggesting to attach a
tens unit lead behind each ear. You might call that innocent sarcasm.
Perhaps if you're talking to someone you've known for a while. But it
seems a little rude(i.e. inflammatory) to say to someone you barely
know.

It kind of reminds me of the early school days. Where the cliques
stuck together and bullied on anyone that was different than them. And
I thought everyone seemed so nice at first.

I don't know Jamie, nor have I ever talked to him. But I couldn't help
but be appalled at how he was treated by some (not all). Now I see how
the "flame wars" are started. One, the aggressor, attacks/ridicules
someone else. Then there is a defense or retaliation in response.
Which leads to another response by the original aggressor. And on it
goes. Though, this could be stopped in it's tracks by the original
aggressor not making his/her original comment(s). But I see that it
can also be stopped at the second rung by not taking
defense/retaliation.

And that is what I will do. The smart thing is to be like Jamie, and
ignore the rude and unkind comments. Responding only precipitates the
negative atmosphere of the group. So I will go back to mainly lurking,
learning what I can from the on-topic posts, posting only when
relevant, ignoring the inflammatory posts...and will stop defending
those who are unduly ridiculed. -<AMF jumps for joy>- I'm a little
afraid to start a post with a question...as example shows I may not be
treated with respect or courtesy. (However, I do thank those who
responded in a couth and friendly manner).

At the same time, I do extend my apologies to AMF. I take a step back
and see that I have become the same as those I criticize. Contributing
negative vibes...taking the group off course. It's hard to resist when
you see the seemingly innocent being jibed at. But I don't want to
post the type of things that I've always had to sift through to get to
the relevant stuff myself.

I only hope that others will not be so unduly sarcastic and
antagonistic (i.e. troll)...especially when it's not first directed at
them. Though I know I can only do my best. You can't change the way
other people respond.

-Matt

.

Relevant Pages

  • Re: A troll free zone- of late
    ... responding to comments there. ... Then he is called a "troll". ... who posts inflammatory messages on the Internet, ... Which leads to another response by the original aggressor. ...
    (alt.med.fibromyalgia)
  • Re: A troll free zone- of late
    ... responding to comments there. ... Then he is called a "troll". ... who posts inflammatory messages on the Internet, ... Which leads to another response by the original aggressor. ...
    (alt.med.fibromyalgia)
  • Re: A troll free zone- of late
    ... > responding to comments there. ... > person who posts inflammatory messages on the Internet, ... > might call that innocent sarcasm. ... > in it's tracks by the original aggressor not making his/her original ...
    (alt.med.fibromyalgia)
  • Re: Correct Typedef
    ... >>> The troll posted and has since been merrily responding to itself under ... > 1) all Google postings bar Mehta ... > 2) no posting history bar Suman. ...
    (comp.lang.c)
  • Re: Correct Typedef
    ... I'm reasonably genuine. ... >> The troll posted and has since been merrily responding to itself under ... This method could at the least treat history-less Google-using posters ...
    (comp.lang.c)