Comments on: Another Look at Trolls

By: dblrainbowgirl

dblrainbowgirl — Sun, 11 Aug 2013 21:28:41 +0000

I try to exercise caution with individuals I meet, whether they are acting normal or ‘trolling’. We have to remember that there are people on Home with serious psychological, mental or emotional issues trying to look for answers or help on Home instead of seeking real-world assistance from a professional.

My biggest concern is ensuring someone in that state of mind isn’t getting pushed around by others, and if possible, try to encourage them to ‘log-off’ if necessary…

By: Gary160974

Gary160974 — Sun, 04 Aug 2013 13:52:43 +0000

As soon as you understand the trolls game, they will change the rules. It’s like living in Australia theres loads of things that can hurt you, bit if you want to live there you have to put up with them. If someone has no driving force except to create anarchy, you can end up creating more anarchy by trying to stop it.

By: Neokrawl

Neokrawl — Sun, 04 Aug 2013 08:54:16 +0000

Incredible article Kassadee, and so true. Trolls will always be there, if we could only tap into what it is that makes them do what they do then maybe we can end trolling. But since we cannot we have to live with it and have “tough skin”. Use ignore and/or report them.

By: Jin Lovelace

Jin Lovelace — Sat, 03 Aug 2013 15:09:24 +0000

I just look at it as Trolls are so 2007. It was in style before and was during the /B/-tard era. However, it’s an old fad now and one can see the amusement behind it to conform a volatile solution that they are bored and have nothing better to do than to perform the latter of what Kassadee stated in the article.

You speak the truth, Olivia. You and Kassee, both.

You’re a fruit ball though, but you speak the truth.

By: Olivia_Allin

Olivia_Allin — Fri, 02 Aug 2013 22:15:56 +0000

Reading back over what I just wrote I can see that it might seem like I am contradicting myself. Starve a troll yet try and turn them. I make sure I pull them aside where our conversation isnt in the middle of the crime scene so to speak. Then I give positive attention so they can see the difference and so I can play the equal respect card if need be. I must admit that this often doesn’t work and blows up in my face… at least it can server as a temporary reprieve to the victims. If anyone can change the actions of just one person for the better on Home and help them become a better citizen then the pay off is exponential.

By: Olivia_Allin

Olivia_Allin — Fri, 02 Aug 2013 21:51:04 +0000

Awesome article Kass my dear!! Covers just about everything I have learned about trolling. There has seemed to be an up tic in trolling lately in my observations and I can’t explain why but I am studying it.
I do believe that the vast majority of trolls do want attention. Like you mention, the best tools you have is to ignore and don’t give them the attention they crave (for whatever reason they crave it). Rewarding such behavior only encourages it… like petting and praising a puppy for peeing on the floor.
I do however enjoy the challenge of “Troll Whispering”. I seldom work but when it does it is very rewarding. The other night in the Hub there was a young man trolling verbally and sniffing crotches. A mob of people formed around him and smothered him with the attention, albeit negative, that he so wanted.I respectfully called him by name and ask it we could go talk away from the crowd. You would be amazed at what you can do with respect. Often if dealing with trolls or angry people if you treat them with respect you can point out if they don’t do the same to you and ask if they would… anyway, back to the troll turning,,, once I got the young man away from the overcast sky of hate filled text bubbles I asked why he was acting that way. You can insert any reason you have heard here, why they do it is never excusable. I asked him if he enjoyed being hated. If this who he wanted to be. I explained that with just a few words I could teach him he could go back to where he had just offended so many and get positive attention instead and maybe even make some friends. I couched him a little and walked him back to the crowd that was still fuming. I got their attention and re introduced the ex troll to them and asked if they would let him say something to all of them. It got quiet and he told them he was sorry for what he did and didn’t want to be like that anymore and didn’t like how he had acted and asked for their understanding and forgiveness. Before anyone could jump down his throat I told him in front of everyone that I was proud of him for coming back and manning up and I know it isn’t easy to do that. Other joined in and told him it was okay but not to do it anymore. And everyone for the most part gave him a second chance. The positive attention he got felt so much better than the backlash he got from trolling that he was able to join into the conversations and made some friends.
Sometime I get discouraged by what I see and experience in Home and while trying to help others. But just one small win like that every once in a while makes it all worth wild and recharges my soul. I get addicted to that feeling much like a troll craves attention. It seldom works out that well, but just trying sometimes is worth it.
Loved the article sweety and keep up the awesome work!
Tlod ya I was going to write a long comment

By: FEMAELSTROM

FEMAELSTROM — Fri, 02 Aug 2013 16:00:01 +0000

I just tend to ignore them, and I also use the tools at our disposal. I have always said (sadly) that we need to have thick skins in Home, and the thicker the better. The fact is bad people will always be around us, just these trolls have some anonymity, but if you just pay them no mind, they leave for the most part. I find that for most people, when you just don’t acknowledge them, it becomes pointless to continue harassing, so i ignore them alot. That and the fact that I have made good use of my estates that when my belly is full of trolls, I just go home. Good article, very good.

By: Kid Fleetfoot

Kid Fleetfoot — Fri, 02 Aug 2013 11:52:29 +0000

In real life or the internet whether it be on Home or news groups/bulletin boards or other social activities some people want control, to be the leaders and will use force or threats or intimidation to get it.
In real life, it might be physical force, fighting in which the only solutions may be to follow, walk away, or fight back. It’s hard to fight physically on the although I guess it can be done depending on one’s definition. In real life anyway, fighting back physically doesn’t mean a person has to win the fight but just to fight back and make it more difficult for the aggressor(s) to have control using more effort than they intended. And sometimes the one being picked on will win.

Trolls or bullies to be leaders if that’s their goal need someone to follow them. Don’t follow. Just be yourself.
Sorry to say, but being a troll or bully is sometimes someone just being themselves for whatever reason lies in their mind’s eye. They don’t care much about whether they hurt someone physically or verbally and they see things differently than most of us. I wonder why? Watch and learn.

By: KrazyFace

KrazyFace — Fri, 02 Aug 2013 07:30:46 +0000

Yeah, I kinda enjoy looking at a troll in action; it’s just fun to try to work out what’s mentally wrong with them lol

Usually how and what they type is an open window to what they’re all about, bit of a let-down too because you lose half the fun figuring them out that way.

I’ll admit though that sometimes I’ll take a funny turn and just go all silly, which can be interpreted as trolling -- I think some are just over-sensitive in that regard too though and any daft behavior will label a person a troll.

There’s a huge difference in someone just having a laugh and being a bit crazy than someone maliciously coaxing another into a ban for using “alert words”. But that’s generally the main goal for a troll; get the victim banned.

They say the best way is to just report, block, ignore. That will work for sure, and keep you safe but really, where’s the fun in that?

My rule is more like; stay alert, stay witty and remember; STICKS AND STONES!