On 7/3/05, Dan Grey dangrey@gmail.com wrote:
On 03/07/05, Michael Turley michael.turley@gmail.com wrote:
On 7/2/05, Dan Grey dangrey@gmail.com wrote:
To Rob - it's not turning the other cheek. Trolls only post to get a reaction - the fundamental truth is that it's pure attention seeking, how ever it's dressed up on the surface.
Ignore them - totally - and they don't get they want, they very rapidly get bored, and bugger off :-)
Dan
Keep in mind, however, that this is probably the rudest possible thing you can do. It's really important to apply this only to the very worst of trolls.
I *really * don't care about pissing off trolls, minor or major. We're here to write an encyclopaedia, nothing more.
Dan
PS Apols to Michael, who's going to get this twice - I keep hitting reply, instead of reply to all. D'oh.
Inciting trollish behavior results results in far more time consumed in the administrative overhead of dealing with the trolls, leaving less time for writing and editing.
If attacks and trolls roll off like water off a duck's back, then are followed with polite responses, things never escalate. Fewer will come to admins (and to this list) for redress if they're always treated with courtesy and respect, even if such is undeserved. If we bury them in courtesy and respect, most will come to see a better way.
Attacks and counter-attacks on even terms creates hard feelings and squabble. Attacks and counter-attacks where one person holds disproportionate power over the other creates resentment, revolt, and subversion. Avoid the cycles of emotional conflict and we'll all have more time for writing and editing.
-- Michael Turley User:Unfocused
Apologies to Dan Grey, as I've also hit "reply" instead of "reply to all".