On 7/2/05, Dan Grey dangrey@gmail.com wrote:
On 02/07/05, Bill Konrad bkonrad123@sbcglobal.net wrote:
"Dan Grey" dangrey@gmail.com wrote:
Why don't people just give trolls what they deserve?
Do us all a favour, and when people post here only looking for trouble, give them what they deserve - the silent treatment.
Indeed, one recently prolific poster to this list has earned the distinction of being the first person added to my blocked user list -- it'd just too tedious sifting through the drek.
Bkonrad
Crikey, I've only been on the list a few weeks and I already have, erm, several filters :-).
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.
In my observation, most mailing list trolls become trolls on the basis of a real concern, the anger over which is greatly inflated by repeated dismissal or ignorance of their concerns by those they perceive to be in power. Frequently, this starts as a tiny little issue, but inflates even more rapidly as insults and accusations (of being a troll, sockpuppet, etc.) are applied.
If we explain patiently why the concerns are being dismissed or ignored, <i>without ever insulting the questioner</i>, even if it takes four or five times, far fewer would become trolls in the first place.