On 7/2/05, Dan Grey <dangrey(a)gmail.com> wrote:
On 02/07/05, Bill Konrad
<bkonrad123(a)sbcglobal.net> wrote:
"Dan Grey" <dangrey(a)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.
--
Michael Turley
User:Unfocused