The Care and Fasting of Trolls

[Quaffer]

 

I don't agree with everybody.  Truth to tell, I don't get along with everybody.  But I try to get along.  Case in point: Lazar_Lyusternik and I disagree on quite a few things.  But Lazar has never questioned my intelligence, knowledge, integrity or my right to voice my opinion.  I respect Lazar.  He is a class act. When we differ he will present his argument. I will present mine and we may agree to disagree.  Each of us knows in our heart of hearts that the other is wrong, but we don't beat each other up over it.  My model for conflict resolution:  determine what is right, not who is wrong.  Sometimes there is no resolution.  Oh well.

 

Every once in a while you run into someone who won't let it ride.  They must get the last word.  Often anything you post they will treat as a personal attack and the language may well escalate.  For people like this it is not about what is right, it is about "I AM RIGHT!" Maybe they have an uncontrollable need to leave their mark.  I don't know.  I don't really care.  In the long run it's not my problem.

 

How do you deal with people like that?  Let them get the last word.  Post that it is too bad that they have taken a dislike to your point of view and ignore their following posts.  If you don't respond will they stop posting?  Of course not, it's in their nature.  But if you don't respond you deny them what they need for their next response.  When they find their hunger for conflict is not being satisfied, they will find someplace where their hunger will be satisfied;  someplace else.

 

Those of you with long memories may recognize the above from pre-Alpha.  I couldn't find it with search and it felt like a good time to bring it back.

 

[aether_tech]

Unless you can out troll the trolls, stay away from them.

 

[ChaosDrill]

I don't agree with everybody.  Truth to tell, I don't get along with everybody.  But I try to get along.  Case in point: Lazar_Lyusternik and I disagree on quite a few things.  But Lazar has never questioned my intelligence, knowledge, integrity or my right to voice my opinion.  I respect Lazar.  He is a class act. When we differ he will present his argument. I will present mine and we may agree to disagree.  Each of us knows in our heart of hearts that the other is wrong, but we don't beat each other up over it.  My model for conflict resolution:  determine what is right, not who is wrong.  Sometimes there is no resolution.  Oh well.

 

Every once in a while you run into someone who won't let it ride.  They must get the last word.  Often anything you post they will treat as a personal attack and the language may well escalate.  For people like this it is not about what is right, it is about "I AM RIGHT!" Maybe they have an uncontrollable need to leave their mark.  I don't know.  I don't really care.  In the long run it's not my problem.

 

How do you deal with people like that?  Let them get the last word.  Post that it is too bad that they have taken a dislike to your point of view and ignore their following posts.  If you don't respond will they stop posting?  Of course not, it's in their nature.  But if you don't respond you deny them what they need for their next response.  When they find their hunger for conflict is not being satisfied, they will find someplace where their hunger will be satisfied;  someplace else.

 

Those of you with long memories may recognize the above from pre-Alpha.  I couldn't find it with search and it felt like a good time to bring it back.

Very professional OP, too the point and shows integrity with your intentions! A great way of effectively dealing with trolls on this forum!

[Captain_Dilbert]

Often I will engage only long enough to point out the illogical nature of their position.  I don't do this to change the mind of the troll (because usually they don't have a mind worthy of changing), but for the benefit of others reading the exchange...but knowing when to walk away is very, very important.

[SnowDriftTurtle]

I find that the best way to deal with the one you described is to speak your piece and let them either accept it or fight it to the bitter.  If they choose the later, then their own words will make them out for who they are, in which case, it makes you look all the better.

 

Dilbert said it well.

[Trubil]

I report them

[Triela50]

my advice to everyone

[Spyde]

I don't agree with everybody.  Truth to tell, I don't get along with everybody.  But I try to get along.  Case in point: Lazar_Lyusternik and I disagree on quite a few things.  But Lazar has never questioned my intelligence, knowledge, integrity or my right to voice my opinion.  I respect Lazar.  He is a class act. When we differ he will present his argument. I will present mine and we may agree to disagree.  Each of us knows in our heart of hearts that the other is wrong, but we don't beat each other up over it.  My model for conflict resolution:  determine what is right, not who is wrong.  Sometimes there is no resolution.  Oh well.

 

Every once in a while you run into someone who won't let it ride.  They must get the last word.  Often anything you post they will treat as a personal attack and the language may well escalate.  For people like this it is not about what is right, it is about "I AM RIGHT!" Maybe they have an uncontrollable need to leave their mark.  I don't know.  I don't really care.  In the long run it's not my problem.

 

How do you deal with people like that?  Let them get the last word.  Post that it is too bad that they have taken a dislike to your point of view and ignore their following posts.  If you don't respond will they stop posting?  Of course not, it's in their nature.  But if you don't respond you deny them what they need for their next response.  When they find their hunger for conflict is not being satisfied, they will find someplace where their hunger will be satisfied;  someplace else.

 

Those of you with long memories may recognize the above from pre-Alpha.  I couldn't find it with search and it felt like a good time to bring it back.

 

I think i can safely answer this!

 

  People will.. over time see who has good information or bad information, trolls generally have constant bad information.

 

 Do not over argue a point on the forums, post what you think, argue a bit.. and if they don't agree or are flat out wrong.. Just stop replying to that person and go on.. as it will be obvious to other readers.. to see.

 

 Trolls will troll regardless if you reply.. There is no.. if you deny them of their next response.. they will find someplace else to... as a troll will already be looking for that someplace else.

[Captain_Dilbert]

I find that the best way to deal with the one you described is to speak your piece and let them either accept it or fight it to the bitter.  If they choose the later, then their own words will make them out for who they are, in which case, it makes you look all the better.

 

Dilbert said it well.

 

Then you should have up voted his comment 

[compugeek5150]

Quaf's one of the original douchyest of [edited].  No, wait - one of the first *active* advocate to reduce toxic wording towards each other and generally trying to make for forums an enjoyable place to be and not a spurgfest.

 

The transition from (mostly) friendly discussions in alpha (with at least one notable exception I can think of), to open beta was painful for a lot of us alphas.  The flood of new personalities and opinions (many of which were frankly a waste of space), meant the alphas that stuck around and continued to be active had to continuously advocate the "hey, don't be a [edited]" ethos.  I got tired of it really.  Spurgs will spurg.  You can't force a preteen or manchild to adult.  Quaffer's tireless efforts along with about 5 others I can think of that're still active should honestly be recognized and universally praised.

I salute you, oh tireless advocate of the antitoxic!  o7

[Stauffenberg44]

I\m not going to jump on the PC bandwagon here. Everyone needs to vent, and do, those that are honest about it. Venting can come off as trolling to others. Those with a conscience will feel bad about it after. Such is life.

 

Playing competitively produces repeating frustrations, especially when you stumble into epic fail situations, as you invariably do. This energy needs to vent and blame some external force, agent or person, and it will discharge itself towards human opponents as readily as an uncooperative pinball machine.

 

That's why I (usually, not always) am able to step back from it, understanding it. Spittle-flying diatribes, epithet paroxysms, the tearing out of hair, hammering of fists on the nearest guilty object, the spewing forth of the most toxic insults--an atavistic howl discharging and arcing out of your overheated hypothalamus --these are all bound to occur in situations that would drive a saint to put the boot into something... anything.

 

Fortunately this inner Hyde/troll quickly sinks back into the primordial ooze of your daemonic lower self, the anger passes, and indeed the entire reason you got so upset fades quite quickly for most. You can "reconstruct your social personage" and attempt a convincing display of sportsmanship. Start wishing everyone a great battle or great day. Your troll episode has passed.

 

The moral of the story: it's all part of being human and I would imagine the worst sort of hell to be marketed as PC heaven, where everyone is unfailingly polite and all the discontents and grumblers have been effectively quarantined and eliminated under the Happiness Act.

 

[13th_Earl_White_Haven]

I\m not going to jump on the PC bandwagon here. Everyone needs to vent, and do, those that are honest about it. Venting can come off as trolling to others. Those with a conscience will feel bad about it after. Such is life.

 

Playing competitively produces repeating frustrations, especially when you stumble into epic fail situations, as you invariably do. This energy needs to vent and blame some external force, agent or person, and it will discharge itself towards human opponents as readily as an uncooperative pinball machine.

 

That's why I (usually, not always) am able to step back from it, understanding it. Spittle-flying diatribes, epithet paroxysms, the tearing out of hair, hammering of fists on the nearest guilty object, the spewing forth of the most toxic insults--an atavistic howl discharging and arcing out of your overheated hypothalamus --these are all bound to occur in situations that would drive a saint to put the boot into something... anything.

 

Fortunately this inner Hyde/troll quickly sinks back into the primordial ooze of your daemonic lower self, the anger passes, and indeed the entire reason you got so upset fades quite quickly for most. You can "reconstruct your social personage" and attempt a convincing display of sportsmanship. Start wishing everyone a great battle or great day. Your troll episode has passed.

 

 

I agree that everyone vents but I think the people that the op is referring to are repeat offenders who are almost never positive and just generally _-bags.

[Turbotush]

What gets me are the arrogant butt heads that are good in this game, and feel it is there right to blast anyone that voices there opinion or makes a wrong move.

I know of some really good players that can make a winning battle about as fun as a colonoscopy.

 

Then there is the forum, what a joy it is to read somebody's post only to watch him get blasted for some small error in his thinking or style.  It gets old.

 

I wish people would pretend that they where in someones house sitting face to face with the person (they are posting to, playing with or messaging) over a beer.  I wounder how polite people would be it they had to look you in the eye, as they called you a "Coward", "Camper" or "Idiot noob".

[Stauffenberg44]

I wish people would pretend that they where in someones house sitting face to face with the person (they are posting to, playing with or messaging) over a beer.  I wounder how polite people would be it they had to look you in the eye, as they called you a "Coward", "Camper" or "Idiot noob".

 

Still, it's venting, and it's endemic to the anonymity of the web--firing off crap because you are largely unaccountable ("pay no attention to the man behind the curtain!")

[56Bravo]

Agreed.  At the end of the day I often have to sit back and imagine whomever I'm arguing or being trolled by standing in front of me saying whatever it is that they are saying.  I just have to laugh at that point and hopefully will have moved on before making too much of a fool of myself in the dialog.

 

As for the OP, this is a case in point of the concept of respect.  It is not a right.  It is a state given to you by others, and very few people will give of their own respect unless you give some in return.  Naturally that is not to say that I'm in anyway good at giving or receiving respect, but I do try.

[Turbotush]

 

Still, it's venting, and it's endemic to the anonymity of the web--firing off crap because you are largely unaccountable ("pay no attention to the man behind the curtain!")

 

I agree, I am ok with venting, I get that we can get frustrated at times.  I dot agree that this game is as anonymis as you think.  They have events and meetings where players can say hello in person to some of the people in this game.  I enjoy talking to some of the players on the team chats that I have only seen in the game as a faceless name.

 

I guess as an old guy, I just wish that we got mad at each other, but still got along.

[Turbotush]

......and BTW, I look like my avatar pic......just saying.

 

[Stauffenberg44]

I guess as an old guy, I just wish that we got mad at each other, but still got along.

 

I am too, and vehement disagreement is fine, just pass on the ad hominems please.

 

Edit: and I look nothing like mine. ;)

[SnowDriftTurtle]

 

Then you should have up voted his comment 

 

Well maybe I will, alright?  

[Captain_Dilbert]

What gets me are the arrogant butt heads that are good in this game, and feel it is there right to blast anyone that voices there opinion or makes a wrong move.

I know of some really good players that can make a winning battle about as fun as a colonoscopy.

 

Then there is the forum, what a joy it is to read somebody's post only to watch him get blasted for some small error in his thinking or style.  It gets old.

 

I wish people would pretend that they where in someones house sitting face to face with the person (they are posting to, playing with or messaging) over a beer.  I wounder how polite people would be it they had to look you in the eye, as they called you a "Coward", "Camper" or "Idiot noob".

 

The thought of having the opportunity to eviscerate face to face some of the trolls on the forum and trolls in the game....it gives me goosbumps...I have found that most folks who are trolls fold like a cheap suitcase when actually confronted...too bad it rarely happens.

[aether_tech]

 

The thought of having the opportunity to eviscerate face to face some of the trolls on the forum and trolls in the game....it gives me goosbumps...I have found that most folks who are trolls fold like a cheap suitcase when actually confronted...too bad it rarely happens.

Thats rather psychotic thinking.

[scerviche178]

Grow thicker skin and stop being a wuss.

[The_GoDDfather]

Trolls are like walnuts, find the weak point and crack it.

[Captain_Dilbert]

Thats rather psychotic thinking.

 

Please do elaborate?  Was it the goosebumps comment (okay, possibly psychotic...I'll ask my shrink..no you won't...YES WE WILL! now stop talking while we type) or the willingness to confront people and have them actually defend their ideas?

[Ghostdog1355]

What gets me are the arrogant butt heads that are good in this game, and feel it is there right to blast anyone that voices there opinion or makes a wrong move.

I know of some really good players that can make a winning battle about as fun as a colonoscopy.

 

Then there is the forum, what a joy it is to read somebody's post only to watch him get blasted for some small error in his thinking or style.  It gets old.

 

I wish people would pretend that they where in someones house sitting face to face with the person (they are posting to, playing with or messaging) over a beer.  I wounder how polite people would be it they had to look you in the eye, as they called you a "Coward", "Camper" or "Idiot noob".

 

Well said. My dad always told me this "Some people just feed off being negative".