Article: I'm Not A Troll Just Because

[vanillacourage]

You Don't Agree With Me

Thought this was interesting in light of all the kerfluffle on ML lately.


On the off chance you have trouble spotting a pattern in that list, let me offer this helpful rule, a definition for troll circa 2012. Anytime you don’t like something someone else is saying, or even if you do like what he’s saying but think he might be saying it the wrong way, there’s a very good chance you’re dealing with a troll. This could be true even if the guy is making an argument that purports to bolster your position—in that case, he may be a “concern troll.” The corollary to making this identification is that you’re free to ignore him, per the universal troll-handling guidelines: Don’t feed him! (Although I should note that no one does this; Google overflows with the phrase “I know I shouldn't feed the troll …")

Or, on the other hand, let me suggest something somewhat unconventional, maybe even downright #slatepitchy. What if all these people aren’t trolls? What if they’re just, you know, disagreeable or stupid or merely wrong? What if, despite holding opinions that you don’t like, and despite expressing those opinions in a manner that seems a tad impolite, they came by their views honestly?


Link
www.slate.com/articles/technology/technology/2012/12/i_m_not_a_troll_why_does_everyone_on_the_internet_keep_calling_me_one.html

[Roc A Bee]

What's going on over at ML?

[Deleted]

On a related note: I'm glad that more newspapers are requiring real names to go with comments. Hopefully it will cut down on some of the terrible comments people make. Someone yesterday on the New York Times refused to believe Kate Middleton was really sick because "I drank ginger ale and I felt better."