Low End Derrick
Veteran
Introduction
During your time on the The Coli it's likely you will encounter a forum troll. Understanding the mindset of a troll will Help you to identify and deal with trolls effectively.
Before we begin, though, understand this: the best way to deal with a Troll is to ignore them entirely. They are not worth your time, however you may feel about their comments
What is a Troll?
ALL Trolls crave attention. That is the sole reason they exist - whether or not they want to feel that they have achieved something (even if it is destruction) or to be recognized for doing something deviant, they want just a little attention.
The mentality of a Troll is obvious - he wants a cheap laugh, and that is all. The offense that may be caused is of no concern to him, as are any other ramifications of his actions.
Trolls are a nuisance. They purposefully cause annoyance to other users, but their approach can, and does, vary. Some trolls are obvious, some are not. This wiki attempts to show you some of the different approaches that trolls take - to keep you, as a Coli member, prepared.
Types of Trolls
There's a few typical types of trolls. Some trolls can belong to more than one category or troll in their own unique way that is not covered by one of these conventional types.
The Bored's: Many Trolls just want to be a nuisance. They're kids who aren't mature enough to have a sensible conversation. These Trolls fall under The Bored's category, but that does not necessarily mean that all Trolls are children. Many "mature" adults find enjoyment in Trolling groups.
The Confrontationalists: Responses such as "You're an idiot. You can't even spell." is what the Troll is hoping for. This way, he can draw you into a prolonged argument about who is the bigger idiot. Sensible ways to respond (if you have to at all) are discussed below. Trolls who throw insults across the 'net are Confrontationalists and relish seeing any response that indicates the respondee is wound up, or aggravated by their Trolling.
The Liars:
As soon as you recognize a Liar, don't try to get him to prove his facts - it's impossible across a forum, and he knows this. You may like to try reasoning with him - try to draw him into a sensible conversation, without dropping to his level. But, ultimately, there can be only one way to deal with him: report & ignore him. Do not let yourself be seduced into having an argument over the validity of his "facts".
The Controversials:
Other Trolls will try to draw you into a futile argument by a variety of means, but usually by saying something controversial, or deliberately going against the grain. A Trolls message may be as simple as "Prove that God does not exist" that has been posted to a range of religious threads. A Troll is usually identifiable, as he will often refuse to take a stance on either side - at one time arguing that God exists, and another that He doesn't. These Trolls are Controversials.
How to Deal With Trolls
Ignore Them. Report Them. Put Them on Ignore
While forum staff does not react to every report we receive, if a number of people are reporting the same person we're more likely to take action.
Any other method of dealing with a troll simply validates their existence. Calling them a troll, or calling them stupid and trying to discredit them is exactly the response they are trying to evoke from members.
Trolls revel in their threads lasting such a long time - the longer a thread is, the more legitimate users have been sucked into their little game.
Who is NOT a Troll?
Just because someone has said something you happen to not like, it does not mean that they are a Troll. They may just not like you, or you may have a difference of opinion. It happens! Deal with it.
Other Random Thoughts
In Conclusion
BE CALM - Don't rise to their antagonising attitude.
DON'T LOWER YOURSELF TO THEIR LEVEL - Don't start throwing insults at them. It's what they want.
PAY A COMPLIMENT - It is the last thing they are expecting - and the opposite of what they want.
ENCOURAGE THEM TO JOIN IN - Let them know they have valid points, and make their faults seem like yours.
But, above all else, USE THE REPORT & IGNORE FEATURES - They are there for a reason, and they are your most powerful weapons.
During your time on the The Coli it's likely you will encounter a forum troll. Understanding the mindset of a troll will Help you to identify and deal with trolls effectively.
Before we begin, though, understand this: the best way to deal with a Troll is to ignore them entirely. They are not worth your time, however you may feel about their comments
What is a Troll?
ALL Trolls crave attention. That is the sole reason they exist - whether or not they want to feel that they have achieved something (even if it is destruction) or to be recognized for doing something deviant, they want just a little attention.
The mentality of a Troll is obvious - he wants a cheap laugh, and that is all. The offense that may be caused is of no concern to him, as are any other ramifications of his actions.
Trolls are a nuisance. They purposefully cause annoyance to other users, but their approach can, and does, vary. Some trolls are obvious, some are not. This wiki attempts to show you some of the different approaches that trolls take - to keep you, as a Coli member, prepared.
Types of Trolls
There's a few typical types of trolls. Some trolls can belong to more than one category or troll in their own unique way that is not covered by one of these conventional types.
The Bored's: Many Trolls just want to be a nuisance. They're kids who aren't mature enough to have a sensible conversation. These Trolls fall under The Bored's category, but that does not necessarily mean that all Trolls are children. Many "mature" adults find enjoyment in Trolling groups.
The Confrontationalists: Responses such as "You're an idiot. You can't even spell." is what the Troll is hoping for. This way, he can draw you into a prolonged argument about who is the bigger idiot. Sensible ways to respond (if you have to at all) are discussed below. Trolls who throw insults across the 'net are Confrontationalists and relish seeing any response that indicates the respondee is wound up, or aggravated by their Trolling.
The Liars:
As soon as you recognize a Liar, don't try to get him to prove his facts - it's impossible across a forum, and he knows this. You may like to try reasoning with him - try to draw him into a sensible conversation, without dropping to his level. But, ultimately, there can be only one way to deal with him: report & ignore him. Do not let yourself be seduced into having an argument over the validity of his "facts".
The Controversials:
Other Trolls will try to draw you into a futile argument by a variety of means, but usually by saying something controversial, or deliberately going against the grain. A Trolls message may be as simple as "Prove that God does not exist" that has been posted to a range of religious threads. A Troll is usually identifiable, as he will often refuse to take a stance on either side - at one time arguing that God exists, and another that He doesn't. These Trolls are Controversials.
How to Deal With Trolls
Ignore Them. Report Them. Put Them on Ignore
While forum staff does not react to every report we receive, if a number of people are reporting the same person we're more likely to take action.
Any other method of dealing with a troll simply validates their existence. Calling them a troll, or calling them stupid and trying to discredit them is exactly the response they are trying to evoke from members.
Trolls revel in their threads lasting such a long time - the longer a thread is, the more legitimate users have been sucked into their little game.
Who is NOT a Troll?
Just because someone has said something you happen to not like, it does not mean that they are a Troll. They may just not like you, or you may have a difference of opinion. It happens! Deal with it.
Other Random Thoughts
- An "Internet troll" or "Forum Troll" or "Message Board Troll" is a person who posts outrageous message to bait people to answer. Forum Troll delights in causing disruption on forums. A troll is someone who inspires flaming rhetoric, someone who is purposely provoking and pulling people into arguments.
- While sometimes, he may sound like a stupid, uninformed, ignorant poster, do not be deceived! Some trolls are highly intelligent people trying to hide behind a mask of stupidity and/or ignorance! They usually have an agenda.
- When trolls are ignored they step up their attacks, desperately seeking the attention they crave. Their messages become more and more foul, and they post ever more of them. This is known as troll burnout. Some trolls will be successful when they first join a forum, but their act will fade overtime as users become less interested and tolerant of the troll. Since he is incapable of interacting like a normal forum user he will begin to spiral out of control before eventually being banned.
- Perhaps the most difficult challenge for a webmaster is deciding whether to take steps against a troll that a few people find entertaining. Some trolls do have a creative spark and have chosen to squander it on being disruptive. There is a certain perverse pleasure in watching some of them. Ultimately, though, the webmaster has to decide if the troll actually cares about putting on a good show for the regular participants, or is simply playing to an audience of one -- himself.
- Trolls will often claim they are being singled out or their right to free speech is being violated. Free speech does not apply to a private forum. Anyone is free to speak their mind, just not necessarily on The Coli. If a troll feels he is being censored, he is still welcome to speak his mind on any other social media medium that will tolerate him therefore his claim to his free speech being violated is untrue.
In Conclusion
BE CALM - Don't rise to their antagonising attitude.
DON'T LOWER YOURSELF TO THEIR LEVEL - Don't start throwing insults at them. It's what they want.
PAY A COMPLIMENT - It is the last thing they are expecting - and the opposite of what they want.
ENCOURAGE THEM TO JOIN IN - Let them know they have valid points, and make their faults seem like yours.
But, above all else, USE THE REPORT & IGNORE FEATURES - They are there for a reason, and they are your most powerful weapons.
