do trolls have value | Arthritis Information

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A big amen to that!

 
I'm one of those lurkers, I read here mainly, but after this last round of chaos I had to speak up and frankly didn't care if I was attacked.
 
People who come here with the sole intent to disrupt the board ruin it for the rest of us.
I'm with you, Snow. It is actually kind of scary that so many people think it is okay to speak so rudely and make caustic comments. This is unacceptable behavior. I am shaking my head over this one. Why do they want to disrupt our board? We are just trying to support each other and share ideas.

Peace,
VGreat observation/question, Snow. IMHO, all people have a God-given right to dignity and respect. Some people only think of themselves...they really are not interested in helping others. They must be really miserable inside, and they want to make others miserable, too. That is my take on it, anyway. People would find so much joy if they would put themselves out there and help others. There are so many people in need. There are lots of different ways to help others. Everyone has an opportunity to do something...even if it is just going out of their way to be pleasnt to store clerks, and courteous to other drivers.P.S. I am really sorry about the loss of your friend, Snow. Sounds like your life is better for having known this person who is no longer with us here on this earth.Trolls don't exist in my world....I know that may be an odd statement but it's true.  I don't allow them in, I don't acknowledge their existence by responding directly to them.  I do respond and offer comfort and advice to the forum members who aren't here to accuse, attack and otherwise cause mayhem.  It may or may not be the correct way but it's my way and it works for me.  If it becomes too uncomfortable and too accusatory then I'll just take a little break from the forum.  When they get bored with us I'll return.  I'll pm people and not lose contact.  My sig line tells what's in my heart and mind not how I respond to trolls.
 
There are many truths in your post Snow.  Everyone thinks it's all right to attack, criticize, condemn and defile one another just to make a point or win an argument.  Words are all we have for communication and when we debase our ways of communicating we'll not be heard truthfully.  It doesn't matter if it's a health forum, politics, newsprint, radio or TV.
 
Lindy
Dearest Snow,
 
You always are the voice of reason with your wise words here.
 
I'm so sorry about the loss of your friend.
 
I'm glad you are still here.  You've helped me so much through some very difficult times recently 
 
Take care my friend,
 
Lynn
 
 
Very well thought out Snow, thanks for your insite
gutch

I'm reluctant to post to this thread but - No, trolls don't have any value whatsoever! Except to make genuine posters stand by each other.  Snow, I think this post of yours is very sensitive and has touched me to reply. I haven't posted for some time now, but I still visit the forum on occasion, just because I like you all!  Some of you may not even remember or know me - but I'm around, and I'm doing OK!!

It really saddens me to read personal attacks on our members.  But as you say, they are a fact of life these days. I was attacked on here myself a couple of years ago and yes, it really hurts!  I told myself so many times that it shouldn't, but yes, it does! And it hurts me just as much to see others attacked! 
 
But I have seen so many times -  that if we respond to these people,(and I was guilty of that too) we are giving them some kind of a thrill - even pleasure, and an unintended invitation to carry it further!  It's really hard to ignore an insulting post, and we all want to jump to the victims defence, but are we really doing our "victims" any favours when we make such a response? 
 
After reading your post Snow, I've just thought of something! Perhaps a supportive PM to the "Victim" letting them know we care, and totally ignoring the trolls might just allow that particular thread to die a natural death, and leave them as the last posted entry!! Just let their name come up on the last post list, they may not even go there unless they see a new addition!  They may start on someone else, but just use that same strategy each time one appears! 
 
Not responding works - there is no mileage in it for the unhappy and damaged people that post offensive messages - they WANT and NEED our angry feedback and reaction! It's a bit like ignoring a toddlers tantrum.  And a tantrum won't happen without an audience! It's hard not to respond, we all know that, but by totally ignoring and making no reaction at all to negative posts on the forum, we are not feeding their ego with anger and words - rather we are very clearly showing our support of the "victim". 
 
Showing that we care in a private message to the "victim" will let him or her know that anything these trolls post is not going to change the respect and empathy we feel towards each of us who suffer with RA, and who support each other through the good times and bad!
 
The only other thing I would suggest - block them on our PM list as well! No rewards for them!!
 
Jeanne
"It saddens me to see how many views a troll's posting gets, and how many legitimate posts go unanswered, or even unseen."
 
We need to make a conscientious effort to keep the legit. posts seen and answered even if we don't have much to offer that poster.  At least keep  the post active so it doesn't get lost in among the crap that's been posted rececently.  If we all try and do that we'll be successful in getting posts answered in a timely manner.  Lindy
 
Thanks Snow, and Lin B, you make a very good point, something I didn't think of!  Thanks. We'll just scroll down past them, and mentally thumb our nose!!
 
Jeanne
The Internet has created terrific methods for people to communicate, and some of that communication is really "publishing" (for example on a forum).   Having the right and the means to publish gives people tremendous power.

Sadly some people don't understand that with great power comes great responsibility.

Roland

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