Grrr trolling...

I get so sick of looking on the 'most activity in the last 48 hrs' on the main page, and seeing that it is mainly taken up by such posts as '30D is C* p, I'm selling all my lenses and buying Nikon'. Etcetera, ad nauseum. These posts don't bother me that much in themselves, what really gets me is that people bite, and reply with righteous indignation, flame, abuse whatever. Why feed them? All they want is attention. The little thrill of seeing their post reach 150 on the main page, most of which are pointless bickering by people who forget their manners because they are anonymous.

Now I understand that a SMALL number of these posts are genuine, but most are by malevolent stirrers who probably don't even own the gear in question.

I propose that we all ignore them. I would love to see these posts slowly slide down the page into oblivion, with '1 posts' and the little red asterix beside them.
Please, don't feed the trolls.
--
Be here now.

I get that... but you and I both know it won't help.

There will always be trolls and people will always feed them. Learning to ignore the riff-raff instead of letting it get to you is far better.

nikt said:

I get so sick of looking on the 'most activity in the last 48 hrs'
on the main page, and seeing that it is mainly taken up by such
posts as '30D is C* p, I'm selling all my lenses and buying Nikon'.
Etcetera, ad nauseum. These posts don't bother me that much in
themselves, what really gets me is that people bite, and reply with
righteous indignation, flame, abuse whatever. Why feed them? All
they want is attention. The little thrill of seeing their post
reach 150 on the main page, most of which are pointless bickering
by people who forget their manners because they are anonymous.
Now I understand that a SMALL number of these posts are genuine,
but most are by malevolent stirrers who probably don't even own the
gear in question.
I propose that we all ignore them. I would love to see these posts
slowly slide down the page into oblivion, with '1 posts' and the
little red asterix beside them.
Please, don't feed the trolls.
--
Be here now.

Click to expand...

Yes, I suppose so. Venting a little, and trying to raise the standard a little. Perhaps we could have a new forum called Canon/Nikon trolling and flaming deathmatch? But there is a ring of thuth in your words 'you and I both know it won't help...'
Keep being nice, thanks.
--
Be here now.

I think it's a matter of education, some people might not know how to deal with a troll or know what a troll really is.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Internet_troll

Everyone should read that article to get a better understanding of what alot of those posts are trying to do.
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http://www.flickr.com/photos/gafoto/ - Gettin' it Done with the Drebel

First off, I am guilty of slamming people when looking back I think they were simply trying to provoke a reaction. I think most of us are. I am trying to be better about that.

Second, it won't stop and not all of it is trolling. Some of it is simply regular people. It's human nature and part of the process of learning. When you are no longer a newbie and actually know a little bit... it's very hard to make that leap to realization that you don't know much at all... even though accepting that is what allows you to move on to a master photographer. Overcoming the ego is key.. the flame wars simply part of it.

It's simply "thinking outside of the box" - breaking the restraints of your mind.

In the end, on some level, I think the bickering helps. I've realized I bite into it.. and I'm growing from it trying to stop... I hope everyone else is too. I hope others can respect that, and I'm hoping it won't keep people off the boards.

--
-Sean

Gallery: http://www.seanrose.com

you will eventually get frustrated trying to change people on the internet and realize the only thing you can change is yourself or your participation.

i.e., don't read the stuph that bugs you. there may be a "burger king" forum somewhere on the net (have it your way) but i've yet to find it.

ed rader

--



'One often has mixed feelings about relatives, but few people could identify serious problems in their relationships with dogs.'

-- Anonymous

let's all change because sean's doing it! sorry, buddy i couldn't help it .

ed rader

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'One often has mixed feelings about relatives, but few people could identify serious problems in their relationships with dogs.'

-- Anonymous

and forget it. Why would anyone get upset over a forum post?

Thanks for the link, Gafoto very instructive, and the perfect thing to post given the circumstances. I have never come across wikipedia before... it is amazing, thanks.
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Be here now.

as a high school teacher. Some kids do things that are dumb knowing full well that people will tell them not to do it. It's all about attention. One of my students threatened to quit marching band. None of the other girls cared. So she resorted to acting like she was suffering from heat exhaustion and "almost fainted." We took care of her, but I made sure only one person was looking after her. In about an hour, and after she refused to call home to leave school, she went back out to practice, and never again threated to quit (or fainted, for that matter). Last year, she also had a "sprained ankle." When I told her she couldn't march in the competition if she was injured, she receive a "miracle" within five minutes.

Hard to believe I teach high school and not elementary. Don't feed the trolls, and they will move on.

Yes, Sean. some of it is 'just regular people'. But I believe, and I have no proof, just an historically accurate nose for bulls* t, that too much is trolling, attention seeking. And yes, I congratulate you upon trying to part with bad habits, personal growth is to be found there. You say that the flame wars are simply part of it. This assertion can be backed up easily with evidence. What I am saying is this: perhaps it doesn't have to be. Ignore a 3 year olds' tantrum, and they will soon find out that it doesn't work. I also agree that overcoming ego is the key... to everything. See my byline below.

Be here now.

I don't get particularly upset by it. I have never replied to bait, never flamed, never fed them. I do just move on. And in the spirit of community I would like to encourage everyone else to do the same. What I would like is that the general 'tone' be made a little more positive here. Don't say anything to anyone you wouldn't say to their face etc.
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Be here now.

Would anyone like to speculate as to the mean age of the troller? Are they all 17 and lonely? Or am I simplifying too much? What do you all think?
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Be here now.

--
Jürgen aus Boden, Schweden.
http://art.microsaft.com

The only thing you cant do in Europe - Engalnd is incite religeous or racial hatred + assult somes character is not permitted also.

As for everything else, just rise above it, if it helps use "sticks and stones might break my bones, but........"

That reminds me I'm not with stupid! (PSB's)