| re: How to Deal with Trolls
My understanding was that you should keep them posting until the sun came up
....
Darryl Kerkeslager
"David Emme" <demme@pobox.com> wrote in message
news:cjsirp$87u$0$demme@theriver.com@216.39.176.44 @theriver.com@theriver.com...[color=blue]
> From an openoffice.org mailing list:
> =====
>
> Greetings,
>
> At the users list, we don't check people's backgrounds before
> subscription. There is always a chance that a troll might appear on the
> list.
>
> How do you deal with trolls?
>
> You ignore them.
>
> Yes, I'm serious. Let me explain.
>
> A troll is not interested in resolution. A troll enjoys the argument
> itself. The troll's goal is to infuriate you, and keep the argument
> going as long as possible. Outside the internet community, these people
> are known as "antagonists". This is a real mental condition, not a
> personality trait. There are people who honestly enjoy seeing a fight
> and provoking people.
>
> Whenever you respond to a troll, you are playing into his hands. You are
> doing exactly what he wants. To respond to a troll post is to give the
> troll the satisfaction of knowing that he's got you. And the troll will
> also know that he can get you again.
>
> To respond to a trolling post is to encourage the troll.
>
> Trolls are prone to two logical falacies in their arguments:
>
> 1) Straw man:
>
> Creating a caricature of your argument (this is the straw man)
> and attacking that, instead of your actual argument.
>
> Example:
>
> A: Please clean your side of the room.
> B: Oh, so now I have to do everything you say?
>
> 2) Ad hominem:
>
> Attacking the person, instead of the argument.
>
> Example:
>
> A: I support gun control.
> B: Well obviously you are a moron.
>
>
> These two logical fallacies, as incorrect as they are, are difficult to
> counter. An argumenter who uses them can maintain an argument almost
> indefinitely. Furthermore, he can easily increase the heat of the
> argument and frustrate you.
>
> The troll is not interested in a resolution to the argument. In fact, he
> will avoid it at all cost. His satisfaction derives from seeing you lose
> your cool. The only way to handle a troll is to not give him this
> satisfaction. This may not stop the post, but it will at least put a cap
> on them. Furthermore, it will make it easier to expose the troll, so one
> can then consider banishment from the list.
>
> Please consider these points carefully before replying to the next
> trolling post you see here, or anywhere else for that matter.
>
> Thank you for your time.
>
> --
> "Sometimes what seems to be enough smoke to guarantee a robust
> fire is actually just a cloud of dust from a passing bandwagon."
> - Daniel Dennett[/color]
| 
