Internet 'trolls' taint message boards for many

[LoZoccolo]

I first heard the term "troll" nearly a half-century ago, when I heard an adaptation of the Norwegian fairy tale, "Three Billy Goats Gruff." If I recall, the ending was sanitized, with the eldest goat simply butting the troll out of the story (rather than poking out his eyes and crushing him into troll powder).

In the mid- to late 1960s, troll dolls -- whimsical, big-eyed figures with long, frizzed-out hair -- were the rage among pre-teen and teen girls.

Now, in the 21st century, we are dealing with trolls of a different sort.

http://www.thonline.com/article.cfm?id=274104

[stray cat]

1. It is awfully easy to call everyone you disagree with a troll rather than wondering if people

can have opinions other than your own and not be a troll

[JuniperLea]

5. Trolls do that!

The rest of us have TrollDar... and your lack of a profile is making mine tingle:)

[whistler162]

16. I watch for overly designed peace signs as a tell!

;)

[JuniperLea]

37. Haha!

Damn hippies... can't trust them!

;)

[Sebastian Doyle]

18. Never mind the lack of profile

sometimes, it's more obvious than that, like a "lack of a single pro-Democratic response to ANY topic".

[liberalhistorian]

28. Yes, and there are several 1,000-plus posters here who

fit that description and it makes me wonder why they're still here.

[QC]

35. Yes, the neverending stream of right wing talking points is a strong clue. n/t

[HeresyLives]

8. Yeah, I think that's most of it.

Simple disagreement, and suddenly the accusation of 'troll' is made.

Sheer silliness.

[bvar22]

33. Its for people who can't debate The ISSUES.

"Centrism/BiPartisanship"...because its so EASY!
You don't have to STAND for ANYTHING,
And get to insult those who do!!!
:party:

[TexasObserver]

2. What?! There's trolls? On the intertubes?!

[walldude]

3. ....

:rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl::rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl::rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl:
:rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl::rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl::rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl:
:rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: ::rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: : :rofl: :rofl:

NO COMMENT.

[Warren Stupidity]

4. There is something oddly familiar about this OP.

[xultar]

6. Rofl

[Sebastian Doyle]

20. Kind of a "silent lucidity" to his posts, isn't there?

:hide:

[LoZoccolo]

22. I read what OMC posted on the conservative board, and I get what he was trying to do here...

...but I think his fatal mistake was relying on personal attacks to get it done. I think he's a genuine mainstream/moderate Democrat who got frustrated with some of the flakiness that goes on with netroots politics, but whether it was anger getting to him or just picking a bad strategy, it ended up doing him in. I have some of the same sentiments but I really don't think I can embarass anyone out of their opinion by calling them names; I think it's better to get them to embarass themselves by asking the right questions in the right scenario.

[liberalhistorian]

34. I actually have to agree here.

He did have many good points, but I think he was too bombastic too often. He may not have intended it, but personal attacks and nastiness are usually not good ways to get a point across and get people to listen to you.

[REP]

7. The writer of the essay is a bit behind the curve, no?

Internet troll has been on the 'net longer than I have, which is about 20 years.

[Bjorn Against]

9. As soon as I opened this thread I felt the taint

[REP]

10. Ewww, taint-feeler.

:-)

[pipoman]

21. How'd that do for 'ya?

[LostInAnomie]

24. Did you at least wash your hands before you posted?

[Name removed]

11. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[L0oniX]

12. So uhm ...when are they going to start charging for going over the bridge?

[tnlefty]

13. Totally off topic, but that little

bug like thing frequently gets me. I start poking my finger on the computer screen trying to mash it until I remember that it's yours.:rofl:

[MadHound]

14. And here I thought that irony was a lost art LZ

Thanks for proving me wrong.

:rofl:

[laughingliberal]

25. +1 nt

[Individualist]

32. +1

[Bluebear]

15. Special interest topic for you?

:)

[Hestia]

17. Weren't they called Rat Finks in the 1960s? Not that the term doesn't still apply

[Sebastian Doyle]

26. Rat Fink yeah yeah yeah yeah yeah!!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OZTxv4Uivvg

[havocmom]

19. Troll, Mouse, Cookies: All just part of the interwebs experience

And I tend to agree with those who point out 'troll' is often the charge for simply disagreeing with some.

Also seems a big topic with some. Reminds me of Shakespeare or sumtin.

[pipoman]

23. I like Virginia Ham and Redeye Gravy../

[Bobbie Jo]

27. I rec all LoZoccolo OP's.

Does that make me a troll, or a rebel?

Yes, I'm the one. I have a soft spot for underdogs. :shrug:

[QC]

29. My taint is bored. n/t

[Bluebear]

31. Either you are or taint. nt

[QC]

36. Taint much going on tonight. n/t

[eShirl]

30. I guess you missed the D&D craze of the 70s & 80s

[nemo137]

38. Interestingly enough, internet trolls regenerate, too.

fire and acid have no effect.