WoV Clean Air Act

A proposal for the forum, RE: Trolls.

Seems to be the topic of the week, what with the new lows to which we have sunk. In reading teddys (I think it was yours) thread on repeated alias for perpetually banned persons, it seems there are a lot of opinions. Most of us here prefer discussion, prefer enlightment, and even prefer to argue when arguing is done in a gentlemanly fashion. There even seems to be a minority that enjoys people like Singerryicioustut, as they 'stir things up'. I'll admit, I somewhat enjoy the theatre as well, up until the point of cheering family death and proposing fisticuffs as if we were back in the high school cafeteria. When things reach this point, I feel we are all taken down a peg.

Sure, there are measures to avoid this. The block feature's there (although it messes with the flow of a thread) the flag-and-remove feature is there (likewise interupts the flow) and of course, The Wiz can send folks into oblivion. Yet with all these features, we have had what I consider to be the worst pile of filth I've ever seen, which was the Suspension thread and especially the embodiment of repulsion that was the PM's to Nareed. I'd wish to never see this type of behavior again, nor would I like to see this site resemble the link that highlighted a battle between Singer and Arcimedes.

What can be done? Sure, I'd like The Wiz to have one of them IP blocking doohickeys (I'm tech dumb, 'doohickey' is the correct term, no?) but really. I don't expect The Wiz to invest even more time and money into a site of info and entertainment for the sole purpose in making us behave like adults. It's borderline offensive, IMO. I would propose we establish a code of ignorance. A troll's sole purpose is to disrupt, to inflame, to incite. A troll cares not how you are bothered but only that you are bothered. If we can safely assume JL1 and 2, helacious, Altut, arcimedes, etc are all one person, then just look at that example. He was on Nareed's case about TGness because TG is who Nareed is. He was on JimMorrisons case of gambling for a living because that's what JM does. He bagged on athiests and tooted his hyper-religion horn to drive mkl nuts. And of course, since most here are knowledgable and make it a point to debunk shams, he hopped on the Singer bandwagon which was guaranteed to rile a great deal of people here. My point is, no matter what the issue, if someone voiced a strong opinion on it, it was probable that this person would come back with an opposing ideal and voice it in an inappropriate manner for the sole purpose of harming the individual.

I say we ignore the person. And I mean IGNORE. No bitching to each other about the person (that notifies the troll you're affected), no telling the troll he's blocked (another notification) no quoting the troll (unless in PM to The Wiz), just pure ignorance. Most here are aware enough to spot a troll when they see them. Most here can argue and discuss disagreements in a civil manner. mrjjj touts a system not many believe in, yet there hasn't been a big dust up about it. tuttigym also, I'm not sure what that hoax thread is about, but no one dropped the gloves in the course of discussing it. And good ol 98steps, he seems to be flying into the face of an eternities worth of mathematics, but damned if he wasn't proper in doing so. These people are definately not trolls, and these discussions are great. Arguing is great. Opposition is great. But arguing and debating a troll is not only fruitless, it is bound to bring the other person down. I've heard many who were involved say just that... "admittedly, I said some things I shouldn't have..." why let them do that? You people, the senior members, the one's who have shown who they are, you guys don't need to defend yourself. We see the trolls for who they are. If 'MrX' says "hey DJTeddy, blah, blah, blah, badwords, insult, hahaha" I dont think DJTeddy is badwords, insult, hahaha, I think MrX is a D-bag. If DJTeddy then bites his thumb at MrX and farts in his general direction, who reputation does that hurt?

Maybe I'm out of line. I'm surely not intending to point fingers, I'm just not digging the level to which this has been taken lately. I'd just personally love to see these types of people not given the time of day. Feel free to comment back, I'd not mind the lesson.

If I reply to this does that mean that I'm recognizing that there are trolls?

Hehe, I haven't made a single troll post yet specifically for that reason. However, I thought that maybe this could help and felt it worth breaking my record. It's kind of like drinking your own piss in the desert. Once might help you. Any more than that and it just hurts. =)

I made a few, then just stopped. It wasn't worth my time. Trolls are things. It is a mistake to anthropomorphize them and engage them as if they were humans.

Quote: Mosca

I made a few, then just stopped. It wasn't worth my time. Trolls are things. It is a mistake to anthropomorphize them and engage them as if they were humans.

They sure don't look human to me.

Quote: FarFromVegas

They sure don't look human to me.

This is closer to the actual thing.

Quote: Face

Most here are aware enough to spot a troll when they see them. Most here can argue and discuss disagreements in a civil manner.
...
You people, the senior members, the one's who have shown who they are, you guys don't need to defend yourself. We see the trolls for who they are.

I don't know about other senior members (and I assume that I qualify as a senior member), but I had no idea about these trolls / alternate personalities until after someone else started the accusations.

Quote: Face

If 'MrX' says "hey DJTeddy, blah, blah, blah, badwords, insult, hahaha" I dont think DJTeddy is badwords, insult, hahaha, I think MrX is a D-bag. If DJTeddy then bites his thumb at MrX and farts in his general direction, who reputation does that hurt?

I frankly don't know if you're talking about me or Teddy. Teddy, as I recall, was involved in the troll wars. I kinda kept out of it, until after arcimedes Coming Clean thread, where I posted, what I hope people agree was a civilized comment about the whole thing. That said, I have no idea if this comment was about me or not, or if it is me, if I should feel insulted or not!

On a somewhat unrelated note, some years ago, my brother and I got into an argument. Having no remaining points with which to win, he said, "Aw, blow it out your ass." So I farted!

I know the best thing to do is ignore but I do have a temper and quite frankly yesterday I was bored.

That is of course the best way to deal with the problem. However, it is has been suggested at least 100 times, but we keep feeding the trolls. I have to admit I share some blame.

Often trolls start out fairly civilized, earning trust, and then gradually reveal their true nature. Once webmaster JB finishes with the Wizard of Odds clean up I will direct attention to adding features and fine tuning this site. Still, no matter what I do, the trolls will figure out a way to evade the defenses. Like spam filters, the more security I pile on, the more it can catch legitimate members and posts as well. I might add that trolls can also easily evade IP filters by going to anyplace with free WiFi.

Meanwhile, I encourage everyone to resist the temptation to respond to trolls, and to use the flagging feature with care.

Quote: Wizard

Meanwhile, I encourage everyone to resist the temptation to respond to trolls

The thing you're missing here is a couple of good mod's, besides you and JB. Thats how you control trolls. They can spot them early and take action. The burden is off of you and the trolls soon learn its not worth their time. I nominate Pacomartin or Nareed, they're here all the time and they would be very effective, IMO.