Upon returning from a day or two away from his popular blog, John Scalzi noticed that some troll baiting had been going on. His response is so human, and friendly, and spot-on it’s worth sharing:
* I’m very disappointed that in the previous comment thread, people spent so much time feeding the troll. Really, people: Haven’t I trained you better at this point? Do you really need me to be here and moderate every thread? When someone comes in brandishing several of the Troll Playing Cards™ and slaps them down on the conversational table, don’t you know to walk away? It’s the three-card monte of online conversation: no matter what you say, the troll wins. Please leave trolls alone, won’t you? Even when I’m away? I would appreciate it. Thank you.
Trolling is a state of mind, and it’s useful to remember that when we feed trolls, we’re actually in that state of mind, even if we didn’t “start” it. Remember the tar baby.
/Agreed about the response being the same state of mind. A driver chewed me out while I was commuting to work on my bike the other day and for hours (days?) my mind kept trying to come up with a comeback to put him in his place. I should have just let go.
Posted by soulpiercing | 27. Jan, 2009, 10:18 amHow to be both fully positive and joyful, and yet an advocate of a particular egoic perspective (mine), is my sadhana for the next decade. Just guessing here.
Posted by James | 28. Jan, 2009, 7:05 pm