I had a troll on the blog the other day, I knew he was a troll because he called me names and swore at me.
I assumed that my troll had failed to read my comment policy.
Poor Troll.
So I gave him a sporting chance by mentioning my comment policy to him.
*crickets*
So I went ahead and followed through with my promise, clearly outlined in said comment policy.
Lots of people are very quick to call anyone who puts forward a differing opinion, a troll. A classic case recently was Joe Hockey, calling people Labour Trolls, when in fact I wasn’t trolling Joe, I was disagreeing with him publicly. Anyone that knows me, knows I do not vote Labor and so if I was to use Joe Hockey’s terms of reference, it was Joe who was actually being the troll by insulting me online.
It is a slippery slope.
My personal definition of a Troll is someone who comes onto a blog with the express purpose of flinging abuse, disrupting the comments and generally being an annoying, useless, fucknuckle, who contributes nothing of worth to the conversation.
If we make our terms of reference too broad, there is the real danger that all debate on blogs will be stifled. One minute we will be having a polite discussion and then BAM cries of Troll! Troll! echo through the interwebs and all hopes of a decent conversation have flown out the window, in favour of a witch hunt, which whilst mildly entertaining for the assorted onlookers, always ends up lowering the tone of the joint.
All this troll talk has reminded me of some rather nice photos I took of the underside of the Bowen Bridge the other day.
Trolls and Bridges, Internet, trolls and bridges.
Happy New Year.
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Why yes, they are lovely photos Kim.
Your troll has low intelligence to take you on. You on the other hand, are highly intelligent, not to mention highly amusing. …and yes, I do think that is what ultimately defines a troll – stupid people with too much time on their hands whose only outlet for their own depression is to try to hurt others. …. and life is far too short for that shit.
Well, it’s only fair. You did warn them after all. Bloody funny too.
I love the bridge photos, especially the first one. That’s magnificent.
Your bridges look sturdy, with tons of concrete, yet they’re pretty, too. Happy New Year! Not sure whether we will brave Chatham’s first night celebrations, or just stay home, as usual. We are getting some real winter weather… soon comes ice fishing!
I love the bridge photo. In summer, I often do my best to become a troll, and only come out at night. I will do my best to remain a mannerly troll. Health and happiness to you and yours for 2013 Kim – and thank you for being you.
I love the shots under the bridge!
And your troll gave up way too quickly. I was enjoying your edits!
LOVE those 2 bridge photos… the texture and weathering of the concrete, the form, the play of light and shade… really magnifique! As to your troll… oh dear… haven’t seen the actual thread but can’t agree with you more… why are these miserable people so intent on spreading their misery… like the saying goes ‘if you don’t have anything nice to say then don’t say anything at all’… however, in saying that, I do believe in and enjoy a good intelligent discussion… just no need to spiral downwards into name-calling, etc… but as usual you have delighted us with your story!