Trolling on the Rise. [Archive]

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King Edward

05-06-2005, 11:50

It has been disturbing me recently that there seems to be a rise of Trolling on these boards. I remember when i started visiting the org, it was a much more civilised place (or maybe thats a fantasy i keep in my head about the good ol'days)

The problem with the trolling is not just the posts themselves but the angry reactions they invoke in normally calm and level headed orgites. (It annoy's me to see people baited this way into slagging matches and makes parts of otherwise interesting threads go way off topic)

Anyways i dont really have a solution to this problem, I just wished to voice my concern. I don't envy some of our brave (crazy? ~;) ) mods in controlling this. :disappointed:

Gregoshi

05-06-2005, 14:58

King Edward

05-06-2005, 15:08

Shutting the Backroom down for a few days has been done before has it not? It does give people a break from the same old arguements being thrown back and forth but is also a tad harsh on the majority of patrons who do behave themselves.

From what I have observed recently the debates on topic have actually been quite well behaved and civil but occasionally they get personal and then nasty and before long people arnt even arguing over the topics at hand rather just getting into a slagging match a a game of one-up-manship.

As I said before I dont know how to address this but I'm sure im not the only one who has noticed it.

ichi

05-06-2005, 16:07

It has been disturbing me recently that there seems to be a rise of Trolling on these boards.

I wonder if you would cite a link to a few of the threads where trolls have appeared and gotten a reaction.

I don't doubt you, but I'd like to compare notes.

ichi :bow:

King Edward

05-06-2005, 16:12

Hi Ichi, I'd rather not post links to the threads involved as i dont want to Publicly accuse anyone as i don't feel it is my place to do so.

I hope you can undestand this.

Productivity

05-06-2005, 17:36

Hi Ichi, I'd rather not post links to the threads involved as i dont want to Publicly accuse anyone as i don't feel it is my place to do so.

I hope you can undestand this.

Use the report this post button when you see them? Probably would be the best way to deal with it (something I probably should do more as well).

Byzantine Prince

05-06-2005, 20:24

It has been disturbing me recently that there seems to be a rise of Trolling on these boards.
Me too. :sad:

ichi

05-07-2005, 00:01

Hi Ichi, I'd rather not post links to the threads involved as i dont want to Publicly accuse anyone as i don't feel it is my place to do so.

I hope you can undestand this.

Quite understandable, feel free to send a pm or use the report function. I'm not asking for any reason other than I would like to know what threads or behavior or persons caused you to start this thread.

ichi :bow:

Kaiser of Arabia

05-07-2005, 00:06

You have a good point King Edward. To me it stems from the WW1 trench warfare-like situation in the Backroom - lots of words flying back and forth between the trenches but the lines remain virtually unchanged. In such a situation, frustration is unleashed when one side launches a hideous gas attack on the other.

Maybe the Backroom should close down for a few days to give everyone a chance to re-thicken their skin. (I can hear the howls already...)
WWI ANALOGY!
GREG YOU ARE KING!!!! :bow:
\

I love military analogies.
Anyway

Trolling is on the rise, and always will be. Unless you want to ban everyone, there will be trolling, am I not right?

Templar Knight

05-07-2005, 00:17

just slay the trolls ~:)

Togakure

05-07-2005, 00:22

On a personal level the problem is easy to solve--avoid the Backroom. After a couple of particularly nasty exchanges in which I was involved, I stepped back and out for a bit and asked myself what I was doing in there. My answer to myself was: I was bored and just killing time, talking about crap that I really couldn't care less about (on a forum at least). I then asked myself why I came to this site. The answer was obvious: TW games information and discussion. I had let my boredoem direct me, instead of redirecting my energy and attention to alleviate boredom.

Now I am playing VI online for the first time, and here I spend my time reading posts in the TW games subforums, providing my opinion about game stuff, and offering assistance to those I am in a position to help. I've applied to a clan and have set some goals. Now that I am busy with interesting things again, the Backroom offers zero attraction to me.

So no, I haven't noticed the recent increase in trolling at all--haven't been there to notice and everything has been peachy.

Byzantine Prince

05-07-2005, 01:02

The funny thing is people call me a troll when I just state my opinion. Just because it's brutal and mildly offensive doesn't mean I don't feel that way. I'm starting to hate backroom. It get's unbeleavebly tedious with the same old crap being said over and over again until someone makes some sort of unrelated statement and everyone stops posting. That's not a discussion. That's a waste of time. From now on I'm only posting on lighthearted threads and threads that have to do with TW.

sharrukin

05-07-2005, 01:09

What's trolling?

Is it stealing a thread topic and making it something else?

Or is it being nasty and impolite?

Is this just a racist rant against those of troll descent?

Seriously what is it?

Big King Sanctaphrax

05-07-2005, 01:32

A troll is a post made with the sole purpose of provoking a negative reaction.

Togakure

05-07-2005, 01:41

... but often an attempt will be made on the part of a troll to disguise itself as an ent. It hardly takes an elf to recognize a troll however ... bemoaning decay while fostering it, instead of celebrating and fostering Life and growth, etc. ~D I have more respect for Balrogs ... they just come in all dark and nasty from the get-go, shadow and FLAME.

Gawain of Orkeny

05-07-2005, 02:50

Now I am playing VI online for the first time,

And doing quite well at it I might add ~:)

Back on topic

How many trolls do you see in this picture?

http://www.trollshop.net/trolls/trollhunt/trollhunt.jpg

Click here for the answer. (http://www.trollshop.net/trolls/trollhunt/)

Breaking news. Troll seen in the Grand Canyon

http://www.trollshop.net/trolls/grand-canyon/trollontree.jpg

Voigtkampf

05-07-2005, 05:55

GAH! These trolls be way under my level! Would amount only to an dishonorable kill! Ignore! GAH! :knight:

Or morph to sheep if possible, and stroll along... :laugh4: My all-time favorite! :thumbsup:

Shambles

05-07-2005, 08:19

A troll is a post made with the sole purpose of provoking a negative reaction.

No its not....

:P J/k

Mouzafphaerre

05-08-2005, 01:05

-
My strategy on seeing an offensive or potentially offensive post, is taking a break from the ORG for a week. (I'm back from my last intentional exile.)

On a personal level the problem is easy to solve--avoid the Backroom.
I disagree. :no: I never go to the backroom. (OK, I confess, I lurked the condom thread. ~:joker:) Still, there have been posts that I could have turned into either an outburst flamewar or a heated debate at best, on the "safe" boards, which I chose to ignore and took week-long breaks from the ORG.
-

Templar Knight

05-08-2005, 01:11

The backroom is gearing up for another offensive, you can see it coming.

Voigtkampf

05-08-2005, 07:07

There is a certain amount of hypocrisy in some of the people that join the discussions in Backroom; whilst complaining on how unfriendly the discussions in that part of forums are, they are the first to start a ruckus by insulting their opponent in a more or less concealed manner and then they become appalled how “hateful” their opponent is.

I find that respecting others in Backroom and the rest of our forums helps a great deal. You don’t need to like them, but do not condescend on them. So I like my guns collection and you think guns should be banned? Don’t treat me as a murderer. I say we should allow women to carry out an abortion, you say we should respect the sanctity of life? Again, don’t treat me as a murderer.

As I was still moderating the Backroom, I found myself exposed to half-hidden insults from some members in few of the discussions I participated, again in those few only for the sake of sharpening my wits and discussion techniques so that they may not rust all too much. Whilst I was unable to respond to those in the full measure as they have directed them on me first, I held back, but even half-strong responses from my side resulted in them crying out loud how impartial, unfair and bigoted I am, plus that the moderating staff is on my side and that I am abusing my powers.

I’m so glad I’m not moderating the Backroom anymore. In fact, I would have given up the moderating position all along if I hadn’t met so much support from the staff as well as TosaInu-sama’s plain refusal to disband me. Now, even if I open only few threads in Backroom (I’m not so hot for the X-th discussion on WMD et cetera) I do that only for fun, but if someone rattles my cage, I kick theirs over. ~D

As in a Terry Pratchett book, there are two sorts of Trolls; one just arrived from the mountains, dragging along the streets with their knuckles strafing the paved road, yelling and swinging their club at anyone who gets close, and the second one that carry suits, speaks eloquently and exercise themselves in illegal mobster activities. For me, the second kind is worse.

Shambles

05-08-2005, 10:19

I seem to be easily coaxed in to Outburst in the back room

Expeshialy on my Last visit to the forum for the day (just be fore i go to bed)

some of the debates there i go in and try to be nice and civil and say my point of view then leave,
But something makes me go back and see what some 1 els has siad,
I often get carried away then,

I cant deny that I Use coarse and under handedly Blunt Sentances to get My point across,
But for the most part people understand what i mean,

elegance is a virtue and one that I for one dont see fit to bestow upon some of the patrons of the back room,
Some people say things That are so ludricrous i cant even comprehend how they could beleve these things.
This again can cause me to be a little more callas in my response than i should,

so I guess
The only thing to do is Stay out of the back room..

respecting othere peoples Views Is all fine and good in theory,
But when their views are Appauling,

For example,

Some 1 makes a poll named

What started slavery...

And then your choices are

1. Black people
2. Africa
3. (Specific Religion 1)
4. (specific Religion 2)
5. GAH

I mean things like that Just shouldnt be allowed

but i spose Theres the old saying about
not taking heat
so staying out of the kitchen.

ShambleS
:bow:

kiwitt

05-08-2005, 22:54

I've been lurking in the backroom for some time, now. I am attracted to the often reasoned discussions that take place. Yes some personal attacks occur, none to me so far. This is just a symptom of a lively debate. If we were to reserve our feelings, we may not be able to get things off our chest. On another forum I am a member of, if a personal attack occurs or a breach of the rules, the member gets a 24 hour ban (cooling off), with longer bans for repeat breaches. A lot is also learnt in this place ("backroom") as well. I believe a moderator's role here is to restrict personal attacks, and breaches of the rules.

My recent post of "The Right to Bear Arms ?" started quite a lively debate and I learnt quite a lot about this in the US. I have now a different view of this than before I posted. (I hope this post wasn't considered a "Troll" post, nor my other one about Lynndie Englund)

Paul Peru

05-09-2005, 08:08

Adrian II

05-09-2005, 09:36

I've stayed away from the backroom for some time now.
Most of the time you don't get a discussion, as people are deep in their trenchcoats.
My participation just brought grief to myself and others.
My rational views tend to offend the religious right, and frankly some of the people back there just plain scare me.
I considered starting a "Liberal Club" thread - maybe I will....I started a Progressive Circle some time back, but it doesn't work because it is just one more trenchcoat. I appreciated your smart, balanced input, Paul Peru, and it would be a shame if people like you stay away from the Backroom. My experience is that the longer you stay on, the better you learn to deal with the "scary" people - and the better you understand that they aren't really scary, just balloons full of hot air. All you need to do is refrain from answering the more offensive or personal posts, just concentrate on the smart and funny ones and Bob' s your Uncle. Between Pindarbot and the JAG'ster, there is a lot of fun to be had and a lot to be learned as well.

Templar Knight

05-09-2005, 14:23

who is the scariest troll?

GoreBag

05-09-2005, 14:58

Forum troll or troll troll? Kittelsen drew some pretty scary ones back in the day.

Templar Knight

05-09-2005, 16:21

Adrian should stop feeding the trolls with his fancy pancakes, then they might leave. ~:grouphug:

Adrian II

05-09-2005, 19:18

Adrian should stop feeding the trolls with his fancy pancakes, then they might leave. ~:grouphug:http://matousmileys.free.fr/miam2.gif

tibilicus

05-09-2005, 19:52

Im allways well behaved i have no warning points ~D

Evil_Maniac From Mars

05-09-2005, 23:43

Same.

TheSilverKnight

05-10-2005, 01:28

I never have gotten any bad marks either ~:)
But I have noticed trolling is growing more and more in the backroom...like one big offensive is going to break out like in 1914 when the Germans invaded the Western Front...or at Verdun in 1916...or at...*insert name of battle here* ~:)

Byzantine Prince

05-10-2005, 03:59

Im allways well behaved i have no warning points ~D
Can you see any warning points on me? Just wondering if they are invisible or not.

Gawain of Orkeny

05-10-2005, 05:00

Your points are only visible to you or other may try to provoke you and drive them up. We wouldnt want that now would we? ~:)

Voigtkampf

05-10-2005, 06:25

I started a Progressive Circle some time back, but it doesn't work because it is just one more trenchcoat. I appreciated your smart, balanced input, Paul Peru, and it would be a shame if people like you stay away from the Backroom. My experience is that the longer you stay on, the better you learn to deal with the "scary" people - and the better you understand that they aren't really scary, just balloons full of hot air. All you need to do is refrain from answering the more offensive or personal posts, just concentrate on the smart and funny ones and Bob' s your Uncle. Between Pindarbot and the JAG'ster, there is a lot of fun to be had and a lot to be learned as well.

What we’ve got here is just another version of Gawain’s “how many trolls you see on this picture”. :cowboy:

Sorry, no link with the answer. You all either figure it yourself out or not. ~;)

JAG

05-10-2005, 16:32

Your points are only visible to you or other may try to provoke you and drive them up. We wouldnt want that now would we? ~:)

lol trolling in a anti trolling thread - genius.

There has always been trolling and at times I am to blame for some of it, but most of it is harmless and people get along fairly fine.

Also people shouldn't be put of commenting in the backroom, I and others may have different / extreme views on some issues but on most things we are pretty down to earth. ~;)

The Wizard

05-10-2005, 16:38

Gawain of Orkeny

05-10-2005, 16:43

lol trolling in a anti trolling thread - genius.

Why thank you ~;) It wasnt really a troll though as I really wouldnt want his warning level to increase and I did explain why the points dont show. I was wondering if anyone would catch the irony though. Nice job Jag. ~D

But I think you were beaten to it.

What we’ve got here is just another version of Gawain’s “how many trolls you see on this picture”.

AggonyKing

05-10-2005, 22:31

I saw this video once on forums rule, kinda like the COld War videos of what to do in a nuclear strike. It's pretty helpfull to newcomers and oldcomers (if there's such a thing) as it lays out the basic rules for when posting and when making a new topic. I'll go find it.

AggonyKing

05-10-2005, 22:43

alright found it

http://www.albinoblacksheep.com/flash/posting.php

make sure you turn the volume on

Devastatin Dave

05-11-2005, 01:50

lol trolling in a anti trolling thread - genius.

There has always been trolling and at times I am to blame for some of it, but most of it is harmless and people get along fairly fine.

Also people shouldn't be put of commenting in the backroom, I and others may have different / extreme views on some issues but on most things we are pretty down to earth. ~;)

Good post...
JAG is the wicked troll of the East and I'm the wicked troll of the west....
I'll get you my little pretties!!!! ~D

Papewaio

05-11-2005, 03:18

Good post...
JAG is the wicked troll of the East and I'm the wicked troll of the west....
I'll get you my little pretties!!!! ~D

So that makes me Billy Goat Gruff?

Gawain of Orkeny

05-11-2005, 05:18

So that makes me Billy Goat Gruff?

Who the hell is Billy Goat Gruff ?

ichi

05-11-2005, 05:36

three billy goats gruff

its a childrens story with trolls and self-actualized goats

Devastatin Dave

05-11-2005, 12:06

Who the hell is Billy Goat Gruff ?

Gawain, you don't know who Billy Goat Gruff is? You know, the troll under the bridge that threatens the three goats and then the third and biggest goat whoops his troll butt and butts him over the bridge and the troll drowns. Nice little violent bed time story for the kids!!! ~D

Productivity

05-11-2005, 13:39

Gawain, you don't know who Billy Goat Gruff is? You know, the troll under the bridge that threatens the three goats and then the third and biggest goat whoops his troll butt and butts him over the bridge and the troll drowns. Nice little violent bed time story for the kids!!! ~D

Any relation ;) (https://forums.totalwar.org/vb/member.php?u=6335)

Allright, lets stop taking the thread off topic.

King Edward

05-11-2005, 13:41

In some more nasty versions of the tale the Troll eats the first 2 goats before getting pwned by Big daddy Billy Goat

Fragony

05-11-2005, 16:25

The best way to silence a troll is to crush it's windpipe.

I read that somewhere.

Gawain of Orkeny

05-11-2005, 16:29

Sorry this is the only goat I know

http://usna.com/Features/2003_2004/Stadium/Tradition/image039.jpg

http://usna.com/Features/2003_2004/Stadium/Tradition/image004.jpg

GO NAVY !!!!!!!!!

KukriKhan

05-11-2005, 16:40

Point of Order, folks: let's try to keep the more spammish posts in the Tavern, and not clutter up the Watchtower too much.

Gawain of Orkeny

05-11-2005, 16:42

We were trolling for a mod ~D