Don't reply to trolls

luciansolaris · 2012-02-15T21:52:43+00:00

PLEASE SEE FOR AN EXAMPLE OF HOW TROLLS OPERATE:

http://www.reddit.com/r/MensRights/comments/pr2ch/1_srs_debate_method_exposed/

Please wage infowar thoughtfully and ensure your info-munitions strike your intended target with as little splash-back, blow-back, and collateral damage as possible!

Whisper · 2012-02-15T21:39:51+00:00

I don't want them to go away. They are discrediting their own cause. Reddit is really starting to hate SRS and all their little gremlins. I want them to stay around here and discredit themselves some more.

So I propose an alternate strategy... provoke them without sinking to their level. No invective, no gutter insults, no out-of-context quotes, no false-flag ops. Just rational rhetoric while they chant "neckbeard, misogynist, wimp" over and over again.

The more we can get them to say that, the worse they look. And the more we are revealed to be adults dealing with children.

2012-02-16T04:31:08+00:00

Also, a side note, just because someone has an unpopular opinion, does not make them a troll. I have been called a troll, instantly downvoted, and not had my arguments responded to several times because I defend unpopular opinions from time to time. So don't just downvote if you disagree.

hardwarequestions · 2012-02-15T20:49:00+00:00

personally, i report threads and downvote comments.

TheRealPariah · 2012-02-15T20:21:52+00:00

Don't report. Just downvote and move on. I know many of you seemingly have a raging passive aggressive streak, but it makes you look silly. And remember, just because someone disagrees with you and even includes some provocative content does not mean they are trolls. Make sure to not conflate the two when you feel upset.

TheTyger · 2012-02-16T01:33:42+00:00

So if people are feeding the trolls, should they be downvoted as well?

TracyMorganFreeman · 2012-02-16T00:31:41+00:00

The problem is that too many of the subscribers here just want MR to be a circle jerk subreddit rather than one that promotes actual discussion and debate.

Hell, in this thread, I had some of the morons here accusing me of being an SRS troll at the same time the SRSers were attacking me.

Subversive · 2012-02-17T09:29:04+00:00

I agree fully, except on one point: don't downvote them.

A downvote tells a troll that they've been noticed, that they have (at least momentarily) annoyed someone. Most trolls expect to be downvoted & flamed; that's precisely the reaction they're seeking.

Best approach: ignore them completely. No downvotes, no reports, no replies, nothing. Click hide & move on. Or even better, get RES so you can block them entirely.

Trolls will starve only in the complete absence of any acknowledgement.

meghann912 · 2012-02-15T21:43:29+00:00

While I don't want to just assume this post is even remotely aimed at me, I can't help but feel like I've been designated a troll-commenter based on a discussion I initiated last night.

I commented on the wage gap YouTube video posted yesterday in an attempt to point out a flaw in the logic of its creator. I don't think inflating/misrepresenting data or employing logic fallacies should be acceptable for feminists or MRAs, and I wanted to point [what I saw as] that inaccuracy out.

Subsequently, nearly every comment I made (even linking to the Census Bureau data where wage gap claims originate) was immediately downvoted or challenged. The latter is welcome, especially if I was wrong, but the mass-downvotes outweighed the thoughtful conversation.

As TheRealPariah mentioned before me, holding a counter-point does not make me a troll. I could care less about my personal comment karma, but I think the automatic reaction/refusal to accept an alternative makes a sad statement about this community (one which is/would be lambasted if carried out by feminists).

I work in HR (and prior to that as a labor+employment litigation paralegal); I feel like I know my shit. I raised what I felt to be valid issues for the purpose of discussion, not to troll. I'd like to think that, if a similar scenario arose, I would be able to say "huh. was not factoring that issue in before. I want to look into this more." rather than staunchly defending some video to the death.

Thunder_Pwny · 2012-02-15T20:29:46+00:00

Nothing stops a troll better than negative 20 karma. The longer their post is up the harder it can be downvoted.

PissedOffNinjaBum · 2012-02-18T11:03:29+00:00

I have a really hard time identifying trolls... Can someone give me a few pointers to detect them. I know that a lot of the SRS people are gigantic assholes.

2012-02-16T01:09:52+00:00

best post ive read on reddit so far.

shadoway · 2012-02-16T10:05:52+00:00

This is how deep the rabbit hole goes... these people really have no lives...

funnyfaceking · 2012-02-16T04:15:58+00:00

[permanently deleted]

IsItReallyYouBooBoo · 2012-02-16T00:29:48+00:00

Amen.

2012-02-16T12:17:04+00:00

I'd wager trolls have done more good for the world than any "feminist" or "men's rights activist" ever has. I put those terms in quotes because while they describe something good in theory, in practice and on the Internet these are little more than disgruntled balls of anger going around spreading their righteous indignation everywhere.

2012-02-16T03:27:16+00:00

[permanently deleted]

PlasticPaddy1 · 2012-02-15T23:27:31+00:00

SRS and the people who post in in are idiots. But the fact that you let their impotent whining and lazy trolling get to you is pretty telling.

As awful as SRS is (and they are) they do have a point about one thing: MRA has a real problem with misogyny. Men do have unique problems, but hating women isn't going to accomplish anything. You don't need to tear down a marginalized group to achieve your goals. With every sexist comment you make, you are only hurting your cause and giving those SRS idiots more ammo.

Rigid gender roles are a real problem. Feminism seeks to fix that!

Baadasssss · 2012-02-16T02:35:30+00:00

I live on a steady diet of adderall and other substances, I'll survive

Title	Don't reply to trolls
Author	Snooves
Upvotes	95
Comments	123
Date	February 15, 2012 8:10 PM UTC (14 years ago)
Subreddit	Posted in /r/MensRights
Original Link	https://old.reddit.com/r/MensRights/comments/pr5hl/dont_reply_to_trolls/
Archive Link	https://theredarchive.com/r/MensRights/dont-reply-to-trolls.1027596 https://theredarchive.com/post/1027596

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