It seems likely people like Rove have read the studies. Hell, he may have commissioned one or two! LOL

The GOP was slower to see, and employ, the potential the internet and social forums offered. I know the site Democratic Underground came online the day bush was sworn in, and it helped give legs to the idea of regular people sharing info, experience, resources in a political effort. Lots of GOP bad stuff was exposed by people coming together on the internet. Then lots of grass root organizing utilized the tool. GOP was late on the game, but TPTB have caught up. They want to neutralize any advantage the internet gives the real people. Keeping people fighting against each other is a really old method the uber rich have employed to keep us all from tearing down the castles, the internet is just the new method.

It seems silly to think the GOP and the forces that drive it would not hire people to disrupt discussion forums. Lots of lone wolf types doing it, to be sure but there is organized effort. Many corporations pump their products or try to quell the sharing of info about how they do business.

On DU, there were some clever people who started logging posts by a few 'people' They proved that a couple of 'people' were posting 24/7 for days on end. Oddly, every 6-10 hours, the style of the writing would change, and the changes were logged and patterned discerned. Now you know THAT was sheer puppetry. The site could check IPS of posters and low, and behold, that bore out some interesting results.

So, yes, the disruptive behaviors do drive constructive discussion, and sites, into the ditch. And yes, there are people who benefit when We The People are splintered into ever smaller slivers. It's a tool that is being used to divert, divide, keep control of the whole population. We have the ability, and, dare I say, responsibility to take that tool out of the hands of the exploiters and abusers of Americans everywhere. Just don't get into pointless grudge matches with people who are not part of the solution.

But we do need to keep our humor cuz laughter is good for us and helps keep balance and perspective. Take care of one another, and the communities we build online and in the mundane realm. Have fun. Just don't have fun playing with jerks. You might get cooties of something.

/rant off.

As usual, well said!

be sure to flag the spam posts. If there are several by same person, click their profile, check out to see if they post spam or mostly spam, then flag the profile. Makes it easier for you and any mod that might be around.

Plue! Good to see you around campus! Yes, dear plue, some of us are really working to become better internet citizens. Have to admit, it's often difficult for me to keep my Irish under control when some types of disruptors show up spoiling for a fight. But even an old dog like me can learn some new tricks. Thank your for the inspiration.

Happy New Year to you too - hope yours is going well so far.

Good to see you and Happy New Year to you too. I see your dog enjoyed the ringing in the New Year as well, what a sweetheart.

Happy New Year Plue and it's so great to see you again! I was just wondering where you've been! Love the avi! :) Tucker is such a cutie.

I know it's hard. I have dammed near bitten my toung off or smashed my keyboard many times fighting the urge to respond to them. The thing that is truly scary is when a troll says something about one of your comments. Had it happenlate last year and I almost fell off the chair. :-)

So far so good. :-)

Good to see you as well. Yes Tucker is such a party animal. :-)

Hey sis. Hope your holiday season was a great one. Things are just buisy around hear. I am still around peeking in and out. :-)

I assume you have googled your screen name(s)? That's a real hoot of an eye-opener too.

My holiday season was a good one, Sis. I'm glad you're still around. Now don't be a stanger :)

Hey Sis too -- really glad to see you :-)! The past few weeks have been busy on so many levels that it's really nice when someone shows up that we haven't seen in awhile :-); glad to hear that things are at least manageable in your neck of the woods :-)!

Pwr 2 the SISTER peons!
GUILLOTINE THE STATUS QUO!

I took it from an anime. It was supposed to be Tucker's name (my dog in my avitar) but my Mom did not like it. So his full name is Tucker Plue. :-) So I just use his middle name. I will google it. You have got me curiouse.

I'll try. :-)

Well it has been a case of shit happens. The holidays were nice and actually restfull. The new year holds lots of stuff that has to be done. :-)

Pwr 2 the SISTER peons!
GUILLOTINE THE STATUS QUO!

You are right, It should not be allowed here. Keep in touch, OK? You have my email.

Will do :)
I'm not going anywhere - I'll probably be here until last call.

Well then – if you’ve already reported this alleged “stalking” and "harassment", why not just leave it to the mods?

Why add grist to the mill with accusations and fingerpointing?

Isn’t that the exact opposite of what you appear to be advocating elsewhere on this thread?

None of us are ever gonna be perfect. Moving toward 'better; is a good goal. Always moving toward better.

Yep, I have some milk. Want cookies with that?

You know that they say, the quickest way to start a fire is to rub two opposing opinions together.

Ah, man, I just blew trail mix all over my desk

ROFL

Ha!

Couldn't agree more re. polarization -- something I find particularly strong on US forums. And yes, the "troll" aspect appears to be very much a part of that, especially when that label is used merely to describe someone/anyone of a differing opinion. Divide and conquer indeed. TPTB have nothing to fear from a populace so divided and bickering.

Seems it is that sort of personal attack thing that is the most telling. Personal attacks mean people aren't looking to discuss, or learn, or share with hopes of making things better. Personal attacks mean there is nothing of use and your method of disengaging is admirable.

You hit the nail on the head with that analysis.

I have never interacted with you before but if we're having a good banter defending each others views I have no problem. Once on HP I had a good talk with a righty, afterwards I told folks on that page that I was glad to have had the discourse and immediately the so called progressives who had seen me many times be a moon bat jumped on me.

I learned that extremism is found on both sides of the fence.

Being a Libra, maybe I just try to get all sides. LOL. I have family that leans right. I have family that are cops (well, were, they are dead now) I have family that leans left. I lean left but have been called everything from a pinko commie to a anti-Semitic RW troll. I look for diverse views that I can understand more. But disruptive behaviors, or attacks, nope, I won't put up with it. Disrespecting others without actual cause, well, that's just plain rude and pointless.

If somebody is a constant source of attack, disruption, attempted manipulation or misrepresentation, well, they ain't no pal, they are not helpful and they get swept into the dustbin of being irrelevance.

It was just interesting to run across this article about how all the online screaming really serves no purpose, people just get more entrenched. This site isn't the only place dealing with it. The divisive climate is not good for the nation. But abusive people don't get away with it in the name of trying to keep peace.

FWIW

/rant off.

Another Libra WOW! That is my problem too, I can see all sides. However, I consider myself very progressive, but a realist. I also hate injustice and it's at the point my dander is raised and I feel I have to defend either myself or someone else.

Yep, that's us, look at all sides/despise injustice.

Oh, false information needs to be addressed for sure. Call the crap and set out resources for truth. The trick is, and we all fail from time to time, is to just make one rebuttal then do not get dragged into a drawn out argument. That is what the MoJo piece is about. The arguing thing does not change their minds. Just offer good, accurate information when they lie, so that passers by don't fall victim to the falsehoods, then step away and let the trolls slip and slid in their own spittle.

This i can agree with . State the REAL facts , walk away , ( and give up ANY notion of bringing them to the light ) .

"and give up ANY notion of bringing them to the light"

- absolute truth that!

Thinking you are onto something re burned bridges and failed relationships. It fits nicely with an article on the effects of loneliness I read recently. When we don't have much interaction, we get worse and worse at interaction. We also tend to get more fearful. Fearful people tend to attempt to control everything. Boy oh boy, that all sounds sorta like authoritarian types, doesn't it.

Communication, caring, working at real relationships makes us all better people. But some people are too afraid. So they gotta get their kicks in other ways. A lonely, bad dog will bark until someone throws a shoe, but the bad, lonely dog got some sort of response, so he knows he's alive.

Excellent comment! ^^^

Yes, I do believe your on to their psyches. ^^^

Well said...:-) :-) :-)!!!

Thank you :)

Thank you, Leen :)

You're welcome, cpad :)

BTW, you are one of my role models here. I admire the way you conduct yourself with class and dignity, never engaging in flame wars and being kind and gracious to all. Seriously, you're an example to all of us.

Those are very kind words cpad and I'm actually blushing. Thank you. This was a very nice response to read before I head out to work this morning. You have a nice day :)

Actually, I grok what you are saying. There are some topics around here that some of us who generally see eye to eye just clash as we have different experiences and thus, perspectives. And yeah, people sometimes get harsh and disparaging when someone disagrees and tries to make a point that does not follow 'party line'. When someone or a group just dismisses a different view out of hand, and denigrates those who feel a different view is still valid, it is not constructive.

And it's generally when I pull out my old tale about how, not to long ago, the most learned men of science dismisses the concept of tiny, invisible life forms that contributed to the spread of disease. They kept right on laughing at the ridiculous notion.... right up until the microscope was developed to show that germs and even smaller things did exist and spread things.

What we think is folly now may just be something we don't have the experience, tools, perspective to experience. Doesn't mean something doesn't exist. So an open mind is probably a better tool to have on hand.

But that does not apply to total and proven folly. Willful ignorance is not the same as just being a bit narrow in one's vision.

Regarding the increase: more frustration in real life maybe? And there is the issue of some paid posters. At least the likes of Rove have created some jobs.

Basically, it is a trend I predicted over a decade ago. Delusional people will get pretty aggressive when their delusions are challenged, right? Well, reality has been biting a lot of myths on the ass the past few years. A lot of delusions are getting hard to hold onto and harder to sell. So the ruckus of the delusional is amping up. They can't convince us of anything, but they seem to work hard at trying to drown out the sound of realities tightening the air around them.

Trolls are bullies . Unchecked bullies do ... what ?

Not always bullies. Always disruptive, but not always bullies. There are the passive aggressive manipulators who disrupt well and often. Best ignored. Makes 'em crazy and they go in circles stomping their feet and trying to find more passive aggressive ploys to pull.

I agree, one confronts bullies. But what is the point of letting them drag us into unending whine-a-thons that prevent civil and helpful dialog from going on in a thread? There is a difference between confronting and engaging in unending feuds. The latter is a win for the trolls, as our time and energies are diverted from more helpful activities.

Confront and show others what their intent is, then ignore. That really pisses 'em off.

Thanks for dropping by and joining the discussion CW. Sorry the link to the study PDF went bad. Guess so many people hit it after reading the MoJo article that the site got overwhelmed? I know it's an internet-wide annoyance, so lots of peeps prolly went for the report of the study.

Want a magnifying glass and map to some other colony critters to annoy? ;^)

I think I have my fill, besides a steady diet of trolls leads to high triglycerides, high blood pressure, gum and heart disease, gout, acne, vertigo and scurvy. I rather eat deep fried oreos 24/7.

scurvy! Ha! thought only pirates got that? ;)

No one can have "any power" over you unless you ALLOW them to, and "good stuff" is subjective.
From my perspective you are absolutely right -- we're adults here and that means we have control over how we react. Often when I see 'certain' posters on threads over here I make the conscious decision to avoid those threads.

Because it's a violation of current TV's TOS.

Yep, we can't name them. But we can ignore them and that's kinda like putting a sign on them. When they start talking amongst themselves on some topic not related to the original post or how a thread might be evolving, they have put signs on themselves.

That's an interesting approach, I'm game for anything that relates to baby trolls. The king of trolls types that's another story---I believe in scorch the earth approach relating to majestic trolls.

Yes, I think you are making a very good point.

In the live chats here, I think a "Don't Feed the Trolls" attitude is the best. Stupid comments scroll off the page; and the Mods kill off the really offensive stuff pretty quickly.

Here on the discussion boards it is different. There are at least 2 or 3 active posters who are agenda driven and apparently here to no constructive end. And here the offensive comments or inflammatory story postings do not simply scroll away.

Are they Trolls in the strictest sense? Maybe or maybe not. But they do seem to have an ideological agenda and I don't know but that leaving all of their disinformation there unchallenged would not suit that crowd just fine.

Right wing ideology goes routinely unchallenged in much of the Corporate media. It would seem a shame to let it go unchallenged here as well.

It's the "wrestling with Pigs" conundrum in a sense. As the adage goes: "Don't wrestle with pigs. You'll both get filthy and the pig likes it."

But if the pig sets up camp in your front yard, you either wrestle or abandon the field to the pig. Too many "fields" have already been abandoned to that lot.

^THUMBS WAY UP^

Actually, I agree with you Jack. And I have yet to find a way to curb my impulse to toss wooden shoes into the machinery of such ideology.

It's a character flaw, but one that still serves a purpose, so I cut myself some slack. See my response to lightningthunderfox up above for an example of one of my pet tactics against some who hold 'science' up as some unquestionable force, thereby actually making it more of a religion than the observation, theorizing, testing, evaluating it is. Those sorts just crack me up, cuz what we know is so tiny compared to what there is to be known and when someone gets wrapped around the axle because someone else suggests there may be more to any given school of accepted thought, I can't help but laugh at the naked arrogance of assuming we know all there is to know about a topic.

In the halls of science, there is a lot of disagreement about so much. It's funny when questions and disagreement is treated with hostility around here and other forums.

Oh! that looks like hippie music ;-)

I'll get you a magnifying glass and map out some ant hills. ;^)

None of us are saints. I have guilty of tossing buckets of water on hot-heads myself. But I am trying to cut back.

From thread about NOAA and 2012 being the hottest year on record_
http://current.com/technology/94015583_noaa-2012-was-warmest-year-on-record-for-...

"Also, you seem to be the most avid poster of your own thread (at least 20+ not including replies). And yet not a one of them is positive in nature. It appears as if you're in some sort of posting competition of some sort. I don't see how that will help to heal the damage man-kind has caused to the world.

Perhaps you can enlighten us to the purpose of this and your intent, as from the casual reader like myself, it seems that the purpose of this thread is to spread fear and to coax your ego." mitekillem.

Since it is highly disingenuous to target someone and place someone's quote here from a thread without mentioning what prompted the response, your comment which prompted it is here. How did your personal inferences do anything to further the conversation? You have done nothing but make personal inferences regarding my posting habits and my personality and attack my views in my posts. My posts obviously then do bother you or you wouldn't take the time to make such remarks to me or bring it in this thread. I was merely relaying to you that I must be doing something right in that case and will continue to do so. And I am also not troll bait. I have been here for a very long time and have responded mildly to personal attacks when I do compared to many others here. My philosophy is you get what you give.

Not a remark Jan, an inquiry. One which you still have not answered. But I am glad that you took my suggestion into consideration with posting more articles on advances in green technology on the positive aspects to help push it along. I think we can all agree that the world needs less fear and negativity.

Yep. You have taught me much and it is appreciated.

Every time there is some huge, dramatic news event that the TV talking heads go on, breathlessly, about for hours and hours, the little voice of cation and reason (I call it Noxi) whispers in my ear: 'What is going on right now that they don't want you to notice? What important thing is the magician doing while you watch the lovely assistant?'

As to trolling in forums and comment sections of sites, the one thing it does do is drive a lot of decent, thoughtful people away. The rest of us just get our backs up and clash harder. Then, the gods laugh.

Thanks! :-) It's good to know someone's listening!