Over the past couple of years, blogland has experienced it's own number of trolls.
Now thankfully the true anonymous nasty buggers that cause real mischief are thankfully rather thin on the ground, but there are certain characters who seem to delight in popping into a thread in order to hurt, ridicule or impart anger and bad feeling.
I've seen this recently on a popular blog that I follow
Now don't get me wrong, being devil's advocate about a subject, or having an alternative view is vital for bloglands cogs to be well and truly oiled, for there is nothing worse than a blind acquiescence to a much sweated over blog entry.
It has all of the real validation of a husband's tired remark of " No you look lovely" when confronted by his wife's constant moan of " Does my bum look big in this? "
Balanced arguement and debate is king and gentle Micky taking and joshing is entertaining to read and participate in but when things become personal and destructive...it's time to grow up.
I've always say the same thing when I have a follower who becomes destructive.
" If you don't enjoy reading this shit ( regardless of whether you agree or not with the content) then DON'T READ IT"
Plain and simple
Things are coming to a head on my blog. I have had a troll for years, the same person who keeps on coming back. This person criticizes my appearance, my spelling, and my grammar. It all points in one direction. I now have a collection of nasty comments in a folder which I feel like I want to publish, but they say not to feed the troll.
ReplyDeleteI also keep getting digs from elsewhere, those who pick fault in everything I say. I don't mind a discussion, some readers will have a different point of view, but at the end of the day I write about my life, others can do what they like.
I echo your thoughts, if you don't like what you read, buzz off somewhere else.
Cut and paste this entry onto your blog xx
Deletethis is one case where the 'span' option works wonders, if one can stay strong and not peek to see if they've come back, and if they have, what they've said. :: hugs ::
Deletespam, not span. LOL
DeleteI bloody love spam fritters
DeleteWhat's spam fritters??
Delete(oops, am only an ignorant Aussie)
What's a troll?
yer i know, simply stirring the possums.
Now why does that poor octopus deserve to be branded a "troll"? He's just scuttling away on the sea floor, minding his own business.
ReplyDeleteI should have added a smiley face to that, so you know I'm not trolling myself. :)
DeletePumpkin has just been sitting on the desk, watching it intently for the past couple of minutes.
DeleteProbably thinks a spider has got into the computer.
I don't understand trolls. I agree, John, if someone doesn't like what they're reading why not just move along? Disagreeing is one thing, but abuse is different. What miserable lives trolls must have. They should probably be pitied.
ReplyDeleteI wore my blog trolls down by persistently not allowing them to abuse blog commenters and make personal comments about blog commenter's looks. I softly intimated that I would reveal one's vicious emails to me to a blogmate who is a person known well to him. The other, I eventually resorted to threaten with calling the police, and I would have, as he was scary. I expect the former liked a drink or ten, the latter had, well I know, has a mental illness. It is about the latter I feel bad because he does have a mental illness and is not a bad person and is ever so interesting, and in retrospect, I know he would have never done anything.
ReplyDeleteNot my job to deal with the mentally unwell. I leave that to psych nurses.
Strangely relevant, because someone who lives about five hours away from us is frightened by the latterly mentioned person and switched off comments on her blog because of him. She will arrive at The Highrise tomorrow night, Friday, to stay for two nights. When I first came across her blog, she lived in London and we have become friends. But I will only mention her visit without reference to much about her and keep her as just a friend from the the country, such is her worry about being identified by the person above. So much water under the bridge.
The subject of mental illness is interesting as for a while i had someone commenting on GOING GENTLY who must have been mentally very poorly.....if not ill then certainly under the influence of mediication
DeleteIf you think it may become a serious problem in real life - report it to police (yer, i know, depends on whether ya have any 'trust' with the local plods).
DeleteI have had a troll for almost a year now. I am hoping he will end up hoisted by his own petard. Mostly it is the same experience as described by Meanqueen here; same sort of stuff. I have a folder full because I delete them and a tracker so I know when he visits which is a lot. Sometimes I turn off comments at his visiting time. He deleted one of his own nasties the other day so I thought perhaps it was a turning point but no, he still came back.
ReplyDeleteYou seriously "track" visitors to your blog? Pass me the smelling salts and put me into the recovery position. Where do you take the time from? And why? I believe I know the gentleman you are referring to. Yes, he does have his "moments" but if I were you I'd just go into combat (reasoned and verbal) rather than into a sulk, blocking him and telling the world all about it.
DeleteAs to "tracking" please do remember that a blog is a public place. It's not trespassing. Anyway, despite you having me comprehensively blocked - and, as documented by TS in a comment to you, you jumped for joy when he blocked me too, I'll save you the bother to track me and freely admit that I do visit your blog once a day or so. You are such a fascinating specimen in the world of blogging. Why are you fascinating? Answers on request.
U
Ursula, why do we have to go into combat? We shouldnt need to. One statement stating that the comment was unwanted should be enough...we are all adults
DeleteMy dear John, of course we shouldn't "need to go into combat", unnecessarily. Neither should people avoid discussion, instead just going into a sulk. A comment "unwanted"? Unwanted for what reason? I have left perfectly valid, thought through and reasoned comments and they were still NOT welcome. Met with ... doesn't matter, let's just what I'd classify as devoid of intelligent conduct. Petulance is forgivable in a toddler as yet uncomprehending of the world, questionable in anyone over fourty.
DeleteThere are cases, and please do think about this, where the breakdown in communication does NOT lie with the sender (commentator) but the recipient (blogger) and their mindset. Please don't dismiss my last sentence. It is worth pondering on; actually applies to all human communication.
You, being of a gentle disposition and the eternal peace maker, will appreciate that I cherish that wonderful British maxim of giving "the benefit of the doubt". A sort of benevolence lacking in some bloggers when they meet their public in the comment box.
U
You are not a troll Ursula, you are just boringly combative. Trolls can be entertaining so long as you don't feel threatened by them, but your threats to sue me for slander or whatever because you work 'in law' (as a cleaner in chambers?) are just irritating. Grow up like you advise the rest of us to do. I wish it was possible to block people like you.
DeleteYour reply to me is an example of what I believe John was talking about.
DeleteWhy thanks, Tom, I am "not a troll". That is so generous, not to say perceptive, of you.
Let me rewrite your reply for you: "You are combative." That's a statement of fact - and acceptable. However, to qualify it as "boringly [combative]" only reflects on your boredom threshold. You may like to hike it up a notch or ten.
You feel "threatened", Tom? Don't. If you slander someone - and you did - then it is reasonable to expect that the slandered may mention libel action. Mind you, in my experience it's more trouble than the slanderer is worth. People fall on their own sword.
My so-called threat is "irritating". Sure it's irritating. Most likely because it unsettled you.
Your snide "as a cleaner in chambers" is, of course, the sort of remark one may expect from ... I don't know. You?
You advise me "to grow up" like, according to you, I advise others to do. I can't remember advising any of you "to grow up". It's a trite and lazy phrase that doesn't feature in my vocabulary. As lazy as your
continued claim that I lack a sense of humour.
You "wish it was possible to block people like [me]". People like me? People like what? People with a questioning mind? People who challenge opinions and perceptions, including my own? Anyway, you must have noticed that since you deleted my last two, rather complimentary of your talents, comments a few weeks ago I haven't said a word. Miss me, do you?
U
Ursula...quit while you are ahead!
DeleteTom can wrap you up and spit u out within seconds...
Agree to differ and leave the arguement
Dear peace maker, your faith in Tom's abilities does you honour. However, you are misguided. Why do you think I unsettle Tom so much? Because he may be spitting but he can't spit me out. Forget "within seconds". NEVER, more like it. No contest.
DeleteHowever, I agree with you, and have done so, at least on his own blog, to leave it. To paraphrase the L'Oreal advert: He ain't worth it.
You brought up a great and not easy topic; so interesting to read all the other commentators' experiences and take on it.
Sweet dreams,
U
1:00 am
Please prove you're not a robot
Tracking widgets on blogs and websites are not at all unusual and many have them. I have seen you visit my blog, go straight to a post with some personal information in it, glean from it and immediately comment about me on another blog using the information to make some nasty story against me.
DeleteAnd no, I wasn't telling the world all about him in a sulk, I was making a comment on John's blog post just like many other people here telling their stories of troll experiences. Quite why you picked on my comment is beyond me.
DeleteSorry, Rachel, you appear to be mixing me up with someone else. I don't "immediately comment about [you] on another blog using the information to make some nasty story against [you]." That is not my style. What you are doing here is not right, Rachel, and if you don't know it I pity you.
DeleteMy reference to you sulking was not linked to anyone/anything specific. It's what you do (by your own, if veiled, admission), perpetually, habitually.
To end on a conciliatory note, one thought, Rachel, maybe one even you will consider before tossing it into the wind: By its very nature we lay ourselves open when writing on the public forum a blog is. It is an exercise in trust. A trust which we hope will not be abused. We also lay ourselves open to criticism. Criticism, often constructive not destructive, which we should consider, reflect on and take on board. I have learnt a lot during the years I have blogged and commentated elsewhere. But, Rachel, in order to broaden our horizon we need to be receptive not always on the defensive, the latter often converting to going on the attack.
I wish you well - I mean it, from one human being to another. May you find some peace.
U
As ever the last word to you, just like all trolls.
DeleteNot forgetting, of course, that you can never be wrong.
DeleteOne day I hope Blogger will invent a facility whereby we can electrocute trolls online. It might involve a new button on the keyboard marked "Vengeance". I am tempted to describe a horrible trolling experience I endured for a year or more but I fear this vile nobody may still be watching so I'll leave it if you don't mind.
ReplyDeleteI remember your troll very well
DeleteWhen I first told my blogging buddies I was a transman I had a few negative comments, but at the moment things have calmed down. I never publish them, they just get deleted immediately. I remember once being told off for being a Chav and giving Americans a bad impression of what British people are like. That one made me grin and I did respond.
ReplyDeleteWelcome joe! Nice to have you aboard
DeleteSome Americans have a 'bad' opinon of EVERYONE ... heh.
DeleteHey, John I've been here before!!
DeleteDavoh, the same can be said about some Brits too.
Davoh, it isn't about Americans or Brits etc, it is People. Some People have bad opinions about everything/everyone.
DeleteSome people are just curmudgeons ..
Cool joe..apologies....middle aged grey cells xx
DeleteThe trouble is, the trolls don't care what we say or think. They just want to jerk someone's chain. We can only imagine how pathetic their lives must be that they choose spreading vitriol as a hobby.
ReplyDeleteI have comment moderation on my blog for this very reason; the trolls will NEVER see their pathetic spew published, thereby not feeding their massive egos by granting them an audience.
ReplyDeleteI don't read blogs written by idiots, nor do I leave comments.
Me too :)
DeleteHaving been the victim of trolls both on some crap reader forum I had nothing to do with and also on Twitter, I did the only thing possible - took legal advice.
ReplyDeleteI need to chat about this with you next time in yorkshire xx
DeleteI can get enough nastiness and criticism in real life thanks very much...I don't need it here and I don't want to be part of spreading it anywhere. Can't there be one place where we can all just get along?
ReplyDeleteLike real life..some bloggers bring with them their own problems
DeleteI wish I has the options that are available on Blogger, in Real Life when it comes to dealing with arseholes.
ReplyDeleteI block them on my blog and I block them in real life.
I have to protect my own sanity and good mood, to hell with the others.
I also find that I resent those who under the guise of being "well meaning" or "helpful advice", say things that are basically snide, insulting and condescending.
There are times I don't look at the blog or any blog .. who needs it ?
To be honest spammers irritate me more than the trolls
DeleteYes ..
DeleteThese are sad and inadequate people who need to get a life.
ReplyDeleteIt's so easy to hide behind the anonymity of a screen.
Petra my most favourite troll was anonymous! Jeff pruitt had the balls to email me with a long list of complaints..at least HE put his name to his beefs
DeleteI have a weekly link up thingy on my blog and lately someone (I know precisely who they are!) keeps linking really nasty and inflammatory posts, really horrid ones. It is almost as if they are trolling themselves which is crazy. Initially I deleted them and now I have found out how to block them, but I keep checking their blog in case they have a rant against me! As for trolls/nasties in my comments I just press delete - they are more of the how you can make a man love you type than nasty and I already have a man that loves me thank you! - but it is the ones who just pick pick pick at things, they aren't actually rude or really horrid, they say things like, gosh you have a lot of time for xxxxx I would never spend my time doing that. That kind of thing. Anyway, this is probably falling into the (yawn) very boring category of comment so I will go! Thank you for your blog John, I don't know another one like it and I like it!
ReplyDeleteMany nasty comments turn up after alcohol is involved me thinks
DeleteI've not gotten any mean or nasty comments about myself or my blog. I do get people posting comments for the sole purpose of driving readers to their site to sell something. if they persist, and some do, they get marked as spam and eventually stop trying to post their links or else maybe blogger blocks them. but yeah, it you don't like what you are reading, then just move along.
ReplyDelete:)
ReplyDeleteJohn, I can't see you giving a troll a handle - unless fighting over a Scotch egg. But maybe you were talking in general.
ReplyDeleteMy blog has been running for seven years or so. I have never been trolled.
However, whilst I myself have never been trolled, I sure have been blocked - not for trolling. One just dislikes me full stop because I called them out a few times. The other? I don't know. Probably for the same reason. Blocked by two people and two people only. They read your blog, John, and they know who they are. Blocked not for trolling (whatever that actually means) but for a little bit of needling in one case, and reasoned though contrary argument in the other. They themselves - and please allow this observation in the framework of your original post - are (in my opinion) incredibly rude, all round - not just to me, all round. It's quite fantastic, leaving me incredulous what some are allowed to get away with. But that appears to come under "banter" in a circle closed to "outsiders".
Other than that give me a troll over a cap duffing sycophant any day.
U
The problem with people who lack a sense of humour is that they do not understand the defiencey. Rather than attempt 'banter' you would be better off to just try and be nice. I also think that you don't understand that it is no longer possible to block someone on Google. We just delete you for want of an easier, one-off option. More boredom.
DeleteLet me help you out, Tom. "The problem with people who pride themselves on their sense of humour often miss another's brand of humour". One may say the former lacks a sense of subtlety.
DeleteI did not "attempt banter". I leave that to you and your cronies.
Thanks for the laugh: I should "try and be NICE"? You are joking, aren't you? You are the most curt and rude person I have ever met in blogland. You are rude to and dismissive of even Rachel who is not exactly backward in coming forward herself. Try and be "nice" yourself instead of being so abrasive.
Your last three sentences are a rambling repeat of what you said earlier to me. You don't need to block me. There will be no more "boredom" in your comment box. Or, at least, not any generated by me.
U
I think the " banter" comment is interesting as banter is only banter if both parties agree! If someone i didnt know well started to banter with me as if we were old friends, i would certainly get the hump!
ReplyDeleteThat are the rule of communication me thinks....a rule that may be often misunderstood by the typed word
I think this is a terribly difficult issue; there is a huge amount of online communication these days and very obviously the nature of posting anonymously does lead to some of it being very raw indeed.
ReplyDeleteI can quite understand that if you have a blog which is about your life and thoughts you don’t want it sullied by people who say nasty things, make mischief or worse. I can also understand that some things posted can be frightening and threatening and absolutely should be deleted.
On the other hand, I think the ‘tolerance’ slider has moved a little too far. It seems to me that people are getting a bit ‘overly delicate’ and more easily offended than I can ever remember. There is a lot of talk about clamping down on ‘hate speech’ but no clear definition of what it is exactly except that if someone has taken offense then they must have been subjected to hate speech. This, I think, is a very scary road to go down.
Maybe we should all just spend less time online :)
Riona, an interesting point...communication which is purely written has its dangers! How many of us have been upset by a text? Texts, emails and indeed blog comments can be read in so many ways sometimes.......
DeleteThat is why as samaritans when we reply to an email we get at least one colleague to check and re read all corrospondence...to check if things may be seen or taken in the wrong way!
Riona, please do accept an upvote - not least for your third paragraph.
DeleteU
Riona i agree with you... people have become so touchy... and so easily offended... heaven forbid you should have a different viewpoint...even if you state it eloquently and kindly... respectfully it seems you can't avoid starting a ruckus just because you disagreed.. deb
DeleteI am not offended as much as I am bored by this stuff. I am bored with the current obsession with the transgender issues as much as I am bored with the gay and lesbian issues it has eclipsed, and the racial and feminist issues before that. You don,t have to be a bigot to be bored by this stuff any more than you have to be an anti Semite to disapprove of the Israeli government's less acceptable behaviour. I would like to think that I have made a bit of personal progress since the age of 15.
DeleteAre you bored tom by any chance?
DeleteLike your title says...don't like it, don't read it. The internet is grand because it allows anonymity and because it allows...anonymity. Too many cowards out there who don't have the kahuna's to disagree (respectfully) with a person face to face, no they take the easy way out and do it on-line. Do what you have to do John. Personally, I find your blog one of the most fun to read because of the wide variety of commenters and topics. Trollers are just jealous want-to be awesome bloggers like yourself. And they can't be, so they rip into others.
ReplyDeletejust mention something negative about trump these days and people are on you quicker than he can tweet about it.
ReplyDeletefunny i feel the opposite jaz... mention somthing positive about trump and people are on you... I guess this comes from the country being so split either for or against him your bound to run into someone who disagrees with you.. deb
DeleteI read a few blogs on a regular basis and sometimes have a different opinion to that of the blogger, but the idea of having a rant at them because I don't agree with them does not appeal in the least. I cherish the giggles and advice people happily give and enjoy the virtual meeting of people who I probably wouldn't meet in the real world. My own poor attempt at a blog has made me realise what a lot of effort goes into maintaining one. Keep posting peeps x
ReplyDeleteI've never had this issue because about 5 actually read my blog. Ok just kidding, but it's not THAT many. It is the prospect of dealing with that crap that keeps me from sharing family names, where I live, etc.
ReplyDeleteLast year one of my blogs was disappearing almost before my very eyes. It started after I posted about contrails in the sky. Almost daily another section of the blog had gone. I saved what I could by deleting some things and by not allowing comments.
ReplyDeleteThat would be the 'chemtrail' nutters.
DeleteThey want a third runway. They dump fuel in the sky before they land.
DeleteLovely oily rainbows to see.
DeleteJohn, ERK. am becoming almost paranoid. Am, really; on your side (if that makes sense).
ReplyDeleteWondering why so many of YOUR readers turn up on MY erratic and probably incomprehensible (reprehensible?) blog.
Nah, know why. Will try to make more 'sensible' posts.
Cheers and Best Wishes,
D
Maybe you intrigue them?
DeleteI had kind of an unusual problem, perhaps. There was a woman in my Zumba class who I thought was a friend. We'd all gone out together for lunch several times and I'd even given her a free copy of a humor book I wrote about taking care of my elderly mother. She got the web address of my blog from that and apparently had been a "lurker" off and on for some time. One day, out of the blue, I get an email from her taking me to task for something I said about her beloved Texas. (She is a native, I am not.) I had no idea she'd been following me, but I don't think that would have changed what I posted. At least I hope not. I tried to smooth things over with her, which I regret now because I didn't come for her, she came for me. Things were chilly for a while in class and I can't bring myself to look at her the same way I did before as someone who is a friend. I think if she really wanted to be honest she would have commented on my blog itself, and not in a personal email to an unsuspecting blogger. Arrggh.
ReplyDeleteAs usual, this says much more about her rthan about you....
DeleteI'am so sorry you are being trolled John.. i so enjoy visiting with you over coffee every day... I hope you can persevere and keep visiting with us. I would truly miss you..... Hugs! deb
ReplyDeleteDeb, its not me ! Ive had my fair share of them, but no at the moment i am troll free
DeleteTrolls always have to have the last word so I do not take them on; it feeds them and I end up with more comments from them outdoing the previous ones for insults. I do not respond to personal insults saying I am ugly, my partner is not smiling, old, sad, I am not who I say I am, I am making the posts up and do my readers know this. All are snide, patronising and condescending. All of these comments are examples of troll comments. They are deleted and that is what a troll is for you.
ReplyDeleteI have never understood why people feel the need to insult or belittle people online (or anywhere, but they dont have the balls to do it IRL). It's depressing and rage-inducing, but also puzzling. Time is such a rare and valuable commodity, why waste any of it on vitriolic comments?
ReplyDeleteWell said! But some people are consumed by their own self importance and can be vitriolic behind a screen. What they dont seem to realise is the damage they inflict is more than a few nasty words that they get off on ...it can build the anxiety enough for the reciever to take their own life..how many times have we read about that! Trolling is despicable behaviour
DeleteElleB
DeleteI think its a case of unhappiness in most cases
Because I'm not a blogger, but an interested reader of a few fantastic blogs (yours is number one every morning John) I don't really know how difficult it just be. It seems like perhaps it's a bit like someone who can't stop tweeting, and is a bully to those he can control and thinks the nasty things he says ought to be published far and wide, because hey, he's the President??
ReplyDeleteThank you dearheart
DeleteThe only bad time I have had has been on your and Weaver's blog and that was in comments. From these two experiences I have learned to try and write much more carefully.
ReplyDeleteI have a brain injury so when I write sometimes it all gets confused and messy. I try to write what I am feeling. Usually different from the many comments.
Learning is hard sometimes. I write better than I speak and that is really bad.
I am sad that you and many other have a troll.
Poor ocotpuss he is really cute and in Japan he is named tako !
cheers, parsnip
Gayle...believe me, u need not worry about a thing
DeleteI recently read about a man ( OK on Facebook ) who trolled all the time. He was grossly overweight & felt better about himself if he was horrible to others. He had his " comeuppance " when he decided to pick on a group of body builders. They demanded a photo of himself... and they decided to help him. He lost weight, got a job, is planning to move from his mum's place. OK it may not be real but it made an interesting read.
ReplyDeletePeople like him need psychotherapy me thinks
DeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteI have never understood cruelty.
ReplyDeleteIts all about the protagonist and NOT about the victim
DeleteI've had one come in tonight, criticizing my speaking voice on a video I posted. Troll always comments during the evening or weekend, and school holidays, and it isn't a pupil.
ReplyDeleteFuck em
DeleteI've had dealings with the second of Andrew's trolls but I never deleted his remarks, told him I was leaving them there forever to show how stupid he could be. Sometimes he would creep back in the night and delete them himself. He didn't like gays and hated religion being rubbished but I was never afraid of him, just treated him as a I would a small child. I am now looking at the collection of Marvin the Martian and Daffy duck ties he has sent as gifts over the years. He still turns up but has been extremely ill and I don't think has long to live. We were always trying to get him to put his stories of early Melbourne criminal side on a blog but he wouldn't. As Andrew said,he was interesting.
ReplyDeleteOh, hello JT. How did you get here.
Delete(mmble grmble incestuous sidebars)
You can't hide in blogland.
ReplyDeleteThey are cowards.
ReplyDeleteThank goodness for the moderate/delete button so the thing doesn't even have to get onto the page.
ReplyDelete