General Chat

Attention all Troll spotters.

Listed below you will find details of some of the tactics used by Internet Trolls who lurk in the shadows of forums and social websites where they deliberately try to disrupt normal proceedings. You may recognise some ploys that have been used on GR's message boards recently.

THE SEVEN DEADLY SINS OF TROLLING AND WHY THEY ARE SO EFFECTIVE

Digressing from the topic at hand, especially onto sensitive topics. Not necessarily overtly argumentative, this tactic frustrates its targets with its pointlessness and circularity. Digression onto sensitive topics triggers the strongest reactions.

Hypocriticising, especially for a fault that the critic then displays him/herself. A simple tactic, often this is pedantic criticism of grammar, spelling or punctuation in a post which itself contains proof-reading errors to provoke exasperated responses from others.

Shocking others by being insensitive about sensitive topics or explicit about taboo topics. This appears to succeed mainly due to the strength of feeling provoked by the deeply personal and extraordinarily hurtful nature of the troll’s insensitivity. It triggers a desire to retaliate that is stronger than the desire to deny the troll the satisfaction of a response.

Antipathising, by taking up an alienating position by asking pseudo-naive questions, for example. This tactic is heavily reliant on deceiving the group it is aimed at and covertly manipulates egos, sensitivities, morals and feelings of guilt, usually to trigger emotional responses. It can also create moral dilemmas.

Endangering others by giving dangerous advice such as encouraging risky behaviour. A trolling strategy designed to masquerade as help or advice while actually causing harm and/or forcing others to respond to prevent harm. It relies on the target’s social responsibility and moral obligation.

Aggressing others by insulting, threatening, or otherwise plainly attacking them without adequate provocation. This is open and deliberate aggression without any clear justification with the aim of antagonising its target into retaliating.

Crossposting - sending the same offensive or provocative message to multiple groups then waiting for the response. The message sent by the troll in this tactic is totally off topic and irrelevant. This deliberately careless ‘spamming’ tactic can result in potentially thousands of users being inundated with unwanted or irrelevant messages.


N.B.
The best course of action when a Troll is spotted is to ignore their posts entirely since Trolls crave attention and lack of it encourages them to go back down their hole.

P.S.
This post has been referred for review twice and twice GR have reinstated it as it's content does not breech any of GR's terms and conditions. Whoever referred it previously wasted both their own and GR staffs time. If for whatever reason you were contemplating referring this post please don't as it will only result in you becoming frustrated when it is reinstated. Thank you.

Well said.

I know that I have now decided not to open posts made by certain people on here. If only for my sanity.

We know they post for effect yet we still get suckered in.

We not me anymore. I have seen the light.... :-)

:-D :-D :-D

All of the above , but especially number 3. I find that one hard to ignore, because it hurts people who don't deserve to be hurt and who perhaps will not or can not 'fight back' for themselves.

Hello Jonesey..........Nice to see you, to see you nice.

You didn't take my advice on the face lift then!

:-D

Prickles. x

With you there Rose............. :-)

Extremely helpful Jonesey. Thank you.

Can those of us who aren't Trolls be given a name too please.......what is the opposite of a troll in one word??

*thinks hard* :-)

All those traits have been displayed on GR of late,

But i'm safe, I have my spray:-D

Roy

KittytheLearnerCook opposite of a troll is a llort

Edit; A llort is a counter-troll aka reverse-troll. one who trolls a troll.


Roy

I will not feed those that I perceive to be trolls :-)

and the biggest Trolls are those that respond to presumed Trolls.

Excellent post Jonesey - when I joined this site I honestly did not expect to find Trolls on it - learning fast and now avoiding posts by certain people on here as doctor says I have to keep away from things that raise my blood pressure.

Joy I am with you on that one.

We need Big Billy Goat Gruff !

Mayfield. :-D

Well said Jonesey!

I have also seen the light (got sunnies on now) and I won't take the bait again.

My granny used to say "rise above it"..... :-D Not easy to do sometimes, but it's best in the long run.

<3

Edit: Just wondering when a troll is going to report some of this thread! :-|

Excellent Jonesey.

Must admit I do occasionally read the threads, or posts of the trolls, though I know it's bad for my blood pressure and well being.

I have however, so far resisted the temptation to respond, in an effort to not feed their ego.

My hands are often numb from sitting on them :-)

Tec :-)

Troll threads are easy to spot............the view figure is far higher than the number of posts :-)

Last night and today have been lovely, long may it last :-D

Trolls need feeding to exist, just DO NOT feed them.

KittytheLearnerCook


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Jonesey

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Feeding time at a Zoo can be a great experience