Re-post: How to deal with trolls

+1

Too many petty arguments in some threads at the moment. Takes away from what would otherwise be an interesting, helpful and friendly discussion.

Sometimes ignoring trolls is effective, because they can get bored and leave. But in practice, it seems like that frequently doesn’t work. Usually at least one or two people will respond, and then things escalate. The troll gets exactly what they wanted. But even when ignored, the lack of any consequences often just lets them know their behavior will be tolerated, so they keep doing it.

So we have a rude/report button. It helps direct admin attention to problems, without the loud and distracting escalation which occurs with a direct confrontation. It seems like this probably doesn’t get used enough though, because BLF sometimes has people willfully causing trouble for months or even years before they get removed.

Anyway, I’ve been thinking about the rules and cultural norms here a lot lately… and I’m not sure the current approach is optimal. I think there may be some subtle issues involved.

The emphasis on not responding to bad behavior makes silence the default and encouraged response. But usually when there are problems (not just here but in any part of life), saying nothing is not the answer.

In general, most people are pretty nice. They try to behave and contribute, and feel bad about reporting anyone… so it usually takes exceptionally bad behavior to get reported. They might be okay with asking the person to stop, but we have a cultural norm here to not do that. So instead of doing any of those things, the nice people just … don’t show up as often. Sometimes they leave entirely. And that’s a loss for all of us.

Avoiding conflict is a very different thing than resolving conflict. Avoiding it makes things more peaceful for those who aren’t involved, but typically allows problems to continue. Resolving it tends to be louder, but also faster and more effective. Pushing back even a little can make some people explode, which passes the threshold for what others are willing to report, and they get booted sooner rather than later.

Perhaps we shouldn’t be silent by default. Not responding may be more peaceful in the short term, but it can have big long-term consequences.

Tell you one thing:

If I knew I was going to be attacked by several people, I would not have confronted the person that should have been confronted.

I would have just left it to Mr. Admin, like I usually do.

TK, I agree that resolving conflict, even if it seems to be escalating the situation at first, is almost always better than simply ignoring a problem and hoping it goes away. But like you said, we have a culture of de-escalation at any cost. And I think it has lost us some very valuable members. Surely, some of the members who are no longer showing up have other reasons. But I guess we won’t know how many left in a huff because of trollish behavior being allowed to grow unchecked by people who thought they were doing what is right and ignoring bad behavior. I find it can be a tough call at times, because part of being a “friendly” forum is certainly to have grace for each other to an extent. Knowing when really is the right time to do something, and what that something should be, can be hard to nail down.

You do seem to be a little high strung at times though RC, taking things too personally.
Just a thought.

I find myself writing out strong replies sometimes but then don’t post as it would be very contrary to the current rules.
I agree that the silent treatment is not the best way in dealing with, but speaking up also leads to more conflict as some people are real bronsons behind a screen so nobody backs down and the argument continues on the forum when it would be very different in a face to face situation. People forget that.
You don’t want a ruff highlander letting loose a tirade on ya unrestricted, that’s for sure. :smiley:
So I usually just watch…
Personally, I don’t mind the little conflicts we see from time to time, the forum is for entertainment purposes.
Often there is more chat here about non flashlight related topics, which I do find odd but anyway…
Trolls, some of the trolls are funny, (sometimes) so long as it doesn’t go too far but that’s just me and we do get the odd moon biscuit from time to time.
They must be destroyed :smiley:
People are people, we’re never all going to be sitting around holding hands singing Kumbaya and that’s okay. :person_facepalming:
You all do live on Earth right?
Sometimes I can’t tell…
But we do have to live together.

Longer estsblished members, there could be more grace involved in peoples thought processes, if someone points out that one is doing something that annoys another then instead of an immediate emotional outburst, a little contemplation on the why of the matter would be far more appropriate before a response is compiled and sent.
Remember, you’re always right, as long as you agree with me :laughing: :+1:
Chill out and be excellent to each other, I’m away back to my cave…

Well the admin says he wants trolls ignored, so that’s non-negotiable.
The main wisdom in this is also aimed at the judge. What I mean is if you judge someone a troll, you are probably too triggered to respond within the rules of the forum.

I think the labeling of people is just as big of a problem. Let’s do less of that.

These particular individuals, unruly guests, puppies, trolls? We have to call them something!
Not so much labeling people as their actions on the forum, anyway the Admin judged to label them that so it’s non-negotiable :smiley:

I think Joshk is referring to not calling out specific users as “trolls”. And that’s the point, whatever you want to call them, it only gets them more riled when users are labeled in public as troublemakers. I can and do moderate situations with problem users, and banning is definitely a distinct possibility for many of them. But I depend on PM tips to be alerted when trouble arises. So please report potential “trolls” (or “puppies”, as CRX says :slight_smile: ) to me via PM, and not in public.

People often live up to the expectations others set for them… For better or for worse.

Labels can exacerbate an already tense situation. I think it’s more effective to address the unwanted behaviour directly.

Yes, I meant it’s the calling out that’s the part of the problem. Some users have assigned themselves the roll of “troll hunter” and call them out publicly. Which in itself hurts feelings.

Yeah, these ‘forum police’ sometimes they kind of go overboard or overbearing with the role, inevitably starting a fire themselves.

CRX bronsons behind the screens!!! and moon biscuits!!!. I wish I was smart enough to troll you wonderful people here! These adjectives are fantastic!

Part of the solution would be less outdated forum software.* An option to hide posts of certain users.

People who look/sound like trolls not always are.
Some people are just very direct (due to not having English as their first language).
They have a honest opinion about …. while a 1000 users have a total opposite opinion.

My point is that people also are called trolls by people who are easily feel offended.
There is a grey area.

As an example I could start a thread about firmware XYZ. Some firmware is extremely liked on this forum. But I’m dead honest when I say not by me. So when I would start a thread listing 20 things I want to see changed in firmaware XYZ, would that be trolling?

*= Was that a trollisch remark, a honest opionion, or even a fact?

And might be trolls….

A troll is defined an as someone causing strife. That can also be done by calling others trolls.

A very well reasoned and thought out response. And it’s not one I disagree with at all.

I had some feelings about some threads yesterday, and a perceived recent trend. I did notice that it seemed like some users were responding to the trolls in a helpful way, while others were responding in ways that seemed to escalate things. I also completely understand sb56637’s stance. It’s hard to decide how to deal with someone who may violate rules in response to rules violations. We even see widely different laws regarding responses to aggression in the real world, depending on where one lives.

I think CRX said it better than I would:

That would probably help a lot with recent situations.

This is another thread where there was also a topic of discussion with flaming and newish members about a certain thread getting out of hand and several people have given some insightful and different perspectives.

To my credit, I did not label the latest troublemaker a troll, and if I had known that he was, I would not have confronted him.

I think it's natural to defend yourself when someone attacks you, but if I confront people that are up to no good less, maybe I'll be attacked less.

And I do tend to be high strung when people repeatedly attack me.

See if you're not stressed out when a bunch of people unnecessarily attack you for defending BLF.

+1 to all of these comments.

And when someone apparently appoints themself BLF Moderator and breaks numerous rules to call out someone publicly for breaking or allegedly breakinging a rule…. something is inherently wrong.
It is especially sadly comical when this is “supposedly” done to protect the integrity of BLF. Give me a break… :person_facepalming:

Then they use thinly disguised words such as “a-hole, ice-holes, etc.” and think they are blameless. Calling a member “Einstein” in a condescending manner.
It does not wash……

The excuses don’t wash, the reasons don’t wash, nothing washes. They, by their lack of discernment & people skills in a particular situation; have not only created a problem… but also escalate it to a much worse level as they continue to righteously defend their mistakes.

And it is especially disappointing to me when a ‘self appointed moderator’ calls someone out in a confrontational manner & then cries all kind of foul when the called out person makes a simple reply. :person_facepalming: . It utterly amazes me.

IMO…… we would all be much better off if we worried less about being “offended” by every little thing and concentrated on ourselves instead.

I thought it was a good idea at the time.

Why allow over 900 f-words to litter BLF?

Of course hindsight is 20/20.

If I knew it was going to to blow up like it did, I wouldn't have said anything publicly.

Apparently I'm terrible at deescalating bad situations and I should leave that work to Mr. Admin.

No need to point fingers, the last flare-up is under control. The more important matters are 1) preventing future conflicts, and 2) identifying and banning malicious offenders.