Re-post: How to deal with trolls

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Part of the solution would be less outdated forum software.* An option to hide posts of certain users.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

:+1: …… A kind word in private or possibly in public possibly would have achieved a better outcome…. we’ll never know. :wink:

Yep… Hindsight is 20/20 …. learn from it & move on.

And if you get right down to it…… there are very, very, few true TROLLS on BLF.

Also…. Nev is not a Troll…… nor is he a constant troublemaker.
He, like the rest of us; sometimes does, says, or posts something that someone may not like. So what… we all do it from time to time. Can’t we just relax a bit??

His manner & sense of humor may differ from some… but so what?? Do we label anyone a troll who does not fit in our particular box??

Nev has an avatar atm that I personally think is hilarious… but that is just my opinion. Others will love it & others will hate it…. that is their opinion.
Who cares either way… move on.

Everything is not political…… :smiley:

Thank you teacher ,
I’m learning to use different words from now on ,I didn’t realise some folk were so intolerant of others & their language & their humour, who would of thought that a simple little word like snowflake would cause so much misery to some , it’s my fault ,I shouldn’t assume all people are blessed with a good sense of humour :frowning:
Does my bum look big in this avatar?

Yeah, but TBH, your bum always looked big. :smiling_imp:

My feeling has been bent :cry:

My pleasure ya’ ole reprobate!! :smiley: . :beer: :face_with_monocle: :beer:

Yeah…. sadly it appears that is the way some of the world is going. :frowning:
Words that used to mean one thing now mean something totally different. :person_facepalming: … Tis sad. :cry:

But in real life……
… I & most of the people I know missed the political correctness memo. :wink:
We stick with the basic values we were raised with.

You changed your avatar!! I like that one, it reminds me of the festive Holiday & Christmas Season. :+1:

As far as your “bum”?? Beats me…. :smiley:

No, my avatar disappeared, I presume sb removed it on behalf of someone else , I hope this one is good to stay, it does look Christmasy ,I’m feeling very festive.
I hope it’s not too religiousy.