Re: Trolling

Don't feed 'em.

Trolls only exist on the power given by others. Even the "OOOOOHMMMMM" game you guys are having just keeps it alive. It's kinda like a tennis game. If you want it to stop, just stop hitting the ball back. Sure, the rules of the game say that if you don't hit the ball back, then you lose, but dealing with trolls isn't about winning or losing. It's about not living the lie that an agreement of some sort can be reached, or some common ground found, between yourself and the troll.

You already know that cannot happen. The only thing the troll will accept is that he is 100% right. With him, there is no common ground, there's only his ground.

It's easiest to simply not read the troll's posts at all. That way, the temptation to assert one's self in reply is averted. He desperately needs the replies -- it's like blood to a vampire.

Part of the freedom of speech means that the other guy has that right, too. But you also have the freedom not to receive his speech -- especially since it's a written forum. Exercise that right.

But don't try to take away his right to speak his mind -- because that's what he'd like to do to you, and you're better than that.

=-John-=
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