Recently, on this blog and on another blog I like, some derisive and unpleasant comments have popped up.
I don't frequent a lot of discussion boards or blogs, and so am a latecomer to the term troll.
Troll is a seductive word to throw around, because it automatically nullifies the speaker. There are contradictory viewpoints, and there are trolls; the former is to be considered, the latter to be dismissed. (In this case, I would say the shoe fits, but trolls don't typically wear shoes.)
When someone (anonymously no less) mocks, criticizes, or makes a personal attack on something I've written, here or elsewhere, my first reaction is shock and indignation. How could they? I am accustomed to friendly banter, at best, and silence or non-sequiturs (Pete) at worst on this blog and on Verbungle.
"You often seem surprised that there is a reaction [to your blog], or a negative reaction, and seem to really resent that such a thing at all could exist," the point was made to me by someone who knows quite a bit about reacting negatively to me.
It's a worthy point. If I'm going to put my petty, bourgeois, angsty thoughts out there for anyone to read, why shouldn't I expect (if not welcome) the consequences, whether good or bad? Why make something public, and then be surprised -- happily or unhappily -- when something unpredictable happens?
I'll admit I was sort of stunned when it turned out that not everyone considered my thoughts on men and singles events to be entertaining and actually cried foul. It did make me think twice about blanketing generalizations across a demographic, which is something that frankly, I can't promise I won't do again, because well, I still think it was kind of funny. But it opened up a discussion, which was one of the things I hope to but often fail to do on this blog.
If you take the time to post a thought -- a real thought, as opposed to blind slander or angry mockery -- to this blog, I owe you a debt. If, on the other hand, a you want to spew anger, I can only turn to resignation or pity, because you are never going to get the kind of return on your energy that you need.
Music: "Mmm Mmm Mmm Mmm"
MY SEQUITORS DO NOT NON
ReplyDeleteHahahahah
ReplyDeleteI don't know what to make of my troll. Part of me wants to ban his ass but somehow that seems unfair. Plus it's kind of interesting.
ReplyDeleteMaybe it means you are a success. I once read that listeners who hate shock jocks listen to the shows longer than people who say they love the shock jocks.
ReplyDeleteOr maybe, the interweb allows assholes to annoy more people.
It is interesting. I keep waiting for Hans to announce that it was a hoax and that he, in fact, is the real mmm.
ReplyDelete