4 ms·

I hate this attitude of "blame everything on the trolls". You can't use your real name on the internet because using your real name on the internet is basically

I hate this attitude of "blame everything on the trolls". You can't use your real name on the internet because using your real name on the internet is basically asking for trouble. You have to defend yourself in the same way you have to look at ads and read media critically and don't believe everything someone says on the phone or in the mail. It's really nothing new, it's just on the internet this time. Scamming and spectacle has always been a good play. People are simply not trustworthy, especially in large numbers, the internet just provides more exposure, so "don't be dumb" applies even more. Defending yourself is simply part of living in society.

CarolineW 10y ago
You say: > People are simply not trustworthy, ... In my experience the vast majority of people are trustworthy. The problem is that the tiny minority of people who are not trustworthy are winning the internet because they have time, and shout loudly. More, some of them do obnoxious and potentially dangerous things. That's why people get upset - because it is a tiny minority that spoil the whole thing. If only we could stop that tiny minority ...
- chrisdbaldwin 10y ago
  Sorry to burst your bubble, but citing your experience with people is equivalent to trolling. Your anecdotal evidence doesn't agree with what's been studied in Behavioral Economics. The problem is not that a tiny minority are untrustworthy; the problem is that a large majority lie (a little bit) often and by nature.
  - problems 10y ago
    I think this actually explains a lot of what's considered "trolling" when it comes to political topics. Many individuals stretching the truth for their side just a little bit adds up to a warped picture in total and gets blamed as if it's a goal.
  - CarolineW 10y ago
    > ... citing your experience with people is equivalent to trolling. That's an interesting point of view - thank you for sharing it. I will think hard on what you say.
- problems 10y ago
  > In my experience the vast majority of people are trustworthy. Sure, but in quantity there will always be some people - even some of those normal, trustworthy people who feel particularly strongly about something and decide to go on the offensive. There's nothing you can do about that, that "tiny minority" of abusers will always exist in any given situation involving enough people. Ignoring this effect is stupid. Trying to counter it is a waste of time and potentially harmful to speech. Defending yourself is the cheapest option, just do it. Tell other people how to do it. Maybe I'm just a cynic, but I'm beginning to feel like the trolls are smarter than the people who whine about trolling in this day and age - they're able to defend themselves better at least.
accountface 10y ago
I had to take down the website for my business and can only accept brick & mortar transactions because of trolls... but sure I guess you can win at your commenting game by claiming everything is shit. I've been running a business with multiple locations for 10 years and I've never had a problem more serious than trolls on the internet doxxing me.
- problems 10y ago
  See, this is the problem. Don't blame it on "trolls", analyze where you screwed up and how you could have defended yourself better so you know what to do next time. Then open up shop under a different alias. If you're not vigilant about your own security and safety, no one else will do it for you. Take responsibility for your own actions.
  - accountface 10y ago
    Someone literally came to my house, where I live.
    - problems 10y ago
      Why was that information available on the internet? That's the kind of risk you take if you make that kind of information available on the internet. Think of all the possible things someone could do with your address and assume those will be done. That's the type of precaution you should be taking.
      - UncleMeat 10y ago
        It is pretty hard to operate a business and not have this information be available for a sufficiently interested person.
        problems 10y ago
        I do it myself. It's completely possible. Get a PO box or pay a corporate privacy company to forward your mail. Depends how you operate though I suppose. Unless you're running a physical business from your house you probably don't need to disclose.

CarolineW 10y ago

You say: > People are simply not trustworthy, ... In my experience the vast majority of people are trustworthy. The problem is that the tiny minority of people who are not trustworthy are winning the internet because they have time, and shout loudly. More, some of them do obnoxious and potentially dangerous things. That's why people get upset - because it is a tiny minority that spoil the whole thing. If only we could stop that tiny minority ...

chrisdbaldwin 10y ago
Sorry to burst your bubble, but citing your experience with people is equivalent to trolling. Your anecdotal evidence doesn't agree with what's been studied in Behavioral Economics. The problem is not that a tiny minority are untrustworthy; the problem is that a large majority lie (a little bit) often and by nature.
- problems 10y ago
  I think this actually explains a lot of what's considered "trolling" when it comes to political topics. Many individuals stretching the truth for their side just a little bit adds up to a warped picture in total and gets blamed as if it's a goal.
- CarolineW 10y ago
  > ... citing your experience with people is equivalent to trolling. That's an interesting point of view - thank you for sharing it. I will think hard on what you say.
problems 10y ago
> In my experience the vast majority of people are trustworthy. Sure, but in quantity there will always be some people - even some of those normal, trustworthy people who feel particularly strongly about something and decide to go on the offensive. There's nothing you can do about that, that "tiny minority" of abusers will always exist in any given situation involving enough people. Ignoring this effect is stupid. Trying to counter it is a waste of time and potentially harmful to speech. Defending yourself is the cheapest option, just do it. Tell other people how to do it. Maybe I'm just a cynic, but I'm beginning to feel like the trolls are smarter than the people who whine about trolling in this day and age - they're able to defend themselves better at least.

accountface 10y ago

I had to take down the website for my business and can only accept brick & mortar transactions because of trolls... but sure I guess you can win at your commenting game by claiming everything is shit. I've been running a business with multiple locations for 10 years and I've never had a problem more serious than trolls on the internet doxxing me.

problems 10y ago
See, this is the problem. Don't blame it on "trolls", analyze where you screwed up and how you could have defended yourself better so you know what to do next time. Then open up shop under a different alias. If you're not vigilant about your own security and safety, no one else will do it for you. Take responsibility for your own actions.
- accountface 10y ago
  Someone literally came to my house, where I live.
  - problems 10y ago
    Why was that information available on the internet? That's the kind of risk you take if you make that kind of information available on the internet. Think of all the possible things someone could do with your address and assume those will be done. That's the type of precaution you should be taking.
    - UncleMeat 10y ago
      It is pretty hard to operate a business and not have this information be available for a sufficiently interested person.
      - problems 10y ago
        I do it myself. It's completely possible. Get a PO box or pay a corporate privacy company to forward your mail. Depends how you operate though I suppose. Unless you're running a physical business from your house you probably don't need to disclose.