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Was Diogenes a “Troll”?

3 points by podgaj 6y ago

podgaj 6y ago
Would Diogenes be considered a troll if he appeared one day on Hacker News or Reddit? I mean, look at the stuff he did! "He showed his rejection of "normal" ideas about human decency by eating in the street, masturbating in the marketplace, urinating on those who insulted him, defecating in the theatre, and pointing at people with his middle finger. He was a self-appointed public scold whose mission was to demonstrate to the ancient Greeks that civilization is regressive."
- salawat 6y ago
  He also rightfully rejected the illusion of supremacy by the higher classes, called out the political classes for being liars, and reminded scholars that it's a good idea to check yourself against the world sometimes. You could find no more respectable a wielder of the yardstick of civilization than good ol' Diogenes. It takes a man who knows what savagery lies beneath to appreciate just how little we are separated from the beasts around us.
  - podgaj 6y ago
    Yes, I agree. so imagine him here, in this ne "public Square". How do you think he would act?
lioeters 6y ago
Diogenes is one of my favorite wandering philosophers, along with Nasreddin, and legendary characters from Taoism and Zen Buddhism. In a way, they did "troll" the societies where they travelled, by living beyond their value systems, flaunting their freedom and mocking what people take seriously. I'd prefer the term "wise fools". https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Divine_madness https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Divine_madness They were not trolls who take pleasure in mockery. Their way of life and thought have something to teach us, and people through history have loved these characters, as we can see from the stories we continue to tell about them.
- podgaj 6y ago
  I was not asking if they really were trolls, but would the be shunned as trolls on the modern day forums by people who did not understand them?
just-juan-post 6y ago
Sounds more like a neckbeard / incel. > He lived in Corinth for the rest of his life, which he devoted to preaching the doctrines of virtuous self-control. Witty, smart, undesirable, revolting for all but his quick mind.

3 points by podgaj 6y ago

Would Diogenes be considered a troll if he appeared one day on Hacker News or Reddit? I mean, look at the stuff he did! "He showed his rejection of "normal" ideas about human decency by eating in the street, masturbating in the marketplace, urinating on those who insulted him, defecating in the theatre, and pointing at people with his middle finger. He was a self-appointed public scold whose mission was to demonstrate to the ancient Greeks that civilization is regressive."

salawat 6y ago
He also rightfully rejected the illusion of supremacy by the higher classes, called out the political classes for being liars, and reminded scholars that it's a good idea to check yourself against the world sometimes. You could find no more respectable a wielder of the yardstick of civilization than good ol' Diogenes. It takes a man who knows what savagery lies beneath to appreciate just how little we are separated from the beasts around us.
- podgaj 6y ago
  Yes, I agree. so imagine him here, in this ne "public Square". How do you think he would act?

lioeters 6y ago

Diogenes is one of my favorite wandering philosophers, along with Nasreddin, and legendary characters from Taoism and Zen Buddhism. In a way, they did "troll" the societies where they travelled, by living beyond their value systems, flaunting their freedom and mocking what people take seriously. I'd prefer the term "wise fools". https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Divine_madness https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Divine_madness They were not trolls who take pleasure in mockery. Their way of life and thought have something to teach us, and people through history have loved these characters, as we can see from the stories we continue to tell about them.

podgaj 6y ago
I was not asking if they really were trolls, but would the be shunned as trolls on the modern day forums by people who did not understand them?

just-juan-post 6y ago

Sounds more like a neckbeard / incel. > He lived in Corinth for the rest of his life, which he devoted to preaching the doctrines of virtuous self-control. Witty, smart, undesirable, revolting for all but his quick mind.