Are Trolls Good for Society?

[Maritime Q-Scout]

I've been giving this some thought lately.

Are trolls online a good thing?

I'm starting to think, yes.


Now hear me out.

In the last Spring1 fiasco I argued with her, in quite depth to explain my viewpoint. I actively listened to what she had to say and responded as best i could as did others including but not limited to btimbit. I leaned a lot from him and others.

There was recently a second amendemnt debate where I tried to argue what I think is the real issue behind gun rights. I disagreed with my position but argued it and against what I, and most here, believed in. It helped me learn a lot about both sides.

Then the Redskins debate. There are two posters arguing for keeping the name. One is arguing a decent viewpoint (is this a vocal minority making a notice for the sake of making noise, or a legitimate concern) he didn't say under no circumstances should the name remain, but back up your argument with more than "I'm not native and I find the word to be offensive on behalf of others even those the others may not be offended". The other is either trolling or insane. But by arguing against the insanity, there are so many articles, facts and figures that have come out that we otherwise wouldn't have seen by taking a "yes it's racist change the name" argument.

Trolling makes you defend your position stronger. Is that a bad thing?

Can trolling be good? Be good for society? Be good for the internet? Be good for us personally?

[undercoverbrother]

this should go well

[nik-]

They push debates to extremes. People go more extreme when dealing with trolls as a "defense". So no, they're not good. They're the Tea Party of the internet.

[Northendzone]

they are amusing to a point, and then thier stick becomes tiring.......

[MarchHare]

Well-reasoned and intelligent dissent is good for society. Debating against a smart person from the opposite side of the argument will force you to strengthen your own points or maybe even make you reconsider your position.

Trolling, especially in the case of the examples you gave, rarely reaches that mark.

[undercoverbrother]

Originally Posted by MarchHare

Well-reasoned and intelligent dissent is good for society. Debating against a smart person from the opposite side of the argument will force you to strengthen your own points or maybe even make you reconsider your position.

Trolling, especially in the case of the examples you gave, rarely reaches that mark.

I agree with you, a different viewpoint is helpful in either solidifying your position/beliefs, or in changing them


Trolls are in internet only issue.

Has anyone ever met/discussed/talked to an individual in real life that is as off the charts nuts as internet trolls?

[dissentowner]

No, CP has been so much better since GreenTeaFrapp, Captain Obvious, and moon were giving their walking orders and threads don't get clogged down with crap. Of course new ones always come along and screw it up again.

[Resolute 14]

Originally Posted by undercoverbrother

I agree with you, a different viewpoint is helpful in either solidifying your position/beliefs, or in changing them


Trolls are in internet only issue.

Has anyone ever met/discussed/talked to an individual in real life that is as off the charts nuts as internet trolls?

The anti-abortion freaks endangering people on Deerfoot Trail with disgusting banners are real life trolls. They aren't changing anyone's mind, merely pissing people off. In fact, my support for abortion is probably stronger because of their antics. The only thing their existence has caused me to consider is how disappointing it is that their parents didn't do the right thing and abort them.

Other real life trolls include PETA and Greenpeace.

[Rhettzky]

What you describe isn't really trolling. A solid troll is most Oilers fans that pop their head up into a thread, say something completely off the wall to get an emotional response and then fade into the background. Only to pop up later on, not reply to any of the posts addressing their drive by post and then say something else for the same effect. It's an art form really.

[Hack&Lube]

Most debates can use a devil's advocate. Unfortunately, in the internet age (and probably throughout history wherever there was a forum where the lowest denominator masses had a voice), this is often someone who is ignorant, misinformed, unintelligent, or simply argumentative. They do it not to spur debate and conversation but simply to hear the sound of their own voice or to be irritating.

That said, trolls can catalyse other forces against them and get people to work together for a common cause.

[Drury18]

Trolls that blindly argue a controversial/unpopular point without intelligence and having to go to insults or other childish behaviour in order to "win" the argument, no.

People who have different opinions from you and are passionate about them but can argue them in an intelligent and respectful way, yes.

[MarchHare]

Originally Posted by Resolute 14

The anti-abortion freaks endangering people on Deerfoot Trail with disgusting banners are real life trolls. They aren't changing anyone's mind, merely pissing people off. In fact, my support for abortion is probably stronger because of their antics. The only thing their existence has caused me to consider is how disappointing it is that their parents didn't do the right thing and abort them.

Other real life trolls include PETA and Greenpeace.

The Westboro Baptist Church and the Open Carry Texas group are two other examples of real-life trolls.

[Major Major]

Originally Posted by undercoverbrother

Trolls are in internet only issue.

Ya, had to do a double take on this one. Trolls are everywhere. They are a ubiquitous symptom of modern society and people wanting to feel more important than they actually are.

[Locke]

Dont say her name!!!

[calumniate]

Springs?

Some trolls are entertaining, so long as they stick to one thread only

[undercoverbrother]

Originally Posted by Resolute 14

The anti-abortion freaks endangering people on Deerfoot Trail with disgusting banners are real life trolls. They aren't changing anyone's mind, merely pissing people off. In fact, my support for abortion is probably stronger because of their antics. The only thing their existence has caused me to consider is how disappointing it is that their parents didn't do the right thing and abort them.

Other real life trolls include PETA and Greenpeace.

Originally Posted by MarchHare

The Westboro Baptist Church and the Open Carry Texas group are two other examples of real-life trolls.

Originally Posted by Major Major

Ya, had to do a double take on this one. Trolls are everywhere. They are a ubiquitous symptom of modern society and people wanting to feel more important than they actually are.

Yeah, you are all correct.


Lack of faith in humanity restored.

[nik-]

Originally Posted by Locke

Dont say her name!!!

[northcrunk]

Originally Posted by Resolute 14

The anti-abortion freaks endangering people on Deerfoot Trail with disgusting banners are real life trolls. They aren't changing anyone's mind, merely pissing people off. In fact, my support for abortion is probably stronger because of their antics. The only thing their existence has caused me to consider is how disappointing it is that their parents didn't do the right thing and abort them.

Other real life trolls include PETA and Greenpeace.

[Ozy_Flame]

How much debating goes on on this site where folks can remember all of these trolls? I'm honestly shocked

The best troll of all time was Lanny. The best troll.

[nik-]

Originally Posted by Ozy_Flame

How much debating goes on on this site where folks can remember all of these trolls? I'm honestly shocked

The best troll of all time was Lanny. The best troll.

But Lanny was an old fashioned troll. The "Elder Trolls of the Internet" used to slow play people, they were subtle and dragged you along forever. Mostly you couldn't tell they were trolling. The new trolls are just way too obvious and brazen.