Thoughts related to trolling

**WARNING**

The video I'm linking to makes use of the F word. Not that one. The longer one, namely "f*ggot". It's about examining and defusing the knee-jerk insult/response actions that trolls and other unpleasant types engender when they call those who disagree with them "f*gs".

The author of the video, Kirby Ferguson, politely examines this use of this word in online communities, and with a gentle sense of humor. This is not to glorify the abusiveness of the word, just to examine it. It's actually pretty cool.

This dude makes some pretty thoughtful and funny observations on a variety of things, but not always family friendly, so you're warned now if you decide to click back to the original page.

I intend no offense with this link, so if you're ok with the topic, enjoy. If not, tune in for the next blog, no worries :)

Kirby Ferguson's "The F*g Bomb"

Now, for the topic:

Much cooler trolls from John Bauer, 1915

When observing trolls and their ilk at work, you see a variety of skills at play - the most entertaining really go into picking apart arguments and taking the time to take things out of their original context - the really lazy ones just throw a cheap insult out there, something you *know* will trigger a really emotional response. And I find that fascinating. I see this as a chance to get people taking about this weird phenomenon.

I mean, if you disagree with philiosophy or politics with someone in a public setting, what are the odds that they'll suddenly shout something like that at you as a response? Sometimes, in some real world settings, people shout profanity and nasty things for no discernable reason, but there's a greater amount of social censure. Why not online? What makes it ok to throw in an insult in lieu of a real response? And what does that trigger? Raised blood pressure, as in me when I read a trollish response with sexist or racist content? Or a measured, thoughtful reply (genreally a waste of energy with these types)? Or an examination of the issue/topic at hand, trying to find holes in it, weaknesses that can be exploited, and then shore up the framework to prevent further harassment.

One one hand, I'd love to engage in an intellectual free for all online, bounce my ideas and opinons around, do the same to other people's - but I don't. Because of this. Why bother? But am I being too passive, locking myself out of the coffeehouse, or am I being wise, saving my energies for fruitful areas (class, papers, etc) alone? I treasure the presnce of gadflies, but there is no defending people who are clysterpipes for no good reason.

And what the hell does any of this have to do with feminism?! As you may have noticed, there is a slew of unsavory stereotypes and misapprehensions about the movement/s, and they sell like hotcakes. Even today! I'm a fan of a lot of ideas under the feminist umbrella, but personally, I believe that there is far too much infighting over who's more feminist than who, and who's calling who by what term, and what the people who disagree or don't identify with the ideas are saying.

I admit to a personal bias here which informs the project- I'd like to see this movement continue, and make use of all the wonders of digital technologies. I believe it, at its base, is a wonderful idea, and there's a lot of benefits. There's also a lot of work to be done, still, and fighting on the internet hampers progress. Sooooooooo, there. I'm done for now.