June 6, 2012
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THE TROUBLE WITH TRIBBLES AND TROLLS
Do you remember the famous Star Trek episode “The Trouble with Tribbles” in which tiny mutant hairballs multiply rapidly until they almost appear to become one giant mutant hairball, kind of like Donald Trump? If you don’t remember it, the tribbles infest the entire Starship Enterprise and begin eating away at everything they see which would take all of the fun out of being one of the guys in the red shirts that always dies in every episode. I’ve encountered something similar lately with the troll population here on Xanga.
I’ve been an Xanga member since 2004. I took a break in 2009 and then decided to reappear about three weeks ago. I did literally hundreds of posts during those first five years and never encountered a single troll. Then I made a huge tactical error…
Have any of you gone over to the Revelife site? It’s a Christian blogging community that accepts reader submissions. One day I got a crazy idea; “I wonder if they would publish a post of mine?” Due to my rather bizarre love/hate relationship with organized religion I figured there was about as much chance of them publishing something I wrote as Michele Bachmann’s husband not actually being gay. But lo and behold they published this post in which I actually used the phrase “fucked up.”
I was impressed.
Then the trolls came, and for the life of me I don’t why I was surprised they would show up on a Christian website.
Our dear friends over at Wikipedia define an internet troll as “Someone who posts inflammatory, extraneous, or off-topic messages in an online community, such as an online discussion forum, chat room, or blog, with the primary intent of provoking readers into an emotional response or of otherwise disrupting normal on-topic discussion.”
Holy shitballs there are a bunch of these folks trolling around Xanga and NONE of them have a sense of humor!
There were many well meaning people who were truly concerned about my impending date with hell fire and eternal damnation, but then I ran across people who appeared to be dicks for the sole purpose of being dicks. Please note that there is a difference between being a dick and actually having a dick. Some of the trolls were women and the male trolls are probably being dicks because of the microscopic size of their actual dick. However, to be fair, this is the same reason I’m in my 50’s and drive a sports car.
There is one troll in particular that I’ve learned has a long and inglorious history here on Xanga. From what I’ve learned, he trolls under a name until he gets kicked off Xanga and then re-emerges as a new personality. I wont reveal his actual current Xanga incarnation here but it sort of rhymes with “the advisor of doves.” or maybe “the wearer of gloves,” or even “douche bag we want to shove.”
I won’t glorify his antics here other to say that he must be a very unhappy person and he really, REALLY, needs to get back on his meds.
In don’t understand trolling. Why would someone spend so much time and effort running all over Xanga leaving condescending, hateful, belligerent, and sometimes downright crazy comments on the posts of anyone they disagree with? Oh yeah…It must be because the are very unhappy people who really, REALLY, need to get back on their meds.
I will admit that I have allowed him to get under my skin and when that happens he wins. So I’m going to follow sage advice and I’m going to stop feeding the trolls.
Maybe if we all stop feeding the trolls they will wind up like the guys in the red shirts on Star Trek.
Comments (8)
For those of us who are legit trolls, it’s more or less akin to the insult comic. As much as people protest, trolls are sought after for their (usually) entertainment value. Most trolls tend to focus their attacks on people they view as easily offended, or overly emotional. The dumber of the troll community will go after everyone and anyone regardless and without thought. These are the ones that really fag up what is otherwise a hilarious waste of time (^_^).
Real trolling is almost an art-form. Especially if you pull it off without being caught. Shit trolling involves just being an asshat and is usually pretty obvious.
I’ve had people come after me for suggesting going on friend’s lock if others can’t handle the trolling. Then a couple Malaysians came after me, but that was cleared up just as fast as it started.
Ughk. (not mispelled – you know the sound) Hope it does not hinder your dicking around here at xanga (I crack myself up – but I do enjoy your blogs).
I read a LOT of things and I don’t always agree with them. There is just so much that’s wrong with the “moral majority” or whatever the heck it is they are calling themselves these days. I am a Christian, and as such try my hardest to “judge not, lest…….(you know what)” And when these holier than thou rollers get started, I wonder how the heck they think they are spreading the gospel. If I were not already in the kingdom of God, I sure as hell wouldn’t be enticed by all the thou shalt nots and lack of love, patience and understanding apparently involved. That being said, I am part of a very loving non-denominational congregation. And I don’t agree with everything that we consider “gospel,” but I’m ok with the Word, and that is my guiding force. I could be wrong, but I’m thinking that these trolls are not all about practicing The Greatest Commandment.”
I love reading your posts.
I just read the most bizarre post which glorifies the Catholic church for their promotion of science in the Middle Ages (which has Galileo rolling, no doubt) and I could not decide if the poster was trying to stir the pot or if they’re enjoying a disconnect with reality. It’s a bit disturbing, to be honest with you.
Revelife has sent me a friend request after my brief visit to the site… I ‘m sure there are some wonderful folks there, but the nut quotient is a bit too much for me. Not something you’ll hear me say often.
@PrimevalWench - Bwahahaha! I see you’ve been reading my favorite crazy poster here on Xanga.
Found you through Cassi – I was on xanga in 2002 and have taken many breaks but hope I’m back again. I guess the xanga trolls are a new thing…great, I’ll have to be on the look out for them.
Welcome back.