Trolls on ECF?

[JimmyDB]

I've seen a lot of trollish posting on ECF, but I don't know if they are actual Sunstein plants, or just misguided vapers who uncritically swallowed ANTZ propaganda and are spewing it back on this forum. The demonstrable fact remains that some ANTZ-y discourse continues to be gushed by various posters on ECF (particularly in discussions on this very board).

I think it's a bit of everything and not only people repeating every bad thing they just saw last night on the news regarding a 5 year old study related to equipment that hasn't even been manufactured in 4 years.

 

[sub4me]

I don't know, I kinda think most of those big institutions don't really care enough to be coming on boards just to argue we people, but who knows maybe they do if they are bored in their cubical.

 

[JimmyDB]

Kind of like saying I haven't notice any spies. You won't unless they screw up.

The ones we coming call trolls are nothing more than juvenile delinquents.

If the big boys send in a troll, we will never know it.

Well... we will probably know, because they will be trolling... "troll'ers gonna troll" and all that... generally we won't know about 'spies' because a lot of the spy work can be done without ever having an account. The mods actually have access to some 'big data' that we could actually use to sniff out some users we would have never have suspected... <and they may already be doing this> <-- you just never know

 

[JimmyDB]

Heh, I mean, I don't think the trolls are necessarily gonna come out to comment on whether or not they think they're trolling or whatever.

Also, the troll term is kind of vague, is a troll just anyone who disagrees with your point of view? In my opinion, a troll is someone who is intentionally playing dumb or saying things to rile someone up. Most people, in my experience on ECF, seem to be sincere, and either are truly invested in their ways of thinking (and aren't trying to get people riled up), or are just misinformed and sort of leave the conversation with their "tail between their legs" when they realize that what they're saying was wrong. Other people even acknowledge (and I've been corrected and acknowledged that I was wrong) when someone points out something wrong (and true) about their post.

I don't think there's a lot of trolls on here. Also, the 5-post-minimum type thing makes the effort to troll this forum a little more than average.. It's not like we're being raided by y'know.. That one website.

I still go with a very simple definition... it's a person who posts just to get more attention, and they generally love to get replies and get someone to latch on to. They are a burden to a community. Sometimes they are useful to have around, as they will bounce all over the place just looking for the next 'john'... especially places they really don't belong or have any other interest to be,... because of this, it's not bad to have a few around, unless they are the type of individual who just likes trouble... but that's related to the person and not the act of trolling.

 

[classwife]

They see me Trollin
They hatin
Patrolling, they tryin to catch me typin dirty
Tryin to catch me typin dirty
Tryin to catch me typin dirty

 

[Dusty_D]

I still go with a very simple definition... it's a person who posts just to get more attention, and they generally love to get replies and get someone to latch on to. They are a burden to a community. Sometimes they are useful to have around, as they will bounce all over the place just looking for the next 'john'... especially places they really don't belong or have any other interest to be,... because of this, it's not bad to have a few around, unless they are the type of individual who just likes trouble... but that's related to the person and not the act of trolling.

Good lord, you just described me in my moderator uniform!

/me gets ready to ban myself for being a trollerator!!

 

[JimmyDB]

Not everyone that comes here these days regarding vaping is a smoker looking for an alternative.

Just vapers.

Sometimes frustration blurs the line with someone with different thoughts / lack of knowledge vs. a troll...

Good point... I came here AFTER I had quit smoking. There are some people who seem to refuse to believe that any one has actually quit, but I have (so far)... wont know for sure until I die... although, you can quit something and then go back... doesn't mean you didn't quit... if you doubt this, quit your job and then start returning their phone calls a month later and see what they think, the state thinks, etc.

Ok... good point, but not entirely true. I know there are people here who don't vape, but let's say it's mainly suppliers... so that's ok.

Totally agree about the frustration statement... if they don't go away after you stop posting... i.e., if they reply a couple of times, or possibly visit your profile more than 24 hours later... that's probably a troll.

 

[JimmyDB]

There is a very fine line between a troll and someone who just likes to shake the dust

I disagree. I think the line is quite large. Of course, I am seeing a troll as someone that basically only cares about getting attention for themselves... where as 'shaking the dust loose' <-- my words, not yours, doesn't require someone to act like a troll. But I could see how someone attempting to 'shake the dust loose' may actually play the part of a troll to get the job done... it's still trolling. i.e., If they are trolling, they are trolling <period>.

 

[JimmyDB]

Before the internet they called us trolls .....

A little good natured trolling is OK with me, get's the topics going. Passion should not be mistaken for anger or hate. Some come on strong and some are just thin skinned little crybabies! see what I did there? In fact, this topic came up recently and somebody posted a definition troll and I'll be dammed if I could almost fit some of those descriptions at one time or another.

I hope I am more help and fun to have around than trouble...................

Can you share this link to the ?definition? I would love to see how much it may have changed or is changing. I do think however, that it's a living word now, and many will use it incorrectly (if you can do such a thing) without even caring... it can be used to rally a group against a person, like you used to be able to just call someone a commie and a mob would show up.

 

[JerryRM]

Trolls are easy to spot, they have avatars similar to this pic.

 

[Robino1]

Trolls are easy to spot, they have avatars similar to this pic.

How'd you get my picture?

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[Dusty_D]

How'd you get my picture?

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Another trollerator!!

 

[JimmyDB]

Example3:

"That person in my office complained about my vaping. Now I can't vape in the office. I should be able to complain that complaint infringes my rights as a vaper"

No. There are no 'rights as a vaper'. Sorry. You don't get paid to vape. You get paid to work and not annoy/distract your fellow workers from their jobs. Don't like it? Start your own business.

For those three examples I have been called a troll. I think anyone who tries to call BS on the feedback loop around here automatically gets the troll label.

Personally... I don't think starting their own business is the only option and I find it narrow to even suggest that. The employer probably already has a procedure to resolve employee disputes and they should really start there. I don't think the other person (who complained) gets paid to complain... but you could just as easily direct the statement to them.

And Dog help you if you've got a low post count! That's the first thing the mods look at when trying to figure out who's post gets deleted. Poster with a few thousand posts can call people all manner of derogatory names and not get called on it.

Post count, first thing... nah, probably second after the general forum rules... but I am sure it's on the list... and it should be... sticking around and providing value is actually worth something and it may lead to a mod knowing that you will be back very shortly and can edit your remark or may spur them to just edit it for you rather than delete it.

I think particular people can/do get away with a lot... again though, there is a procedure that can be followed... careful though, someone might tell you that it's not the place of a regular user to complain, and they may tell you to go start your own world-class ecig forum.

 

[JimmyDB]

Doesn't this kind of posting fall under ECF Rule #11?

(emphasis added)

Existence of this rule is proof that this isn't even close to a 'free' (as in speech) forum. Luckily for ECF, it doesn't have to be

Generally... such a rule is evidence of tyrannical rule, in this case... I think it's just politics and a safe practice.

 

[JimmyDB]

What a boring job for some intern at a government office.
"OK, we need you to read this forum in its entirety for the next 60 days.

Yessir. I have started with this thread.

Post something you read from google every once in awhile to keep suspicions low, but NEVER reply to your original post. We hear it's suicide. Here's a redbull, Marty will fill out your time sheets."

Seriously though, you never have to post anything... you don't even have to join for the bulk of the site... and, someone who just posts odd things without being really being part of a discussion is quite suspicious. But hey... I have a bit of the ol' paranoia anyway 8-o

 

[JerryRM]

Robin !!!!! Love the avatar !!!!!

Bwahahahahahahahahahaha

Hiya, Dusty !!!!! Can I be a troll?

 

[Rwb1500]

I have a hard time letting poor advice, worthless drivel, and general ignorance slide, especially when it comes from a place intended to help people. I've seen members with thousands of posts give just completely wrong information. This is the worst kind of unintentional troll as far as I'm concerned. Far more dangerous than shills from outside, misinformation from within, whether it be intentional or just ignorance is very harmful.

Vaping is not always black and white. Some people like mechs, some people like regulated mods. Some people think cucumbers taste better pickled... However there are things that are absolute. Battery safety, math, nic safety. I see wrong numbers and figures thrown around by veterans on this site and it pisses me off. I also see lots of opinion represented as fact. I've been shocked by the general civility on this forum, however a little disappointed in it, maybe we're civil to a fault. People need to be corrected when they are wrong, whether the have 15 posts or 15000.

All this to say we are our worst enemy. Or something. This whole diatribe may be completely off topic, and if it is I apologize. Just something I had on my mind. I'll go back to vaping and tracking my Fasttech orders now.

 

[JimmyDB]

I think the definition/meaning of "troll" must vary some from poster to poster. I say this because I have seen many posts where as soon as there is a serious disagreement, regardless of the topic, someone is quickly called a troll.

Yup... I posted about this not long ago myself... it's a 'trigger word' that can be used to 'rally the troops' pretty darn effectively. Luckily though, I think most people around here catch on to this pretty quick... but it doesn't remove the effect it may have had on the poster being called one (if they care).

 

[Robino1]

Contradicting or correcting someone is fine. It is ALL in how it is done. Posting correct information without attacking the person that is being corrected, would be ok. Calling someone an idiot or any other derogatory name....well that just is not ok.

We do like a good debate, information gets put out there on both sides of issues. Name calling or a flat out pissing contest will get acted on.

Use the mind not the brawn

 

[FlamingoTutu]

How'd you get my picture?

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Just when I was getting used to the mod mod avatar.