Published by deborah.woehr on 03 Mar 2006 at 10:33 am
Blog Trolls and Snipers
Nick Wilson of Performancing grumbles about blog snobs. I know. I’ve seen the self-proclaimed gurus, Nick is talking about. I read their arrogant and pompous words, and then I moved on because I didn’t feel that they gave me any knowledge that I hadn’t learned before.
His commentary reminded me of what I call Blog Trolls and Snipers, due to the personal attacks I’ve seen on a couple of blogs that I read regularly. The difference between the two is their methods. Snipers will attack you from their blogs while trolls will go to your blog and get in your face.
I ran across one sniper blog late in 2004 and another last week, where all they did was trash other blogs. Sometimes they were right. But often their words were just plain vicious and hateful.
One of my regular readers (who will remain anonymous) was a victim of a sniper attack sometime last year. They posted their attack, and he responded with anger. That was a big mistake. In the end, the sniper and his cronies ate this poor guy alive.
I was immediately reminded of my time spent on a large forum as a moderator. I’ve seen trolls in action and know that the best thing to do when confronted with these people is to ignore them. To respond is to invite a more vicious attack. The same goes with snipers.
The majority of the time, they are attention seekers looking to get their rocks off by tormenting others. Once they figure out that you aren’t going to bite back, they’ll go search for someone else to pick on.
Benjamin Solah on 03 Mar 2006 at 5:15 pm #
They are the most low form of parasite on the net. I still have a troll hanging around my blog. I find trolls are attracted to political posts.
deborah.woehr on 04 Mar 2006 at 9:33 am #
I consider the sexual predators to be the lowest of the net, with the trolls coming in second. Fortunately, I’ve never had an experience with trolls here . . . yet.
When I first started this blog, I received a backlash from Geeklog fans when I posted a negative review of the software.
pat kirby on 06 Mar 2006 at 8:14 am #
Getting political seems to bring out the trolls.
I don’t see the point in arguing with a blogger unless they specifically invite argument. I know, some think that’s what blogging is about. But, in my experience, it rarely stays civil, and no one changes anyone else’s mind.
Ultimately, there’s not much point in running to defend yourself either. It’s like throwing gas on a fire. I know it’s so tempting to want to get in the last word, to not let “them” win. But again, the angrier you get, the more control you’ve given them.
deborah.woehr on 06 Mar 2006 at 8:25 am #
Well said, Pat.
Marti on 06 Mar 2006 at 4:21 pm #
I occasionally post at the forums at E-Bay, and there are some vicious people there - LOL
I always answered them with excessive politeness, as that to let me maintain the high ground. Plus I knew that a polite response would actually irritate them more (snicker).
Try it next time you get a troll - it’ll burn their chaps more than any flame - LOL
deborah.woehr on 06 Mar 2006 at 5:08 pm #
Kill them with kindness! I like that.