I'm pissed!! (political trolls and hacks)

great post

as a long time reader i've been seeing way less stuff on good old fashioned ufo's and ghosts...and monsters...where's all the good monster stories hiding?

long live ATS!

Thanks for this Op, SO.

Ive been waiting for it as I have seen quite a bit of name calling, and thread derailing in my short time here. 11 pages so far and yours hasn't degenerated to it yet.

I hope that it isn't because of your status, and also that your message is meant for all threads, and not just the political.

Peace to all





[edit on 26-2-2010 by redeyedwonder]

[atsimg]http://files.abovetopsecret.com/images/member/780b07a75eba.gif[/atsimg] GO GET EM TIGER!

Keep the nature of ATS clean and conspiratous! MUWUHUWUAHAHAHAHAAAAA !!! =)

It's about time. I'm quite tired of hearing Obama this and Obama that. Palin this and Palin that.

And I'm quite sure those threads on the front page drive traffic away from the forum (I know I don't click them.)

I understand what you’re getting at by telling us not to feed the trolls, but the thing is they feed themselves. They see a thread that has a lot of research done with links to back the post up but still post their crap to derail a post.

How about a troll button next to each member’s user name similar to the flag system. If a troll posts on my thread then I press the troll button if that same troll then post again on someone else threads then the op presses the troll button.

3 strikes and the troll gets an ATS troll plastered over their user name. Name and shame them. As they are a pain in the butt.

Beautifully done SO.

I've lost count of the times where I've seen a thread, either authored by myself or another well meaning member, simply degrade into poo flinging, partisan bickering matches.

"No I Can Scream Louder Than You"

This type of mentality has been on the rise, albeit the staff have been busy as of late.

No doubt redesigning the layout and contemplating future additions have kept you all very busy. Furthermore at the rate ATS has been growing, you can't expect to have eyes everywhere.

I applaud this idea that we won't care about members who don't care about us.

ATS is a community, we come here to enjoy the dialogue and friendly debate among complete stranger who eventually become good friends you wish were your neighbors.

I'm happy the mods will be taking a more severe stance with the trolling, and those who complain about being spanked for acting like children will get no sympathy from me.

You're perfectly right in assuming that those who will be confused or angered by this post will state the cause as being the over used and mythical notion that ATS is "censoring" their opinion.

It'll just help weed out the ranks quicker in that case.

I encourage those who have been making fools out of themselves to continue doing so, at least that we we will be rid of you sooner.

Thanks for the vote of confidence. It's nice to see that you've chosen to be the best over being just the biggest.

~Keeper


[edit on 2/26/2010 by tothetenthpower]

Only thing missing from the thread are examples of what the OP is referring to. Giving clear and specific examples on what is considered undesirable behaviour means there is less chance people can claim to be "confused" or "unsure" about what is and is not acceptable. It's a win/win scenario.

[edit on 26/2/2010 by Dark Ghost]

I say thank you ATS for stepping in and trying to do something about trolling. I have'nt been here long, but I have noticed a downhill slide in the political threads. I'm tired of it as well.

I don't mind being flamed for saying something before I've given it alot of thought, but I do mind being hated and flamed for simply expressing my opinion.

Once again, thanks for at least trying to restore so bit of sanity and order to a once great place to discuss and learn.

Peace and Light!

reply to post by Dark Ghost


An example of trolling might be (and this is just an example, not meant for you personally and not intended to insult you)

You Dark Ghost are the dumbest lamest poster on ATS I can't believe you would want something as stupid as an example of trolling! What a douche! Whatcha do just wake up today and get on the internet you r-tard?

That is an example of trolling, as you can see, it does not contribute to anything, just demeans a poster. It's meant to be hurtful and derogatory.

BTW I did not mean anything I posted in that example. I hope you aren't offended.

reply to post by SkepticOverlord


Sounds Good SO...

Looking forward to reading great discussions again here on ATS..

I have also been confused about the meaning of trolls. Its can have a varied meaning depending on the website. In some, it is just disagreement. I don't think disagreeing or even "dropping bombs" should be opposed. Maybe the name should be applied to those who always make personal attacks and have no meaningful ideas. Unfortunately this is a very old tactic. Attack the messenger when his message is on point. Maybe this is part of the conspiracy in politics. We will attack you personally unless you agree with us.

Hello! You can also express your opinion by voting. Why dont you and staff just vote them out!

Insanity: doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results.
Insanity: doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results.


Insanity: doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results.
Albert Einstein

i dont think that simply disagreeing with someone classifies you as a troll. i think that a troll is someone who gives their opinion, but does it in an insulting manner. you can disagree with someone, and debate with someone, without being insulting. i think that some people perhaps lack the necessary self control to debate topics without insults. those people perhaps should refrain from posting. i think that if you cant create a reasonable argument in your post without being insulting to other members, you probably should post anything at all. the problem im seeing here, is that some people need clarification on what exactly an insult is...and thats where the problem lies. people dont know where to draw the line. so i think that if you have to question whether or not something is appropriate to post...chances are, its probably not all that appropriate.

and some people i think may try to continue putting out their opinion with insults simply because they feel it livens things up, or perhaps that they have a right to free speech to say whatever they want. well, out in the world you are more than welcome to do that...but we all have to remember, that this is a website with a series of rules that need to be followed in order to be a member. you have to agree to the rules in order to join the site. all websites are able to create and enforce their own set of rules however they see fit. joining ATS isnt any sort of right...its more of a privilege and in order to continue being a member we're required to be mindful of the site rules at all times.

reply to post by SkepticOverlord


Thank you Sir for taking a stand. I get exhausted reading some of the tripe in the politically driven threads. The Palin bashing in particular is just disgusting. I don't like Palin myself, but the thread about her writing notes on her hand was just page after page of what amounted to "Sarah Palin is a retard." People chiming in to agree, and posting with no other reasons other than to feel like one of the crowd, I guess. There comes a point where you say: "Yeah, I get it. Enough is enough." That tends to happen quite a bit in these threads, I guess people think that, because they are not disparaging another member, that it must be ok. I agree that Palin is a plastic person, and that Obama is essentially a walking marionette, but do we have to have page after page of people saying such, again and again? I think not. Kudos to you and your staff Sir.

Chronogoblin

Discussion of politics is pretty ridiculous any way. Rarely does a politcal discussion get anywhere because people cling too strongly to their political beliefs. Differing viewpoints are met with opposition and unwillingness to discuss and debate. Instead it turns in to flaming because one party won't listen to the other and vice versa.

I don't understand why people cling so strongly to political beliefs. Especially United States citizens where politics is an absolute joke and is best to be ignored.

Originally posted by whatukno
reply to post by Dark Ghost

 

An example of trolling might be (and this is just an example, not meant for you personally and not intended to insult you)

You Dark Ghost are the dumbest lamest poster on ATS I can't believe you would want something as stupid as an example of trolling! What a douche! Whatcha do just wake up today and get on the internet you r-tard?

That is an example of trolling, as you can see, it does not contribute to anything, just demeans a poster. It's meant to be hurtful and derogatory.

BTW I did not mean anything I posted in that example. I hope you aren't offended.

How dare you! (only joking, no harm done )

But being a troll and being a hack are not always as obvious as in your example above. There have obviously been cases where Bill has seen certain posts and gone "that makes my blood boil! That person is trolling and being a hack!" If Bill would give several examples of where somebody has crossed the line, people would be less inclined to act "confused". (The member names could be substituted with "John Smith X" and the words chanced slightly to protect the identity of where the example has derived from.)

For an example of where people might be confused, take the following hypothetical situation:
Tommy makes a thread about how he believes Barak Obama is hiding information about his past. He has links, sources and quotes to back up this assertion. Fred agrees with the premise but goes further to state that Obama is not a Natural Born citizen. He suggests this is grounds for impeachment.

Jack replies to Fred's post as though Tommy was the one who made that further claim. Jack calls the OP (Tommy) a "birther" that has no regard for the truth and just wants to smear Obama because he is from the Democratic party.

Tommy, angered that he has been falsely accused of this, tells Jack that "truthers" like him should stay out of his thread.

-----------

Has either of these fictional characters trolled or acted like a hack?

[edit on 26/2/2010 by Dark Ghost]

Oky doky but.... what happens when the OP is themselves trolling! I have seen a number of threads that are quite simply pure unadulterated rubbish. They are posts intended to make the poster "feel good" whilst they sit back and watch the effects.

I do understand there is that fine line that divides an unusual/extreme belief and nonsense how do we tell?


[edit on 26/2/10 by malcr]

Trolls are in all the threads - why single out only "politics"?

When I realize somebody is trolling, I just stop answering their baited questions. You can't argue with a fool, and you can't argue with somebody who isn't listening (actively reading the posts.)

Since we only get 10 ignores, just ignore trolls. That works everywhere else. They thrive on chaos.

Pity we don't have "UNrespected enemies!". I refuse to put a troll on a list that calls them RESPECTED. Have no respect. Have no further dialogue with them. Simple. Let them wallow in their ignorance and self-hatred.

The trolls seem to be less informed (overall) than the people they try to antagonize.

Trolling includes EXTRANEOUS posts - and thread killers.

Then there's the Troll Lackey - they star and agree with the troll - but - try to keep their own hands clean ... while at the same time they add fuel to the fire.

reply to post by Dark Ghost


What you have there is a flame war. See when someone "Jack" made the claim that Tommy the OP was a birther, (even though it was Fred) That was a case of trolling. But then when Tommy told Jack that he was a truther and to stay out of the thread, that's a hack.

Originally posted by iammonkey
I understand what you’re getting at by telling us not to feed the trolls, but the thing is they feed themselves. They see a thread that has a lot of research done with links to back the post up but still post their crap to derail a post.

How about a troll button next to each member’s user name similar to the flag system. If a troll posts on my thread then I press the troll button if that same troll then post again on someone else threads then the op presses the troll button.

3 strikes and the troll gets an ATS troll plastered over their user name. Name and shame them. As they are a pain in the butt.

I think this is a great idea and should apply to all forums. It would certainly help to keep the site clean and present the true meaning of what ATS is all about ... besides encouraging the proper respect the site deserves.

Woody