You know, a quote associated with an insane, sociopathic villain*... not exactly a great tool for convincing folks that it is a good idea
Why how ... serious of you.
That said, even the insane sociopath can teach us. You can't automatically discount something because of who said it. Take it in, try to understand it, see if it applies to you or could and then decide what to think. Hitler had some pretty amazing ideas that many countries stole and use today. They changed the world for the better. Had Eisenhower, for example, decided that a national highway system was evil because Hitler was, well, where would we be?
*ahem*
How's
that for serious to the point of silly? Muahahaaaaaa!!
Why should anyone relax about being treated poorly? Relaxing about it, tolerating it, does not work to reduce its prevalence. And I don't see the jackass is having fun with you. He's having fun using you, which isn't really the same thing. Most folks don't take kindly to being used.
Well, the most effective tool when dealing with trolls is
not fire but ... silence. See it for what is, move on. That simple.
Of course, we're not really talking about trolls treating people poorly - we're talking about people disagreeing with others and being seen as trolling because of how they approach the argument. But whatever. If someone chooses to see internet conversation on a forum devoted to playing games as srs bzns, well, there's not a whole lot I can say to change their mind.
My internet philosophy is this (like anyone is actually interested, heh) : You don't matter. Sounds harsh, I know, but the trick is that I apply the same thought to everyone equally - myself included. There's absolutely no reason to take anyone here seriously. None. That doesn't mean that I can't treat them with respect or honestly listen to them, all it means is that they can't possibly actually bother me. At all. Now there are exceptions - obviously if I'm seeking advice I'll listen to someone I trust and if I'm giving advice on a topic in serious manner I'll do so honestly. Other than that, though? Let's have some fun.
The greatest weapon we have against people being jerks is peer pressure. We ask folks to apply that pressure in constructive manners, within the site rules, of course.
*Admittedly, a wonderful performance depicting that villain.
Actually, it's my belief that the greatest weapon is silence. Some members choose that course but not all members - and that's the problem. You'll never get everyone to agree to not talk to someone who is awesome at pushing buttons. The only issue I see here is that people assume the worst really, really quickly and go into peer pressure or ignore mode. Just an observation - hell, maybe I'm off base.
The thought that "people shouldn't matter" is exactly the sort of emotional distancing that makes this possible. They're not real people, they're not here in front of me, so it's OK if I behave like a jackass (your word) and take potshots, looking for emotional weaknesses. Blaming people for reacting is blaming the victim. Don't excuse the behavior.
Trolling is emotional baiting and manipulation. It's immature, childish, juvenile behavior that hurts other people for the troll's personal pleasure. I'm no more interested in tolerating a troll than I am in tolerating someone that kicks animals.
If a stranger comes up to you in a restaurant and harasses you, you get the owner to throw him out.
Trolling and thinking someone is a troll cuz they disagree with you are two different things.
At any rate, dealing with a troll is easy: Ignore them. Some do, some don't.
This is telling, though. I'm talking about one thing and everyone here assumes it's something else.
