Ask an OTTer

[Kramodlog]

Like I said, the words have power. And putting them on the internet doesn't take away that power.

So a stranger calling you names on the subway will have the same impact as your mom calling you names?

 

[Morrus]

So a stranger calling you names on the subway will have the same impact as your mom calling you names?

That's not even slightly what I said. Or if I did, it's not what I meant to say. However, this is taking up quite a bit of time I should be spending working out the probabilities of dice rolls for the game I'm writing, and I'm not as interested in the conversation as I may appear, so I'll leave you guys to it.

 

[Kramodlog]

That's not even slightly what I said. Or if I did, it's not what I meant to say.

Basically your wrote that context/medium/the person who uses words does not mean the word loses power. I disagreed with my example. SO what I understand from what you said is that the words used by the stranger on the subway keep their power and will hurt you as much as your mom using them. If they do not, they haven't kept their power, no?

 

[Morrus]

Snowflakes, snowflakes everywhere.

And on a more serious note, bear in mind that you "hate the folks at EW" and you "wanna troll them hard". It's a tough sell that you're well-meaning, y'know? If you're going to post things like that in places people can see, I don't think you can be too upset when they take you at your word.

 

[Morrus]

Basically your wrote that context/medium/the person who uses words does not mean the word loses power. I disagreed with my example. SO what I understand from what you said is that the words used by the stranger on the subway keep their power and will hurt you as much as your mom using them. If they do not, they haven't kept their power, no?

No. But like I said, I'm *still* not working. Maybe I'll try to explain what I mean at length more clearly when I have a spare 30 minutes or so to think about it, but it ain't that.

 

[Zombie_Babies]

It's always those who use words to harrass, annoy, and offend people who then claim to wonder how mere words could possibly bother anyone. It's always trolls who cry offense when called a troll.

You know, a polite, well-meaning person when explained that politeness is expected somewhere, wouldn't spend so much time debating the reasons and boundaries of politeness. But an argumentative person would argue it forever. Half this thread is just argument for the sake of argument.

Bullgrit

Somehow I think if I were to call you a troll that you'd take offense and defend yourself. Does that make you a troll? If so, everyone except those who admit they troll would be a troll, no? I think your reasoning here may be a bit flawed - perhaps due to some sort of prejudice? I dunno.

Anyhoo, why am I trolling if I reasonably disagree with someone? Are we all supposed to agree on everything here or something? Do I have to agree with some board veteran if he rebuts me politely? I don't think so. We're having a conversation here. We're exchanging ideas and sharing opinions and, in the course, learning about each other. It's almost like it's the precise intent of an internet message board or something.

Honestly, I fail to see any reason for anyone to take issue with this line of conversation. I don't have to agree with anyone - not even myself.

It depends on your words. If you posted an insightful, well-written, accurate analysis of how I did my job and backed it up convincingly, then yes, I'd put weight on it. If you said "Boo yah! You suxxor!" then I wouldn't.

Like I said, the words have power. And putting them on the internet doesn't take away that power.

If I posted an insightful, well-written and accurate analysis then I'd not only know something about you and what you do (remember, for this exampleI didn't) then I'd also be behaving in a most decidedly non-trollish manner. Were I to get all 'u r teh suk' then, as you say, you wouldn't take me seriously - which was precisely my point and my advice.

The words matter depending upon the context. Were I to know you and approach you properly you'd give my words more weight than you would were I to troll you. That shows that you see the difference I've been trying to point out. Words matter, sure, but so does who says them, how and where.

 

[Kramodlog]

Have you considered, ZB, that they are trolling us?

They are disagreeing with us and not being to polite (BG calling us trolls).

 

[Umbran]

Now it's time for my obligatory movie reference:
OTTer: Why so srs?

You know, a quote associated with an insane, sociopathic villain*... not exactly a great tool for convincing folks that it is a good idea

That's where what I'm saying comes into play: Relax, it's just some jackass having fun with you.

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.

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.

 

[Nellisir]

This is the internet and people here, by and large, shouldn't matter enough to cause the same sort of harm as people in person can.

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.

 

[Nellisir]

"You must spread some Experience Points around before giving it to Bullgrit again."

Goddamnit.