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posted by martyb on Friday August 23 2019, @06:17AM   Printer-friendly
from the tragedy-of-the-commons dept.

I was going to post this to a particular story, but thought this might generate more attention and discussion as a general submission.

Seriously, what is going on with all these troll mods? Just because you disagree with someone, thus earning a "disagree" mod, does not mean that person is a "troll." To steal a definition from Urban Dictionary:

An Internet troll, or simply troll in Internet slang, is someone who posts controversial, inflammatory, irrelevant or off-topic messages in an online community, such as an online discussion forum or chat room, with the primary intent of provoking other users into an emotional response or to generally disrupt normal on-topic discussion.

Just because you disagree with someone, does not mean they are trying to do the above. Be faster on the "disagree" and slower on the "troll." Under such abuse, it is hard to have a good discussion and, in itself, is trollish behavior by "generally disrupt[ing] normal on-topic discussion." Other than people disciplining themselves, a concerted effort to police such abuses, or making moderation logs public on the bottom of a comment where the score is shown now, I'm unsure of what to do about. As it stands, it is getting increasingly ridiculous to read what discussion is here on any topic remotely controversial, and is expanding outside of even those. It is starting to drive me away from the site, and I'm somewhat confident it is doing the same for others. I'd be interested to see what others think about the depth of the problem, if they even believe it even exists at all, and what solutions you all have for it.

[Ed note. This story is published exactly as received. First off, it bears repeating that complaining about moderations in the comments often leads (rightly) to an off-topic moderation. That is a contributing factor to my decision to run this story. Secondly, moderation is something that I on occasion have found I've fat-fingered and given a different moderation than expected. Thirdly, in the grand scheme of things, a comment's moderation is — relatively speaking — small potatoes. It is NOT a measure of your IQ or value as a human being. or standing in the community. Just accept that stuff happens and that as likely as not, someone will be along to moderate it the other way. Which is a good opportunity to say: PLEASE USE YOUR MOD POINTS! Lastly, if you think a comment was moderated in error, then send the CID (Comment ID) link e.g. "(#876543)" in an email to admin (at) soylentnews (dot) org. Keep in mind however that we are all volunteers here and there most likely will be a delay between when you send out an email and when we can get around to it. --martyb]

[Updated: 20190823_111312 UTC See comment from JR who far more precisely and eloquently expressed the idea I was attempting to. I concur with his assessment. If I want people to upmod a comment of mine that I believe was unfairly downmodded, then I need to be willing to upmod other's mis-modded comments. For perspective, so far this month, anywhere from ~150-~350 mod points were used in any given day. It bears repeating: use your mod points!]


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  • (Score: 2) by Azuma Hazuki on Saturday August 24 2019, @12:35AM (13 children)

    by Azuma Hazuki (5086) on Saturday August 24 2019, @12:35AM (#884435) Journal

    Way to miss the point. Okay, Jan, believe what you want. But the fact that you took what I said as "censor people" kind of makes me worry that you're already a lost cause :/ That's the kind of naivete I'm talking about, and that's what allows the very same sneering, contemptuous approach I spoke of to be so successful.

    Here's a clue: it is possible to fight back without censoring. I do it all the time. I confront these people and vivisect their self-serving poisonous bullshit, usually on a daily basis. Rarely ever a word of thanks for it either. I'd like to see you do some more of that, though to your credit I've seen a few instances already.

    Get in their faces. Tell them they are full of shit, why they are full of shit, that their shit doesn't fool you, and let everyone else spectating know in minute detail. We're past the point where the internet can be considered neutral ground, and by all the goddesses, if you don't defend it it'll be taken from you.

    --
    I am "that girl" your mother warned you about...
    Starting Score:    1  point
    Karma-Bonus Modifier   +1  

    Total Score:   2  
  • (Score: 2) by janrinok on Saturday August 24 2019, @07:08AM (3 children)

    by janrinok (52) Subscriber Badge on Saturday August 24 2019, @07:08AM (#884614) Journal

    Here's a clue: it is possible to fight back without censoring. I do it all the time.

    Good, that is exactly what you should do. And if I feel I support the argument at the time I may also moderate you appropriately, or even comment with my own views. And nowhere have I suggested that censorship is a solution to a problem in this thread. You are reading what you want to read and not what is being said.

    Get in their faces. Tell them they are full of shit, why they are full of shit, that their shit doesn't fool you,

    Why - because you want me to? We have a community here, and any of them can comment to support you if they wish. Why is it suddenly, in your view, my job to back you up?

    I am not being naive, I am not unaware of what is happening, nor am I being hoodwinked by one particular faction or another. But nobody has the right to tell me what views I must comment on and who I should support in discussions. Perhaps you should try getting out of my face please?

    • (Score: 2) by c0lo on Tuesday August 27 2019, @01:54PM (2 children)

      by c0lo (156) Subscriber Badge on Tuesday August 27 2019, @01:54PM (#886069) Journal

      Good, that is exactly what you should do. And if I feel I support the argument at the time I may also moderate you appropriately

      What Azuma should do but not you, jan? One wonders why? You having a kinda royally exemption from all the things that others should do?

      --
      https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aoFiw2jMy-0 https://soylentnews.org/~MichaelDavidCrawford
      • (Score: 2) by janrinok on Tuesday August 27 2019, @05:21PM (1 child)

        by janrinok (52) Subscriber Badge on Tuesday August 27 2019, @05:21PM (#886222) Journal

        Here's a clue: it is possible to fight back without censoring. I do it all the time.

        Where have I advocated censorship? The topic is a discussion on moderation. No-one has suggested censorship.

  • (Score: 2) by aristarchus on Saturday August 24 2019, @09:09AM (8 children)

    by aristarchus (2645) on Saturday August 24 2019, @09:09AM (#884634) Journal

    She is "that girl" that your mother warned you about, and she is kicking your shit six ways to Sunday, janrinok. Best to declare victory and leave, like Vietnam or Iraq, or the Fucking Falklands. Just saying.

    • (Score: 3, Insightful) by The Mighty Buzzard on Saturday August 24 2019, @02:36PM (7 children)

      by The Mighty Buzzard (18) Subscriber Badge <themightybuzzard@proton.me> on Saturday August 24 2019, @02:36PM (#884755) Homepage Journal

      Jan won this conversation as soon as it started. He's a rational, levelheaded guy with an excellent attitude. That's always going beat someone whose posts are made up of profanity, insults, and uncontrolled rage.

      --
      My rights don't end where your fear begins.
      • (Score: 2) by Azuma Hazuki on Sunday August 25 2019, @07:05PM (6 children)

        by Azuma Hazuki (5086) on Sunday August 25 2019, @07:05PM (#885309) Journal

        Tone trolling has replaced patriotism as the last refuge of the scoundrel. Not that you'd know patriotism if it shoved its big green bronze-cast torch up your ass of course, but the point still stands. Someone can be insulting, angry, loud, and nasty, and still entirely correct. If it's too much for you, why don't you leave? :) Free Speech after all!

        --
        I am "that girl" your mother warned you about...
        • (Score: 1, Flamebait) by The Mighty Buzzard on Monday August 26 2019, @03:28PM (5 children)

          You alone spout more hatred and pointless insults than the entire rest of the community combined. Calling you out on being a horrible cunt with no actual content aside from insults and venom to most of your posts is not tone trolling.

          --
          My rights don't end where your fear begins.
          • (Score: 2) by Azuma Hazuki on Monday August 26 2019, @10:29PM (4 children)

            by Azuma Hazuki (5086) on Monday August 26 2019, @10:29PM (#885832) Journal

            What is it like to be so weak, so fragile, so utterly powerless, that words injure you?

            --
            I am "that girl" your mother warned you about...
            • (Score: 2) by The Mighty Buzzard on Tuesday August 27 2019, @02:31AM (3 children)

              by The Mighty Buzzard (18) Subscriber Badge <themightybuzzard@proton.me> on Tuesday August 27 2019, @02:31AM (#885903) Homepage Journal

              You tell me. You're the one getting all defensive about being called out as a vile nasty bitch.

              --
              My rights don't end where your fear begins.
              • (Score: 3, Informative) by Azuma Hazuki on Wednesday August 28 2019, @01:13AM (2 children)

                by Azuma Hazuki (5086) on Wednesday August 28 2019, @01:13AM (#886564) Journal

                Because it's beside the point. You are far viler and nastier than I am in your heart of hearts, and one of the easiest proofs of this is that you think an outward veneer of civility is a substitute for inner moral fiber. I may be "vile" and "nasty" but 1) so are you and 2) I'm actually *correct.*

                Do you really think anyone with three sparking neurons can't see the bullshit tone-trolling game you're playing? You insult this entire forum every time you play that card.

                --
                I am "that girl" your mother warned you about...
                • (Score: 2) by The Mighty Buzzard on Wednesday August 28 2019, @02:04AM (1 child)

                  by The Mighty Buzzard (18) Subscriber Badge <themightybuzzard@proton.me> on Wednesday August 28 2019, @02:04AM (#886591) Homepage Journal

                  "No, you!" is your response? Really? Do me a favor.

                  --
                  My rights don't end where your fear begins.
                  • (Score: 2) by Azuma Hazuki on Wednesday August 28 2019, @10:20PM

                    by Azuma Hazuki (5086) on Wednesday August 28 2019, @10:20PM (#887009) Journal

                    No, historically that's been *your* response. And Hallow's, but you use it almost as often. At least you're always good for a short, dirty laugh if I need one...I'm a bit worried my sense of humor is degenerating to the point I find people like you amusing in their self-defeating Ouroboros dances though. Oh well, hard times coarsen a person, I suppose...

                    --
                    I am "that girl" your mother warned you about...