On the matter of trolls

Posted by jepatton 11 years, 3 months ago to Philosophy
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“It is not advisable to venture unsolicited opinions. You should spare yourself the embarrassing discovery of their exact value to your listener.”

After reading some of the trolls’ comments and links in here, this quote kept popping up in my mind. These people are desperate for attention (the Kickstarter campaign really seems to have them riled up) and the more they are fed, the more empowered they will feel. I’m all for a healthy debate, but this doesn't seem to be the goal. So, with that being the case, I have chosen to not give them any of my time or attention. Or, just to say, in the words of Howard Roark, “But I don't think of you.”

Just some food for thought.


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  • Posted by CircuitGuy 11 years, 3 months ago
    That was what drove Keating crazy the most. He needed attention. He wanted people to love him, fear him, hate him, notice him. He didn't care much which. All his energy came from the reactions he could get out of other people. He was drained when the housekeeper at work just carried on doing his job and failed to react to him as the boss-man. These people really exist. Sometimes they're the boss-man; sometimes they're message board trolls.
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  • Posted by $ minniepuck 11 years, 3 months ago
    I've had this exact quote going through my mind as well when thinking about the trolls. I agree with the sentiment, and would like to add another bit from Rand that I caught a few days when I began to re-read "Atlas Shrugged" (Centennial Edition). In the introduction, four of Rand's journal entries are featured, and one of them includes this (talking about Dagny's over-confidence):

    "...she will show them how, she can teach them and persuade them, she is so able that they'll catch it from her. This is still faith in their rationality in the omnipotence of reason. The mistake? Reason is not automatic. Those who deny it cannot be conquered by it. Do not count on them. Leave them alone."

    Thanks for the post, jepatton.
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  • Posted by Eudaimonia 11 years, 3 months ago
    Exactly.

    They are not interested in reasoned debate, therefore they are a waste of time.
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    • Posted by 11 years, 3 months ago
      Yep. Want a debate about specifics concerning the movies? Fine. Want to discuss the philosophy? Great. Want to rant your, or in some cases re-post someone else's, ignorant opinion? No thanks.
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      • -5
        Posted by darren 11 years, 3 months ago
        >>>Yep. Want a debate about specifics concerning the movies? Fine.

        Cool! I'm always up for that debate, but I've found that no one else on this board is.

        Let's debate whether or not this Kickstarter campaign is simply an elegant scam to get silly, zealous Objectivists to pay several times for one movie, since the producers already know that it most likely will not perform well at the box office; i.e., pay once in the form of a donation on Kickstarter; pay twice in the form of a ticket at the box office when it is released; pay thrice in the form of purchasing the DVD when the movie closes 2 weeks after it opens.

        Unlike Duncan Scott's screenwriting, this is truly inspired.
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        • Posted by LetsShrug 11 years, 3 months ago
          This isn't just a movie, and it's not about get us to "pay several times..." we pay for what we value, but I won't debate the point with someone who's been in here as long as you have. You know what the point is, but you just want to make this about belittling. Belittle away, darren. You're getting smaller by the second.
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  • Posted by $ winterwind 11 years, 3 months ago
    on my other hand, I enjoy jumping in and tweaking their noses. My favorite thing is to point out that making a statement of fact in an outraged tone of voice does not an argument make.
    Since we're humans [most of us; see "trolls"] I don't expect that everyone get enjoyment from what I get it from. I know people, for instance, who actually enjoy reading the newspaper. every day. <shudder>
    as long as it doesn't hurt anybody......
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    • Posted by $ johnrobert2 11 years, 3 months ago
      My mother-in-law reads the local paper. Every day. And all the advertising flyers that come and other stuff. She has birthday cards she looks at every day and they are new to her. Every time. My mother-in-law is 103. At least she has an excuse.
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  • -5
    Posted by darren 11 years, 3 months ago
    >>>I’m all for a healthy debate,

    As long as the other guy agrees with your basic position? Some debate.

    >>>in the words of Howard Roark, “But I don't think of you.”

    Notice, please, that Roard did not say, "I'll go into denial over certain issues and not listen to you," which is what many on this board do.

    Jesse Jackson plays the "race card" when he doesn't want to listen to arguments made by others who disagree with him; members of Galts Gulch Online play the "troll card."
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