When I first started blogging I was shocked at the nasty trolling that I saw going on. Each blog I found to follow seemed to have its own vitriolic contrarian dedicated to attacking every fact and argument: using 5th grade bully tactics, inundating the discussion with baseless accusations, creating red herrings, and attempting to stifle the dialog with insults when all else failed. Having blogged for a while now, I'll be honest, it's still shocking that people choose to use their free time starting online pissing contests.
I don't troll. I spent about 2 days last year looking at liberal blogs to get the other side of the argument, but I got a bad feeling every time I did it, so I had to stop. Arguing on liberal blogs means pinning people down only to have them change the subject when the facts are not in their favor. It gets old really fast, especially considering that I'm not naturally a confrontational person. Politics are dirty, and to me that means they are uncomfortable. I share what I know, hence the title of this blog, and I'll let others share what they know in peace. Is it really too much to ask the same of people who stumble across this blog? Obviously so.
A friend of mine had someone who claimed to be his friend attack him in a series of anonymous comments on his non-offensive personal blog. What's the point? Has trolling seriously become a fun pass time? What kind of sad soul has nothing better to do than try to make people mad online?
I've been called "offensive," "sickening," "racist," illogical, and "stupid," had my writing skills attacked on multiple occasions by people who don't even know that "American" should be capitalized, and had my researched facts called lies over and over and over and over. At the end of the day, none of it means a thing. We earn our friends and our enemies when we are following our unpopular principles and standing up for time tested truths. I'm not always right, and I know that, but I do my best.
I very much believe that when you wrestle with pigs you inevitably get dirty, so I don't dive into a fight unless I'm forced to defend myself. Arguments cause both parties to polarize, becoming even more self-assured in their positions, rather than helping people to think and consider other points of view. Trolling can only cause ugliness unless it's done sweetly, and seldom have I seen that done. So I'm no troll. I don't want to push someone to defend their liberalism, because that would just reinforce it in the process. If you are a Conservative/Republican/Libertarian/religion/whatever-hater and want to troll here, be forewarned that it will only further solidify my convictions. And if you call me a name (to quote an amazing woman) "it's just another jewel in my crown."
You've described things pretty accurately.
ReplyDeleteI trolled for quite some time, not to provoke with vulgarities, but I hoped to plant seeds of doubt. It was all in vain. I got called all kinds of name.
None of it hurt me personally, but it gave me a scary glimpse into the mind of liberalism. It's dark and rotten in there.
I saw very little thought and analysis and a whole lot of swallowing and regurgitating lefty propaganda.
I don't waste my time anymore, but it took me much longer to to learn the lesson than it did you.
I'm with you, TKZ. I keep saying that arguing with liberals is like having a debate with the Wolfman:
ReplyDeleteConservative: '...in addition to recent tax cutting experience as a matter of public policy, the Laffer Curve clearly shows that lowering taxes increases revenues.'
Liberal: 'Growwwwlllllll!
Conservative: 'Excuse me?'
Liberal: 'You heard me correctly. I said "Growwwwlllllll!"'
But seriously, there is nothing to be gained by trolling for arguments on liberal sites. I just leave them to their utopian fantasies, and pay them no mind. As for trolls trying to get under my skin, I don't publish their comments and think nothing more of them.
From what I saw, Silverfiddle, you were doing a good job of getting a few of them to at least respect you. That's far better than anybody else I've seen try it has done.
ReplyDeleteWhen reading their comments and blogs affected my spirit I stopped. That took no time at all. HAHA
In my small time trolling I came across a lady on an uber-liberal blog who proudly stated that she's a new National Socialist in Germany (and Obama worshiper), lots of antisemitism, hatred for God, and weeping and gnashing of teeth. OK, I'm making up that last part, but it was the closest I've ever felt to hell. I just couldn't do it. I didn't want to become what I was gazing upon. Ugly is an understatement.
Fredd, Arguing with a Wolfman is a good analogy. I'd rather argue with a wall that with a liberal. They're far more vicious and violent than walls, and it's just as effective.
ReplyDeleteI know from experience that liberals can see the light and realize that their worldview is a victim-centered, idiotic utopian fantasy, but I also know that it's not through arguing that those breakthroughs are made.
That is the very reason that I am so grateful for your blog! It is refreshing to read & gives me hope that not all people are just parroting soundbites from liberal media.
ReplyDeleteI've been sending people your way, & I hope that none of them have turned out to be trolls!
Thanks, Cierra!!!!
ReplyDeleteThe trolls I'm getting are commenting on really old posts. I'm thinking they're doing it in an attempt to get the last word by slipping it in under the radar. LOL
It's not really working. :o)
Thanks for the kind words, TKZ.
ReplyDeleteI was spending too much time in front of the computer, pheasant and ski season coming up, something had to give. Wasting time with liberals was an easy thing to give up.
I still like The Quiet Magpie, liberal from down under, because he is intelligent, thinks for himself and analyzes issues, and he doesn't engage in idiotic insults.
Keep up the good work TKZ!
ReplyDeletePeople just don't have anything better to do, I suppose..than argue with people they don't know.
ReplyDelete