TROLLS TO BE OR NOT TO BE TROLLING in Buckhead Atlanta GA (Part 1 of 3)
Start with a positive premise - Trolls are not the only things who live under bridges! Let's look at the popular definition of "troll" or "trolling" as it pertains to the internet. If you go to URBAN DICTIONARY, there are several definitions that relate to the term on the internet. But - and this is interesting - there are terms used in the definitions that should be defined first! So - let's start there.
FLAME When someone attacks another person online, using name-calling techniques or other offensive behavior, to offend or discredit a poster or a forum participant.
MEME A word, used first by Richard Dawkins in 1976, based on a Greek word, MIMEMA, meaning something imitated. (I guess 'mime' acting realtes to etymology as well?) Dawkins saw the repetition of ideas on blogs or forums as a type of "reproduction" or spreading virus in an organic way, similar to the way genes spread human characteristics.
THREADJACK When someone commandeers subject or topic and the attention of the group (commentators on posts, forum contributors, etc.) to change to a subject of that person's interest. Moving outside the intent of the original subject in a deceptive way with clear intent to disrupt the flow of the interactions on the subject.
OK - So what is a "troll" and what is "trolling"? The term "troll"actually is one that is used in various cultures around the world, of course, in each country's language. The Scandinavian troll is the one most familiar to us from literature but other countries have the same type of creature.
In Japan, they are known as ONI. In Thailand, the term is KREAN. In Korea, the word used is NAK-SI. In Japan, the word used is TSURI.
In Scandinavian folklore, trolls are either male or female although the males are more aggressive and more annoying. The females are portryaed as more intelligent and more sympathetic creatures. Nonetheless, both sexes are said to eat people, especially preferring children!
Trolls live in the forest, hidden, or under bridges or in caves. Trolls are anti-social at best and vicious when annoyed. The depictions of trolls show them with very unpleasant facial characteristics and distorted bodies. Not appealing in any way - right? Easy to see why the term is applied to folks who behave in anti-social ways in internet communities.
ActiveRain is a community whose founding principles support positive behavior in blogging and commenting. The environment on ActiveRain encourages supportive and educational posts. So - what are examples of possible "trolling" on ActiveRain? Please come back for Part 2!
Have a happy day -
Lynn
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