Internet Trolls & Cyber Bullying

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A common theme I've noticed in posts here is that several have admitted to being internet trolls. See, I don't get this. I equate Asperger's with a higher level of intelligence, and I always considered internet trolls to be people that were so stupid and insecure with themselves that they had to prey on others (usually in support forums, no less) to fluff their own egos. It has really pissed me off on several occasions while running support forums when I've had to ban IPs on these people because they were destroying the supportive environment for no reason other than their own warped, pathetic attempts to gain attention.

I admit to being utterly shocked to hear several (AS) people here admit to engaging in such behaviors. I suppose everyone has a need for some level of attention - even those of us on the spectrum, but I never understood the "I'll take any attention I can get" mentality. I've always avoided being on the radar at all. Maybe it's the anonymity of the internet that provides the courage for these otherwise cowardly individuals. Perhaps being at the mercy of other bullying has given them the desire to try on the other guy's hat, so to speak, and take a crack at cyber bullying to see what it felt like. I don't know, but there's no excuse for it, regardless of the reason.

I can honestly say, having been the victim of all kinds of bullying throughout the years, that nothing disgusts me more than an internet troll. I have a passionate, vehement hatred for the mentality that these people possess.

I have a suggestion. If you want attention so badly, have the testicular fotitude (or female equivalent) to go public. That's right, go streaking or sing karaoke naked. Paint yourself in ketchup and go to the ER. At least that way they appropiate people will find you, put you someplace safe so your head problems can be dealt with accordingly, and spare the rest of us from having to be bothered with your stupidity.

On the Siamese cat site I frequent, trolls are detected immediately and summarily banned. There are tell-tale signs: abusive language, rambling, incoherent writing and fraudulent self-promotion.

Well, I have been accused of being a troll, but not for long and usually by trolls. I never saw the point, hate it, and don't do it.

Are you sure they are REALLY AS?

L2NOTSTEROTYPE

OK

Trolling is an old old Internet thing. It has evolved into something else that isn't very close to what it once was. The good trolls ran in packs, there was an art to it. And on certain alt sites I was on it was fun when they arrived. Of course they didn't stand much of a chance, we had "reformed" trolls in the group. Some of us would always have a pad of paper near by for come backs as they popped into the brain pan. There were no moderators and we policed ourselves.

On a serious site they are frowned upon and quite frankly what passes or gets called a troll these days is something altogether different. But now there are a lot better safe guards for getting them gone. Back then we had the ignore button on our newsreaders, which you also needed to get rid of the spam advertisements.

Back then there was what was called unwritten net rules. They are broken here all the time. Typing in caps is considered yelling. A lot more then that. But, what can you do, things change over time. What is commonly called a troll or a cyber bully now, is just that and should be dealt with accordingly.

One of the problems with our type of site is people can show up with big time real life hassles and come on really strong. There are more then a few of us that have been beat up so badly in life that it doesn't take to much to see an innocent remark as a big harpoon through the heart. A simple, hey are you yelling at me? can go a long ways in avoiding even more needless hurt, on both sides. Many of the little flame wars here have started over really simple misunderstandings. But a good flame war is fun, as long as both sides know it's really just that.

There is a reason for icons. It has evolved. The reason is, a lot of what is typed into a reply is fast and short. No one really has time to flesh it out fully and make sure no misjudgements are conceived. So the simple way to do it is crack a joke or a banter at someone and tack on a winky icon. Then the intent is clear. The razz icon sucks here, I would like see a more distinct collection. But we have what we have. It's so easy to mistake an intent in a reply, we don't have the voice to better understand the intent.

"I equate Asperger's with a higher level of intelligence"

Be careful of generalizations, this stuff doesn't care how smart you are.

A real troll would have a ball with this thread and some are so good, you wouldn't even know you're being trolled. Trolling has almost become a lost art.

I think the mods do an excellent job of getting rid of the real trolls. But again, this stuff comes with comorbids. PTSD has rage involved, while it should not be directed at anyone, it can come across as such. And sometimes it does get directed at certain people, it is unfortunate. But it does happen, it's part of the package deal with this stuff for some. Get hold of a moderator. It's easy, they watch the forum spot about the forum, very closely, they can't be everywhere.

Most times you'll never even see them, the posts are gotten rid of so quickly. All I'm trying to say is sometimes you need to leave a little slack before you judge to harshly.

Now I'll shut up before I get accused of trolling.

I agree, but don't look at it just as an internet thing. I've read one book recently on Aspergers that states some of us try and elicit emotion from people in order to help us "feel". There is not explanation for it. It is what it is. I understand that you don't have this urge, but no two people with AS are alike. I feel like I don't do it on purpose and that it comes out like an itch that needs to be scratched. You may say that it is hurting people intentially, but others could say that you, I, and others with as hurt others intentially by ignoring what they say, not getting involved with what they are doing, etc.

The problem with moderating the discussion is that it is impossible to come up with a slip proof definition of what constitutes bullying versus a deeply felt, robust argument. Wrongplanet is also too diverse to really crystallize a set of of core values which we can all agree on. Some of us are old men and women, others are listless young men and women and still some other are quite literally kids. And of course we come from all corners of the known world. Our needs and attitudes will differ markedly. If we say that certain topics might offend a Hindu and we should refrain from speaking of them then we will have to extend the same courtesy to the Zoroastrian and the Coptic Christian. In our attempt to be nice and inclusive to all, the honesty of our discourse, which for me at least is the reason why I frequent this board, might very well get snuffed out.

Bullies do need to be dealt with, but not with the reach and power of some overweening moderator. People need to stand up and assert their rights or, if the topic is discomfiting, then exercise your power not to participate in the discussion. As for those people who are here for reasons other than to talk about and support others who have autism, the best thing to do is to ignore them. Researchers who do not have the courage to fess up are unethical and none of us should associate with them. Trolls who simply want an emotional reaction from others must not be given the satisfaction. Unlike in the close contact world of society, in cyberspace, there is always the privilege of time and space to think up a response or to simply move on.

I do agree with you though, this site is getting overrun by people whose lives have nothing to do with autism at all.