Well I must say I thought it had a bit of something for everyone.
After a few minutes on mumsnet it became abundantly apparent that the most contentious arena to visit, and the place most likely to produce polarised and divisive debate, was in fact the whole AIBU section. Just why those of a nervous disposition might choose to spend large amounts of time in there is anybody's guess, but to be analogous it would be a little like standing in the middle of a Boxing Ring during a fight and then complaining when you got caught by a stray punch. As one mumsnetter subsequently said
Eloquently put, if I may be so bold.
But then of course it all turned out for the best..........but not before we had a liberal dash of Hypocrisy...................
closely followed by some breathtaking sycophancy.......
@SDTG: Although I didn't participate in the CUK "holiday" (I don't really agree with trolling) I was aware of it happening and watched what was going on. To be fair, it was only one CUKer (CocoChantelle on here) who persisted even when people had made it clear that (s)he was upsetting them. He behaves like that on CUK too, and then insults those who complain about his rudeness and general incivility.
..........ooops! Nearly forgot. Plenty of bedwetting. As I said above, something for everyone.
After a few minutes on mumsnet it became abundantly apparent that the most contentious arena to visit, and the place most likely to produce polarised and divisive debate, was in fact the whole AIBU section. Just why those of a nervous disposition might choose to spend large amounts of time in there is anybody's guess, but to be analogous it would be a little like standing in the middle of a Boxing Ring during a fight and then complaining when you got caught by a stray punch. As one mumsnetter subsequently said
Thing is, just because someone's feelings are hurt, or they say their feelings are hurt, it doesn't make them right or reasonable. Really oversensitive people need to toughen the **** up rather than bleating every time they don't get their own way and expecting everyone to put them and their ickle feelings at the centre of the universe. Plenty of people start whining and chucking their toys out of the pram at the tiniest hint of anyone disagreeing with them. Like the kid who bursts into tears if s/he doesn't get allowed to win every game of conkers: other kids will either avoid the blubberer or take the piss mercilessly No one is forcing anyone to take part in online debates and if you start getting upset it;s time to switch off the computer and go phone a friend.
But then of course it all turned out for the best..........but not before we had a liberal dash of Hypocrisy...................
Therefore I cannot under any circumstances endorse the strategies and tactics suggested in this guide for Usenet trolls (Usenet was the place to be before most of you were on the Internet, but forums are pretty much the same thing). I would most certainly discourage you from paging down far enough to study the section entitled "Trolling Wars: The waves system" as this might encourage you all to adopt a more subtle strategy.
Nor can I recommend The Subtle Art of Trolling. If you lot managed to achieve subtlety, you could wreak havoc by applying those techniques - particularly if you were to learn to "Try not to follow-up to your own troll. The troll itself quickly becomes forgotten in the chaos and if you just sit back you can avoid being blamed for causing it.".
Probably of little relevance, but so long-winded that it might keep you all from doing any more damage to that bunch of sanctimonious bourgeoisettes, is this intriguing paper concerning "Managing 'Trolling' in a Feminist Forum". As it so wisely observes, "Disruptive incidents that force group members to articulate explicit norms and rules may also have the unintended effect of strengthening an online group’s self-definition as a community."
Nor can I recommend The Subtle Art of Trolling. If you lot managed to achieve subtlety, you could wreak havoc by applying those techniques - particularly if you were to learn to "Try not to follow-up to your own troll. The troll itself quickly becomes forgotten in the chaos and if you just sit back you can avoid being blamed for causing it.".
Probably of little relevance, but so long-winded that it might keep you all from doing any more damage to that bunch of sanctimonious bourgeoisettes, is this intriguing paper concerning "Managing 'Trolling' in a Feminist Forum". As it so wisely observes, "Disruptive incidents that force group members to articulate explicit norms and rules may also have the unintended effect of strengthening an online group’s self-definition as a community."
closely followed by some breathtaking sycophancy.......
@SDTG: Although I didn't participate in the CUK "holiday" (I don't really agree with trolling) I was aware of it happening and watched what was going on. To be fair, it was only one CUKer (CocoChantelle on here) who persisted even when people had made it clear that (s)he was upsetting them. He behaves like that on CUK too, and then insults those who complain about his rudeness and general incivility.
..........ooops! Nearly forgot. Plenty of bedwetting. As I said above, something for everyone.
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