Trolls and the demise of the debate board

[Tiggery]

Has anyone else noticed there are more trolls around on the main boards since the demise of the debate board. While I was never a fan of the debate board myself Im thinking now that it did serve a purpose. Has anyone else noticed the rise of these posts recently?

 

[wvrevy]

I'm not sure who you're referring to in particular, but yes, I've noticed more people with fairly low post counts and recent registrations posting on this board. I just took it as part of the greater exposure of the community board, not really that they were necessarily "trolls".

JMO

 

[Chicago526]

I don't know about trolls, but I do think that a lot of people take what is posted WAY to personaly and seriously. A simple debate on an issue between two people with valid but opposing views can quickly turn ugly, just because those involved take the opposing view as a personal attack. I just think everyone here needs to take a step back and look at reality!

 

[Tiggery]

I wasnt refering to anyone in particular just that I felt it was becoming more of a trend, and I didnt feel that it was on this board, but that this was the place to express this opinion.

 

[Eeyore1954]

What I've found interesting is the increased use of the word "trolls" to describe posters. I'm quite proud of the fact that I was (in July) finally labeled a "troll" on a debate thread. Now it's going to take some hard work to maintain that new title, but I believe I am up to the task.

On a serious note, I believe we need to be careful when throwing around this term. Just because someone has a low post count and posts something we may disagree with doesn't automatically make them a troll. Everyone on these boards started with a post count of 1 at some time.

I don't think the demise of the DB caused anything other than the mix of two very different cultures on these boards. It may have encouraged some lurkers to make an appearance, which is a good thing.

 

[faithinkarma]

I have noticed there are a lot of people with low post counts who are have strong opinions for newbies. I just assumed they were "alternate IDs" people were using to make points they dared not voice as themselves. Or people who had been banned and came back re-incarnated. Does that make them trolls? Beats me. But unless they show up just to beat on another poster, they are welcome.

 

[piglet too]

Maybe it is because I have always tended to try and ignore the contreversial posts, but I have not noticed any difference.

 

[RitaZ.]

IMHO, the CB has had its own problems with nasty posters and trolls way before the DB was shut down.

 

[Christine]

Faith,
I agree with you. Sometimes I'll see this far out, very opinionated post and the person has like 6 posts or something. That always strikes me as odd. I always think that people generally "warm up" in a community before posting something radical. Or many people will actually have plenty of other posts that actually have to do with Disney before they make their way to the Community Board. I must say I am suspicious of the person with low posts who only ever started on the Community Board.

Even yesterday when we had the "Affair" thread going, I did check the OP's post count before I responded.

 

[Eeyore1954]

I admit I occasionally check post counts, too. Not too sure why it should make a difference, but occasionally it does.

FIK probably hit the nail on the head ... reincarnated posters or someone with a new screen id/name.

Also, there are tons of Internet bulletin boards like this one, so someone may be quite at ease posting somewhere else and they just bring that same style to the DIS. I try not to discount anyone with a low post count unless my "troll-radar" (troll-dar) starts beeping. It did seem somewhat easier to spot them on the old DB, though. *SIGH* I still miss the good old days.

 

[DisMN]

Originally posted by RitaZ.
IMHO, the CB has had its own problems with nasty posters and trolls way before the DB was shut down.

You said a mouthfull and I couldn't agree more.

 

[Lanshark]

In general, I have found less Troll like posts on the DB.

On the CB I see more baiting, digs based on history and beating a dead horse type posts than I ever saw on the DB. DB threads sometimes/frequently turned nasty but it was usually an above board type of nastiness. Obnoxious posters don't necessarily equate to Trolls.

 

[ginna74]

On a serious note, I believe we need to be careful when throwing around this term. Just because someone has a low post count and posts something we may disagree with doesn't automatically make them a troll. Everyone on these boards started with a post count of 1 at some time.

I agree 100%!!!!!!!!!!!


I think people use the term "troll" way to much and I think SOME (not all) use it as a way to judge people and put them down. It is in fact a more "polite" way to say troublemaker, bad person, lower then me and, OH MY GOD THIS PERSON HAS UNDER 100 POSTS SO LETS ALL IGNORE!

I do believe that this is a clique board at times and if you are new and have a different opinion then the grteater mass you are likely to be called a troll. Don't worry about it.... There are people who call others names for being different all the time, this is just the toned down way of calling you a name. Once you think of it that way you won't feel so bad and will actually feel kind of good because you know you didn't earn it at all and you may think that the person who was throwing out tamed words of harassment maybe just needed to feel better

 

[ToriLammy]

Originally posted by Eeyore1954

I don't think the demise of the DB caused anything other than the mix of two very different cultures on these boards. It may have encouraged some lurkers to make an appearance, which is a good thing.

I think that may be true about lurkers making an appearance. I lurked for months before I finally started posting. My first posts were to the disabilities and debates boards. Newbies have to start somewhere and a low post count doesn't always mean they are a troll. Could be they've been reading for months, have gotten a feel for the board and just want to make a daring or memorable debut

 

[MinnieM21]

I think we should be more careful when using the term "troll." A lot of people have recently joined but that doesn't mean they are trolls and just because someone may say something we don't agree with doesn't mean they're trying to cause trouble. I haven't noticed a difference really since I tend to stay away from controversial topics. I just think using the term "troll" to describe some people may make them hesitant to voice their opinions on topics.

 

[Pin Wizard]

I noticed it when the DB was first closed. Recently it actually seems quieter to me. And I've learned to NOT open those threads.

 

[sha_lyn]

Or people who had been banned and came back re-incarnated.

There have been several bannings in the last few weeks. I have a feeling many of the strongly opinionated new posters are regulars who were banned.

 

[minniepumpernickel]

Eeyore (Steve) was called a troll! That is so funny! Is he short, green and pointy eared?

I have seen the CB go through many evolutions. It's gone from a small "neighborhood" board, to a board full of warring factions, to a prayer/ religious hoot n nanny place. Then I've seen it come full circle again. Whatever phase it is in, someone will always complain about it.

I personally hated the my board vs. your board phase the most. I left for a few months and didn't know if I'd come back. Hopefully we won't see that one rear it's ugly head up again any time soon.

As for trolls, it's all part of internet life. I'm willing to hear anyones opinion.

 

[browneyes]

Originally posted by RitaZ.
IMHO, the CB has had its own problems with nasty posters and trolls way before the DB was shut down.

ITA.

 

[Rippington'sFan]

Originally posted by Tiggery
Has anyone else noticed there are more trolls around on the main boards since the demise of the debate board. While I was never a fan of the debate board myself Im thinking now that it did serve a purpose. Has anyone else noticed the rise of these posts recently?

WOW!!! I didn't realize that only certain people who think they own the board should be the only one's who post. Who gives a flying CRAP about how many posts somebody has. Didn't we all start with a "1st post" way back when. Sorry but you're post comes across as being very narrow minded. This is a Public Forum if you haven't learned that by now.