If we change the word in the title of this post from “trolling”
to “commenting,” most of us would recognize ourselves.
Sadly, some of us, who are loath to think of ourselves as Trolls,
are in fact trolling.
An internet troll is someone who intentionally posts or
comments online to upset others. Trolls may use offensive language, personal
attacks, or other disruptive content.
“But,” say you, “I’m just expressing an opinion. I’m
confronting disinformation. I’m saying what needs to be said on a public forum.”
Then, you add, “And it’s a free country with a constitutional guarantee to free
speech.”
Yes, and no. Personally, I’d say to the trollers, N-O. No. Minimal
self-examination would save you from disgracing yourself and polluting the air.
Just ask yourself these three questions before posting:
Does it need to be said?
Does it need to be said by me?
Does it need to be said by me, now?
For those who are capable of honest self-reflection, twitching-to-type fingers would come to a standstill. It becomes clear the need for attention
at all costs is what caused the twitch.
Breathe. All better now.
You’ll have less to regret later, and the digital environment
would be a wee bit cleaner, too.
3 comments:
lol, I remember when I first joined a yahoo writing group about 20 yrs ago...and had to refrain from replying because something someone said was wrong. The interwebs really make me practice self-restraint :)
Posting for Evelyn who sent this via email, because i think her comment is worth putting here:
"I don't believe in using offensive language or engaging in personal attacks, but I do appreciate when people express their honest beliefs even if I don't agree with them. Of course, it helps my appreciation if I happen to agree with them. If I don't agree with them, I think it's important for me to try to understand where they're coming from. I think there is a troublesome lack of honest dialog going on in our country and that is one reason we're so divided. "
Boy, a second friend of this blog is having a problem posting here (Blogger kept not "publishing" her comment) and sent Email to me with her comment. Do you suppose Blogger is having an issue with my dissing trollers? 🤪KIDDING.
This is from MirkaK (a different Mirka, not me):
"I have stayed out of social media, unwilling to enter into the toxic environment of negative comments. Friends have shared some of their awful experiences and I have no desire to enter that territory. If I need to express my opinion, yes, it's important to do so with thoughtfulness. If it's appropriate, I do it directly with someone, not online."
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