RE: Top Reasons For Trolling In Social Media And Why Steemit Has Lost Some Glory
Thanks @surfermarly for another excellent post... and you bring up some great points.
I often wonder "who ARE these people???" when I come across trollish behavior, both here and elsewhere. My stereotype bias suggests some unhappy person in their late 20's, living on their parents' couch in the basement, who hasn't had an actual job since flipping burgers while in college. So they take out their anger at the "unfairness" of the world (namely that they can't seem to get "something for nothing") online, by being a troll. Which, of course, is not true.
Trolls leave me with a sour note, too... I try to just continue to emphasize the positive and ignore the buzzing noises; but eventually it's tiring to be told that focusing on the value and having some pride in the quality of your contributions makes you "an arrogant intellectual." Or something like that.
One of the lessons learned from a past "Life Teacher" was to put your energy towards projects focused on (or dedicated to) creating a higher common denominator, not descending into a lower common denominator. By extension, the lesson was to do my part to make the "lower" as irrelevant and unheard as possible.
It's almost a variation on that famous Gandhi quote" "BE the change you wish to see in the world."
Thanks for your great comment, @denmarkguy. I very much enjoyed the read!
That one made me laugh! :) According to the study I read and mentioned here, there is actually no real stereotype: "The image of trolling is that it is mainly the work of young people, but the fact is trolls come from all ages and backgrounds."
However, there is surely one denominator: dissatisfaction.
Your "Life Teacher" experience is brilliant. That reminds me of the famous Ex-President´s wife quote: "When they go low, we go high." That´s so true and effective!
I think that Gandhi idea works well when one starts to be the change and then many jump on the same train. It´s probably one of the few fights you can´t win alone.
I just believe we have to look for the pockets of positivity and hope... and support and strengthen them.
For example, YOU give me hope, so I read and support and put my energy here, while largely ignoring the whiners. As the inset in your original post suggested-- take away your attention from the trolls.
Thank you, @denmarkguy. You are right, mutual support is key here. However I am badly missing more of it on the platform - and especially from the influencers.