Exploitation and the forums

A certain thread and its "discussion path" raises the question of what exactly is exploiting the forums in SL.

The following preliminary conclusions come to mind (both in relation to SL's forums and forums in general) as I think about exploitation and the forums.
1. Basic trolling will occur
Basic trolling is not simple to define. I don't think that motivation of the troll is worth pursuing in this thread. However, the actions of basic trolling seem to be antithetical to open discussion. Baiting other posters (something I seem to be really good at on a gentic basis at least with respect to a few people), repeating the same thing over and over (seemingly in the assumption that repetiiton will result in understanding), blameshifting, personal attacks and even playing victim seem to be basic troll actions to me. Nothing particularly sophisticated in spotting basic troll activity.

2. There is a limited expectation for truly open discussion - that is a search for all available perspectives and/or a "best" solution to any "problem"/topic under discussion. That is to say, agendas far too often seem to interfere with the theoretic idea of open and honest discussion. This results in hijacking.

3. Hijackers often use techniques similar to trolls to derail discussions for whatever reason. But hijackers and trolls could be motivated by different things. Their motivations are not worthy of discussion... only their actions here.

4. Unfortunately, some people who are otherwise quite intelligent and mature will engage in trolling and hijacking behaviors - essentially exercising their freedom of speech rights - in a manner which essentially abuses the theoretic purpose of the forums (if that is not mere sadistic/masochistic entertainment).

So, forums, by their very natire will always be exploited in some sense. That perception of exploitation will vary from reader to reader, from poster to poster.

There's little to stop exploitation of forums except by moderating each and every post. And even then, the moderator can explot the position of authority held.

Thoughts?

I think I am for exploitation except for times when I think I'm not for exploitataion.

I know who you're talking about, Korg! Don't think I don't. Grr. Grr.

So let me present my defence.

[1] Basically, I'm smarter than everyone else. And I'm right. Always. Even when it looks, to all intent and purpose, like I'm talking out of my ass.

Anyone who disagrees with me is inherently stupid. In fact, I have this theory that the more people disagree with me, the smarter I become. So therefore I troll along posting stuff just to get people to disagree with me. And it works! I'm now a superhuman genius! (What? you didnt think one person in this day and age could actually BELIEVE all this crap I come up with? give me SOME credit!).

My being right also extends to my conclusions about your intentions in opposing my position, though these will often amount to personal attacks (see [3] and [4]).


[2] Because I am aways right, there is no need for me to prove my case or present evidence or back it up in any way. If people continue to post in disagreement (which, remember, only makes me more smart after all) I simply post in bigger and bigger fonts until you can't fail to notice that the third or fourth or 10th time I post the same statement with no proof has WAY more impact and you will be forced to concede that nothing written that big could be wrong. It is not because I am a poor communicator, it is because I am always right and I have no need to justify myself to the likes of you people.


[3] I have every right to force my beliefs on you and call it a debate. As per [1] they are correct by default. However, it is worth noting that because (a) I'm a complete hypocrite, and (b) taking into account [1] that I am trying to make everyone disagree with me, I will often have to contradict something I said earlier. You, however, have no right to either question my beliefs (see [1]) or present your own, particulary if they contradict mine. Should you try, you will be attacked and ridiculed until you and any opposition give up and go away. Note, however, that I am obliged to stop people from stating beliefs that I judge to be morally wrong in all cases. And in general, anything I wish to discuss is a topic worthy of debate. Anything you want to discuss is not.

[4] I believe in free speech, assuming it does not contravene any of the above, even if it does hurt other peoples feelings. Note: It is not okay for anyone else to have your feelings hurt, though - only myself. The rest of you need to be more thick skinned. Anyone hurting my feelings, and all personal attacks without exception, will immediately be reported to the moderators. Even if I have actually launched a personal attack on you in the previous post and you are simply responding in kind. It comes back to [3](a) my being a complete hypocrite.

So, taking all of the above into account, lets discuss, as Korg says!

I would have to agree with the above assessment because it was basically too long and involved for me to want to actually read it. If I am wrong and I don't agree with it then I can always say I felt exploited and therefore wasn't in the proper frame of mind to speak on said subject.

That being said Points 1, 2, 3, and 4 have been noted and taken into consideration...I will come back later and read the actual words referenced behind the numbered points to see if they fit in with my theory of existential evolution of avatars and if it does I will correspond appropriately.

I want this to be absolutely clear.. my post was not meant as an attack on or towards anyone. No one.

It's merely a postulate/set of observations intended to open a discussion related to forum posts.... or not.

Discuss, hijack or troll as you will.

Korg,

When you want a genuine discussion on the topic (and your thread title indicates that you do not) I will be happy to contribute.

LOL. I know it wasn't. But it was too good an oppportunity to miss for a heavy dose of trolling.

Perhaps I should have entitled this "Exploitation OF forums"???

And indicates that two things are separate.

Of indicates a relationship between two things.

The two things are exploitation -and- forums. The unidentified third element is people who post.

So, interpret the title as you will... either the concept exploitation as a concept and applying it to forum discussion... or perhaps the concept of exploitation and how some people exploit the intent of forums for discussion....

or perhaps some other interpretation of your own...


Go for it... it's a wide open interpretation day.. I am off work so I can play for at least 24 hours.

Kris, I rolled on the floor afer reading your post.. but I am ***sooooooooooooooo*** afraid (NOT!!!) of someone reporting me for abuse I was forced to put the disclaimer in lest I be accused of picking on anyone. Great post.

I'm thinking of starting a thread called "Exploitation of the word exploitation". Would anyone be interested?

The big problem I see with public forums on the web, regardless of the topic, are that they tend to be filled with devotees or enthusiasts that want to effect a change or contribute to whatever topic that they are discussing (making improvements in a video game, preserving endangered species, debatings the possible plot turns in an upcoming movie, etc.) but are powerless to do so. Or, maybe they feel powerless to begin with and the only response they can give is to describe their woes and concerns on the boards.

With many boards like this one where there is a direct developer-user communication, their woes and concerns are usually heard and adressed but not always validated.

Because of that people get frustrated or cynical which feeds their negativity and the negativity of those around them. Frustrated people lash out, either not realizing or not caring about the harm they do. That in turn causes people to lash back because they feel personally offended, indignant, or maybe they feel like they have to defend the someone or something they feel is under attack. They whole place turns into one big seething pit of drama and anger which moderators sometimes have to bring under control. And yeah, sometimes they have to lay the smackdown with their Ban-Sticks™, and bad posters are sent away.

And thus, a troll is born.

i entirely agree with kris except that i add to #4 the fact that anyone not thick skinned enough to be verbally slaughtered here should just stop reading and posting for an extended period of time.

since you're always wrong, even when you agree with me, we won't be loosing anything but a punching bag. and you might just have fun in the real world rather than spending all day trolling around here.

so it's all good.

I am super smarter than Kris.

If she argues with me I win as per her posting

Thus I am exploited

Shadow

huh?

Bwahahahaha! Sooooo true cuz I d.... wait! you're picking on me arent you? Well I went away and grew my extra thick forum skin and now I'm BACK to test all yours. *prod*

Well, in my defence, I cite [3](a) I am a hypocrite. So nyah.

And if you persist, I have 6 more font sizes to repeat that in!

--
Kris
Waiting for an enforced entended forum vacation

Did I remember to put a bit in there about stretching false logic so thinly that only you could understand it? I forget, and I can't be bothered to read that boring crap I wrote again.

So whats this got to do with the railroad?

*hugs for everyone*

aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaah.

I am a troll! I just looked in the mirror and it broke - so I can't see my own reflection. I cannot engage in self-examination except by manipulation of thoughts and then considering the action-response paradym.... I act, someone responds.... I react...

I am a troll. I spew fecal matter all over then laugh at the mayhem I caused.

I am a troll. I just can't stayaway from threads that tick others (or even myself off).

I am a troll.. but a damn good looking one if I do say so myself.... of course, I have to take my own word for it as I don't believe anyone else on any subject - even when they attempt to agree with me.

Hey! Me too! Shall we start a club?

no. It's mine! All mine. If we start a club we agree... don't you see that?!?!? You freaking troll.. leave my idea to me! It's mine.. mine, I tell you... Even if it looks like yours, it's mine I tell you... Even if it sounds like mine/yours.. ww.. waa.wait.. a w...minute..

Are you trying to confuse the issue with facts?

Oh nevermind.

Mine I tell you. Read the freaking thread!

I tried to read the thread and come up with an intelligent reply but I obviously am not as smart as all of you that posted before me. I just pretend to know what I'm talking about.

I'm not a 14 year old girl.....but I play one on the internet

<<<<<snickers at Kris...

<<<<<<<snickers at Shadow, snickering at Kris...