In Praise of Trolls...?

[Pól Rua]

Actually, that's a misleading topic, as the dimwits who jump on just to say, "Hey! The comics you like are Teh SuXX0R!" and cackle over it to themselves afterward add nothing to the world and rank slightly lower than the crab louse on the 'right to exist' scale.
That said, occasionally, there is something very satisfying about a really meaty flamewar - not a "You suck!" "No YOU do!" "No, you times infinity!" flamewar. They eat balls, but the sort where someone is deliberately obtuse, or insistent on a ridiculous proposition, or nitpicks your argument to hell while offering no support to theirs can often be oddly therapeutic.
They can also make you want to smash your head in with a hammer... but into every life a little rain must fall.

Anyway, I don't want to name names, but recently, I've had occasion to involve myself in a couple of contentious discussions around here, and in each occasion, I've had to do more than just make my point and leave... but I've had to actually examine my opponent's argument, discover just WHAT about it irked me/conflicted with my beliefs/made me want to punch them in the face, why, and really get to the core of my beliefs and why I feel that way.

There's really nothing like having to justify your beliefs to get you to examine them.

So yeah, they get a bum rap, and sometimes they deserve it, but for all that they make me want to tear out my hair, punch the cat and set random fires (though I'll get that whether I'm involved in online arguments or not)... sometimes, the act of defending my opinions leads me into interesting places and a deeper understanding of just why I have these beliefs. Especially when the other guy is REAL dumb, and you have to take such baby steps to explain just how you got somewhere.

So yeah. I think that's cool.

[Solaris]

Actually, that's a misleading topic, as the dimwits who jump on just to say, "Hey! The comics you like are Teh SuXX0R!" and cackle over it to themselves afterward add nothing to the world and rank slightly lower than the crab louse on the 'right to exist' scale.
That said, occasionally, there is something very satisfying about a really meaty flamewar - not a "You suck!" "No YOU do!" "No, you times infinity!" flamewar. They eat balls, but the sort where someone is deliberately obtuse, or insistent on a ridiculous proposition, or nitpicks your argument to hell while offering no support to theirs can often be oddly therapeutic.
They can also make you want to smash your head in with a hammer... but into every life a little rain must fall.

Anyway, I don't want to name names, but recently, I've had occasion to involve myself in a couple of contentious discussions around here, and in each occasion, I've had to do more than just make my point and leave... but I've had to actually examine my opponent's argument, discover just WHAT about it irked me/conflicted with my beliefs/made me want to punch them in the face, why, and really get to the core of my beliefs and why I feel that way.

There's really nothing like having to justify your beliefs to get you to examine them.

So yeah, they get a bum rap, and sometimes they deserve it, but for all that they make me want to tear out my hair, punch the cat and set random fires (though I'll get that whether I'm involved in online arguments or not)... sometimes, the act of defending my opinions leads me into interesting places and a deeper understanding of just why I have these beliefs. Especially when the other guy is REAL dumb, and you have to take such baby steps to explain just how you got somewhere.

So yeah. I think that's cool.


Whatever the hell you're on, I want some.

:)

[Pól Rua]

As a f'rinstance, and let's not mention any names, someone recently argued that comics like the new Batwoman and Marvel's Young Avengers 'glorified' homosexuality.
Now the thing is, I actually had to actually look at why I disagreed with such an asinine statement, and what I came up with was... Wally West has red hair. He doesn't want to change his hair colour. His girlfriend probably likes it. She probably likes the way he cuts his hair too.
Does 'The Flash', as a comic, GLORIFY red hair?
No, it just presents it as it is. Some characters like spicy food, some characters play chess, some characters have red hair... some characters are in loving homosexual relationships.
That's not PROMOTING or GLORIFYING anything.
It's just saying hey, there it is. It exists.

Any of you have similar experiences? Whether it's an argument that cemented your opinions, caused you to re-examine your beliefs, or even alter them?

[Pól Rua]

Whatever the hell you're on, I want some.

:)

I am a generally happy munky. Yes.

[Solaris]

I am a generally happy munky. Yes.


Well, you know I'm just kidding with that. You do raise a good point... but there are more pleasant alternatives I'd rather go through, in figuring out what and how I think, than dealing with a true troll.

Arguing is one thing---trollness is another, to me. :)

[Solaris]

As a f'rinstance, and let's not mention any names, someone recently argued that comics like the new Batwoman and Marvel's Young Avengers 'glorified' homosexuality.
Now the thing is, I actually had to actually look at why I disagreed with such an asinine statement, and what I came up with was... Wally West has red hair. He doesn't want to change his hair colour. His girlfriend probably likes it. She probably likes the way he cuts his hair too.
Does 'The Flash', as a comic, GLORIFY red hair?
No, it just presents it as it is. Some characters like spicy food, some characters play chess, some characters have red hair... some characters are in loving homosexual relationships.
That's not PROMOTING or GLORIFYING anything.
It's just saying hey, there it is. It exists.

Any of you have similar experiences? Whether it's an argument that cemented your opinions, caused you to re-examine your beliefs, or even alter them?


Well, I'd have to say that a lot of the debates here on CBR have made me examine in detail what I think and how... and often, either my viewpoint gets more specific, or it alters a bit, as folks throw out circumstances I hadn't considered before.

[glue]

For the record I've always felt the Wally West character glorified redheads, and frankly it sickens me.

I kid. I get what you're saying and I've had similar experiences, but can't think of any at the moment.

[Pól Rua]

Well, I'd have to say that a lot of the debates here on CBR have made me examine in detail what I think and how... and often, either my viewpoint gets more specific, or it alters a bit, as folks throw out circumstances I hadn't considered before.

It's one of the things I actually like about this place.
Even when I'm tearing my hair in frustration, I'm still looking at some new, better way to explain my viewpoint or examine the opposing viewpoint rather than just screaming, "YOU ARSEHEAD! YOU SUCK! I'LL BITE YOUR FACE!!!"
CBR's usually been pretty good for that sort of thing.

[howyadoin]

For the record I've always felt the Wally West character glorified redheads, and frankly it sickens me.Next thing you know, they'll want equal rights.

[glue]

This is NOT what our forefathers or God, for that matter, wanted!

[Pól Rua]

This is NOT what our forefathers or God, for that matter, wanted!

God Made Adam and Eve!
Not Adam and Nicole Kidman!

[glue]

God Made Adam and Eve!
Not Adam and Nicole Kidman!


Preach on!!

[Rachel Grey]

Stay away from de voodoo, mon.

[Pól Rua]

Stay away from de voodoo, mon.

Damballah invented Adam and Eve,
Not Adam and Nicole Kidman?



Edit: Aw man, I'm derailing my own damn thread!

[howyadoin]

Aw man, I'm derailing my own damn thread!I blame it on the redhead.

[Rachel Grey]

Damballah invented Adam and Eve,
Not Adam and Nicole Kidman?



Edit: Aw man, I'm derailing my own damn thread!

Heh. Trolls (in World of Warcraft) speak with a Jamaican accent. Not the kind of trolls you mean but what the hell :)

[Spike-X]

Next thing you know, they'll want equal rights.
You mean special rights.

[Spike-X]

I don't have anything against trolls, but I wouldn't let them adopt children.

[atoningunifex]

Ha ha ha! Silly non-redheads! Wander around in your little dream world of "special rights" and "equal rights" while the truth is plain for anyone with the proper hair color to see:

Redheads own the world. The rest of you shmoes just rent.

[Forefinger]

Resident cartoonist = troll

[Smell]

I'm not really a red head, but if I let my beard grow out it's very ginger.

Can I still rule the world?


On the point of troll like arguments - I've had to re-assess my own opinions prior to posting responses to others outlandinsh opinions. Than I hit the delete key and just stay quiet.

damn - wish I'd pay more attention to the debate team.

Dom

smells. yes I do. No I don't, oh yes I do

[Sir Tim Drake]

Excuse me, I think they prefer to be known as bridge-dwelling Americans.

[Ed Cunard]

Excuse me, I think they prefer to be known as bridge-dwelling Americans.

Ethnocentrist!

[glue]

I don't have anything against trolls, but I wouldn't let them adopt children.


ahaha

I don't even want my kids associating with such sinners and heathens.

[Dreadstar]

Speaking of trolling...




Just let it roll off the page, people. PLEASE?