The Apologetic War against Online Criticism

[_Kishkumen]

Here, let it all out

http://www.livejournal.com/

Hey, Simon, this would not be the first time you used such language on me, would it?

Not true at all. I wouldn't hurt a fly. But I understand why you're lashing out at me. Let it all out, Kishkumen.

Or others:

Let it all out, Deej. I know you were the "poster of the year" last year, but you can't be a rock star all the time.

Or someone else you love:

Let's let it all out, Scratch, and if you can do it without picking on unrelated people you find on Facebook I will continue to talk to you.

And:

Go ahead, though, you seem to be very angry at me (I have no clue why). It would probably be helpful for you to just let it all out -- just unload.

And:

Lash out... let it all out. Release your anger.

[_Juggler Vain]

After enduring the latest round of slogging it out with the various characters who conveniently show up here to mislead and confuse the issues in the wake of some apologetic gaffe or "boner" coming to light, I thought it would be useful to pause for a moment and consider the possibility that, like the defenders of Scientology against its critics, LDS apologists have become increasingly sophisticated in the way that they try to suppress any negative, critical, or even candid discussion of the LDS Church and the apologists who defend it. Indeed, I think it not unlikely that they have read up on Scientologists' methods of dealing with the internet and have applied these lessons, even here on lowly MDB.

Based on my interaction with the aptly-named "static," and watching the way posters like "static" and "stemelbow" vomit and troll, in seemingly oblivious idiocy, all over certain threads, I've gotta say, this is a great observation. It describes the precise effect these trolls have on the conversation.

Using the ignore feature is great for individuals who are already wise to what these trolls are doing, but it doesn't help new posters or guests sort through the noise. It is unlikely, given the moderating philosophy here, that the moderators would be willing to do anything about the trolling, but perhaps it would be helpful for one of the genuine posters to point out the troll (and the usefulness of the "ignore" feature) at the top of these big threads when they come up.

And then don't feed the trolls so much.

-JV

[_Equality]

After enduring the latest round of slogging it out with the various characters who conveniently show up here to mislead and confuse the issues in the wake of some apologetic gaffe or "boner" coming to light, I thought it would be useful to pause for a moment and consider the possibility that, like the defenders of Scientology against its critics, LDS apologists have become increasingly sophisticated in the way that they try to suppress any negative, critical, or even candid discussion of the LDS Church and the apologists who defend it. Indeed, I think it not unlikely that they have read up on Scientologists' methods of dealing with the internet and have applied these lessons, even here on lowly MDB.

Based on my interaction with the aptly-named "static," and watching the way posters like "static" and "stemelbow" vomit and troll, in seemingly oblivious idiocy, all over certain threads, I've gotta say, this is a great observation. It describes the precise effect these trolls have on the conversation.

Using the ignore feature is great for individuals who are already wise to what these trolls are doing, but it doesn't help new posters or guests sort through the noise. It is unlikely, given the moderating philosophy here, that the moderators would be willing to do anything about the trolling, but perhaps it would be helpful for one of the genuine posters to point out the troll (and the usefulness of the "ignore" feature) at the top of these big threads when they come up.

And then don't feed the trolls so much.

-JV

Good point, JV. I go back and forth between just ignoring the mopes (such as stemelbow, bcspace, static, and droopy) and wanting to call them on all the crap they throw at the board. I had some time today, so I challenged stemelbow on his repeated lies and dissembling about Dehlin. But I can tell you, it's a lot easier to just ignore them. My fear is that if they are ignored, and no one challenges them, innocent observers might just get confused, as they will not necessarily be experienced in spotting the tactics of the mopologists and how they distort, dissemble, and deflect from the real issues.