Over population of trolls.

[His Divine Shadow]

There are a few sides to this problem. Some have solutions in you, the members. Some have solutions in us, the moderation staff. Time for a nice, long, HDS post, broken into conveniently bite-sized chunks. Bon apetite!

Trolls will always be here. You cannot rid a community of this size of every malcontent. It is like a town. Imagine a town of 97,946, our current member base. Do you think there would be no crime, no wrongdoing, no-one out to harm another, either mentally or physically? Surely not.

So, we see we'll never snuff them out. Fine. So what is to be done? Others have said it, and I'll say it again in boldest print. Ignore the trolls. Anyone who posts to get a rise out of other members requires responses to sustain themselves. It's like a cancer. So long as blood vessels feed it, the tumor sustains itself and multiplies. Without that blood, the attention you give them by responding, they will whither and die. Will it be quick? No. But I guarantee you that if not a single person responded to the trolls today active they would leave. This part is on you, folks.

But, what about when the trolling becomes so offensive that the posts made can't be allowed to remain in the open? Well, here is another piece on you: report trolling. This doesn't necessarily mean reporting every piece that every n'er do well posts. If something is easily ignored, even if it skirts the rules, ignoring it is many times more effective than wasting your time reporting it. But, if what is posted is a gross violation of the rules, particularly the Golden Rule, report it! We'll make it go away.

Which brings me to the mod part. We have to do our piece to keep the atmosphere clean. When something poisonous does surface, we have to clean it up. We need your help to tell us where it happening. Show us the cancer, and we'll bring the chemo.

Which brings me to the last piece, also on you, the members. No matter what the situation, what the temptation, what the instigation, do not respond to trolls in-kind. You will never defeat a troll with what they themselves dish out. Would you put out a burning building by way of flamethrower? Doubtful. All you'll do is hasten the conversion of the structure to ashes. If you respond to a troll with anger or argument, you feed them so much that they'll never leave.

Will we always agree with everyone else who posts on the TMF? Surely not; one need only peek into the P&R section to see that truth. We have to get along as best we can. Sometimes, that does mean holding our tongue, whether we were about to say something harsh or because we were about to respond to something harshly said.

Freedom of speech is not freedom to be mean, at least not here. You can say mean things, assuredly, but you'll find few friend are made that way. The TMF is privately owned. The TMF restricts what you can say. The TMF exists to foster friendships and community. The TMF owners and staff will act to ensure that such occurs to the best of their abilities. We want ideas freely exchanged. We do not want anyone to feel unwelcome because of that, and we'll act to make sure that doesn't happen.

 

[Gentler]

I haven't noticed the influx in trolls. Then again, I'm not nearly as active as I used to be or as the people who have noticed the trolls are. So maybe I'm just missing it.

You're not missing it. There is no influx of trolls. That was simply a ruse on the part of the OP to rally the membership to challenge the TMF administration to ban certain members (including me) she suspects of being previously banned other members.

If she was really concerned about this, she simply would have PM'd Myriads or HDS. Instead she made it a public post.

What she doesn't get is that by quoting our posts and changing the names of the posters, she is exhibiting the very trollish behavior which she would have us all believe has her so "concerned"...for the good of the community, you understand.

 

[TklDuo-Ann]

I'm no vet yet by any means. But it sure as hell seems to me that the forum has been pretty much run down with them. Any post that any girl makes about insecurities or dating issues is run down for a length of pages with complete and utter bullshit, by familiar talking "posters".

What is going to happen to the newbies who come along with the same apprehensions and are promptly run down and then chased off?

It's a fucking shame that at one time this was a place where the population could come, relax and share openly with like minded individuals. Now it seems to be nothing more than a barren place with locked threads and still open threads that have long since strayed from the OP.

I guess what some previously "banned" individuals predicted came true: The TMF would soon be over taken by them and their need to line walk and start shit for no reason what so ever.

How can me or any of my fellow posters talk openly about our fetish or even issues going on in our lives? Go to Facebook? Really?

'Sup Mod Squad?

I read most of the other responses. But, I wanted to speak to Crystal's post rather than to the other responses.

I've been in your place before, wondering what the hell is going on, why more isn't being done, why certain individuals insist on being...difficult. I haven't been around as much the last few months since life has been so busy. But, even I have noticed that we're in a rather testy phase again. In the past, I've actually been one of those to start a thread about it. I got pretty much the same basic range of responses.

The problem we're seeing at the moment isn't anything new...even if the latest pet targets are. We seem to go through a period every so often where the troll activity seems to increase exponentially. Some of the comments made about that are true...including that it tends to be one or two troublesome individuals being extra poopy for a while. I think most of us who've been around a bit can guess who these folks are. They get lonely and don't want to be forgotten, after all. It's a sad life.

Unfortunately, many of us get tired of it and simply walk away for a time. I've considered that before. But, I refuse to give the victory to the stupidity. Instead, I now think of it as a menstrual period. It's a complete and total pain in the ass. But, it'll pass and we'll move on as always. (For any who may find the analogy gross, it's intended as such. It's no more off-putting than the behavior of those who insist on being poopy.)

 

[slacker2114]

All valid points, HDS. However, you forgot about the one crucial thing that does fall to the mods: namely, banned members who come back and do the same thing that got them banned in the first place. Some of the newer members may not realize it, but those of us who have been around for awhile, including the mods, know a drew70 post when they see it. Same thing goes for the other banned members. Yet they are allowed to stay because they're doing their little tightrope walking trick they all do so well. All because they haven't broken the rules this time around like they have in the past. But it's obvious that it's only a matter of time before they do the violation bit again. But by then, they've already done their damage. They go quiet for a couple months, then it starts all over again.

I know the whole proxy thing keeps you from stopping them from coming back under new names. But like I said, their posts are as easy to spot as any other members' signatures. Ban them again on the spot and don't give them a chance to start their nonsense again. Yeah, I know, it's hard to keep up with all the endless accounts these people create. But what are other members to do when they tell the mods "Hey, jk is back under another name" and the only response that we get is "Well, he's behaving this time. Let's see if he can keep it up" when past precedence has shown that they all go back to their usual tactics.

But whatever. Let the banned members have the forum. I no longer need it for socializing and therefore have very little to say. I'll return to the old days when I just lurked around, looking at art and vids and keep quiet. It sucks for the new people, but there will always be others that try to watch out for them.

 

[His Divine Shadow]

You're not missing it. There is no influx of trolls. That was simply a ruse on the part of the OP to rally the membership to challenge the TMF administration to ban certain members (including me) she suspects of being previously banned other members.

If it's a ruse, it is one I agree with. The degree of negativity from some members has been high of late. I don't know why this particular venue was chosen to air concerns rather than a private communique. What I do know is that the method of communications does not invalidate the point behind the message.

But it's obvious that it's only a matter of time before they do the violation bit again. But by then, they've already done their damage. They go quiet for a couple months, then it starts all over again.

That's the difficult part of the business. We are not of the mind to ban someone who hasn't done something. As far as we're concerned, a new member starts with a clean slate. Do we keep a closer eye on those we suspect (as now one ever "knows") are former trolls? Sure. But, we won't act until they do something to warrant action.

That's where we need help from the members. I know the supposition is that we see everything. Well, we don't. I know I don't read but a tiny fraction of the threads and posts in any one section. I may be the most pitiful of the mod squad, but I know that none of us can see everything. Let us know when a member is posting things that violate the rules. Ignore them until we can come in and clean up. Any member is always welcome to PM any staffer if they feel something has been reported and ignored.

If we had an oracle that could tell us which members were going to offend in the future with perfect certainty, perhaps we could preemptively strike. But, we don't. So we do the best we can. We ask only that you do the same. Report trolls and ignore them. The surest way to kill a troll, better than any ban or punishment, is to ignore them until they wither up and die.

 

[chicago]

The answer is: Ignore and report.

/ end thread.

 

[Mitchell]

I've been here since 2002. When I first joined, and we had the old insecure room where anyone could enter under any name, with no password, the room was littered with "trolls". People who would come in the room every second, making up different names, and typing the worst things in capital letters.

Now, as to Crystal's question, as to whether the forum has more "trolls" lately. I really don't know. If there are more "trolls", I haven't noticed them. I just go about my business of posting, and if I see rude posts which attack, I'll put that person on ignore.

Myriads said long ago that when a forum like ours grows as rapidly as it does, it can attract many different types of people, including "trolls". Best way to deal with it: The iggy button. If you put them on ignore, they can't PM you, and you dont have to see their posts.

Mitch

 

[love feet]

i like this thread.

me to!!

 

[dad2]

As far as the locked threads: Isn't it the OP who had a prized collection of locked threads that was stored in the TMF time capsule? You know, it is!

I noticed that, too. If locked threads are such an anathema to her, why does she collect them??

 

[SoundSiren]

The answer is: Ignore and report.

/ end thread.

^This.

 

[Master Baiter]

Thank



You



For



Proving



My





Point.

You're

Welcome

Now

Please

Put

On

Some

Clothes

You're

Killing

My

Erection

Plzthxs

 

[Master Baiter]

When something poisonous does surface, we have to clean it up. We need your help to tell us where it happening. Show us the cancer, and we'll bring the chemo.

This is in such BAD taste ... using CANCER as euphemism?!?

I'm at a loss for words.

Chemo isn't a cure, BTW.

I'd report this, but it was posted by an insensitive moderator, who's life hasn't been touched by cancer.

Worst. Comparison. Ever.

 

[Red faction]

Ray and Tracy left last night. Adam has pulled back from posting because it's getting ridiculous. I left a few months back for it.

he's back online now , he lasted long then

 

[Adam]

he's back online now , he lasted long then

Hello JK 666 (or something of that sort). Good to see you again. Been awhile. How's life? Mine's pretty good. It is nice of you to remind people that I exist while I was offline. I believe the young lady said I had "pulled back from posting" while the nonsense was going on. Never said I left completely. If that is all, I bid you a good day. Do take care and remember to treat others as you wish to be treated. Cheers.

 

[Red faction]

Hello JK 666 (or something of that sort). Good to see you again. Been awhile. How's life? Mine's pretty good. I believe the young lady said I had "pulled back from posting" while the nonsense was going on. Never said I left completely. If that is all, I bid you a good day. Do take care and remember to treat others as you wish to be treated. Cheers.

thanks adam and the same to you man , i've to spoke to you before at the tickletheater and your a good guy
anyway have a good day see ya

BTW im not jk_666_uk

 

[Saeria]

Once upon a time I hated spinach. If I had something with spinach on it, in it, or even previously touching it I wouldn't eat it. Then one day I had a bowl of mixed boiled greens. Now, keep in mind I've always LOVED boiled cabbage and this bowl of greens was the only thing I had left to eat. I knew, as much as I hated spinach, this was all there was, maybe for a couple days, and there was an equal amount of cabbage with my spinach so I was faced with a decision. Choose to be uncomfortable now so that I may experience comfort later, or stick to my dislikes and tough out the hunger that would come later. Of course, the logical thing to do is eat it, but it's surprisingly difficult to take that first bite while you're afraid you're going to ralph like crazy. Know what happened. I ate it anyway, and found I was too hungry to care there was spinach in it. It was just great that I had something to eat.

This is how I feel about this forum as of late. There are things I don't care to deal with, or even bother reading, but then in light of understanding that the reason I came here wasn't to get offended, but to learn and grow in my appreciations, I find it's easy to overlook the negative, or in a sense, eat the spinach with the cabbage.

 

[ma1926]

Once upon a time I hated spinach. If I had something with spinach on it, in it, or even previously touching it I wouldn't eat it. Then one day I had a bowl of mixed boiled greens. Now, keep in mind I've always LOVED boiled cabbage and this bowl of greens was the only thing I had left to eat. I knew, as much as I hated spinach, this was all there was, maybe for a couple days, and there was an equal amount of cabbage with my spinach so I was faced with a decision. Choose to be uncomfortable now so that I may experience comfort later, or stick to my dislikes and tough out the hunger that would come later. Of course, the logical thing to do is eat it, but it's surprisingly difficult to take that first bite while you're afraid you're going to ralph like crazy. Know what happened. I ate it anyway, and found I was too hungry to care there was spinach in it. It was just great that I had something to eat.

This is how I feel about this forum as of late. There are things I don't care to deal with, or even bother reading, but then in light of understanding that the reason I came here wasn't to get offended, but to learn and grow in my appreciations, I find it's easy to overlook the negative, or in a sense, eat the spinach with the cabbage.

If you wanna get rid of trolls just retell that story. You'll put them in a permanent state of slumber.

 

[JourneyMan19]

I also used to hate spinach. Still forced myself to eat it though due to watching too much Popeye.

As for the trolls, you could have it a lot worse on the TMF. I regularly contribute to sports forums where the roaming is much more free, threads are written for the sole purpose of winding people up and do not get deleted. At least around here the moderating is to a higher standard.
Still not convinced? Compare this to Youtube, where hateful, racist comments are often allowed to stand.

 

[Dave Pavet]

I love posting in the TMF forums. I have been harsh with some and insulting at times to others and have gotten it back but overall a most positive, fun experience. However, the one thing I LIKE about YouTube, the stuff is UNFILTERED. TV News, Cable News is all filtered through a biased lens. There is absolutely no unbiased news source, never has, never will be! A lot of stuff that is branded as racist and hateful is just not PC.

 

[Helena]

It is a good thing that we all have the blog feature to write about the things we want to write that are more of a personal nature. Mine is only visible to people I have chosen as friends. I don't make lots of posts in it, but I like the opportunity it affords me. I can recieve support from the people who have access to it.

I am thrilled now that I have a little area that feels like my own where I can send and recieve wall messages and post pictures with the comfort of knowing chosen members will be my audience.

I don't share my personal problems that will invite everyone to comment in General Discussion, and here is my reasoning. In real life, I wouldn't share intimate details of my activities with a roomful of strangers and expect to be supported by everyone. It's just not realistic. Critics and judgements and negative feedback are inevitable. If I'm too emotional about something, anyone who hurts me with a comment will anger me.

I hear what people are saying about recieving a negative response to a post that you started. It's happened to me. But I don't see a rise in trolls.
Then again, I'm an expert at using the ignore function.

 

[natural tickler]

just my 2 cents, returnable if not satisfied


the way I feel about trolls is, people are really brave behind a computer screen...gives them courage to talk shit knowing they will never see you LIVE and in technicolor...if half of them had stones to say on screen in real life...oh to dream

I am not on here as much as usual, so I dont worry too much what these folks say...but again, I dare you once to show up at a gathering or such as say what you do behind the screen....but then, you might need a trip to the Wizard first and get some backbone

 

[emilyemilyemily]

If you wanna get rid of trolls just retell that story. You'll put them in a permanent state of slumber.

somebody doesn't like metaphors.

 

[Gentler]

the way I feel about trolls is, people are really brave behind a computer screen...gives them courage to talk shit knowing they will never see you LIVE and in technicolor...if half of them had stones to say on screen in real life...oh to dream

I am not on here as much as usual, so I dont worry too much what these folks say...but again, I dare you once to show up at a gathering or such as say what you do behind the screen....but then, you might need a trip to the Wizard first and get some backbone

So that's what gatherings are about? Bringing your forum squabbles and hashing them out in person?

Wow, who knew?

 

[Angel77]

just my 2 cents, returnable if not satisfied


the way I feel about trolls is, people are really brave behind a computer screen...gives them courage to talk shit knowing they will never see you LIVE and in technicolor...if half of them had stones to say on screen in real life...oh to dream

I am not on here as much as usual, so I dont worry too much what these folks say...but again, I dare you once to show up at a gathering or such as say what you do behind the screen....but then, you might need a trip to the Wizard first and get some backbone

That makes me wonder now...........has any of the folks that people are having problems with ever show up at a gathering or a munch?

 

[natural tickler]

I should have worded it better....my apologies

What I meant to say is that it is easier for these trolls to hide behind the computer and be brave than it is to be seen and say the same thing...I did not mean to make it uneasy for people who wants to go to gatherings and such any more nervous than they should be...

My apologies to those that were offended