Theos-Talk Archives (December 2005 Message tt00277)

Hi Paul and All,
This issue of `trolls' on the internet seems to keep coming up.

What is fair and reasonable argument?
What methods are acceptable and what are not?

I would suggest that being part of a theosophical internet group any hypnotises put 
forward should be open to reasoned challenge and debate.

If we put forward a proposition and the logic in it is flawed, is it not reasonable and 
acceptable for others to point out these inconsistencies out and ask for clarification?

If we are voluntarily coming onto this group and making statements be they historical, 
philosophical or otherwise, should we not expect those statements if inconsistent or 
flawed, to be challenged?

In other what is the line one crosses from using genuine and legitimate philosophical tools 
of debate and logic, to being a `troll'.
 
As a suggestion cant we as group put forward a set of rules for what is andwhat is not 
acceptable behaviour and practice in this group.

If `trolling' is a problem then perhaps it can be first identified and thenthe moderator of 
the group deal with it appropriately according to whatever rules we as a group come to 
consensus over.

Just a suggestion 

Best wishes to you and to all for Christmas !

Perry





--- In theos-talk@yahoogroups.com, "kpauljohnson" <kpauljohnson@y...> wrote:
>
> a word to the wise:
> 
> Here is an excellent article on Internet trolls, explaining the 
> phenomenon:
> 
> http://members.aol.com/intwg/trolls.htm
> 
> which helps explain certain patterns on theos-talk. Some relevant 
> points from the article:
> "An Internet "troll" is a person who delights in sowing discord on 
> the Internet. He (and it is usually he) tries to start arguments and 
> upset people.
> Trolls see Internet communications services as convenient venues for 
> their bizarre game. For some reason, they don't "get" that they are 
> hurting real people. To them, other Internet users are not quite 
> human but are a kind of digital abstraction. As a result, they feel 
> no sorrow whatsoever for the pain they inflict. Indeed, the greater 
> the suffering they cause, the greater their 'achievement' (as they 
> see it). At the moment, the relative anonymity of the net allows 
> trolls to flourish."
>