Theos-Talk Archives (February 2006 Message tt00155)

Paul,

Good to hear your reasonable response to this repetitive phenomenon. 
Perhaps it is a phase that must be passed through over time.  I 
reference the theos-l forum which for years was the site of bitter ego 
battles, but now functions to provide a place for open and honest 
philosophical/theosophical discussions.  Sure there are less than a 
dozen regular contributors there, but we do not cherish a large group as 
much as we do a respectful one.  It is important to note that theos-l is 
completely unmoderated and yet, at present, there are no broken windows 
to fix.  It is understood that each participant must moderate 
themselves. This has worked for the last 7 years that I have been a 
member there.

Could someone like David Green appear suddenly on theos-l and become a 
disruptive influence?  No doubt initially, but the sustainability of any 
individual's disruptive power is ultimately in the hands of each 
participant who allows themselves to continue to be used as food for the 
troll.   The trolls feed here on theos-talk because this is where they 
can bask in the self-satisfying emotional state that they crave.  
Recently  you  referenced new research about self-delusion and 
individuals being able to give themselves "feel-good pats" when they 
perform certain mental gymnastics that consistently return them to their 
comfort zone.  I think the same may be said of trolls.  They give 
themselves a feel-good pat every time someone feeds them.


peace,


bill 

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