What makes people seek out hubs they disagree with/even hate, INTENT on making h

1. 83

   gmwilliamsposted 9 years ago

   What makes people seek out hubs they disagree with/even hate, INTENT on making hurtful,
   
   derogatory, & ad hominem comments?   What also makes the same people return again & again after their comments were rightfully deleted by the author?
   
   

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2. 83

   Medvekomaposted 9 years ago

   There have been many studies into the mechanics behind an internet troll's behaviour and they are rather fascinating.
   
   Google "The 'Internet Troll' Personality", an article by live science. They explore the different psychological factors that are prominent in internet trolls compared to people with other activities on the internet.
   
   In my personal opinion, which is partially supported by statistics, I think the anonymity of the internet brings out the inner sociopath and sadist in people. They can distance an alter-ego from their personal, responsible character and can freely pass ideas and comments they think, but would normally repress in an inter-personal situation.
   
   Ad hominem comments are purely the results of a cannon running dry. Returning? Annoyance and pleasure found in annoyance. The best way to deal with internet trolls is to plainly ignore them, using only passive means. Don't respond to them. Simply downvote them and leave them be. Responses mean they are recognised. Deleting their comment sends the message that they were noticed.

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3. 74

   tsmogposted 9 years ago

   Agreeing much with Medvekoma 'trolls' are a pain the A** with many different personalities. And, they employ strategy too! I'm inclined not to delete using the ignore tactic. I feel most can judge there feedback. I have deleted, although at a question and not a Hub. I really don't post at the forums much.
   
   If I discover a pattern I will go to their ID profile and look at their activity. I look at what type of activity - forum and comments. I then look at some to see if that personality as a 'troll' is consistent. I have not reported any to HP yet for their consideration, but I would not hesitate if I feel they are not within the ethics of HP.

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4. 70

   dashingscorpioposted 9 years ago

   
   
   The Internet and social media have created venue for angry people to lash out at people and beliefs they disagree with under the cloak of anonymity. It's becomes an online "talk radio" like atmosphere.
   Having said that there are those who seek to present an intelligent but opposing alternative view when leaving comments.
   In some respects it may even enhance readership and more comments. A topical subject oftentimes attracts various opinions!
   Nevertheless it's when people stoop to name calling and personal attacks that things get out of hand. Some people love to fight!
   There are some people who no longer allow for comments on articles, Youtube pages, and the like. Some people will "close a question" or remove the question/hub entirely if the comments aren't reflective of their own opinion. In other instances however people close a question because one or two people keep extending the string of comments for example on a religious opinion.
   After a while the creator of the question simply gets tired of receiving the notifications. To my knowledge few if any people have ever had their minds "changed" after reading anyone's comments on HP.

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5. 50

   bradmasterOCcalposted 9 years ago

   First, not everyone does it with the intent to hurt.
   I do it to read other viewpoints on subjects that I am interested in, and that doesn't mean I can't or shouldn't give arguments against that viewpoint. I might even change my mind, if they gave a convincing argument.
   
   What I don't like is when people start their ritual of name calling, rather than making an argument to make their case. That is one of the reason why I stopped participating in discussions.
   
   Argument as defined in court trials.

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