Trolls, love 'em or leave 'em?

And this is a NOT a troll!

We'll be attempting to take a slightly harder line managing the personal attacks that have flared up in the forums. Mean, attacking people are violating rule #1. They shouldn't be allowed to spread hate.

But what about non-threatening trolls?

My preference is to leave 'em be as long as they don't personally attack people. Trolls are part of the internet world IMO. Some admins feel differently.

Let's hear your voice!! (And I can't wait to hear how the trolls grunt).

I agree with your assessment. How would you differentiate between a troll and an opinion you just don't like? Not to mention the huge added workload that would be required for dealing with troll posts.

Personal attacks and insults are what we really should be managing, not trolls.

JL

saxfiend wrote: Personal attacks and insults are what we really should be managing, not trolls. JL

Agreed, personal attacks are not allowed on other forums-supertaco, basejumper, etc. On the Taco, if you try to print a swear word, it automatically changes it so it isn't anymore. A little goofy but whatever. Anyone who doesn't have the cajones to say something to someones face, but happily spray real hate from the safety of a living room is a not worth our time anyhow.

But boy are there some good trolls and flame wars, and lots of folks seem to like them whether they are lurking, posting or the troll themselves. Just leave the profanity/obscene laced attacks to yourself. Rule #1 could also be-Don't be an A-hole.

"Personal attacks and insults are what we really should be managing, not trolls."

I agree.

IMO some of the loudest voices recently on the whole anti troll thing are also guilty of personal attacks, insults and threats themselves. funny how that works huh?

Whoa...slippery slope! It might be harder than you expect separating some spirited debating posts from attacks, but I support the effort to try. Judging the "merit" of posts, however, is a bottomless fool's errand.

Oops. Did I call you a fool...with a skinny butt?

I think its weird that Admins are so concerned about what's posted in the fleeting & generally useless forum, but they could care less about all manner of worthless garbage posted in the route database.

I guess my point is, the admins are busy enough. Let's keep them focused on managing the useful content. IMO, this site is about the Route Data base. The forums are just a sideshow. My advice to anyone who can't handle the "personal attacks" is to just stay away from the forums. Maybe it would just be easier to have an "enter at your own risk" warning before you enter the forums.

Monomaniac wrote: but they could care less about all manner of worthless garbage posted in the route database.

Good point, and that's the reason I wanted to Administrate Texas and Mexico. Some really weak route info in those areas. No FA info, poor route locations and sketchy protection suggestions. Not always, but enough that I wanted to help out. Since my fellow Texans and Mexicans don't usually piss anyone off here in the forums, my job is usually only what you are saying. Profanity laced personal attacks are still uncool.

Thanks for the post man.

edit too add, that is the worst route description I have ever seen.

First let me say that this is my favorite site on the Internet and that the admins do a terrific job of managing it!

On the topic of removing trolls, I think you will find it to be a huge time sink for very little reward. As others have said, your precious time would almost certainly be better spend elsewhere.

As far as censoring in general goes...

I am of the belief that there are very few instances which merit removing something from the site.

Are there times when I think something should be removed? Yes, definitely. However, it is a VERY slippery slope and people will not agree on where to draw that line.

Some examples that have made me wonder where to draw that line in the last year include...
-The idiot that signed up as KC sucks monkey balls.
-The new route added to Potash Road named "Sweating like a Hooded Rapist"
-Route additions that say nothing more than Coming Soon and have been that way for months.
-Posted routes that have access issues that could affect all of us. (like routes on arches in Arches NP.)
-Threats against specific people or land management agencies.
-Inaccurate (to the point of being unsafe) gear recommendations.
-Trolls
-Areas that lack a location. (Isolation Canyon in AZ, High Valley in Moab)

The list goes on but you get the point. My advice to that admins is to not create more work for yourselves. The trolls will weed themselves out just like they have since the days of rec.climbing.

You all deserve a day out climbing and a beer from all of us that have enjoyed your hard work.

Let me know if any of you pass through Durango. The first round is on me.

my .02,
Brad

Trolls are fine. I think the admins should try to moderate all the Big Egos on this site.

Fry 'em up with some butter and garlic. I understand why you wouldn't like them if you've only had them raw.

I think I agree with Monomaniac on this one. That being said, I do see some of the same bad behavior carry over in the route threads (Wyoming seems to be a breeding ground for this).

And, Hank, man, you're killing me over here...