Time To Stop Wallowing

I know the last few posts have been depressing and/or bitchy. I don't want you all to get bored with coming here and reading the same old shit. So, for today, I'm going to try to make things a little more interesting. But for those of you who are wondering...things haven't changed a bit from the last few posts. Anyhoo, on to something different for once.

A lot of my fellow writers and friends have blogs, live journals, etc. Many of them talk about what's going on in the world. I rarely speak up about my opinion on politics and the like on message boards or even here, because I find that politics, religion, etc. usually cause nothing but trouble. But, being the loud, blunt, in your face kind of person I am, screw it. This is my space and if people don't agree with me, that's fine. They don't have to read my posts. I'm all for healthy debate and free expression. When someone disagrees with me, I don't dislike them or feel that they are wrong. I believe in that old saying, "opinions are like assholes, everybody has one, and they all stink." I just can't stand those people who try to shove their beliefs down your throat and insist that anyone who disagrees is an idiot or an asshole.

So, though this may not technically be a post about politics or whatever, it's more about people who take their opinions too far. Take, for example, the different message boards I visit. I used to thrive on them, read half a dozen and posted several times a day on each. I have a hell of a lot less time now, and a hell of a lot less patience. Still, I lurk at a few favorites and even post every now and again.

What I've been noticing is that for some reason, lately, the trolls have been out in droves. By trolls I mean those people who post basically just to see themselves posting and thrive on starting controversy. These are the people that say, "agree with me or I'll stalk you and talk shit about you because I have nothing better to do." I'm not naming names here, or even message boards, because trolls have a nasty way of finding out when people are posting about them, and then put those posters on the top of their "shit list." My posting is not meant to provoke, only to express my personal opinion, which I am entitled to considering I live in the land of opportunity and freedom.

I see all kinds of arguments from what kinds of publishing are acceptable and professional to who would make the best president. Debate is good. Saying things to purposefully provoke someone, calling people names, threatening people, and generally getting rude and nasty with those you disagree with is not debating. It's childish bullshit that should the individuals involved want to continue, it should be taken out of a public forum. Many times there is only one individual acting this way and even though the other people who were initially involved want to drop it and move on, this troll feels the need to keep bringing it up, posting nasty things about others on websites, blogs, message boards etc. Some even go so far as to privately email and harass those they disagree with. And despite all this atrocious...and sometimes illegal...behavior, they claim that they are professionals with an opinion. Many times they cry victim and point fingers saying that they're being ostracized or criticized unjustly. It is these people that really make my blood boil.

When I witness trolls in action I always long to tell them like it is. I have to bite my tongue so hard that I bleed. But I know I can't get involved. I can't feed the trolls. Doing so will only drag me into their nonsense and I honestly don't have time for that crap. Because trolls cannot be reasoned with. You can't point out, even in a polite and professional manner, the faults in their arguments because they just don't get it, or don't want to get it. They get off on the "controversy" and usually don't truly give a rat's ass about the issue at hand. Yet I can't really blame the people that give in to this horseshit. It can be so frustrating to watch someone make a complete ass out of him/herself and throw malicious comments out at you or those you care about.

To those that keep getting sucked in, I understand why you do. But I also know that you all are aware that there is no way to stop the trolls. There is no way to help them find the error of their ways. And even if your excuse is that it's fun to make them look even more ridiculous, you're really not helping the situation. They will never think that they look like assholes and by continuing to feed into their bullshit, you only give them what they want. I know it's hard, but when you know what you're dealing with, it's always better just to ignore it. If you don't feed them, after awhile they move on to greener pastures.

I'd make a statement to the trolls out there, but trolls don't really know that they're trolls. Though I'm sure if one read this post they'd assume I'm talking about them because they love to be the center of attention. But they wouldn't take what I'm saying to heart, they'd just start bashing me on a message board or sending me threatening emails.

So, to that end, I just want to say that this post was not directed towards and individual(s). It's simply an opinion based on what I've seen go on the past few months. I suppose all I really want to get out of this post is a little more patience and tolerance from those of us with common sense who live in reality. It honestly was not meant to offend.

Well, I suppose I rambled on long enough for today. I'll have some news for you all in the very near future. I just have to finalize some details before I spill the beans.

Till next time...