Manic Expression

Eventually, certain people are going to come on to the site. You all know what I'm talking about. We are, eventually going to get trolled. There's going to be some ignorant bastard child that will come here and bash on one member, an administrator, or even attack the boss. We all KNOW why they do it. Right? Of course we all do. But here's the thing. There is going to be someone that comes along this site that we CAN NOT mistake for a troll. If someone says something negative, doesn't compliment you, or gives you criticism, even if it's harsh, they are HELPING you. There is a HUGE difference.

A troll gives you nothing. Calls you names, makes fun of you, tells you "You suck"; whatever. A person who actually critiques your work, can help you improve. At least to me that's what they do. Different site members have actually helped me through this; Chris Lang (gave me advice on my Charlie fanfic), JotaKa (he can be blunt, but tells you his thoughts; he told me his thoughts on my first video appearance), and even Ratin8tor (he's thought provoking; he helps everyone think). I know it's hard to take criticism. For some of us, we can't take it because that's just who we are. That's completely fine.

Though there has been one person who I can't call a troll or a guy who gives you constructive criticism. He's not like any other troll, but he's giving you nothing in return. He can be rude, ruthless, and down right scummy. You can feel it when they talk/in writing. They have a god complex, they have no respect for their fellow man, but most importantly, they don't respect themselves. It's not quite like a troll where they curse up a storm, use the word "fag" "asshole" or "dickmule". No. They taunt you in the classiest way as possible. They hide it. But you can't quite call it trolling. I'm not sure how to describe it, but what would you guys call it? Has there ever been someone whose given you constructive criticism? Do you just hate when you feel a comment is harsh, even though at the same time they are trying to help you?

That's a classy troll. A different type of troll, but a troll nonetheless.

Oh I'm totally a troll. Or as the academics perfer to call it, a 'philospher'

The simple way to see if someone is trolling is thus:

A critic challenges you and wants you to prove your argument

A troll merely wants to disprove yours.

My philosphy tutor gave a good example once. Imagine you're in a debate and your oppenent says "If we can put a man on Mars why can't we cure world hunger?"

The correct thing to do is say "you mean put a man on the moon, but I understand your argument even if you got this detail wrong and shall reply likewise."

A troll would say "ah but we didn't put a man on mars, thus your entire arugment is invalid and stupid."

A troll is someone that goes out trying to disprove people's world views, to insult them rather than challenge them. That and they do it for a laugh, where I do it to generally get answers.

Regardless I've developed a thick skin and a healthy apathy for people I deem stupider then me (aka people that try to troll me), so I either ignore the pointless hate or confuse them with their own troll logic. Both options work well.

What, to troll people? Oh induably. I got into a good argument with a Christian when I mentioned I was a malthiest (aka someone who hated God).

What was really useful was that I ended up using all his points in my following philosphy of religion essay, since he pointed out things I hadn't. Hopefully he just ended up writing about why his religion is better in his.

Course some would say it was a standard philosphical debate, but I fail to see the difference sometimes. I'm the arsehole that constantly asks people 'why'. 'Why are we doing this? Why do you we think this is a good idea? What do you think the benefits will be' etc etc. I don't care if that makes me a troll. I'd rather ask people questions they themselves would never ask then keep quiet any day.

This is an extremely important and helpful topic, my friends.  In my book, Constructive criticism is just that:  Constructive.  It points out things you did that can be improved, be it facts, grammar, ways to get your points across or to present your material.  It doesn't put down the poster for not already knowing these things.  It doesn't demoralize the poster for not already being better.

Trolling and/or de-constructive criticism doesn't offer improvement tips, but just complains about all the things you got wrong and goes on to make you feel inferior because of them.  There's nothing helpful or constructive about this approach and should be discarded as the mean-spirited taunting of a kindergartener(or a Youtuber) is.

I completely and wholeheartedely endorse constructive criticism as acceptable and necessary to help a poster improve their skills.

I completely and absolutely condemn trolling or de-constructive criticism as they can be harmful to the poster(particularly if they're a first time poster-just think back to the first time you posted a blog-if I commented on it, you got constructive criticism and positive support-did it help you?  Did you want to continue blogging?  If you had gotten a comment from a troll, would you have been discouraged from ever blogging again?).

This is why I do whatever I can to protect our members from trolls and critics who might as well be trolls.  Peace.