How do we recognise a Polite Troll?

[Michelina]

I would like to ask everyone to contribute their ideas on identifying a Polite Troll.

One thing I have noticed is that the Polite Troll never really

responds to the SUBSTANCE of the responses to his 'lures'.

He merely resets himself and casts again, like a fly fisherman.

You invest a good amount of time and effort in responding to the Troll, and he ignores the SUBSTANCE of what you have posted and proceeds to post again in the same vein.

Can anyone think of other characteristics of the Polite Troll?

 

[Dream]

I think what you've got there is pretty much the best way of identifying a "polite troll."

They often just post a Bible verse taken out of context, and don't give any follow-up response to OBOB's answers.

 

[ShannonMcCatholic]

But what would that be in Latin?

Polituus Trollus??

 

[Brother Charlie]

He disguises his attacks in the form of questions

 

[Chrystal-J]

If I encounter someone who I suspect is just trying to argue and not learn anything (ie: a troll) I just refer them to a site that I feel will answer all of their questions and leave it at that. I usually refer them to a site that doesn't have a forum because I don't want them to just move on to a new site and fight with those members too. I refer them to a "informational" site for that issue or subject. If they persist in trying to argue with me, I tell them that they need to stop communicating with me (until they can be polite) and that I hope they find what they are looking for in the future.
Take Care,
Chrystal....

 

[Epiphanygirl]

But what would that be in Latin?

Polituus Trollus??

ROFL That was good!

 

[Veritas]

I would agree that they are persistent in attempting to get an answer (the one they're looking for) to their questions. I would also say that they often but not always use disclaimers like, "I don't mean any disrespect by this but....." or "I'm really just looking for answers", etc. You gotta be careful because sometimes honest and sincere seekers will also say these things.

May I ask why you're inquiring about this, dear Michelina?

 

[Michelina]

I would agree that they are persistent in attempting to get an answer (the one they're looking for) to their questions. I would also say that they often but not always use disclaimers like, "I don't mean any disrespect by this but....." or "I'm really just looking for answers", etc. You gotta be careful because sometimes honest and sincere seekers will also say these things.

May I ask why you're inquiring about this, dear Michelina?

Hi, Veri!
The reason I inquire is that I do not want

- to abet one of these creatures in a morally questionable activity
- to assist a Troll in spreading disinformation
- to see good people wasting their time and energy on such nonsense.
- to misidentify them, thus turning away from a sincere inquirer.

I desire

- to learn the characteristics well enough so that I can i.d. them quickly.
- to learn how to deal with them.

 

[PeterPaul]

I would say the person debates an issue but doesn't use words that appear hostile. They in fact will challenge us by asking us what we think of a particular scripture verse and ask us how we see that particular issue in light of that passage. They might also give us some advice. That always raises a flag with me, like when they say "We (x group) feel..." about a particular issue, and "Catholics don't realise that when they say..." "X" it bothers them.

They also sometimes attempt to use our own encyclicals against us by telling us how they are to be construed or interpreted.

Then there is what I call the "accidental troll". He/She comes in to fellowship, only to get upset when any mention is made of a visible Church, as if we are all one part of the same institution just worshipping differently. Any mention of the fullness of truth and the Catholic Church as founded by Christ upsets them. They then begin to lecture us why we are incorrect.

And finally, the "Trojan Troll". The troll who brews some dissent in the beginning, finds it isn't working, and then continues to discuss without hard debating, especially making himself appear friendly by allying himself with us on "conservative" issues (himself probably one). He chooses to distort Catholic teaching in a manner that appears innocent, supporting modernist issues and individualism (which speaks to particular cultures that are very supportive of individualism).

 

[Dream]

PeterPaul, you obviously have taken the class Trolling 101.

 

[PeterPaul]

PeterPaul, you obviously have taken the class Trolling 101.

No, I'm in remedial classes.

 

[PeterPaul]

bump

 

[boughtwithaprice]

The polite troll is an elusive beast, usually very difficult to pin down; just when you think that you know him, he changes meaning on you.....no he doesn't......yes he does....no.......yes....no...yes

we have exclusive footage of a troll speaking clearly in his natural habitat........lets listen:



El gnomo cortés tratará de hablar un idioma extranjero como el español para hacerlo parece inteligente, pero él realmente escribe a máquina apenas inglés en una vista de tranlation y alguna persona española verdadera vería por la fachada



what'd he say?

 

[Michelina]

I would say the person debates an issue but doesn't use words that appear hostile. They in fact will challenge us by asking us what we think of a particular scripture verse and ask us how we see that particular issue in light of that passage. They might also give us some advice. That always raises a flag with me, like when they say "We (x group) feel..." about a particular issue, and "Catholics don't realise that when they say..." "X" it bothers them.
They also sometimes attempt to use our own encyclicals against us by telling us how they are to be construed or interpreted.

Then there is what I call the "Accidental troll". He/She comes in to fellowship, only to get upset when any mention is made of a visible Church, as if we are all one part of the same institution just worshipping differently. Any mention of the fullness of truth and the Catholic Church as founded by Christ upsets them. They then begin to lecture us why we are incorrect.

And finally, the "Trojan Troll". The troll who brews some dissent in the beginning, finds it isn't working, and then continues to discuss without hard debating, especially making himself appear friendly by allying himself with us on "conservative" issues (himself probably one). He chooses to distort Catholic teaching in a manner that appears innocent, supporting modernist issues and individualism (which speaks to particular cultures that are very supportive of individualism).

=DreamTheater] PeterPaul, you obviously have taken the class Trolling 101.

I think you're right, DT.

So: we have
- Polite Trolls, with varying gambits and levels of expertise
- Accidental Trolls, which I recognise not that you point them out, and
- Trojan Trolls, who may be the biggest Trolls of all.

And Jerome mentions the Chameleon Troll sub-species:

El gnomo cortés tratará de hablar un idioma extranjero como el español para hacerlo parece inteligente, pero él realmente escribe a máquina apenas inglés en una vista de tranlation y alguna persona española verdadera vería por la fachada

 

[Irenaeus]

Michelina,

I have a friend who has been the forum moderator for a particular Christian forum for the past four years, and has done it alone at times.

Sometimes I call her and we talk about the forum. There have been several times where we have had to ban "polite trolls." There are some characteristics. Many are what PeterPaul said.

Many of these Polite trolls will post very, very many posts on one particular topic. We have one person at the website in question who incessantly posts pro-homosexual literature and tries to justify his lifestyle. Every single quote is about homosexuality. People are starting to not respond.

I have another example with another woman who continually posts what some would call "liberal material." She's not a troll in my opinion, because I have corresponded with her privately and publically on the questions of abortion and female priests and she always responds politely and thoughtfully. We've also had "Conservative trolls" whose posts resemble diatribes.

A good sign of a polite troll is whether or not they make frequent spelling errors. Many tend to substitute "u" for "you" and "ur" for "your". This may be due to habit, but sometimes it may betray either a lack of sincerity, because they lack the composure of someone who seeks. This is by no means an absolute statement.

Another sign of a troll are people who are always posting links. They never participate in just regular socialization, and if they do, they do not post anything really edifying - they may just push an agenda.

We banned two people from the forum, one guy who was pushing apokatastasis and another who pushed the idea that the New Testament was not the Word of God. They were nice in a lot of ways, but horribly obnoxious in their persistence.

I hope this helps.

 

[PeterPaul]

El gnomo cortés tratará de hablar un idioma extranjero como el español para hacerlo parece inteligente, pero él realmente escribe a máquina apenas inglés en una vista de tranlation y alguna persona española verdadera vería por la fachada



what'd he say?

Un gnomo es un gnomo. Un troll es un troll. El gnomo es majo, es un companero magico y el troll es un cardo, feo y maldito. Esta claro por cierto, que estos personajes vienen de la fantasia, aunque si hablaras con mi madre...

 

[boughtwithaprice]

Un gnomo es un gnomo. Un troll es un troll. El gnomo es majo, es un companero magico y el troll es un cardo, feo y maldito. Esta claro por cierto, que estos personajes vienen de la fantasia, aunque si hablaras con mi madre...

A gnome is a gnome. A troll is a troll. The gnome is I crush, is a companero magico and the troll is a thistle, ugly and damned. This space certainly, that these personages come from the fantasia, although if spoke with my mother..



See how bad the Spanish translation web site is? I only said that it makes the troll appear intelligent, not actually become intelligent

 

[MParedon]

A polite troll: Will make insinuations but become offended when there is a reaction to them by claiming innocence and then continues making the same type of insinuations.

 

[lionroar0]

A polite troll will tell you that they are quoting Catholic sources. When the truth is they have been getting is Catholic sources through a second party and or third party. That has taken things out of context. Another way to spot one is that they will take stand alone statements from Catholics documents and build their own context around them.

 

[KennySe]

A polite troll: Will make insinuations but become offended when there is a reaction to them by claiming innocence and then continues making the same type of insinuations.

Exactly!

And to add to your excellent definition...

A polite troll: Will make insinuations but become offended when there is a reaction to them by claiming innocence and then continues making the same type of insinuations, by ignoring all posts of evidences to the contrary as though such posts did not exist. (Perhaps by: waiting for the opposing view posters to leave thread before regurgitating same insinuations; or continuing same insinuations in another thread, as though he/she never read the opposing view's evidence and explanation.)