Internet Trolling*

My Soap-Operatic Life

*trolling= picking up on other people

"In my not inconsiderable experience with how men behave, (having played in rock bands for some twentythree years...) men are capable of "getting it up" for almost anything female that moves. Okay, she has to be human too." -Susan Rankin

I started posting on a UCD newsgroup, and there was one guy who put up a post going on about how "only unattractive women go for sensitive guys?" The thread went on later to elaborate about why is it that the good-looking chicks always go for the assholes and not the "sensitive" guys.

I read this and thought, "And why is it that the sensitive guys always go for the bombshells and not the sensitive girls?" I mean, really, they see a bombshell and they start a drool puddle on the floor. I didn't say that.

I was also rather po'ed at the remark in the first place, but I didn't say that either.

What did I say, you ask?
I put up this post in response (not mentioning that I'm not a bombshell- far, far from it, horny Net boys):

When I've dated "sensitive" guys, they turn into complete assholes after you date them (6 months to a year). Maybe they're just not as sensitive as they seem, I don't know. I'm thinking of taking up dickheads myself, at least I'll know what to expect.

Guess what I get in response, y'all?

Hello Jennifer,
I am somewhat sensitive, and although I am not a dickhead, I definitely have one that you can take up. Want to go out?
Love,
Mike

Damn, I'm frightened.

Okay, not that I haven't gotten this kinda thing a bit before on the Internet, but this one's LOCAL. Was that serious? If it is, I'm kinda unnerved by the last part (hint for guys: that's not a great pickup line). I hope it was a joke (as you'll see, that's how I responded), but I fear retribution in the morning, a whiny "Hey, I was serious!".

They sound fine at first, and then it eventually comes out . . .
Jennifer

If it was serious, what the hell am I supposed to SAY? I've never even met or seen the guy, for godsakes. Not that that has stopped people I know, but it worries me a bit. I'm also wondering how another guy on the newsgroup commented "Picking up on sophomores now?". How does he know that? I don't know him. I'm feeling creeped out.
I just checked the newsgroup again and another guy responded to that, "The same way we know you're a design major?" Okay, okay, it was the school search engine. (Tried it on Troll Boy, who I deduced from the first comment is at least upper division, but he isn't in there. Now how am I supposed to get any dirt?)

On another topic of "Jennifer Being A Dingbat", I found this on Facing The Mask today:

Journals with a blurb on the front explaining that if you know the journaller personally, please keep out, doesn't work for me. The concept is flawed on several levels.
First off, such blurbs only encourage those who know you to click further, in the belief that you may say something about them which they shouldn't see, thus verifying their personal need to see it. Also, it indicates a lack of honesty and trust regarding the individual. This is of course not the intent, but as a stranger looking in, if you're not willing to be honest with those closest to you, what makes me believe you'll be honest with me?
Finally, it gives an indication that the one creating the journal is painfully unaware and naive in regards to how the Internet works, as well as how social interactivity should function. It makes the creator look weak in how they live their own life, and therefore their expression of their own life may lack clarity. It does not encourage me to learn more about this individual.
It indicates perhaps the existence of their journal has in fact negatively affected their life and the lives of those around them. So perusing the journal feels akin to rubbernecking at an accident on the highway, to see if I can determine how this person was so adversely affected. Not something that I personally enjoy doing, nor something I personally recommend others do.

Well, that sure gave me hell, didn't it? Now I'm thinking of at least altering that page.

In my defense . . .

"First off, such blurbs only encourage those who know you to click further, in the belief that you may say something about them which they shouldn't see, thus verifying their personal need to see it."

I admit this is true (hello, Anna and Demma, ahem). I don't really think that that thing will keep anyone out. However, it will give them fair warning that they may see something they don't like (I told you so, don't come crying to me when you don't like it).

"it gives an indication that the one creating the journal is painfully unaware and naive in regards to how the Internet works, as well as how social interactivity should function."

I think I know something about that now, after having access for two years (I think).

"It indicates perhaps the existence of their journal has in fact negatively affected their life and the lives of those around them."

Now, as far as I know, this thing hasn't affected anyone too negatively. The people I have ragged on a lot certainly know that I don't like them or their behavior, so they shouldn't be too surprised to find that they're ragged on here. Then again, who's going to know who they are? A generic first name from Livermore- they'res multiple names in Livermore, who would know that was who I meant unless they knew me pretty well? I thought about using psuedonyms, but figured I'd lose track of who was who anyway.

The other reason I put up the beware page is because some people may be offended by something inside, even if I didn't think it was offensive. Demma claims that I called her a "drunk celtic freak" here. Once and for all, Demma, I DID NOT CALL YOU A DRUNK CELTIC FREAK!!!! SHOW ME WHERE I WROTE THAT (board and this page don't count) AND PROVE IT!

See what I mean? People (that I'm not deliberately insulting/ragging on) infer things about themselves that I didn't mean. That's where this journal has "negatively affected," etc. I'm kinda sorry I did let Anna and Demma know (inadvertently) about this site because of all the crap I've gotten sometimes. I miss being able to write, happening to mention them, without someone blowing a gasket.

Here's an example: I'm going to say something offensive here girls, so LISTEN UP! Anna, since you haven't read this in a while, this one's for you:

I hate to say this, but you're reminding me of The Moron in how you're treating John. It's scaring me. Why don't you just tell him that you hate his guts and never want to see him again if that's what you think? Because I don't know how I'm supposed to answer him when he gripes to me about you. I don't want to be the dickhead here, when I wasn't the one that went out with him.

Now I'm just gonna sit back and watch the sparks fly . . .

Links to other sites on the Web

By Design (Clinton, babe, complaints)
Graphic Station (torch)
Facing The Mask

Whine, whine, bitch, bitch.

This page hosted by Get your own Free Home Page