What To Do With the Trolls
Mates,
I am hoping to avoid a 'Lord of the Flies' scenario, but man, we have been infested by trolls lately. Like many, I appreciate the cool rival fans that post here (e. g. nittany, buckeye chuck and others) and I also don't think we need to be bubble wrapped to protect against the occasional abrasive/snotty remark. That said, there are some posters that aren't making this a better place. They come in two kinds:
1. The aforementioned over-the-top jerk rivals
2. The more recent multiple account knucklehead(s).
The solutions for each might not be the same. I guess I'd vote to nuke the rivals who lack self-control, but for the multiple account type(s), I really don't care what they post but enough of the false-conversation volleys. No matter how many times they are told how silly they look, they persist.
[Insert pic of Gladiator emperor with his thumb out, but not turned either way....but 3.0]
So my question for the board is this:
Assuming our Mgoblog overlords listen to us (and they generally do, at least when we're rational), what would you like to be done with the trolls?
XM
September 13th, 2018 at 10:39 AM ^
Accounts dropping left and right got the trolls not feeling so good.
![tenor[5].gif](/sites/default/files/users/user32758/tenor%5B5%5D.gif)
September 13th, 2018 at 11:52 AM ^
For many years, this board was different. When I would read certain dumb/funny posts to my wife even she would say, I guess you can't be a dumbass and post on a Michigan blog.
Sadly, people like you can't stand the fact there is a Michigan difference. That fans of this school, whether alumni or not, often hold themselves to a higher standard.
Your latest username says all any of us need to know. Go back to supporting MSU/OSU. You'll be welcome there.
September 13th, 2018 at 3:23 PM ^
I've said for years that he'd fit in much better with the crowd at RCMB.
September 13th, 2018 at 4:50 PM ^
It's funny how none of the "problem childs" have posted at all on this thread when you see them multiple times on every single other thread (unless they were all cleaned out last night)?
Then, a new account try to defend said trolls? Timmmaay is absolutely correct, doesn't take a genius to see it's the same turd/s.
I agree, rip off their eyelids so they have to watch themselves burn in hell.
September 13th, 2018 at 9:51 AM ^
The trolls have increased on this board. Specially concern trolls. They smell the juggernaut that Harbaugh team is about to become. To them I say...F off!
September 13th, 2018 at 9:51 AM ^
Burn them!!!
September 13th, 2018 at 12:30 PM ^
Cast the troll into the water! If he sinks, he is innocent; if he lives, burn the witch at the stake!
September 13th, 2018 at 9:51 AM ^
Seems like for years there's been 2-3 unpopular people who keep making junk accounts over and over and over again. I don't know if it's just a single guy or if it's a few obnoxious people, but you can usually tell it's them because it's a similar style of writing and as soon as their new account gets 100 points they start with the hot take generator. I wish they would get a life frankly. Some of us just like to read and discuss Michigan sports and aren't looking for the middle school drama
September 13th, 2018 at 10:13 AM ^
The thumbs down: IMO those should be used only for (1) trolls and (2) posters causing problems by going off the rails (e.g., interjecting politics).
That usage would make it blatantly obvious who the trouble-makers are.
However, thumbs down often gets used for people who post unpopular opinions, but an opinion they at least try to back up with facts and logic (e.g., if someone this summer posted "I think MSU will win the B1G East. They have a lot of returning talent, they have a favorable draw out of the West, and get both U-M and OSU at home.")
That's not just an "mgoblog" dynamic - that usage of "thumbs down" and "-1s" happens on nearly every board. But I don't think that how they should be used.
September 13th, 2018 at 8:07 PM ^
100% this. People’s poor use of the downvote makes a mod’s job much harder.
September 13th, 2018 at 10:15 AM ^
Kill them?
September 13th, 2018 at 10:23 AM ^
The multiple account trolls are awful for the sheer bandwidth they eat up. This person is tenacious, clogging up thread after thread with pure noise. If they're not starting five threads a day, they're posting endlessly in the rest.
And isn't it interesting, as always, that these accounts crop up in the same way, using the same slang and weird backstories and bizarre racial tinges, when a certain MGoRegular takes a "hiatus"?
September 13th, 2018 at 10:26 AM ^
Yep. These people make this website bad, and should be exiled.
September 13th, 2018 at 3:28 PM ^
Then that certain regular will come in at the end of the night, or next day and create a very similar OP, yet magically all of the alternate accounts stay out of that thread.
He's literally too stupid to pull it off, yet he persists. It's like the craziest, most horribly violent train wreck you could imagine watching, but it just keeps crashing again and again. You would think that eventually the railroad would say "hey, self, we should get this engineer off the tracks for the greater good", but they seem caught up just watching it happen as well.
I honestly feel like science would learn very much from studying the space where dude's brain should be. Give it some thought, Mike. Do it for science.
September 13th, 2018 at 5:28 PM ^
"Mike" is Michiganfan, skypanther, seascorpian, smugbastard, jamesjoseph...etc? If that is true, that is really shitty to many of us that have supported him over the years.
September 13th, 2018 at 7:14 PM ^
I mean, I could be wrong, I have no definitive proof. But I really, really don't think I'm wrong.
September 14th, 2018 at 3:50 PM ^
You're not wrong
September 13th, 2018 at 9:34 PM ^
95% likely it is him. It's pretty obvious if you have to time to look over the accounts posts.
September 13th, 2018 at 10:27 AM ^
It wouldn't even be that bad if the multiple account types weren't the first to post on every single fucking thread.
Seriously. How can someone be here that often? I mean, I'm here all the time, probably more than I should be, but these guys live here. It's a sordid, pathetic way to get attention and it couldn't be in a more odd place, especially with mainstream social media platforms at their disposal.
September 13th, 2018 at 10:48 AM ^
They've probably already worn out their welcome there. People at least have an option of who they want to hear from on social media, right? I don't know as I'm stubborn and refuse to join any of them. This current version of the site is perfect for them. They can do their thing with great satisfaction and there are no consequences. They know everyone is forced to read what they write. Where elsewhere that isn't the case.
September 13th, 2018 at 10:48 AM ^
The most serious issue for me is that their annoying attention-getting-bullshit is taking away from my endearing attention-getting-bullshit.
Thats got to stop.
September 13th, 2018 at 10:55 AM ^
Are we absolutely sure that shooting them is out of the question?
Asking for a friend.
September 13th, 2018 at 11:20 AM ^
It's easy to ignore the trolls, but what do you do with dumb ass posts like "Is DPJ good?" and "Should we run up the middle, or call all of our trick plays?"
They seem genuine, but are awful.
September 13th, 2018 at 11:26 AM ^
Yell at them and then bomb them in the comments till they get the message. People make mistakes, and you don't want to discourage new people from joining and creating content. It's about making their 2nd mgopost better than their first and 3rd mgopost better than their 2nd.
September 13th, 2018 at 11:31 AM ^
I’d prefer they were banned, but at the minimum, we can’t let them post. It ruins the board.
IMO, setting a better standard for board posts and taking away the privilege more quickly for posting snowflake threads would be a big help.
Board posts should be insightful (use of data to paint a picture), informative (provide information relevant to Michigan football from a reputable source), or OT. This random question crap belongs in a snowflake thread, or even nowhere at all.
And obvious troll threads like the DPJ question should immediately cause a user to lose the right to post. It’s not informative, insightful, or even OT. If the poster wants to make that point, out it in the offensive snowflake thread or go to 11W where they will collectively cream over the idea of Michigan underutilizing a talented player.
If you have an idea from which you want feedback, flesh it out with data and concepts to improve or change the situation and post a diary. The board is not a place to float random thoughts, even if those thoughts include a Michigan football player.
September 13th, 2018 at 11:41 AM ^
The point totals need to come back and matter. That's what kept the trolls away before; you couldn't create a post unless you had something like 500 points, so unless you were a dedicated asshole (and let's be honest, most were), it took some time to get to the point where you could be disruptive, and then you'd get smacked back down, create another fake account, then upvote each other to look clever. You could never stop them, but at least it halted the "MKs tots right man, and I'm totally not that guy, you guys." weird person around here.
September 13th, 2018 at 11:43 AM ^
Yeah there are some trolls on this board, but I find it just as annoying when people call out others for having a different opinion.
Just because someone doesn't go along with the circle jerk of positivity on MGoBlog about mediocre performances on the field and 3 star recruits doesn't mean they are a troll. Some people are passionate and want Michigan to be better, simple as that.
September 13th, 2018 at 11:54 AM ^
Bingo. I got banned for saying the offense was putrid against Notre Dame. Didn't call out any individual player for ridicule just said the offense was bad. Which it was at it only accounted for 10 points against a Notre Dame team that was ranked in the 50's last year and was blown out the water against Miami and Stanford.
That said I still get butterflies every gameday, my 6th month old son has to wear his Michigan jersey every gameday(my wife wouldn't let me name him Bo, dammit) and I can't wait to take him to his first game next year (we live in Wyoming) and hail to the Victor's for the first time.
I love you all, go blue!
September 13th, 2018 at 12:09 PM ^
this is a solid response - i got banned unfairly too, and i still love michigan and go blue and all that, but i'm not big enough of a person to say I love you all. i don't love a lot of people here but i do love michigan. good for you for staying positive, happy dadding!
September 13th, 2018 at 12:31 PM ^
You were fairly smacked down.
September 13th, 2018 at 12:53 PM ^
cant claim that unless you know the reason for the ban and supporting evidence.
it's a crazy world where saying the offense is putrid and calling board posters are STDs are reasons for banning folks but a decade-long history of calling people idiots, a-holes, f-you's, f-off's, etc. is no problem, even rewarded.
let's just lay it out there - why was i banned and what's the supporting evidence? and was the decision consistent with previous ones or some objective guideline?
or was it just an annihilation of the multi-troll without regard to collateral damage? cool, it worked (sort of), but let's just acknowledge that's what it was. I know LSA2k and Seth are active today, I've seen their posts. if the decision was a bit shaky, it's hard to be transparent i know, but it will be better to just explain/acknowledge/whatever.
September 13th, 2018 at 2:06 PM ^
Dude, did your momma not hold you enough?
September 13th, 2018 at 12:41 PM ^
and here are exhibits C and D, a solo convo volley.
suggest cyber-disposal of these 2 also.
September 13th, 2018 at 1:26 PM ^
"I still love Michigan and Go Blue and all that."
You couldn't be more fake. Not one Michigan fan talks like this. Obvious troll.
September 13th, 2018 at 11:48 AM ^
Isn't there a new online group of justice servers who are known as "The Bully Hunters". Maybe they could solve this problem.
September 13th, 2018 at 12:42 PM ^
knew you'd make the party.
September 13th, 2018 at 4:35 PM ^
I looked into the bully hunters. Turns out that it's just a bunch of dorky kids who claim to serve justice on in-game multiplayer tea baggers! I know, sounds really stupid doesn't it?
September 13th, 2018 at 5:20 PM ^
you poor kid. seriously. i can only imagine the dysfunctional family you come from. i hope it gets better, but in the meantime maybe you could do something for somebody else, in fact, a whole bunch of somebody elses - stop posting until your emotional health gets better. there is help available. try it.
September 13th, 2018 at 10:37 PM ^
Keyboard Multiple Personality Disorder.
From what I've read this condition cannot be treated. Modern science can't cure stupid.
September 13th, 2018 at 12:50 PM ^
I think you can mod and ignore dispassionately. New troll accounts get hammered. Long-time posters who are breaking the rules gets temp bans/point reductions. I don't get worked up about it. It's not always black and white but nothing ever is.
September 13th, 2018 at 12:15 PM ^
Nothing.
If they want to waste their time, let them.
When I think about how short life is, and that people waste their time like that, I feel sorry for them. If they find it entertaining, and that's the best they have in life, let them have it. That's probably all they have.
September 13th, 2018 at 12:24 PM ^
FWIW I think some of the trolls are just fair-weather fans who spout out their frustration with eating crow since 2003.
September 13th, 2018 at 12:26 PM ^
Comment boards that are not heavily, forcefully, and constantly moderated inevitably descend into chaotic clusterfuckery that drives away those interested in accurate information and reasonable fact-based discussion.
September 13th, 2018 at 8:59 PM ^
What was once a pleasure, and then a vice, is now becoming a waste of time.
September 13th, 2018 at 12:31 PM ^
Agreed with this, but we also have a real problem on the board with our own posters. A lot of the Board is unreadable with horrifying OPs, and some good OPs being shouted down with stupid glib top comments.
September 13th, 2018 at 12:41 PM ^
Raise the toll and get a bunch of billy goats, should reduce their numbers signicantly.
oh and use fire or acid, otherwise they can regenerate.
September 13th, 2018 at 12:56 PM ^
Ok, can we just please clarify that we’re only talking about online trolls and not people who have been said to resemble trolls?
...asking for a friend
September 13th, 2018 at 1:01 PM ^
Well, I didn’t get purged, so I have that going for me! ?
September 13th, 2018 at 1:04 PM ^
I have two accounts because only one has the voting ability on here with the 3.0ness. That said, I would never log-in to both and have some sort of self-centered argument. Or would I?