By now many of you will have learnt how to spot a troll on AG. It's very easy, because you can spot them a mile off. Most of them are invariably one-trick ponies who only know how to flame about one thing, and obviously they don't last very long. We ban them, they come back, we ban them again and everybody just gets bored of them and they fade away because nobody cares anymore.
This kind of cheap thrill is like the proverbial one-handed reading in the toilet cubicle. It doesn't last long and you come out of it feeling dirty when you realise everybody thinks you're just a jerkwad (because you are). Also, because everybody and his dog is doing it, it's a dime-a-dozen.
Gimmicks can be a good thing but it sucks that the trolls here aren't actually bright enough to know when to use them and how to mix up their repertoire. The reason "troll" is seen as derogatory is because we mainly see trolls who aren't good at what they do- they're the equivalent of a gnat on our shoulder that we flick off, and if they're stupid enough, they come back. But it doesn't have to be that way. While divisive, trolls can add spice to the forum... and if they're not actually malicious, should be better known as stirrers, provocateurs etc.
And that's what I'm here to promote. To be completely honest, most of you who read my posts know there is not ALL that much difference between myself and a troll except:
1) I'm smarter. 2) I do write actual serious content even while poking fun. 3) I'm not acting against the interests of this site.
However, I can't help but make jokes, barbed comments and sometimes make my point by writing a post that is sarcastic in its entirety. Every now and then (about 1% of the time) I will also write a post that gets flagged by the users (for good reaason. There. I admitted it.) People might criticise me at times for writing in ALL CAPS or making 3 word posts but the reason I do them is because the time was right, and the benefits (i.e. most people find it funny) outweigh the trouble I get into for it <_<
Now because I'm a moderator, I do hold myself back. For the other provocative types (you know who they are) who managed to stay on this site for some time, our job is to judge the response of the community and decide where to draw the line. I won't say we do it perfectly but in a changing community, what is perfect?
Long story short, I actually like the people who stir things up because I'm one of them myself. They're far better than the cheap laughs who can't manage anything more sophisticated. However rules are rules, hence my role.
Strop, you write very intellectually for someone with hooves.
I see your point, as long as its all in good fun (and funny) I have no problem with it. It just annoys me when people just post disturbing pictures or hate against certain groups/people.
