@skeletor

when an account criticizes you on a topic, consider their possible motivations. if the motivations seem genuine, engage. if they don't, mock or block

many trolls with an agenda put signals in their profiles to cosplay as certain nationalities or political backgrounds- fake bona fides

so it can be hard to see where they are really coming from

this is purposeful obfuscation

therefore, allow yourself mistakes

and don't get too emotional or invested, it might be all for naught

@benroyce @skeletor I had to grow up a bit before "consider their motivations" became my default.

I'm still working on it.

My brain gets stuck on, "I can't consider what I don't know. Are these mental gymnastics of whether or not a stranger means well really a productive use of my time?" The answer is usually no.

The worst is people chiming in unprompted, telling me what I "should" do, how I "should" react or what "should" say. According to who? Their motivations are to give themselves a pat on the back for doing a good deed. They don't want to help (if they did, they would ask), they want to feel like they've helped.

(It took me a while to work that one out, too.)

@alex @skeletor

concern trolls

the tone police

adequacy trolls

these type of trolls are especially fun, they can get emotional quick

you fake accepting their criticism in maudlin gratitude

then concern troll right back. be as patronizing as they are

the higher order the contrived "concern" you generate on them, the better. very dry, high minded intrusion onto other people's behavior is supposed to be their domain. as if they are authority

that tends to enrage them

then it's popcorn time

@benroyce @skeletor "concern trolling" was the term i was looking for. The others are good too!

The autism-fuelled instant dislike of anyone whose motivations appear less than genuine. Some of us are very good lie detectors! It comes with age, I think.

I don't think of toying with them right back. I just think "well I already don't like them, I can't just put that aside".

They deserve no less, but I usually don't have the spoons for that. So I leave that for those who do.

@alex @skeletor

oh no, i don't preach my behavior as something everyone should do. most consider what i'm talking about a complete waste of time, and they are right, it's a waste of time. a block is the smart quick thing to do

it's just that i enjoy it so damn much. and really, all social media is is a waste of time, people just blowing off steam

so why not hunt some trolls?

but again, that's just my chosen burden to bear, as most would describe it, while i, perhaps perversely, see it as fun

@benroyce @skeletor

Making the world a better place, one asshole at a time. It's a necessary service. Keep up the good work!  

@alex @skeletor

i am an asshole

i wear the label with pride

the behavior is not the problem

who you point the behavior at is

and how you go about it

not getting emotional, and not getting abusive. merely mocking

if you point it only at racists, transphobes, misogynists, homophobes, xenophobes, religion bigots, ethnicity supremacists, fascists, climate change deniers, antivaxx morons, MAGA zombies, vatniks, etc...

all the malicious intent out there

it's a balm on this fucked up world