How to Deal With Trolls
September 22nd, 2009 | PersonalTrolls. What are they? Wikipedia has a good description. Basically online users who post inflammatory comments to provoke a respond. For that reason, I steer clear of most forums because I’ve seen too many of them prowling around.
Apparently trolls have moved on to social networking media as well, spreading their venom on blogs, facebook and twitter. Often when I announce a new workshop, I will have one troll who would berate me…basically telling me that I worth less than a penny as a teacher/photographer. The same troll even setup a bogus facebook identity, requested to be added as friend and then posted venomous comments on my wall. It was totally unprovoked!
How do I respond? I just deleted the comments because a troll is not here for a rational conversation but a cowardly figure who spew hateful stuff behind the anonymity of the Internet. If someone care enough to correct a genuine issue or give constructive criticisms, they would have called me up, written me an email or spoken to me face to face.
I thought I was the only one haunted by trolls until I read Ron Dawson’s blog post 30 minutes ago. Ron suggested that we either kill trolls with graciousness or ignore them. I think that most trolls consumed by envy, jealousy, insecurity and bitterness. It is important that when we deal with trolls, we do not become one. I just turn them into motivation to be a better teacher & photographer…making sure I add value to the workshop participants & clients.
September 22nd, 2009 at 7:26 am
At some point, we can only do what we do best and not be too worried about what others might say.
September 22nd, 2009 at 8:36 am
i’d love to once again to assure you as a great photographer, a great teacher and most importantly you’re a great motivator whenever i talk to you in person. you’re a good friend who inspires a lot! nonetheless trolls may put us down sometimes but like said, we need to handle and manage it. i learnt how to from this post.
September 22nd, 2009 at 8:37 am
i’d love to once again to assure you as a great photographer, a great teacher and most importantly you’re a great motivator whenever i talk to you in person. you’re a good friend who inspires a lot! nonetheless trolls may put us down sometimes but like said, we need to handle and manage it. i learnt how to from this post. cheers.
September 23rd, 2009 at 1:51 am
Well , trolls are very dirty. They just to jealous about your skill just ignore them and let them see whats your power of skills.
Sometimes when I’m talking, my words can’t keep up with my thoughts. I wonder why we think faster than we speak. Probably so we can think twice.
September 23rd, 2009 at 7:21 am
You didn’t add value…. but you have added MANY values to your workshop!
September 23rd, 2009 at 12:47 pm
Do our part and leave others to God~ be faithful and things will be juz fine~
All da best Louis~
September 23rd, 2009 at 2:24 pm
If your photos are any reflection of how you conduct your workshops then they would be value for money. However, I’m afraid that I can’t experience first hand cause (1) I do not own a DSLR, and (2) it is out of my budget
Cheers, and more posts of your pictures please.
September 23rd, 2009 at 4:41 pm
Point of view…. “Trolls” not even dirty & even more into dirty metal game throwing ahead to result causes into heart breaking, furthermore, the more u care the more he/she into mentality attack you… as of result you Urself be hurt without a reason ! At last it will be ….Professional image self damaging which mean…. “Trolls” target scucessfully on you !
So…. Louis, believe Urself & friends who always supported U….dun be get into “Trols” track ! “Move them b4 they 1 step ahead to shake you” Remember….. be tough when tough get going”
Sorry for my poor English !
September 23rd, 2009 at 5:26 pm
Trolls will always be trolls… to me u’re one of the best photographer/teacher/motivator on this planet. Keep up the good work bro & God bless…
September 23rd, 2009 at 6:28 pm
very true……. you are correct, agree with you… be true to yourself and the people around you, you will never go wrong! very happy that you post this out!
September 24th, 2009 at 9:49 am
Being a forum moderator, I think I deal with more trolls than you!
Ok well, I think the trolls I deal with are mainly kids who are angry that action was taken on them or their threads as they can’t follow Rules & Regulation.
I’ve had death threats, personal photos being used here and there, people posting up my address, so on so forth. bleh…………… one thing I learn is to ignore them, they’re usually people who can’t get what they want and envy you over some areas in life.
September 24th, 2009 at 3:09 pm
Ah… There will always be trolls either online or offline… Your work is amazing and you will always be an inspiration to me and the other Sabah folk!
Take care!
September 24th, 2009 at 6:26 pm
i call this kind of things, bully.. huhu.. well, no matter what, i and others fan here will always support you bro.. keep up the good work!
September 25th, 2009 at 12:36 pm
Louis….after further though…. without those so called ” Trolls” …. we never learn & we never grow stronger & be tougher. Sometime, they might accidently pointing out points that we never be noted of. As me …my photos have may badly crashed by Trolls we namely, that’s how I grow by stronger & tougher ….. in fact our return is to acheive other level up as of improvement !