Is the increase in anti-feminist trolls normal in the general cycle of this topic?

[FlamingoBingo]

I've not been here that long, but I've just suddenly noticed a couple of people coming here, it seems, simply to disagree with things...not to try to learn more (eg. 'I don't understand why...can you explain it), but to be rude, unpleasant and aggressive.

I know this is to be expected, but I'd been surprised not to see it here up until now, and now a sudden influx. Is this normal? Will it settle down again at some point and make the topic a nice, happy, safe place to be again?

Do you mean that's the sign of a "concern troll" Flamingo?

It gets easier to identify them the more you see them. I can smell them through lead now. In fact, they are so similar in style that I wonder if there are only 3 of them across the whole web.

They give themselves away very quickly though because they are quite mad.

Sometimes though it can be quite fun to argue with trolls - it's an interesting exercise in debating, anyway, since it's unwinnable. If it's upsetting you though you need to walk away. And if they are on sensitive threads it's best to ignore, and alert the OP if they are a known shitstirrer.

Sometimes as well, a troll will come up with a certain argument which is a common myth/misunderstanding about feminism so it's useful to challenge these I think, as people who haven't thought much about feminism might not think to look up a specific mythbusting website or open a "feminism myths" thread - but might stumble across a troll thread on active convos.

Trolls are the same all over the web because they have one goal to cause as much disruption as possible by making people argue. They do this by posting purposefully provocative messages.

Good points Bertie, but I think having challenged their point of view when they continue to push it (i.e. they are not engaging in the debate), there comes a point when you simply need to dis-engage yourself and either ignore and take the thread elsewhere or not post on the thread yourself. I know that isn't alwyas easy, but sometimes they will suck the life blood out of you if you let them!

Oh yes, true, if they're not engaging at all it's pointless and serves no purpose to anybody.

Immaculada - I don't know! I'm not a troll expert, hence the OP!

AyeRobot!

Bertie - fun until they turn around and say 'well, you're just jealous you don't have a penis'

Flamingo , if it makes you feel any better I can see what you mean in your orginal post :)

It is just that the word troll does get banded round here at breakneck speed when it comes to anything feminist. People go at newer, less feminist savvy posters so quickly and so ferociously that it seems to me to be on the border of a land of dictatorship, rather then a land of enlightenment, which it would so great if it could be used as.

toddlerwrangler, I remember the previous thread you refer to (I have name changed, so am not a stalker!) and it all got thick and fast very quickly. It was on the feminist revival weekend, wasn't it? I understand completely why that would have been hard to handle because questions were being fired at you left, right and centre. I think that is something that happens a lot on MN because it is such a big site and the OP if often blindsided and it's an unfair ratio of posters, so you can't hope to have a "normal" conversation and debate. I don't think you were ever put in the "troll" box, though. I am much more mindful after that thread, though, so you made me think differently, anyway! Although not, perhaps, about the subject in question.

Might have been the feminist revival weekend .... but .... I am not sure when that was . I really should know that if I am going to come here and ask questions.

I think you are talking about the right thread, and you are right, it was coming at me so fast I couldn't keep up ... by the time I had answered one point five more had come back at me. I have a good tying speed but I'm not that good!

I am really pleased you do think a little more about us newbie to feminisim types though - as I said you are spot on about the reason why I backed off that therad. I in turn have learn't that I should make it more obvious when I am genuinely curious as opposed to spouting a viewpoint that, by its nature, some her may find offensive. Like I said though it is hard for me as I have such a poor wrting style, I do struggle. Thats why I sometimes panic about the troll lable being used I think.

Dittany - I am curious because my viewpoint is based on my curren knowledge. I see the points here about the sex indusry and so often think 'Ok, yes, but what if' type things.

I cant quite remember but I thought the post you questioed my motives on was about answering questions? I think that was why I used it. I could be wrong, as I say, after your fianl responce there seemed little point in going any further.

Abd if the answers to my 'what if' questions make more sense to me, my opinion will change.

And then, we get to the point we are at now, where very few people come here to ask questions bacause they get jumped on, and that way noones opinions will change and there will be no debate, no engagement. And that makes me sad as this board is obviosuly so knowledgable.

Flamingo - I'd just say I have several in my cupboard.

I wasn't asking you to pursuede me Dittany - I was genuinely interested, that is my point. You just decided otherwise. I don't even know if you are aware of how you come across in this section sometimes? This group would be such a great resource to share information about feminisim and promote the viewpoint, but with comments such as:

"The other thing you can do is do your own research about the sex industry. You can answer your own questions about feminist viewpoints on the sex industry"

you make this place seem like a closed club. Again, I am sad as it has so much to give?

I doubt you will be taking this peronlly, and I don't want you to - hovering round MN these lat few months I suspect your skin is about the same thickness as mine. The point I am trying to make is that you obviously care deeply about feminisim, so share what you know. Not everyone is out to get you/have a pop/troll/promote thier viewpoint.

Just to add, I come in peace with that last staement, it is not meant to be a dig at all. Again, blame my vocb and poor use of puncation.

I wasn't out to promote anything, but you just won't have it. And this is exactly my point.

I have questions about the sex industry is bad viewpoint, but I fully admit they are through nievity. When I understand the answers I may even change my mind - surly thats a good thing for feminism (in the broader sense, I don't mean having me on baord specifically).

I and others want to learn - you are putting people off though?

If I want to be ride/scrap with you, beleive me, I will. But I dont want to - I didnt then, and I dont now. Why cant you see what I am trying to say rather then refuse to look past the point that I fall under that (what I beleive to be called) banner of 'choice feminism'.

The things is, toddlerwrangler, it wouldn't take long as a lurker to pick up some links to feminist blogs or other threads on here, use the search engine to read older threads, get some book recommendations. So, when someone comes along asking regular posters to explain and defend their viewpoint yet again, it is tiresome. Always going back to square one only gets one person anywhere and is actually a big (and quite arrogant) ask of someone. Of course people on here think differently about the world around us, but not everyone agrees, so there isn't one voice or some kind of club going on. I lurked for ages, followed the links and put in the leg work and still don't post very much. Because I'm still learning, see?

It's not pink and fluffy on here, just like the rest of MN (especially AIBU), but it is beyond me why we have go out of our way to be more inclusive than anywhere else.

Aye - I don't think you ahve to be more inclusive. Does it put it in perspective if I say I am more comforable in AIBU then in here!

Anyhoo, I think I am taking this round in cicles - I read a bit, I get lots of questions. You (a ganeric you!) get fed up with answering newbie questions so tell people to go away and read a bit. And so the cycle continues.