I thought that was just girls in general, you get people using girly names regardless of gaming or not, I figure it's just a phase some girls go through, like boys and pokemon or something.
<!--quoteo(post=1865186:date=Jul 31 2011, 07:00 PM:name=SentrySteve)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (SentrySteve @ Jul 31 2011, 07:00 PM) <a href="index.php?act=findpost&pid=1865186"><{POST_SNAPBACK}></a></div><div class='quotemain'><!--quotec-->I dislike the stereotype where all girl gamers make their gender blatantly obvious, like putting it in their alias for example, then complain when they receive the attention the clearly wanted.
It's like these stereotypes are completely false.<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->
What about if your username was 'jackThaLad', 'bloke796' or 'dave2240'? Do you reckon they want random people on the internet commenting on their gender?
I can respect that opinion SentrySteve, but I doubt placing their gender in the account details as female is hardly a cry for attention, most of the time its just fact to say your true gender and be honest.
Granted my username is Kyliegirl, it is quite an old username and one I do not use much anymore apart from my old accounts. I used the name when i was 15 (12 years ago); I was quite unimaginative so I used my family nickname. There is no username change request sections on here and I would hate to bother the dev's over changing my name when they have more important things to do. I will just stick with it and shrug it off.. My deviantart account also goes by the name, nowadays I generally use my name Kylie as a username where it can be used, but tend to drop back into the habit of using Kyliegirl if Kylie is used as it is an uncommon username and saves me needing to think of other names for forums etc.
Since I do like to get my name out there for art purposes, its not necessarily something I care about nor care to hide, thus why I use it still, some of my art is still known to be done by "kyliegirl" If I were to change my username, I might or most likely will receive some harassment that I am stealing my own art because I am no longer using the username I was before. This has happened to me once or twice and it can be a little frustrating because then I am required to show "proof" it is me. But since I now have a website and blog, I do have that freedom to now showcase my art under another username elsewhere with a link to my art without too much worry of being accused of fraud.
I would not say my choice of username was for attention, it was a nickname, I used it as at the time I thought it was an easy thing to say and heck, my family always called me it, so I would respond to it if someone said it ingame. I didn't realise when I first started playing games that people made up names or would fuss about girls playing and harass them, I thought alot of people were using their first or last names as usernames, later on I realised people just had some good imagination with some awesome aliases. I tried to think up a cool username, its hard stuff when you want a name no one else uses, most people resort to characters to try and make the username they want work, something I prefer to avoid (eg; Bladehunter01, *Bladehunter*, B|ADE4UNT3R, XXXXBladehunterXXXX)
Honestly, I have to agree that in general, there are plenty of people who will harass anyone for any reason while anonymous. Male, female, doesn't seem to make a difference, and I don't really understand what it is besides the obvious "you're out of punching distance" that turns some people into toads when they get online.
I see the hatred directed at pretty much anything and anyone no matter what, male, female, country of origin, ethnicity, sexual preference, it doesn't matter what it is, so I don't think gamer girls are being "targeted" specifically so much as they're automatically a target, along with anyone else who stands out in any way. Unfortunately, with a mic, it can be pretty hard to hide a distinctive voice, and without a mic, well you can be at a real disadvantage, so it's not like it would be easy to hide in any case.
As the comment about movies, a friend of mine recently introduced me to the Bechdel test, I was pretty astonished at how few movies I could think of that actually passed what seemed like really simple requirements.
1. Are there at least two women characters in the film? 2. Who talk to each other? 3. About something other than a man?
It's amazing that even most films that pass do so just barely. In any case I found the results surprising.
I don't think it's the "out of punching distance" thing (because let's face it, most of us are not raging sociopaths with honour issues who start punching people they moment they say something rude) so much as the anonymity. We all care about our reputation, because once you've established yourself as a raging ######tard people will tend to shun you, which makes your life more difficult. Online, it's much easier to discard your old identity like a used condom and "reset" your reputation if you've pissed too many people off.
Even "Kylie" is an extremely feminine name. You're putting the one thing that makes you different out first for everyone to see. It's beyond stupid to then claim you're tired of "OMG UR A GIRL!?!" when, intentionally or not, you're literally advertising for attention.
I played a round of HoN about a week ago. I was mid (important role) and completely failed. Normally, in HoN, that would invite ridicule regardless of anything else. Instead someone by the name of LightRiver (or something close) came to mid and helped. We still lost, but I kept on saying how cool of a guy LightRiver was for helping. At the end, when I kept pumping out love for LightRiver, some other dude in the game said LightRiver was his wife. If he didn't say that I wouldn't have any idea.
If you're so tired of the attention what's stopping you from being like LightRiver?
I was once named "QuadriplegicTerror" but when everyone kept asking "LOL U HAVE NO LIMBS!?!" I just changed my alias to something that didn't highlight my difference and magically it all went away.
<!--quoteo(post=1865529:date=Aug 1 2011, 11:55 AM:name=SentrySteve)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (SentrySteve @ Aug 1 2011, 11:55 AM) <a href="index.php?act=findpost&pid=1865529"><{POST_SNAPBACK}></a></div><div class='quotemain'><!--quotec-->Even "Kylie" is an extremely feminine name. You're putting the one thing that makes you different out first for everyone to see. It's beyond stupid to then claim you're tired of "OMG UR A GIRL!?!" when, intentionally or not, you're literally advertising for attention.<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd--> I don't follow this logic. I understand that, yes, even if its not right, people will still be obnoxious because of the name. However, why should we support that kind of behavior by claiming she has to change her name because some people can't control them immaturity? Realistically, yes, changing her name would probably solve the problem of being pounced on because of it, but at the same time, what about the microphone? Many games need a microphone to be played well, yet its going to lead to the same problems. What can be realistically expected versus what should be expected is obviously different, but I don't see much good in passing off such irritating behavior because "it's too be expected." As much as I hate platitudes, if you accept asshattery as a inevitability, it will be one. Maybe the changes won't happen immediately, but I think the situation may get better as more firm controls are placed on in game communication.
I also don't agree with the idea that everyone has to be masculine on the internet, you said you assumed the person was a guy, why does everyone have to pretend to be a guy? Half the world is full of people who aren't guys. Personally I get kind of sick of games being a complete sausagefest. Variety is nice.
<!--quoteo(post=1865705:date=Aug 2 2011, 01:47 PM:name=lolfighter)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (lolfighter @ Aug 2 2011, 01:47 PM) <a href="index.php?act=findpost&pid=1865705"><{POST_SNAPBACK}></a></div><div class='quotemain'><!--quotec-->"Look, it's not your fault you're a woman, so I'll cut you some slack. But please, try not to draw attention to it."<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->
Basically yeah, it's a weird-ass attitude to have.
<!--quoteo(post=1865594:date=Aug 1 2011, 09:38 PM:name=azimaith)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (azimaith @ Aug 1 2011, 09:38 PM) <a href="index.php?act=findpost&pid=1865594"><{POST_SNAPBACK}></a></div><div class='quotemain'><!--quotec-->I don't follow this logic.<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->
That's the internet. Never said it was right, I only said it's to be expected. You aren't going to change an anonymous 16 year old's behavior by setting a good example. She's 27, if she's truly tried of unwanted attention I'd imagine she could figure out how to change her alias. "ProudHebrew1234" better not complain when people make single him out and make fun of jews.
<!--quoteo(post=1865747:date=Aug 2 2011, 05:59 AM:name=SentrySteve)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (SentrySteve @ Aug 2 2011, 05:59 AM) <a href="index.php?act=findpost&pid=1865747"><{POST_SNAPBACK}></a></div><div class='quotemain'><!--quotec-->That's the internet. Never said it was right, I only said it's to be expected. You aren't going to change an anonymous 16 year old's behavior by setting a good example. She's 27, if she's truly tried of unwanted attention I'd imagine she could figure out how to change her alias. "ProudHebrew1234" better not complain when people make single him out and make fun of jews.<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd--> Wait what? Why shouldn't he complain? Is that sort of bigotry suddenly acceptable now just because you can't do anything about it? There's nothing right about what they're doing, and complaining doesn't strike me as unwarranted. Whether its going to change anything is not really relevant to whether its right or wrong. You had earlier mentioned naming your self "QuadriplegicTerror" for a reason and then mentioned it on the forum, would it be right if people here started ragging on you about it because "You said it on the internet." Does that mean we should spread the news around so everyone makes fun of you for daring to say something like that on the web where everyone can see it? You changed your name once to ignore ridicule, doesn't this mean you should change your name again now that you've given the green light for it by saying anything about yourself that could be remotely different?
Sometimes people just need to vent, and luckily, most people on the NS2 forums are sensible, mature folks, I don't think you need to try turning it into "well she really wants the attention because she doesn't change her name" because that's really how you're coming off.
<!--quoteo(post=1865753:date=Aug 2 2011, 12:31 PM:name=azimaith)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (azimaith @ Aug 2 2011, 12:31 PM) <a href="index.php?act=findpost&pid=1865753"><{POST_SNAPBACK}></a></div><div class='quotemain'><!--quotec-->Wait what? Why shouldn't he complain? Is that sort of bigotry suddenly acceptable now just because you can't do anything about it? There's nothing right about what they're doing, and complaining doesn't strike me as unwarranted. Whether its going to change anything is not really relevant to whether its right or wrong.<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->
And whether or not it's right or wrong isn't really relevant to her being tired of "OMG UR A GIRL?"
<!--quoteo--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE </div><div class='quotemain'><!--quotec-->Sometimes people just need to vent, and luckily, most people on the NS2 forums are sensible, mature folks, I don't think you need to try turning it into "well she really wants the attention because she doesn't change her name" because that's really how you're coming off.<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->
That's how I'm coming off because that's what I'm saying. If she was <i>truly</i> tired of those comments she would do something about it. What do you think has a higher chance of success; trying to change the entire moral standards of a game community comprised of anonymous immature teenagers or using a /name function inside a video game? Kouji offered another good suggestion - the mute function.
Complaining for the sake of complaining is a pet peeve of mine, as you can see. If you want to something to happen take action and be done with it.
The "taking action" you suggest isn't taking action, it's avoiding the problem. Talking about it IS taking action. That's the only way attitudes will ever change. And don't say "attitudes will never change" because that's defeatist talk right there. Online gaming communities have a lot of growing up to do, and it'll probably take a long time, but that doesn't mean it'll never happen or that it's futile to hope for it.
Widespread online gaming hasn't even rounded its eighteenth birthday. It's an immature teenager full of sexual frustration. Let's give it some time before we declare improvement impossible, and let's, as adults, set good examples for the kids to follow.
Kouji_SanSr. Hινε UÏкεεÏεг - EUPT DeputyThe NetherlandsJoin Date: 2003-05-13Member: 16271Members, NS2 Playtester, Squad Five Blue
edited August 2011
You do realize that attitudes will indeed never change on the internet, a constant flow of new kids are inbound due to our need to procreate. These new creatures will have to have "the talk" all over again. And the already bad attitude persons (ergo already established trolls), well conversations with them will not have any impact at all, it will only serve to feed them as they crave both positive and negative attention. They will and shall always remain in their set pattern of rage inducing wackiness...
You can have all the good intentions you want, but trolls will always be trolls and "a good talking to" wont do anything at all. The anonymity of the internet is just too big a power to wield for some people apparently. And they simply lack Peter Parker's Uncle to guide them...
Here's a Penny Arcade comic that came to mind. Quick back story, the "Think B4 You Speak" campaign was aimed at reducing homosexual jokes/phrases/insults on the internet.
If even people who don't think of themselves as sexist are saying women should hide their gender online, maybe the problem is bigger than I thought. Attitudes WILL never change if we treat them as unavoidable truths. I guess women in America last century were wrong to stir the pot and demand suffrage too. The century before, I guess the North shouldn't have caused all that fuss and just let those silly old southerners keep their slaves. It's a total waste of time to demand anyone's equality and freedom from oppression, right?
People may act more openly on prejudices online than they do offline, but they carry the same prejudices everywhere. Standing up for people's rights online is the same as standing up for them offline, and sometimes it just takes one Rosa Parks.
I agree there will always be a-holes, but I disagree that we should let them rule the internet. Muting is nice, moderating/banning is better, repairing the culture is slowest but best. Women are still comparatively uncommon in online games, but I believe antisocial treatment of them will decrease as their numbers increase. Of course, the unwelcoming culture isn't helping increase their market share. If only people thought it was not OK to have their peers act this way...
It's not true that women are uncommon in online games. Various studies cite figures ranging from 45-55%, but it IS true that they're less noticeable. Partly it's because the stereotypical gamer is male, so we tend to think of anyone we play with whose gender we don't know as male. Partly it's because (this is where I go out on a limb and speculate) a lot of them have figured out one way or another that it's best to let that assumption stand so the bigots will leave them alone.
Anyway, I said "don't say attitudes will never change," and here you go and disobey. I am pretty cross with you. Attitudes change constantly - ALL kinds of attitudes. Attitudes towards women in particular are seeing development and improvement over the decades, partly because feminism is making a return (often under new names since the old one is a bit smudged), partly because the <i>staggeringly</i> misogynistic monotheistic religions are in recession.
Yes, it's going to be slow. But you're pointing at a slug and claiming that it can't move at all. You're not helping. Your tacit endorsement is part of the problem.
Kouji_SanSr. Hινε UÏкεεÏεг - EUPT DeputyThe NetherlandsJoin Date: 2003-05-13Member: 16271Members, NS2 Playtester, Squad Five Blue
edited August 2011
Blame it on the internet LF :P
We ain't pointing at a bloody slug that can't move. It's quite obvious it is racing (at slug speed of course) away from bettering the internet. You cannot put rules on the net (even though we have some meme rules). It's simply not feasible or police-able in any way shape or form to have much of an impact, if any :/
Kouji_SanSr. Hινε UÏкεεÏεг - EUPT DeputyThe NetherlandsJoin Date: 2003-05-13Member: 16271Members, NS2 Playtester, Squad Five Blue
<!--quoteo(post=1865933:date=Aug 3 2011, 02:53 AM:name=lolfighter)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (lolfighter @ Aug 3 2011, 02:53 AM) <a href="index.php?act=findpost&pid=1865933"><{POST_SNAPBACK}></a></div><div class='quotemain'><!--quotec-->Yeah I keep forgetting that the status quo is eternal and immutable. Societal change does not exist and never has.
There, you've reduced me to snarky sarcasm again. Hope you're happy. :/<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd--> <img src="http://members.home.nl/m.borgman/ns-forum/smileys/youreallwrong.gif" border="0" class="linked-image" />
You look smug now. Remember how change doesn't exist? Well, we're still vikings up here in Scandinavia, and we're coming back to plunder your ###### for all eternity.
<!--quoteo(post=1866054:date=Aug 3 2011, 03:43 PM:name=lolfighter)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (lolfighter @ Aug 3 2011, 03:43 PM) <a href="index.php?act=findpost&pid=1866054"><{POST_SNAPBACK}></a></div><div class='quotemain'><!--quotec-->You look smug now. Remember how change doesn't exist? Well, we're still vikings up here in Scandinavia, and we're coming back to plunder your ###### for all eternity.<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->
Just keep away from our coastal monastaries and you can do whatever you like with those weirdo saxons.
<!--quoteo(post=1865753:date=Aug 2 2011, 11:31 AM:name=azimaith)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (azimaith @ Aug 2 2011, 11:31 AM) <a href="index.php?act=findpost&pid=1865753"><{POST_SNAPBACK}></a></div><div class='quotemain'><!--quotec-->Wait what? Why shouldn't he complain? Is that sort of bigotry suddenly acceptable now just because you can't do anything about it? There's nothing right about what they're doing, and complaining doesn't strike me as unwarranted.<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd--> Hello and welcome to the internet, you seem to be new here. Let me provide you with a brief definition:
<i>"In Internet slang, a troll is someone who posts inflammatory, extraneous, or off-topic messages in an online community, such as an online discussion forum, chat room, or blog, with the primary intent of provoking readers into an emotional response or of otherwise disrupting normal on-topic discussion."</i> - Wikipedia.org (Great website, you should check it out)
If you complain to a troll you are not accomplishing nothing as you suggest, you are feeding the troll and exacerbating the problem. Any reaction to a troll other then a ban is unwarranted.
There seems to be a general misconception in this thread that trolling behavior only comes from racist/sexist or otherwise discriminatory people. This is often not the case. It doesn't matter what the individual troll actually thinks of women, blacks, Jews or any other group, they will make comments about them purely for the joy of making you upset.
You can stop trolling by ignoring them, banning them or by removing anonymity but community backlash does nothing to fix the problem.
Comments
But then I also don't get MTG or final fantasy, so ehh.
It's like these stereotypes are completely false.<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->
What about if your username was 'jackThaLad', 'bloke796' or 'dave2240'? Do you reckon they want random people on the internet commenting on their gender?
Granted my username is Kyliegirl, it is quite an old username and one I do not use much anymore apart from my old accounts. I used the name when i was 15 (12 years ago); I was quite unimaginative so I used my family nickname. There is no username change request sections on here and I would hate to bother the dev's over changing my name when they have more important things to do. I will just stick with it and shrug it off.. My deviantart account also goes by the name, nowadays I generally use my name Kylie as a username where it can be used, but tend to drop back into the habit of using Kyliegirl if Kylie is used as it is an uncommon username and saves me needing to think of other names for forums etc.
Since I do like to get my name out there for art purposes, its not necessarily something I care about nor care to hide, thus why I use it still, some of my art is still known to be done by "kyliegirl" If I were to change my username, I might or most likely will receive some harassment that I am stealing my own art because I am no longer using the username I was before. This has happened to me once or twice and it can be a little frustrating because then I am required to show "proof" it is me. But since I now have a website and blog, I do have that freedom to now showcase my art under another username elsewhere with a link to my art without too much worry of being accused of fraud.
I would not say my choice of username was for attention, it was a nickname, I used it as at the time I thought it was an easy thing to say and heck, my family always called me it, so I would respond to it if someone said it ingame. I didn't realise when I first started playing games that people made up names or would fuss about girls playing and harass them, I thought alot of people were using their first or last names as usernames, later on I realised people just had some good imagination with some awesome aliases. I tried to think up a cool username, its hard stuff when you want a name no one else uses, most people resort to characters to try and make the username they want work, something I prefer to avoid (eg; Bladehunter01, *Bladehunter*, B|ADE4UNT3R, XXXXBladehunterXXXX)
I see the hatred directed at pretty much anything and anyone no matter what, male, female, country of origin, ethnicity, sexual preference, it doesn't matter what it is, so I don't think gamer girls are being "targeted" specifically so much as they're automatically a target, along with anyone else who stands out in any way. Unfortunately, with a mic, it can be pretty hard to hide a distinctive voice, and without a mic, well you can be at a real disadvantage, so it's not like it would be easy to hide in any case.
As the comment about movies, a friend of mine recently introduced me to the Bechdel test, I was pretty astonished at how few movies I could think of that actually passed what seemed like really simple requirements.
1. Are there at least two women characters in the film?
2. Who talk to each other?
3. About something other than a man?
It's amazing that even most films that pass do so just barely. In any case I found the results surprising.
Even "Kylie" is an extremely feminine name. You're putting the one thing that makes you different out first for everyone to see. It's beyond stupid to then claim you're tired of "OMG UR A GIRL!?!" when, intentionally or not, you're literally advertising for attention.
I played a round of HoN about a week ago. I was mid (important role) and completely failed. Normally, in HoN, that would invite ridicule regardless of anything else. Instead someone by the name of LightRiver (or something close) came to mid and helped. We still lost, but I kept on saying how cool of a guy LightRiver was for helping. At the end, when I kept pumping out love for LightRiver, some other dude in the game said LightRiver was his wife. If he didn't say that I wouldn't have any idea.
If you're so tired of the attention what's stopping you from being like LightRiver?
I'll give you a hint; the answer is nothing.
What kind of insane troll logic is that?
I don't follow this logic. I understand that, yes, even if its not right, people will still be obnoxious because of the name. However, why should we support that kind of behavior by claiming she has to change her name because some people can't control them immaturity? Realistically, yes, changing her name would probably solve the problem of being pounced on because of it, but at the same time, what about the microphone? Many games need a microphone to be played well, yet its going to lead to the same problems. What can be realistically expected versus what should be expected is obviously different, but I don't see much good in passing off such irritating behavior because "it's too be expected." As much as I hate platitudes, if you accept asshattery as a inevitability, it will be one. Maybe the changes won't happen immediately, but I think the situation may get better as more firm controls are placed on in game communication.
Basically yeah, it's a weird-ass attitude to have.
That's the internet. Never said it was right, I only said it's to be expected. You aren't going to change an anonymous 16 year old's behavior by setting a good example. She's 27, if she's truly tried of unwanted attention I'd imagine she could figure out how to change her alias. "ProudHebrew1234" better not complain when people make single him out and make fun of jews.
Trolls will be trolls, they don't care for their target, they only care for the foodz. Don't feed em, EVER (well only if it's funny)
Wait what? Why shouldn't he complain? Is that sort of bigotry suddenly acceptable now just because you can't do anything about it? There's nothing right about what they're doing, and complaining doesn't strike me as unwarranted. Whether its going to change anything is not really relevant to whether its right or wrong.
You had earlier mentioned naming your self "QuadriplegicTerror" for a reason and then mentioned it on the forum, would it be right if people here started ragging on you about it because "You said it on the internet." Does that mean we should spread the news around so everyone makes fun of you for daring to say something like that on the web where everyone can see it? You changed your name once to ignore ridicule, doesn't this mean you should change your name again now that you've given the green light for it by saying anything about yourself that could be remotely different?
Sometimes people just need to vent, and luckily, most people on the NS2 forums are sensible, mature folks, I don't think you need to try turning it into "well she really wants the attention because she doesn't change her name" because that's really how you're coming off.
And whether or not it's right or wrong isn't really relevant to her being tired of "OMG UR A GIRL?"
<!--quoteo--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE </div><div class='quotemain'><!--quotec-->Sometimes people just need to vent, and luckily, most people on the NS2 forums are sensible, mature folks, I don't think you need to try turning it into "well she really wants the attention because she doesn't change her name" because that's really how you're coming off.<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->
That's how I'm coming off because that's what I'm saying. If she was <i>truly</i> tired of those comments she would do something about it. What do you think has a higher chance of success; trying to change the entire moral standards of a game community comprised of anonymous immature teenagers or using a /name function inside a video game? Kouji offered another good suggestion - the mute function.
Complaining for the sake of complaining is a pet peeve of mine, as you can see. If you want to something to happen take action and be done with it.
Widespread online gaming hasn't even rounded its eighteenth birthday. It's an immature teenager full of sexual frustration. Let's give it some time before we declare improvement impossible, and let's, as adults, set good examples for the kids to follow.
You can have all the good intentions you want, but trolls will always be trolls and "a good talking to" wont do anything at all. The anonymity of the internet is just too big a power to wield for some people apparently. And they simply lack Peter Parker's Uncle to guide them...
They mostly troll at night, mostly...
Here's a Penny Arcade comic that came to mind. Quick back story, the "Think B4 You Speak" campaign was aimed at reducing homosexual jokes/phrases/insults on the internet.
<img src="http://art.penny-arcade.com/photos/622461681_wmYfp-L.jpg" border="0" class="linked-image" />
People may act more openly on prejudices online than they do offline, but they carry the same prejudices everywhere. Standing up for people's rights online is the same as standing up for them offline, and sometimes it just takes one Rosa Parks.
I agree there will always be a-holes, but I disagree that we should let them rule the internet. Muting is nice, moderating/banning is better, repairing the culture is slowest but best. Women are still comparatively uncommon in online games, but I believe antisocial treatment of them will decrease as their numbers increase. Of course, the unwelcoming culture isn't helping increase their market share. If only people thought it was not OK to have their peers act this way...
Anyway, I said "don't say attitudes will never change," and here you go and disobey. I am pretty cross with you. Attitudes change constantly - ALL kinds of attitudes. Attitudes towards women in particular are seeing development and improvement over the decades, partly because feminism is making a return (often under new names since the old one is a bit smudged), partly because the <i>staggeringly</i> misogynistic monotheistic religions are in recession.
Yes, it's going to be slow. But you're pointing at a slug and claiming that it can't move at all. You're not helping. Your tacit endorsement is part of the problem.
We ain't pointing at a bloody slug that can't move. It's quite obvious it is racing (at slug speed of course) away from bettering the internet. You cannot put rules on the net (even though we have some meme rules). It's simply not feasible or police-able in any way shape or form to have much of an impact, if any :/
There, you've reduced me to snarky sarcasm again. Hope you're happy. :/
There, you've reduced me to snarky sarcasm again. Hope you're happy. :/<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->
<img src="http://members.home.nl/m.borgman/ns-forum/smileys/youreallwrong.gif" border="0" class="linked-image" />
Just keep away from our coastal monastaries and you can do whatever you like with those weirdo saxons.
Hello and welcome to the internet, you seem to be new here. Let me provide you with a brief definition:
<i>"In Internet slang, a troll is someone who posts inflammatory, extraneous, or off-topic messages in an online community, such as an online discussion forum, chat room, or blog, with the primary intent of provoking readers into an emotional response or of otherwise disrupting normal on-topic discussion."</i> - Wikipedia.org (Great website, you should check it out)
If you complain to a troll you are not accomplishing nothing as you suggest, you are feeding the troll and exacerbating the problem. Any reaction to a troll other then a ban is unwarranted.
There seems to be a general misconception in this thread that trolling behavior only comes from racist/sexist or otherwise discriminatory people. This is often not the case. It doesn't matter what the individual troll actually thinks of women, blacks, Jews or any other group, they will make comments about them purely for the joy of making you upset.
You can stop trolling by ignoring them, banning them or by removing anonymity but community backlash does nothing to fix the problem.