I had trouble with an anonymous troll, a year or so ago, leaving nasty cryptic messages and actually trying to blackmail me via blog comments. The problem was, I knew the identity of this person. I addressed the problem on my blog, without personally revealing them, and that, thankfully, shut them up.
It is vexed, isn't it? This business of trying to suppress those voices that seek to suppress ours. It reminds me of something i read about the poet John Keats. He too hated bigotry and intolerance, particularly that which he detected in a so-called friend or at least associate Deekes. (? spelling)'
A literary critic pointed out that whenever Keats wrote about this, his own writing became intolerant, and Keats himself took on the rigid position that he purported to despise.
so i suspect you are right, Elizabeth, when you elect to let these bigoted voices stand. They shoot themselves in the foot by their very utterances.
Thanks, Elizabeth. It's a terrific post and important points that you make.
I had one individual attempt to comment on my blog who was abusive with language. I had no problem deleting this because it detracts from intelligent, balanced conversations. Like you say, I don't need agreement...I, however, expect civility. The individual in question, frustrated at my not allowing his comments on, tore me to shreds in his personal blog. I never went to read it...someone else told me. This is what I say: children throw temper tantrums for two reasons, communication or manipulation. When it's the latter, one must ignore, and carry on. The problem is quickly solved. Personally, I love the delete button.
I had trouble with an anonymous troll, a year or so ago, leaving nasty cryptic messages and actually trying to blackmail me via blog comments. The problem was, I knew the identity of this person. I addressed the problem on my blog, without personally revealing them, and that, thankfully, shut them up.
ReplyDeleteI posted this comment over at trolls:
ReplyDeleteIt is vexed, isn't it? This business of trying to suppress those voices that seek to suppress ours. It reminds me of something i read about the poet John Keats. He too hated bigotry and intolerance, particularly that which he detected in a so-called friend or at least associate Deekes. (? spelling)'
A literary critic pointed out that whenever Keats wrote about this, his own writing became intolerant, and Keats himself took on the rigid position that he purported to despise.
so i suspect you are right, Elizabeth, when you elect to let these bigoted voices stand. They shoot themselves in the foot by their very utterances.
Thanks, Elizabeth. It's a terrific post and important points that you make.
Very thought provoking, Elizabeth!
ReplyDeleteI had one individual attempt to comment on my blog who was abusive with language. I had no problem deleting this because it detracts from intelligent, balanced conversations. Like you say, I don't need agreement...I, however, expect civility. The individual in question, frustrated at my not allowing his comments on, tore me to shreds in his personal blog. I never went to read it...someone else told me. This is what I say: children throw temper tantrums for two reasons, communication or manipulation. When it's the latter, one must ignore, and carry on. The problem is quickly solved. Personally, I love the delete button.
ReplyDeleteI really loved this article on The Smartly, I left you a comment over there. Great food for thought.
ReplyDelete