As I delve more into the life and times of internet trolls, I seem to find out more and more about this particular species and how they are viewed by the masses.
The perception of what constitutes a troll is extremely varied and the stories about their actions are colorful to say the least.
Can one who bashes a hotel restaurant on as many platforms as possible all due to one bad experience be considered a troll? Holly Warton, owner of Enchanting Group, says yes.
Here is her story, as given to me on LinkedIn:
There’s this one troll that visited one of my hotels back in 2001 or so. He didn’t even stay with us, he just ate at one of our restaurants, and apparently the waiter hit on his girlfriend. Since then, he has berated our hotels on both the Lonely Planet Thorn Tree forums and the Trip Advisor Forums. He’ll take a break for a few months and then come back every once in a while.
I just mentioned this guy the other day to a fellow destination expert on Trip Advisor, and she remembered the guy by (user) name. He’s famous for attacking our hotels, and everyone knows it’s because of the problem with this girlfriend. Kind of funny, kind of irritating.
So there you have it. A clear illustration of one man’s attempt to tarnish a hotel’s reputation because a waiter hit on his girlfriend. Holly’s not happy with it, as she characterizes it as “kind of irritating.” But she also finds humor in it, and I suspect that may be because she can’t do anything about it.
In the next Troll Patrol, you’ll get an account of one man’s experience with a news website and his thoughts on the upside of requiring visitors to use real user names.
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March 17, 2009 at 3:30 pm
Tracy @ WSB
We had to implement a rule that before bashing a business you must say what you did to call the problem to their attention. Enforcement is difficult but important. It was inspired by something I read at paulding.com, which of course is entirely built on forum software and has a whole ton of rules to keep the peeps in line as a result, but offers many interesting lessons in online community …
March 18, 2009 at 11:33 am
Martin Reed
Of course, I don’t know the full story but it sounds like this may not actually be a negative thing for the hotel.
It seems that everyone in the community is aware of his vendetta, and actually finds it amusing when he launches one of his tirades.
If people are actually finding this behaviour funny, it may actually benefit the hotel.
We used to have a member in our community that would always complain and say he was going to get our site closed down. People found him amusing – he basically made a fool of himself. He tried to destroy our community but he actually made it stronger as people rallied around to ridicule him.
- Martin
March 18, 2009 at 2:09 pm
Angela Connor
Martin: You always have an interesting perspective that makes us see things in a different light. I think you’re right about that. Since this person is so persistent with his tirades, perhaps the joke is really on him!
March 19, 2009 at 8:38 am
klcesarz
Actually, had a similar situation on a newspaper web site where a troll peppered others on racial issues. People rallied against him when he attacked my moderation efforts. If someone is extreme and you can moderate in a clear, professional manner it tends to isolate and expose the troll.
March 19, 2009 at 3:45 pm
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July 30, 2009 at 10:08 pm
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October 14, 2009 at 2:51 am
Dee
They think they can’t be tracked & don’t care who they go & bash this Grizbonton says i’m a grandmother if so gosh take her grandkids then I say. This stuff is not so normal is it?
December 16, 2009 at 5:08 pm
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March 15, 2010 at 9:56 am
unknown
Only problem is no one believes these trolls. Some are clearly crazy. They believe themself and try to make you think more’s attacking you. 90 % of the time it’s them. Just one. Adult or teen it’s not funny. I have 2 trolls stalking me. Some can get out of hand. I reported them to police & fbi. If they keep on bothering & attacking you. Report them. In some cases they say your trolling but not. Because they believe in there mind they are not trolling the net & really do not relize they are. So trolls get your friends on people. You’ll be going to prison also. These people don’t understand the little friends they do have when each attack people online they can all face charges.
March 15, 2010 at 10:01 am
unknown
martin great posts ! I know two trolls who get low ranked & make themself look like total fools each time on blogs & Does not relize it. These two are online crazies who get mad at the smallest things & will stalk people. Everyone be warned please. These two are in authorities computers mostly for threats, racist comments, & stalking on websites as well as scamming. Billusa2000 & sordidguy each time they find something w/ there name they follow users. I think people need to know about these people. More they follow people around the more trouble they’ll get in as well as making themself look bad & knowen as stalkers.
March 26, 2010 at 4:29 pm
unknown
But I must warn you some trolls like sordidguy accuse others of being part of an imaginary hate group if you do not accept his lies. In reality he has a hate group of 2 people him & billusa2000 they are a joke !.
April 6, 2010 at 8:31 pm
unknown
Both is him. Bill & sord. guy same person. I think this guy has serious mental issues were talking about someone who is a deranged stalker-troll and who is on the fbi list & has been for a few years . This guy has a sick mind. He even goes after kids on youtube & aol. Kinda glad they did delete alot of his things and websites. Still holding for hope he gets arrested sooner or later. He is just one that people has reported. There are a few others out there. He got out of hand and showed his tru colors so that’s why he was reported. You don’t quit and keep breaking laws you’ll get reported. Some trolls thankfully have just a tiny bit of sense to quit because they have fear of police and fbi. We all should take action of these low-life cowards.
April 10, 2010 at 6:10 pm
babygurl
There are different types of trolls. It’s scary sometimes. There are not alot. You must remember it’s usually one person on a site with different accounts. I also read on this aol troll sordidguy. You know the reason why he bothers people? Is because he throws hate crimes up. Any race etc. He will keep on stalking you to seek a thrill. And he does bother alot of people. Also remember people had said he’s not really geting anything through. He seems to not understand the police and fbi are on his tail. He is what we can call a psycho troll since it still goes on and he just is not stopping anytime soon. He and other trolls better understand the more you say and do things to stalk or harsee people you are looking at more charges adding up on you in court.
April 11, 2010 at 8:18 pm
youtuber
The police and fbi watch and track every move on you online once you have been reported to there computers/calls . We may need to check out FL law this is where that sordidguy had said he was from once on a profile thing written on youtube now people are on him on there . So we do need to check these trolls out. Because people has been going around stating this guy has a parole officer even if true or not always better to check up . If so his officer will come and take him then before the other police or fbi comes in. He’s harassed alot of people in a three or four year period. Some of these trolls could be a fellon or was once one. A little sad but very true. Things come up slowly about them . Esp. the past. It’s very easy to find info on people now days. It’s legal if they become a threat or target people & harsse them . He said his name was michael . He’s 51 yrs. of age . They seem not to know what hit them sometimes. Everyone out there does need to know about these type of trolls if they become a risk. If not don’t worry about them. He’s becoming a huge risk and pain. Starting to even become a stalker towards some people. So these types of trolls worry me just a tiny bit.
April 29, 2010 at 2:53 am
babygurl
Whoever is suggesting violence is playing a dangerous game, in this era
> of Internet monitoring by police agencies. I am not a lawyer or judge,
> so I will not comment on whether the suggestions constitute a violation
> of law or not in whatever jurisdiction the poster resides in.
Those posts with all the header information have been forwarded to various
police agencies both local and federal. I think they will know how to track
down who is responsible.
April 29, 2010 at 2:54 am
babygurl
Meaning the trolls who ruin some police and federal places can track.