Journalist Polices Online Discussion Boards

January 24, 2003 10:30 AM

"We often do this, changing the subject or saying something really obnoxious, to take the wind out of trolls' sails."Apparently, some people get paid to report on the contents of web discussion boards. What a sweet gig. Especially for a "journalist" who has no ear for irony, and doesn't know what "trolling" is. Quoting an Epinions reviewer as supporting material is a new low point in "news" reporting. (more inside)
posted by scarabic (22 comments total)

from the friend who alerted me to this:

"This is great. You know that feminist 'zine website that I'm always posting stuff on the chatboards on, BUST? Well, we had a thread about abortion and some asshole anti-choice guys kept coming in and preaching and calling us baby-killers, so we made a joke of it. We often do this, changing the subject or saying something really obnoxious, to take the wind out of trolls' sails. Well, we started talking about how we love killing babies and eating them and all kinds of stupid stuff, and one of the trolls decided to alert some idiotic conservative news website, who then turned out this article to prove that pro-choice feminists are evil baby-killers. It's hilarious. I'm just disappointed that they didn't cite any of my comments."
posted by scarabic at 10:32 AM on January 24, 2003

I don't think WorldNetDaily is in any danger of being confused with "news" any time soon...
posted by mkultra at 10:41 AM on January 24, 2003

A poster called "angstgrrl" offered a poem:

Followed by the lyrics to "I Kill Children" by The Dead Kennedys. That hit my spot.
posted by PinkStainlessTail at 10:42 AM on January 24, 2003

Pretty hilarious article indeed. The fact that the hardcore pro-lifers are offended by the rhetoric they created is so ironic. It reminds me of Get Your War On. I may have to go looking for similar posts about "Partial Birth" abortions (also rhetoric created by the pro-lifers to instill disgust.)

I'm sure that whoever wrote that intriguing "WorldNetDaily Exclusive" is glad there's no byline.
posted by zekinskia at 10:43 AM on January 24, 2003

I don't know what's worse about this...the fact that, as scarabic says, the reporter doesn't know about irony, trolling, or internet discussion groups, or the fact he uses a few macabre jokes as a basis for dissing an entire magazine and the whole feminist movement.
posted by kozad at 10:43 AM on January 24, 2003

A modest thread, indeed.
posted by newlydead at 10:46 AM on January 24, 2003

I've seen WorldNetDaily cited a lot lately. Are they the NewsMax.com of the 21st Century?
posted by Vidiot at 10:49 AM on January 24, 2003

NEWSFLASH: Members of community website "Metafilter" not only expect the world soon to be run by assorted overlords, they actively welcome their arrival!!!
posted by turaho at 10:57 AM on January 24, 2003

Oh, that is hilarious. The tone seemed to be set way back on Jan. 2 when isobel23 responded to an obvious and persistent troll (aesopsback) as follows:

Aesop: the problem with adoption is, we really enjoy killing babies and would hate to have to miss out on that. We love squishing their little baby heads and watching their little baby brains come out their little baby eyesockets as their little chubby baby arms writhe helplessly in little chubby baby pain.

I mean, really, what other answer are you looking for, here? Aren't you just waiting for someone to say, "Okay, we'll admit it, we're just BAD people." Okay, we're BAD people, then, by your standards, and if your god exists, he/she/it will judge us harshly. But you're not convincing anyone here to change our minds.

Of course, WorldNetDaily only quoted the first paragraph.
posted by yhbc at 11:11 AM on January 24, 2003

Priceless...
posted by Shane at 11:14 AM on January 24, 2003

WorldNet is hiring a reporter, if you check the classifieds.
posted by inksyndicate at 11:29 AM on January 24, 2003

WorldNet is hiring a reporter, if you check the classifieds.

But finding and answering the ad is immediate proof that you're over-qualified. They'll just hire that kid who delivers the sandwiches.
posted by PinkStainlessTail at 11:32 AM on January 24, 2003

Umm....what's in those sandwiches?
posted by newlydead at 11:41 AM on January 24, 2003

Psalm 137
9: Happy shall he be, that taketh and dasheth thy little ones against the stones.
posted by four panels at 11:44 AM on January 24, 2003

I don't know what's worse about this

How about that the article had absolutely no point to make.
posted by archimago at 12:20 PM on January 24, 2003

well, a book by these guys is flying off the shelves apparently.
posted by yeahyeahyeahwhoo at 12:30 PM on January 24, 2003

NEWSFLASH: Members of community website "Metafilter" not only expect the world soon to be run by assorted overlords, they actively welcome their arrival!!!

I, for one, welcome our Assorted Overlords.

Is it like assorted nuts?
posted by nyxxxx at 12:53 PM on January 24, 2003

Wait... are you saying pro-abortionists don't roast fetuses (foeti?) on spits for Thanksgiving? Wow, that totally changes my world view.

...not much further to discuss here, is there?

(nyxxx, assorted nuts are our *current* overlords.)
posted by GhostintheMachine at 1:40 PM on January 24, 2003

Riddle: Why are abortion recovery rooms covered with plastic tarps?
Answer: OK, so it's not really a riddle. Gush!
posted by mischief at 2:30 PM on January 24, 2003

This tactic seems to be effective on Metafilter.
posted by troutfishing at 2:39 PM on January 24, 2003

...In reverse.
posted by troutfishing at 2:45 PM on January 24, 2003

writhe helplessly in little chubby baby pain.

What a great name for a band. WE ARE ... Little Chubby Baby Pain ....!!!
posted by octobersurprise at 5:28 PM on January 24, 2003