"Trolls" -- no harp content

["Michelle LeFree" <mlefree@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

I've been an active participant around the internet since long before the
www existed.  Long ago, constructive members of the community identified the
type of person who hangs out on e-mail lists and forums deriving some sort
of perverse pleasure in repeatedly irritating everyone on the list.  That
kind of person is called a "Troll".  Trolls generally have little or nothing
to offer the list that is constructive or positive so they shore up their
flagging egos by attracting as much attention as they can by being negative
or contrary, and in general being pains in the a**.  Experience has taught
that the best way to handle Trolls is to completely ignore them as if they
didn't exist.  Responding in any way to a Troll's tirades only fuels their
only reason for existence by giving them that which they desire but do not
deserve--the attention of the list.  Such response is a waste of the time,
bandwidth and energy of the bona-fide list members.  On the other hand,
giving Trolls the attention that they do deserve--none whatever--denies
their reason for existence and maintains the momentum and spirit of the
list.  So, I suggest that on harp-l, where there are many, many list members
who ~do~ have something positive to contribute, we totally ignore any
Troll's efforts to appear to be more than the annoying insects that they
are.  It's worth a try!

Respectfully, Michelle