[Harp-L] re: trolls

[Jonathan Ross <jross38@xxxxxxxxxxx>]

I wrote:

 The original post was an ad hominem
> attack and basically a flame (if Mr. Popper is a list-member, which
> he might be).  The best response is to ignore it, and to not feed
> the troll.

To which Bobbie G. responded:

"I don't see it that way. It was an opinion expressed and nothing more."


Trolls are often opinions--usually opinions are what gets people  
upset the most.  There's nothing wrong with an opinion, it's how you  
say that opinion.  Thus there is a world of difference between "I  
don't think X is very good" and "X is a pimple on someone's butt".   
The former might add to discussion, the later is a troll, flame or  
whatever meant merely to denigrate and upset.

Bobbie again:

"As for 'flaming'... accusing one of flaming is often the first  
flame, as I see it."

It all depends how it's done.  A flame is a personal attack meant to  
denigrate, malign and upset.  True, calling someone a troll is not  
nice, but it's not the same as calling them an %^&$$#--the later is a  
flame, the former not, IMO.

"The issue of guarding our rights of free expression and guarding us  
all from free expression by another is hardly a fine line to me. Yes,  
I may think a question or comment is stupid or even 'trolling', and I  
may feel responses are just as bad; but, the opposite may also be  
true on either count, depending on my interest, knowledge,  
understanding, whatever."

I never questioned anyone's rights to expression, rather I pointed  
out that not all expression deserves to be respected or responded to.


Bobbie:

"The point I'm making is... well, I guess I did. The Delete Button is  
your friend. But, open your Mind to control it."

For the most part I do, but every now and then I think it's better to  
point out problems than simply ignore them.

As for Snuffy, he is 12 years old (his arbitrary birthday was  
yesterday), and I do have photos.  If you email me offlist (I can't  
see email addresses through the archives, and I don't receive email  
from the list directly, nor even the digest) I will gladly send them  
along.

As for harmonica content, well, this is all list-related.  However, I  
got out my Suzuki Alto Single today and played around on it a bit.  A  
wonderful instrument, which I wish I had more time to properly  
learn.  As it is, I barely practice enough on the harmonicas which I  
already have the basics of technique down.  Still, I'll be trying to  
get to the Alto Single more this year than last.

http://store01.prostores.com/servlet/suzukiharmonica/Detail?no=38

Also, now that I've finally overcome my mental block with regards to  
Weiner/Asian tremolo type harmonicas I wish I still had my Suzuki  
Baritone tremolo.  It was just a fantastic instrument:

http://store01.prostores.com/servlet/suzukiharmonica/Detail?no=39

(and no, I have no affiliation with Suzuki, they are just being  
really innovative and making very high quality instruments the last  
few years)






 ()()    JR "Bulldogge" Ross
()  ()   & Snuffy, too:)
`----'