Dear Trolls,
Anonymous trolls. Bots. Fake accounts. And, real people who troll in their own names! People with jobs. Families. Friends.
How do they ever make and keep friends? How did they ever find a partner? Maybe they make a pact to hate the same people? What if one troll hates someone and the other troll friend loves that person? Do they get a troll divorce. Ah, who cares...
So, the Silly Season is here and has been for a year. That is Election Season. When best friends stop speaking to you because they don't like who you supported in a Primary Election. When you finally realized that most of those folks that you thought were friends were merely "connections." And, you appreciate your true friends even more.
But, it is also Troll Season. Icky.
Last week, it occurred to me that trolls remind me of Donald Trump. They lie. They twist & degrade every single thing that their target says. And, they lie. And, they lie. And, then lie some more. With no shame whatsoever. If you have a different opinion, they call you a liar. They call misunderstandings lies. They call demonstrable facts lies. Just like #45!
And, I suspect that they believe their own lies. Just as #45 does. They don't know that they are lying. They really really don't.
They have no shame! They are never embarrassed. This is the most amazing thing I have ever witnessed. They have no self-awareness and hence no pride and hence no shame. Just like #45. None. This is astounding to me.
How could you not know that no one thinks you're cool? No one believes a word that you say? That you are making a complete ass of yourself every day! Just like #45.
Were trolls the playground bullies or were they the shy kids who got bullied and now have "keyboard courage?" I suspect that they are scared little rabbits IRL.
I have met 2 trolls. One of them trolled under his real name and under some fake accounts. He made a technological mistake that enable me to see/prove that he was the troll. He glowed when accused of trolling. He appeared delighted while also denying it -- even though it was provable.
The other appeared terrified when I walked up and introduced myself. He sat quietly and shyly at a table all night. No mixing and mingling. But, on-line? He is a rattlesnake. Not a very good writer. Not very witty. Not very literate. But nasty in the "na na nuh boo boo" way from grade school. A lot like #45! He also writes, "OMG!" a lot!
They are relentless. They win every argument because they count on being the meanest SOB at the keyboard. And, they lie. Just like #45. Do they ever clean the house or go fishing or have dinner with a friend?
They love drama! Love it! Just like #45!
And, they must be filled with hate. They must be really icky inside. Just like #45.
What is the purpose of all of this?
Bullies feel good about themselves. They like bullying. They enjoy it. They were often the victim of a "bully" parent and now they believe that they have power. POWER! They may have the strategic goal of stopping/limiting participation in some group or forum -- Most people won't speak up if 5 trolls are going to jump in and make fun of them then call them liars.
So, do not be deterred and do not feed the trolls.
I tried to say, "Dear Trolls, I love you! I really really do!" But, I spit up a little in my mouth and couldn't get the words out.
I love every one else in the world except narcissists/trolls. Because I suspect those are synonyms.
VLL
