Poll: Can trolling ever go too far?

[mitchell271]

We've all seen extreme trolling and I'm pretty sure we've all trolled someone at some point. But is it ever too much? For example, do you guys remember the Amada Todd story? For those of you that don't remember, she was constantly bullied and lots of pages went up to "support her killing herself". Some of these still get posts today. I don't know if these people are kidding, and I don't know if anyone else does. Maybe they're just terrible people.

Then, there's stuff like this. Normally, I just say, "It's just the bigots and morons over at IGN" but it's one that has seriously pissed me off. For the record, this is a comment on the movie G.I. Joe: Retaliation.

Spoiler: It's disgustingly racist

User: greenbilly87
This movie had way too many minorities. More directors need to learn from icons like Herr M. Night Shyamalan and cast white people in all the important roles (shout-out to Jackson Rathbone who got snubbed in his supporting actor role as Sokka by the Academy). More minorities lead to a worse film. Yes the movie has ninjas, but hell people that?s what eyeliner is for, draw some lines to the outside of Mel Gibson?s eyes and boom you?ve got a samurai. Anyone see Man with the Iron Fists? Russell Crowe looks Chinese as sh*t in that movie. Eyeliner. That?s all it takes. This review got one thing right, and that?s the author?s response to RZA being cast in the movie: ?Just no.? Exactly, IGN, you guys get it. Just No. If you need musical talent in a movie, there is a plethora of non-minority artists to draw from like the kids in One Direction, Tim McGraw, Carrie Underwood, Justin Timberlake, and Will.I.am. It?s time to take cinema back to the silver screen era, back when you know you could go to movies without having all sorts of races shoved in your face like you?re in line at a Subway on Thanksgiving. Also, why does not one person point a finger at the Jews for 9/11? Oh, that?s right, because they run the media.
Upvotes: 1577 Downvotes: 39

Is this too far? I certainly think so.

EDIT: Maybe the comment is satire, but satire is something that's hard to do right. Having minorities in everything really is a hot button topic for some people (although they're white, pure-bred 'Mericans mostly). If you're doing satire, you have no make it from a viewpoint that nobody has.

 

[StriderShinryu]

Definitely, yes. In fact, I'd argue that most trolling in most circumstances is going too far.

 

[tippy2k2]

Frankly, I think that any trolling is stupid and a giant waste of everyone's time.

In fact, that GI Joe one is the trolling I most appreciate because it's so unsubtle that I can easily ignore it without having to look at the writing and figure out if this person is truly that stupid or if they're just fuckin with us.

EDIT: To be clear, trolling to me is a malicious attack on someone. Rookie's example right below me is not trolling by my definition because it's done from a loving place <3

 

[lRookiel]

Yes it can, but still I enjoy a bit of trolling, like today my friend got his Dark souls CD key, he has never played the game before and knows nothing about it. So I directed him to new londo ruins... :3

"ok now kill the ghosts, they are easy mate" Oh that made me laugh. :3

 

[DefunctTheory]

In Internet slang, a troll is someone who posts inflammatory, extraneous, or off-topic messages in an online community, such as a forum, chat room, or blog, with the primary intent of provoking readers into an emotional response or of otherwise disrupting normal on-topic discussion. The noun troll may also refer to the provocative message itself, as in: "That was an excellent troll you posted."

Trolling is, in essence, the act of going 'too far.'

I should also mention that what you posted isn't trolling, its mocking. It wasn't posted for blatant racism, but to mock the fact that the IGN review (Which I just read) makes a note of liking every actor in the movie except the black one.

The person you quoted doesn't seem to agree with this and is calling foul. I'm just going to call RZA a bad actor.

 

[BathorysGraveland2]

I'd say trolling goes too far when it interferes in someone else's life. Such as learning the address of someone, posting it online, then ordering masses of pizza to their house. Or things more serious than that, that are done in the name of "lulz". When it's kept on the internet, and just kept verbal, then eh. I'm fine with it. But when it seeps into reality, into life itself. Then it's going way too far.

A good example would be that 12 year old girl a little while back. The "brain-slushie" one. A ***** to be sure, but people went way over their heads in that situation.

 

[General Twinkletoes]

Obviously it can. What about Jessie Slaughter, or whatever her name was? Yeah she was being a complete idiot, but she's 12, of course she does dumb stuff. People trolled so much about that that it ruined her life. I don't know how anyone can say several hundred people relentlessly harrassing a 12 year old girl isn't going too far.

 

[Extra-Ordinary]

Personally, and this is a pretty technical line, I know:
When nobody but the troll finds it funny, that's too far.
Once the people who would normally be on the trolls side go "Dude, c'mon..."
we're past the point of no return.

 

[game-lover]

Of course, it can. Anything can go too far.

I think the most obvious sign he was trolling is that he identified Will.I.Am as a non minority artist. Everyone knows damn well he ain't white. I mean, are you fucking kidding me?

 

[Vegosiux]

It's too far the moment it's done just to ruin the day for someone or waste someone's time.

Oh wait, that's pretty much textbook definition.

Yeah, I'm not a fan of pranks or trolling. Why would anyone, ever, settle for the lowest common denominator if you can do better?

 

[an annoyed writer]

man, that quote is disgusting. Did that person go too far? Hell the fuck yeah. So yeah, you can go too far, especially when it leads to harmful results like people killing themselves or others.

 

[Olas]

If by go too far you mean make it obvious he isn't being serious and is just trying to troll then yes, they can definitely do that. doing so is obviously counterproductive to their goal though.

If by go too far you mean troll to the point where it becomes inappropriate and offensive I'd say that's beside the point as trolling is inherently rude and pointless to begin with. It's like asking if name-calling can go too far.

 

[Cette]

That quote is absolutely amazing in the so far over the top that you'd have to have never heard of the concept of satire to not see it kind of way.

Please note no matter how over the top and ridiculous you go there's always someone dumb enough to take you seriously.


That aside yes it can go too far. Namely when used to cause major and intentional distress to another person rather than just jacking around for your own and others amusement. Given where that line lies is going to vary from person to person so you're always risking legitimately pissing someone out there off.

 

[Cid Silverwing]

Yes. This shouldn't even be a question.

Any form of trolling is too far. Particularly when they cause people to kill themselves.

 

[TehCookie]

Nope, the point of trolling is to fool someone or get a rise out of someone so if the troll does that they did what they set out to do. The people who take the bait are the ones who go too far, since trolls thrive off attention and an angry mob gives them plenty. If you don't feed the trolls they go somewhere else.

 

[Auron]

I fully approve of banning of such types, the internet would be nicer.

 

[Something Amyss]

Maybe they're just terrible people.

They more than likely are. This isn't trolling, though, and that's kinda the problem with the premise here.

Yes, trolling can go to far, but that went far beyond trolling.

That quote is absolutely amazing in the so far over the top that you'd have to have never heard of the concept of satire to not see it kind of way.

Please note no matter how over the top and ridiculous you go there's always someone dumb enough to take you seriously.

And that's the other thing. I'm not sure this guy was intending to troll, given how blatant it was. The statement, while stupid and potentially offensive, wouldn't even hit my radar because it looks like a pisstake.

By way of example, Stephen Colbert isn't a troll. He doesn't do it in the most subtle way possible (in fact, he mugs more than Steve Martin in The Pink Panther), but just being over-the-top and ridiculous doesn't make it trolling.

This guy uses the German address of "Herr" to speak of M Night Shyamalan. Now, this isn't to call Germans racist, but there was a certain douchebag who ruined a lot of things for a lot of people by being a genocidal monster. People to this day follow his actions, and use of "Herr" by English speakers often is used by/refers to Nazi-ish people. And Shyamalan would certainly go for that. Nazis may have had some connection to India back in the day, but modern Nazis don't take kindly to Indians. After all, Indians are brown.

Yyyyyyyyeah. I don't think we even need to get to the will.i.am comments to see this as absurd.

 

[Queen Michael]

There is a word for trolling that's gone too far. The word is "trolling."

 

[sumanoskae]

Being a "Troll" isn't a fucking merit badge.

The fact that you take joy in pissing people off doesn't excuse you from minding your fucking manners, you're still being held up to the same standard of behavior.

I'll admit that certain people have it coming, but if you define trolling as pissing people off for the sake of pissing people off, then the target is irrelevant, you'd just as soon attack someone for no reason.

 

[Trippy Turtle]

Well trolling mostly seems to be an excuse for being idiotic really...
There is a point where its not trolling its just being an outright bastard so I guess that would be too far. But I would probably prefer one of those bastards then another 'troll' who thinks being purposely retarded is trolling.
I cringe every time I hear someone say 'I trolled someone on...' because it normally boils down to them saying something retarded, and then laughing when the other person thinks they're are serious. If this is the actual definition of trolling I don't want to live on this planet anymore.
So combined, all of the trolls are successful 10/10 I guess?