Public Service Anouncement: Don’t Feed the Trolls
Anyone who has been on a forum has seen a troll in some shape or form. Most of the time, they are entertaining, but when people are trolling something positive, it really strikes a nerve.
When I started vaping in 2007, I joined one of the largest online vaping forums I could find: Electronic Cigarette Forum. In those days, people were genuinely happy to help and discuss vaping related items without getting too heinous. It was awesome. You could log in and jump right in with the discussion about the 510 “Yeti” or a DSE-901 with no worries about getting flamed, but following the nature of all internet forums, ECF became HUGE. When this happens, it can bring new people to the conversation, which is a good thing or it can come with a few trolls, generally a bad thing.
Trolls are funny for a little while, then they multiply causing chaos everywhere you look, much like a fantasy troll. I have seen it happen far too often on sites that have the wonderful potential to get a great product/information out to the mainstream. Trolls tend to send people packing until it is only a site or forum full of naughty, naughty trolls.
How do I spot trolling in the vaping community? Well trolling can come in many forms. The troll I see the most is the “leet” or elite vaper. An elite vaper is someone who looks down on people who don’t have the best of the best. For example, If a new vaper posts that they are excited about their new EGO and clearomizer, the troll will come in with a snide comment and say that egos are old and suck and they should try a provari or darwin or any other high end mod. While this may be hard to overlook, the best course of action is to ignore the comment. In other words, don’t feed the trolls.
Anyone reading this is either a vaper or is interested in vaping and you may be asking yourself, “What can I do to help?” The best answer is to simply ignore them or alert Moderators. I hate seeing something that has brought many of us together as friends hit a downward spiral into an internet black hole. While this may not be something that is a large problem right now, us vapers need to keep a cool head and relax; its just the internet.
Morrinb on March 20th, 2013 8:30 pm
Excellent and very true advice!
KulrMeStoopid on March 20th, 2013 9:26 pm
Excellent read and so very very true! Luckily with just over 1600 members our lil vaping planet hasn’t had our “fair share” and they tend to stay away from us
mongrel on March 20th, 2013 11:04 pm
I was also listening to VapeLink last night, and wished I had called in. I had heard recently a study that examined the very subject they were talking about.
When trolling begins it polarizes people, and very little progress is made in a discussion.
It makes me happy we don’t have that environment on ECA, and I think all of us here would like to keep it that way.
Johnathan Brown (Sepsis) on March 20th, 2013 11:19 pm
Very good advice! Just remember, Having something that works for you and keeping you off cigarettes is the best thing for you. Vape On!
slap_maxwell on March 20th, 2013 11:39 pm
Screw a bunch of trolls. I’ll pull an eGo out and blow vapor in it’s face.
Karla Lyle (MsV8PR) on March 21st, 2013 12:36 am
There is always someone out there with something neg to say. I hate people like that. Usually stems from low self confidence or jealousy IMO.
Tyler on March 21st, 2013 1:49 am
so true trolls can be funny, but there all annoying
RCO67 on March 21st, 2013 4:09 am
One of the biggest reasons I searched out a different vaping hangout was this very thing. There is no best in vaping. Somethings offer better value but if someone wants a stick battery, then those with knowledge ought to offer up what they know about stick batteries.
People often rush to recommend what they personally use and while that can be helpful depending on the presentation, we really should consider the wants and needs of those doing the asking.
I really hope ECA never fractures into elitists versus others as we are all trying to attain the same thing.
Todd on March 21st, 2013 6:29 am
ECA is honestly the only forum venue I have ever been a part of where I have not seen a troll. Here’s to the continued pattern! I’m pretty certain “the family” here is strong enough to win if any try and pop up.
MrsCasey on March 21st, 2013 7:53 am
I’ve only seen one troll on ECA but it wasn’t a “leet” as you put it. It was a troll trying to ask leading questions about the safety of ecigs and trying to get members to tag ecigs as cessation tools I believe. That person was gone in about 3 days I think. I recommend the typical Twist and T3/EVOD combos to new Vapers to save them money, time, frustration and the possibility of giving up if they think ecigs won’t work but if they must have a “cig alike” I will certainly recommend Smokeless Image or Halo G6. I started with Blu and when I joined my first forum I read many bad comments about them but they did their job, I quit smoking! I may be two years in and yes I have a some nice Vape toys but I hope that my fellow ECA Members know that when I show a new mod or a pretty new wrap I am not showing off but sharing my joy and excitement with the community. Thanks for the great Blog Cody
Aaron on March 21st, 2013 4:37 pm
Be very weary of them trolls. They lurk in their caves. Waiting for passing victims to attack.
Michelle on March 21st, 2013 6:08 pm
Agreed
Ms Puffinstuff on March 21st, 2013 6:11 pm
Haven’t seen any during my short time at ECA, but I sure have seen them on other types of forums and Do Not Feed is always sound advice when it comes to trolls.
GhOsT DoGg 79 on March 21st, 2013 6:29 pm
word
mrcrunch08 on March 21st, 2013 7:15 pm
The lack of trolls is exactly why I love ECA. I came to ECA after seeing all the negative response on ECF and Nu-vapor. Not once have I seen anything of the sort here and hope all members take your advice and inform the mods so we can keep our beloved ECA pristine.
Courtney C on March 22nd, 2013 12:06 am
Great post!
Mike Z (WindLvr) on March 22nd, 2013 2:09 am
I love it! Relax it’s just the internet. True story right there.
Danielle on March 23rd, 2013 10:15 pm
I’m not exactly new to vaping, and I still love my egos ..So suck it, trolls! ..On a serious note though, I kind of feared this forum being overrun by them when it started getting noticeably bigger.. The fact that for the most part it hasn’t really happened still astounds me. I hope no matter how big this site gets, the friendly atmosphere stays the same.
Danielle on March 23rd, 2013 10:17 pm
People who vape are part of a community. It’s sad that there’s those who would attack others just because they’re not as ‘advanced’ as that person.. Who cares what you vape on..as long as you vape. ..I wonder how many times someones nasty attitude has sent someone right back to smoking.
curlypeggy on March 24th, 2013 11:31 pm
Being new to vaping I really did not know what trolls were. Thanks for this info. We need to stay positive in this endeavor and I really appreciate you informing me of the trolls.
Nev NYC on March 25th, 2013 3:49 am
Thankfully i haven’t come across any of these trolls at ECA. everyone has been great and very helpful. Thanks for the heads up!!
Ralph on March 25th, 2013 12:25 pm
aww but i love trolling
Ralph on March 30th, 2013 1:12 pm
FEED ME!
slap_maxwell on April 1st, 2013 6:16 am
Great bunch of comments. Here, trolly-troll!
FloridaVaping on April 3rd, 2013 2:50 am
It’s sad when people like me who are new to vaping gets turned off by someones backhanded comments. This should be a place where we can share information and learn from each other. This is no place for childish behavior. It’s just really sad that some people act that way..
cobaltjord on April 3rd, 2013 5:51 am
I think this is great advice that can be applied here and in everyday life as well!
tiffany on April 12th, 2013 4:16 am
oh the trolls, then there are the trolls that ask questions just to piss you off, like sooo when are you going to quit vaping… the answer is “when i am darned good and ready!”
bybees3 on May 2nd, 2013 6:01 pm
We should start our own A.T.T.F. (Anti Troll Task Force)