Academic Astounded People Dislike Trolls

[Static-Pulse]

http://www.nola.com/news/index.ssf/2...fessor_be.html

I haven't read his paper yet, but it warms my cold heart to know that my own "research" into testing the limits of how far one can be rude before getting banned from a forum has peers in academia.

[_OM_]

...Two interesting points:

1) This almost seems like the other side of the coin of that World of Warcrack episode of South Park, only the guy controlling the hated player isn't a no-life, basement dwelling comic book guy, and isn't out to ruin everyone else's experiences by playing contrary to established rules and/or gaming the system through a loophole/bug/feature or three.

2) The attitudes of those COH players remind me of quite a number of online cliques I've come across over the years. One thing that I'm not sure if he addresses in his paper is that in some cases, the rigidity and attitude of the cliques can actually be based on past experience with those who are actually out to be trolls. If someone new comes along who plays far too well and doesn't play by any sort of "code of conduct" - read: you kiss ass and play up to the clique by their rules - then they go out of their way to run you off. Most of the time just to prove they *can*, especially if it's "for the lulz".

It's going to be really interesting to see how Loyola's campus security deals with the vengeful geeks who are going to be all pissed over this one...

UPDATE: Best quote in the comments on that article's site so far:

Never mind the social ramifications of all of this. Let's talk about the fashion crimes "Twixt" commits by wearing such garish attire! The 80's are over. Please turn in your Hypercolor at the counter.

...He does have a point And as far as points go, this bit is a must-read for anyone trying to understand why some people just don't care for MMORPGs and some of the crap that goes on:

http://www.notacult.com/fansythefamous.htm

[Static-Pulse]

One thing that I'm not sure if he addresses in his paper is that in some cases, the rigidity and attitude of the cliques can actually be based on past experience with those who are actually out to be trolls. If someone new comes along who plays far too well and doesn't play by any sort of "code of conduct" - read: you kiss ass and play up to the clique by their rules - then they go out of their way to run you off. Most of the time just to prove they *can*, especially if it's "for the lulz".

He does not address cliques basing their behavior on learned experience from past experience. Wait, I take that back. His paper does mention griefers, but only is that people assumed he was a griefer.

One thing to note, in regards to cliques, Twixt was moved twice, which means that the behavior he records was spread across three different CoH/V servers. So...and disclaimer: I am a CoH/V player who kind of hates PVP for this very reason...it strikes me that this may not be so much a clique issue as it Twixt working against evolved social norms within the game.

[Peter J Poole]

That is interesting... As much for the posted comments as for the article itself.

Hmmm...

At what point does behaviour become 'kiss ass and play up to the clique' as opposed to 'conforming to the group concensus on behaviour'?

How much of our social behaviour is deliberate and how much is subconcious instinct?

Cheers.

[Static-Pulse]

At what point does behaviour become 'kiss ass and play up to the clique' as opposed to 'conforming to the group concensus on behaviour'?

How much of our social behaviour is deliberate and how much is subconcious instinct?

To answer the first question, I would think it depends on whether or not the person it part of the group, trying to be a part of he group, or neither. I suppose there are shades to kissing ass. Is just getting along with people a lower form of kissing ass if you have to deny yourself any indulgence, no matter how small?

To answer the second question, I would say that depends on how introspective the person is more than anything else.

[Peter J Poole]

To answer the first question, I would think it depends on whether or not the person it part of the group, trying to be a part of he group, or neither. I suppose there are shades to kissing ass. Is just getting along with people a lower form of kissing ass if you have to deny yourself any indulgence, no matter how small?

Good point.. there probably is another distinction between 'kissing ass' and 'not ruffling feathers'.

I don't think I kiss ass, but there are times when I self censor for a quiet life... Usually on topics I consider trivial and not worth the arseache of starting an argument about, but it's still a group concensus thang...

Cheers.

[Static-Pulse]

Good point.. there probably is another distinction between 'kissing ass' and 'not ruffling feathers'.

I like the specific wording of that distinction a lot. (It was what I was trying to say, but couldn't think of the latter phrase.)

[Peter J Poole]

I like the specific wording of that distinction a lot. (It was what I was trying to say, but couldn't think of the latter phrase.)

I am now disturbed by the thought that those working in the poultry industry may have a technical term for "kissing ass while not ruffling feathers"...

Some days I wish my imagination had an off switch...

Cheers

[Static-Pulse]

Isn't that schmoozing?