#internet101

[1B Blog Post 3: Week 7]

‘Trolling’ refers to the act of comments or posts online, especially within social media networks, which are aimed to disrupt normal discussion for the purposes of their own amusement. The term is often associated with negative connotations such as misleading or pointless conversation or to incite conflict (Klyueva, 2013). 

However, though initiates provocation, trolling should be considered ever-changing with its multiple and highly contextualised forms (McCosker, 2014). What this implies is that not all trolling is within the realms of necessarily having malcontent. Examples of this are as seen below:

[ via Omegle (Giphy, 2013) ]

[ via being Rickroll’d - a meme which consisted of clickbait to mislead a user into instead being directed to ‘Never Gonna Give You Up’ by Rick Astley (Dubs, 2009) ]

[ (Wendy’s Tweet’s 2017) often engaged in banter especially towards their competition ]

Did you have a chuckle at any of these? If so, you’ve just experienced the same sense of amusement trolls feel when trolling. While it mightn’t be on the same spectrum as what’s typically considered tasteful, remember that humour itself is subjective. Not everyone finds ‘Bridesmaids’ or ‘Seinfeld’ funny or even relatable after all. Granted, without question, a lot of trolling can and has lead to some severe cases of both online and offline harassment. 

Combat Tip #1: If it’s malicious, be judicious. Your safest bet is to not respond. The reaction is what they want from you - so don’t give it to them!

The general wisdom from the populace of the Internet would advise as such. This remedy stems from the belief that acknowledgement and interaction are what provides a sense of accomplishment when the intention is simply to gain attention. Potentially, this may also influence third-parties to become involved hence igniting the contestation (Wilson, Fuller & McCrea 2013). 

Viewer discretion is advised for the hyperlinked video attached [here], depicting a cautionary tale of the result of suffering this young girl, referred to as ‘Jessi Slaughter’, endured after having responded to online trolls (Zebrah, 2011).

Combat Tip #2: The ‘Key’ in Security. Removing yourself from harmful situations and better online account management. 

Boyd (2014) described the events in which a girl would threaten to put information online with the attempt to humiliate her sister. This isn’t an uncommon occurrence, provided the presence of the Internet’s influence. Statistics show that 83% of Australian students, aged 9-15, who partake in online bullying also bully others in person (Bullying No Way, 2019). What can be taken from this is that from adolescence and even through adulthood, our sense of ‘digital citizenship’ needs to be moderated and held accountable for. We need to be more self-aware of what we post online and understand the functionality of online privacy. The purposes of blocking, muting and so forth are supposed to be here when encountering online harassment. Despite often being misused to maintain our biases and restrict constructive information or criticism, as further discussed in my posts Redefining Human Connection & Communities & Heart React for ReLOVEution ♡... but is it Really that Easy?

P.S: As an admin or moderator of various online forums, groups and servers I can also attest to this generally being the better courses of action. 

I hope you enjoyed your food for thought, with a serving of chocolate danish. Please come again!

[Please see /references for all sources]

www.staggeringbeauty.com (EPILEPSY WARNING)

are you tired? high? maybe it’s 2 a.m. and you need a laugh. go here. you will not be disapointed.

www.koalastothemax.com

this is great for when you are extremely bored or great for car trips. at the end, you can submit your own picture and do it all over again.

www.pointerpointer.com

do you have a life? i know i don’t. you move your cursor around, hold still, and there are millions of pictures of people pointing. it’s more fun once you get there.

www.salmonofcapistrano.com

do you have an off aesthetic blog? well, a screenshot- even a gif can be made out of this. just look. you will not be disappointed. plus- the music is chill.

www.eelslap.com

okay, this is just... yeah. eels. man. slapping at your will.

http://www.tara-sinn.com/web/

great for aesthetics, and easy on the eyes.

www.corgiorgy.com

no, this is NOT a bunch of dogs banging. its adorableness. and if you give it, like, 30 seconds, you can make your own. literally my favorite thing ever.

www.minecraftstal.com

literally the most chill flute solo in the history of the universe.

www.omfgdogs.com

much doge. such wow. much color

www.ducksarethebest.com

It started like this.

We stuck a few hundred big-ass posters up around Melbourne, next to the ones promoting rock shows and raves. They looked like this:

People called, visited our studio and pitched us ideas. Many of them were crazy. Some were clever. Some even knew the basics of how web apps are structured. Few understood how the internet really works. Fewer still understood in their gut how to think like a 'startup person'. 

Some of them turned into clients.

I am getting tired of walking every new client through the 'here is how to do the internet' spiel. This will replace it.

Every week for the next 12, I and my team will write about the various phases involved in launching a startup.

We'll start with crazy ideas, smash through to scope, build, launch, growth hacking, funding, infinity and potentially beyond.

Squareweave has a strong slant towards intrapreneurs working to break dumb business systems from within, so there will be moments where I'll speak specifically to the suits. Apologies.

Important, I don't expect much existing knowledge of the web. 

I do, however, expect that our readers are hyped to break stuff, learn fast and stay dangerous.

How fun.

    On to Part 1: Thinking Like a Startup Person.