Is Countertrolling a Troll The Answer

[LilianaUwU]

I blame DST for my participating in this thread today.

I can only thank the Universe for the information that led to MMM's ban coming to light before we all had to suffer the indignity of whatever his opinions on daylight savings time were.

Speaking of DST, has this thread run its course yet?

[Scott5114]

I'm inclined to let it go for a bit longer since we are having an interesting discussion about what we can do better as moderators.

[Dirt Roads]

has always hit home for me. I have an almost allergic reaction to untruths and falsehoods. It gets under my skin to see blatant lies repeated as gospel, and it takes a great deal of willpower not to correct each instance I see. There's a particular one that's centered on Kentucky that occasionally floats to the surface, and it really irks me to see it.

You mean that story about Joe B. Hall and Heinz ketchup?   

[vdeane]

I blame DST for my participating in this thread today.

I can only thank the Universe for the information that led to MMM's ban coming to light before we all had to suffer the indignity of whatever his opinions on daylight savings time were.

Didn't he post something about five minute time zones or something in one of his rants?  Or am I thinking of someone else?

[Roadgeekteen]

DST posts should be allowed. Beating a dead horse is not against the rules.

[webny99]

DST posts should be allowed. Beating a dead horse is not against the rules.

I agree, but preferably not in this thread. It's too informative and interesting to risk getting it derailed/locked.

[Roadgeekteen]

DST posts should be allowed. Beating a dead horse is not against the rules.

I agree, but preferably not in this thread. It's too informative and interesting to risk getting it derailed/locked.

The mods do a good job with not locking good threads that get derailed somehow.

[jeffandnicole]

DST posts should be allowed. Beating a dead horse is not against the rules.

Animal abuse is always against the rules. 

MMM also didn't respond to my quip about the tracks on LI when I referenced this, which I was also disappointed but not surprised about.

[SEWIGuy]

I hope MMM is able to handle his mental illness issues and lives a full and healthy life.  I think he was part trolling, but there was clearly evidence of OCD related issues in his "highway plans" topic.

[JoePCool14]

I'm inclined to let it go for a bit longer since we are having an interesting discussion about what we can do better as moderators.

That's appreciated. I think the general consensus is that trolls like this should be dealt with sooner in order to stop the forum from turning into one person's stomping ground that ruins it for everyone else. The question is how to ban someone who technically isn't breaking rules, and how long do you give that person the chance to redeem themselves if they want to?

[kphoger]

The question is how to ban someone who technically isn't breaking rules, and how long do you give that person the chance to redeem themselves if they want to?

Well, I suppose that depends.  In this case, the troll was also sock-puppeting.

[JayhawkCO]

I'm inclined to let it go for a bit longer since we are having an interesting discussion about what we can do better as moderators.

That's appreciated. I think the general consensus is that trolls like this should be dealt with sooner in order to stop the forum from turning into one person's stomping ground that ruins it for everyone else. The question is how to ban someone who technically isn't breaking rules, and how long do you give that person the chance to redeem themselves if they want to?

Change the rules. "You can be banned if you're excessively annoying." Suspend them for a week and tell them it's their last chance.

[roadman65]

I blame DST for my participating in this thread today.

I can only thank the Universe for the information that led to MMM's ban coming to light before we all had to suffer the indignity of whatever his opinions on daylight savings time were.

Speaking of DST, has this thread run its course yet?

I’m beginning to think that MMM had a bigger impact on us than we think. Many of us seem to miss the guy as he was more than entertaining to say the least.  It would appear that being we haven’t let the matter go, many who have argued with the 23 year old hated to see this happen.

When Dzlsabb got the ax, no one talked about it as we all began to enjoy the silence and was not at all missed. He soon got forgotten.

[JayhawkCO]

I'll forget him as soon as this thread stops being updated.

[kphoger]

Many of us seem to miss the guy as he was more than entertaining to say the least.  It would appear that being we haven't let the matter go, many who have argued with the 23 year old hated to see this happen.

Count me as one person who does NOT miss MultiDozenMiler.  It was all but impossible to keep up with the conversation on here.  I'd take a couple of days off from the forum, come back, and each of his threads would have five pages of new replies.  *groan*  Now it's back to a more manageable state.

[Roadgeekteen]

I hope MMM is able to handle his mental illness issues and lives a full and healthy life.  I think he was part trolling, but there was clearly evidence of OCD related issues in his "highway plans" topic.

That is, if he was serious with those plans and not trolling us.

[roadman65]

In sitcoms we have plenty of love to hate relationships. In politics it's a way of life.

It can happen here on AA Roads too.

I'm surprised that this topic is still alive.  It should have died already, but I give it a few more days for the ole padlock.

[kalvado]

I'm inclined to let it go for a bit longer since we are having an interesting discussion about what we can do better as moderators.

That's appreciated. I think the general consensus is that trolls like this should be dealt with sooner in order to stop the forum from turning into one person's stomping ground that ruins it for everyone else. The question is how to ban someone who technically isn't breaking rules, and how long do you give that person the chance to redeem themselves if they want to?

Change the rules. "You can be banned if you're excessively annoying." Suspend them for a week and tell them it's their last chance.

Rather something like "site owner and moderators reserve the right to deem your posting unacceptable for the community on their sole judgment. You may or may not get a warning regarding that before the ban, temporary or permanent, is issued". A bit more honest, IMHO.
Like any online community, moderators acting in good faith are a required part of the community. I may personally disagree with some moderation decisions, but no doubt that  Scott and   Mr. Winkler acting in good faith here.  Checks and balances are really required to keep big governments honest, but for small groups that need is much smaller. So as long as we agree with mods being what they are, I am inclined to trust their judgement

[kalvado]

I hope MMM is able to handle his mental illness issues and lives a full and healthy life.  I think he was part trolling, but there was clearly evidence of OCD related issues in his "highway plans" topic.

Wouldn't that OCD thing apply to a better half of posters?

[roadman65]

I hope MMM is able to handle his mental illness issues and lives a full and healthy life.  I think he was part trolling, but there was clearly evidence of OCD related issues in his "highway plans" topic.

Wouldn't that OCD thing apply to a better half of posters?

Yes.

BTW, OCD is an addiction like drugs, porn(though related to computers), alcohol, and store buying on payday.

[SEWIGuy]

I hope MMM is able to handle his mental illness issues and lives a full and healthy life.  I think he was part trolling, but there was clearly evidence of OCD related issues in his "highway plans" topic.

Wouldn't that OCD thing apply to a better half of posters?

Yes, but some manage it better than others.

[hbelkins]

Let's take a moment to flash back to two infamous MTR personalities, Randy Hersh and Carl Rogers.

There's no doubt that Randy had some expertise in roadly matters. But in my view -- possibly because I was a target of his rants quite frequently -- any goodwill he may have generated by being a knowledgeable contributor was more than offset by his trolling, boorish behavior. He created new Usenet accounts faster than his old ones could be plonked. He knew he was trolling, and he did it provocatively and openly. After awhile, I quit engaging him and would plonk any new iteration that showed up.

As for Calrog, I'm not sure if he was a true believer, sly like a fox, or genuinely a true believer in the BS he spewed. He breathlessly announced every single picture he posted, and even hired PRWeb to send press releases for some of his updates. His entire site didn't contain as many photos as pics from just one of my trips. I don't know if he really believed that US routes are federal routes or if he just kept that schtick up after being called on it so many times.

The "Operation Silence The Troll" idea came from someone who felt it would be best to just ignore him; to not give him the attention he seemed to crave. I don't think it really worked. He kept on pimping his meager updates, but no one responded.

Those of you who were never on MTR in its prime missed out. Randy and Calrog made MMM and Dzlsabe look like rank amateurs.

[hotdogPi]

I-997 in Delaware and several others are having trouble registering for Interstate status, I mean, an account. (https://www.aaroads.com/forum/index.php?topic=33050.0, must be logged out or in incognito)

[Max Rockatansky]

"Calrog"  for some reason to me sounds like a chain of local fried chicken places.  I have no idea how that pops into my head as an association when see that name.

[SectorZ]

"Calrog"  for some reason to me sounds like a chain of local fried chicken places.  I have no idea how that pops into my head as an association when see that name.

It reminds me of Caldor, so I just think of being dragged shopping for clothes as a kid while enduring shitty elevator versions of Steely Dan blasting thru their PA.