We also represent to the rest of the world our beach community online, so when people start calling each other "morons," "trolls," etc. I do feel that it makes SoWal look very elitist and one-sided.
OM-
When I referred to Dr. NW as a "troll", it was not a personal insult. Had I referred to him as a moron, idiot, or something like that it would be different.
I was describing his behavior on the forum. "Trolling" is the practice of posting deliberately provocative comments, with the basic intent of stirring up s**t for the fun of it.
Constructive debate is fine, and I'm fine with people having opinions that don't match mine. But I don't care for trolling, and don't think it's at all elitist to point it out when I see it.
I am also disturbed when trolls get the emotional reaction they were fishing for, because, as you correctly pointed out, it does indeed make us look contentious and difficult to get along with. Nothing could be farther from the truth.
With 20/20 hindsight, the next time I see trolling, I'll do what I should have done this time - ignore it altogether and hope that everyone else does the same.
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