Posted by Parker English '60 on 4/10/2008, 12:49 am, in reply to "Re: Mr.’s Dave Kaisler, John Gray Wallace & Dennis Jordan… Give it a rest!"
72.200.163.62
Where I work, there's an administrative listserv with tightly controlled send-access and without an opt-out feature. There's a second listserv for discussion to which most employees have send-access but which does have an opt-out feature. The second is abused by a man widely regarded as a troll who's neither reasonably polite nor reasonably logical, but who nonetheless raises ideas occasionally worth considering. Because of the troll, some of my friends have opted out of the discussion listserv entirely. Others have remained generally engaged, but automatically screen-to-delete the troll's posts. Primarily because of the troll, we're in the midst of devising a new listserv that's controlled for politeness and logic. I'm happy with that solution, tho I'll miss those of the troll's ruminations otherwise worth considering.
The troll at work is over-the-top for a reason, as described in this definition: "Trolls crave attention. That is the sole reason they exist - whether or not they want to feel that they have achieved something (even if it is destruction) or to be recognized for doing something deviant, they want just a little attention in their direction." This troll's not at all like Dave Kaisler, John Gray Wallace and Dennis Jordan, whose posts are typically polite and logical even when focused on matters of somewhat individual interest. So I was surprised to see them identified as trolls, tho not surprised the webmaster sees a problem.
The webmaster is most interested in "the times and places in Portsmouth of yesteryear.....and information about alumni and reunions.....it all stimulates the memories......." Could we not agree to combine our shared interests in yesteryears with interests we share regarding our education at Wilson? That education, in the late fifties anyway, encouraged both individual and critical thinking about topical issues. Dave, John Gray and Dennis sometimes raise and address such issues with critical thinking, as is true of the recent string regarding Charlton Heston, a string that also drew information from a new arrival. The same is true of the Schooldigger.com post in early March.
I hope Dave, John Gray and Dennis will continue to alert us to issues of general interest, and that the webmaster will continue to allow critical thinking about issues of general interest. Thanks.
