Sunday, November 18, 2007 - 04:15
Dealing with Trolls
I have been thinking about this a lot over the last few days. I think we can all agree that the only way we can rely on to deal with the evil that wanders in here from time to time is to police it ourselves. We have to figure out a way around all this or we are just going to have more and more people being run off from the site or being verbally attacked (or god forbid worse). I am tired of the bullying. If this monster is going to keep coming back, we will need to band together to form a consensus on how to deal with him.
So I have a proposal. If no one replies to his posts, they will get buried pretty quickly. If you have previously posted on his thread and delete the posts you have already made he won't have them to re-read and get his jollys on. If he posts to himself, flag it immediately. There appears to be some sort of 'bot' that automatically deletes the thread if enough different people object to it. If you see that his threads are near the top, post in other threads. He can't possibly sit online all day and keep himself bumped up on the list. If you are the first to find his thread, either post with the single word TROLL or a picture of one (more on that later) and Nothing Else. He wants your response, depriving him of it is one of he easiest ways to fight back. If you see someone being lured into his web; send them a private message and let them know what is happening, invite them to read this thread and join us in this choice. And obviously it has to be a choice, everyone deals with conflict in their own way. There isn't a "right" or "wrong", but if we act as a community (regardless of whether we are "just" an online group) I believe we will stronger than if we just try to deal with him individually.
I am on here on a somewhat daily basis. So I see a lot of things as they first come on the board. I have created an alternate nickname (which I hate having to do, it feels weird and creepy - but also necessary) called PleaseDeleteThis. I made it up so that if an Admin is looking through it will be easy to spot areas that need attention. I found a picture of one of those little troll dolls and instead of writing anything will just post that. People read pictures quicker than words and I'm hoping it will immediately catch the eye of anyone who opens the thread before they begin responding.
I am not suggesting we do this to post-ers who are generally negative to others, self aggrandizing, posting creepy pictures, or just distasteful. Those are unpleasant, but not the same as being obsessed with Tori's assault, threatening to her family, or other members of the forum.
I don't feel like I'm entitled some sort of 'forum police', but I don't know what else we can do about this. If you have suggestions or amendments, please post them. I'd really like feedback on this issue. And I'd be happy to edit the thread to reflect any changes that should be made.
So, who is with me on this?
Replies for this Forum Topic
I agree completely.
--
How many moderators are there on this forum? There should be at least one online at all hours of the day. The Garbage forum I go to has a strict set of rules everyone needs to follow and there's no one getting bullied or harassed there. One offence gives a warning, two offences and your account is deleted. Bots are deleted immediately. But then again, that forum is run by computer geeks...
In any case, I don't think any manjor artist should have a forum on their official webpage without it being heavily guarded. It's like sending your children off to a kindergarden that has no one to watch the kids.
--
Anette
He is back under this name: rainn_is_awesome
and encouraging people to go here: community.livejournal.com/rainn_dot_org/
Please be aware that he mines comments for email accounts; and he uses them to begin harassing and stalking.
his own user name is magicmonkeyfla
--
Hmm, It is a very large word BUMP in the font of the ADP stuff on a clear background. Anyone else having trouble seeing it?
--
Hubble and bubble - body and soul
Me thinks me needs more attention
So I'll summons a troll
Lilytoo says 'Good Morning & Peace to You' Crone
And it's best that you leave Lilytoo - alone
oh i think it must be the bump thing.. i only see a white square u see...
--
"PleaseDeleteThis" posts a picture of a troll doll. It looks like this:
Or were you asking about my 'bump' to move the thread up since troll boy is back?
--
bending.. i dont get it? whats the pic of?
--
An excellent point and idea ajtcl. The bureaucracy of from here to there on this stuff is maddeningly slow.
--
Banning the MAC address of his computer would be a better solution. I highly doubt he has a static IP. You could also conceivably ban all MAC addresses that are associated with his known user names. But if he is using internet cafes or public computer kiosks, you are just wasting your time.
This leads us to pattern tracking. If the administrators will keep records of the IP and MAC addresses, the exact computers being used can be pinpointed to a location. Then it is a simple "cat and mouse" waiting game. And since they appear to know who he is, an address and other information should not be that difficult to gain through public records.
Good luck.
--
"Cut it again!"
- Tori...
Excellent idea Shake.
--
I learned last night alot more about this troll. I had no idea of the degree of his sick obsession with Tori, EWF's and rape.
I'm not sure if you'll be able to view this page if you're not a member of the forum, but here's a URL with information on him (mug shot included):
http://www.toriforum.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=7503
I think we need to try our best to get his IP Address banned from this forum! His current name here is btk_2. I'm going to start a thread now, requesting that he gets banned. Everyone just keep bumping it if you want to see the back of this troll.
--
*sigh* Is anyone else having a King Juan Carlos moment?
gigglez Fairy
--
"So now you're off, you're gonna see America.
Well, let me tell you something about America...".
right back atcha cupcake
--
Our treasure lies in the beehive of our knowledge. We are perpetually on the way thither, being by nature winged insects and honey gatherers of the mind". -Friedrich Nietzsche
LOL. You're so cute sweetheart.
It's ok, the internet guy won't harm you because he doesn't ever leave his computer. If he does he more than likely is unable to move very quickly so you may or may not have that to your advantage depending on your current condition.
I'm still not sure that the person posting here is a troll. It seems like someone making stuff up to cause drama (media scum perhaps?). Come here for your updates and leave just like everyone else. Or live on here if you please....
--
Uniform thinkers are followers never leaders. Stand up, take a stand, and rise above!
amen to all those banding together. I was gone for a little minute while I was on vacation =) =) =)
I had an amazing time and an even better journey, but it was sad to see the rose colored glasses come off so quick by a couple emails in my inbox, and even more sad to hear that the troll of the year was lashing out unmercifully at any who even seem to sneer in his general aroma. I have thought about just giving up entirely, but then in a sense he wins and I'm just not about that.
I've not been silent all these years, I love a good debate, and I like reading everyone’s unique views here on the form. Their is to much good to lee a poisoned apple deter us from sharing in a community that gets whatever it is about us that we feel need to be gotten.
I have tried to bury posts maybe with more people actively monitoring our environment we can make a dent in the just plain wrong mentality w have been trying to fight.
In the end I guess I'm just sad that this has happened on yet another Tori site.
But then let me tell you something about America, were seemingly obsessed with the negative, we feed into it. Its on our new stands, in our magazines, we have whole entire shows that support bad behavior and spoilt socialites, blog’s that love to rip what is normal to shreds while glorifying what anyone without a million dollars in the bank would be severely punished for. We have one set of rules for the common, and another set of rules for the social elite.
Here we are supposed to be united by a bond in music, no one said we had to agree 100 percent of the time
but this is not the only site our particular troll has a reputation on.
Bending you said he couldn't possibly spend all day on a computer, but if you visit some of the other sites you might find that to be nearly closer to the truth then you think.
Thanks to all of you uniting to keep things safe.
I'm trying not to let idle threats form a megalomaniac of an introvert get the best of me.
I think the saddest and scariest part of his whole experience is my own need for understanding. I’m drawn to psychology and the human mind. I want to know what gets a man to this place where he has nothing but vile hate, and idle threats. How far are the threats from reality, how far is reality from the threat.
Luv for the lovers
silence for the hate
--
Our treasure lies in the beehive of our knowledge. We are perpetually on the way thither, being by nature winged insects and honey gatherers of the mind". -Friedrich Nietzsche
Bending-Chills, I'm glad if it can help in some way--I feel like I should do more than trying to find a real, working email address for Epic, so I just found that site from google. What I was hoping to find was to see if there is a sort of "online" police station that directly deals with issues like this. I go back and forth between wanting to simply forget about the whole thing or persisting till whoever it is gets stopped before actually doing real harm.
Malique, I'm glad to be able to lighten up all this a bit
Your cute phrases like "holy catfight!" always make me giggle!
--
"vibracatholiquefixion"
roxvelt! you are so funny! I was lol-ing when i read this about the bracelet! couldn't stop thinking of lindsay lohan! hahahahaha! yeah, the guy is pissed cause he was "escorted" away from the show. hihihihi
--
It's just a thought, you don't have to agree with it!
Roxvelt, you ROCK. By using that link I was able to find a state statute that should allow me to add another complaint to my initial report. I am deeply thankful.
--
"So now you're off, you're gonna see America.
Well, let me tell you something about America...".
How reassuring. So nice to live in a state where creeps and Christian fundamentalists co-exist so well. I found this website: http://www.haltabuse.org which addresses online harassment and lists some resources. I don't think this person poses a real threat to anyone--the difficulty in tracking down anyone which is part of why he's gotten away with so much nonsense this far, is also what protects the rest of us. And realistically, people from all over the world use this site, and this twerp can't be everywhere--I bet he wears an ankle bracelet. (A mental case like him must have already gotten himself in trouble with the unfortunate people in his unfortunate surroundings.)
--
"vibracatholiquefixion"
Well, he should definitely be called John, not Brandon, as John is his name, to the best of my knowledge, and he is from Florida and goes to Meet & Greets there (Or tried to) also had Platinum tix to one of the FL shows and was lovingly escorted away... so that's where one would start, if one were to report this to the police.
And that was a classic moment, indeed.
--
On the other side of the galaxy
Yes, I mentioned to someone my having to go make a report and how this individual doesn't believe in rape. He looked me dead in the eye and said, well when they put him in prison he will.
It was a classic moment.
--
"So now you're off, you're gonna see America.
Well, let me tell you something about America...".
go to the police, i would if i were you, but here in croatia, i can't, so go and report. they can track him down like instantly. i dated a policeman
and i hope he spends some time in the jail where he can be someone's b****. kiss kiss!
--
It's just a thought, you don't have to agree with it!
ajtcl, I pray to the gods that nothing happens to you. That might sound a tad melodramatic, but if this sicko decides he actually wants to do any of what he's writing then I'm worried.
I have emailed Sony with a copy of the horrendous PMs and if I get any more I think I'll go to the police here. I don't know what they can do from so far away, but it's worth a try.
Peace everyone, and I hope you all remain safe.
Well, guys and gals, your magicmonkey is emailing everyone about how he wants to do various things to specific people. I am starting to think that Brandon has nothing better to do than send hateful messages to strangers.
Anyway, he's legally digging himself a paper-trail hole. It is not impossible to find him. And now that he's emailing everyone... This could be considered a hate crime in the eyes of the FBI.
I am forwarding any text I receive from Brandon to the local authorities here. I'm not worried at all about this guy. And to be honest... I'm very public and not too awful hard to find. So... if I wind up dead or what ever... This will serve as a written record of what has transpired.
I think we should certainly contact SONY and any other affiliates with this site collectively. What this person is doing is a federal crime and is certainly punishable under hate crime and harassment laws.
Best regards to you all.
--
"Cut it again!"
- Tori...
and yet MS you are posting on it. what does that make you feel?
--
It's just a thought, you don't have to agree with it!
I still have a good heart I just think it's time this thread be done with unless this "troll" you speak of comes around again. I haven't seen any trolling lately.
As far as being sad goes, I think that making columns or doing whatever psychological garbage you might suggest will only do more damage than help. Sometimes people just need to grieve or simply allow their emotions to run their course. You can't run around all the time with a smiling constantly and if you do you're probably faking it.
This thread is worse than any fabricated trolling I've ever seen. Nice work!
--
Uniform thinkers are followers never leaders. Stand up, take a stand, and rise above!
I'm so sad that this forum has turned into something this bad
There used to be only nice people in here with good hearts, and then these trolls come and upset everyone.. BC and Caz, I support you in every way, and I cross my fingers that this forum will soon become as good and pleasant is it used to!
Love, AH
--
"Excuse me, but can I be you for a while? My dog won't bite if you sit real still"
OMG Caz,
I read that and can not believe that someone would be so heinous. It is people like that who really mess things up for everyone who comes here for the joy of discussing Tori. I hope you and BC will not let this jerk get into your heads.
Just be alert, and always aware of your surroundings. People like this are unpredictable. If possible, stay close to your friends. People are generally more safe in groups of their peers.
Take care.
--
"Cut it again!"
- Tori...
This world DOES NOT SUCK. The good in it still outweighs the bad by a huge proportion. Look at all the good folks on this board. You can't let one person's bad opinions get you down. It happens far too often that a person can have a great day and then ONE bad thing happens and there day becomes bad. In times of stress I take out a piece of paper and make two columns. One good, one bad. Then I list things in my life that fall under each heading. Invariably you will see that the good outweighs the bad. If it doesn't, then I refer to the line in The Shawshank Redemption, "Get busy living, or get busy dying." To me that means get busy making the changes to positively move forward with your life. It is YOUR life, not anyone elses. Peace.
--
The sexiest thing is trust.
Oh Bending! I am with you on this, report the sad guy. He or she is really sad. I mean what a moron! wish that somebody gets cancer? like duh! i am sure this sicko reads the posts. and our reactions to it. i think he or she is just sad. what has gone wrong to enjoy this kind of perversity. our world sucks, i hope we get hit by a comet soon.
--
It's just a thought, you don't have to agree with it!
I think it's a real pity that it is on Tori's official site, where people are suffering all this abuse. Not only is it hurtful to those who have received it, this kind of thing is also disrespectful of Tori. This behavior does not become anyone, and to have to put up with it on a site that supposedly has an administrator is unacceptable.
Get your act together Sony!!!!
I think it's terrible that anyone has had to put up with this crap. On one hand, I can't help thinking he's just some powerless, disturbed kid who gets a rise out of harassing people with assinine obscenities, on the other hand, sometimes these are the people who show up on the news. I would expect this kind of thing on some place like IRC, but then again, at least on IRC, even though they're "unofficial" chat sites, you can usually count on a moderator being there to get rid of vermin. Some people have mentioned this site will probably be closed at the end of the ADP tour, and maybe it's for the best if people can't come here without feeling harassed. It's really sad, but I suppose there are other forums/chat sites that *do* have moderators to make it a safe place to socialize.
--
"vibracatholiquefixion"
BC, yes if the admin here doesn't act on this, I think it's going far enough to where someone who will do something about should know. From what I've read on other threads he's shown up at a show before and caused trouble. It's just unacceptable here, no one should have to deal with this. Cloudonmytongue, I do think most of us come here because we're drawn by Tori's music, but as in most other situations, it just takes one little creep to screw it up. It's kind of hard to ignore completely when people are being harassed directly through messaging, so even though he probably gets off on negative attention, I'm not sure we can just keep quiet about it, or that we should have to--Epic or Sony or whoever runs this site should do something about it. I don't know what else to think.
--
"vibracatholiquefixion"
Thank you.
--
"So now you're off, you're gonna see America.
Well, let me tell you something about America...".
Good on you BC! You have my support!
I know roxvelt, that's my point. Of course Sony are a huge company, and probably don't want to be bothered having a full-time administrator sitting there all day, just looking at what people have posted here. But couldn't they have some kind of filter, better than the one they have now? You can see that the filter stopped a lot of the swear words, but the whole context got through.
I'm not a computer expert by any means, so I have no idea how this would work, but surely there is some better way of stopping all this awfulness. As I wrote before, the vast majority of members are here because they love Tori. Maybe we should focus on that more. Perhaps if we do ignore the nasty people they will give up?
Am I just being hopeful?!
I've decided it is time to contact he authorities. I don't know what is anything they can do about it, but it is time to try. These are some of my recent PM's:
Read message
From: not_david_bowie
To: Bending-Chills
Subject: this site has problems
Date: Wed, 11/28/2007 - 11:43
you are one dead c***, after i first rape you, then strangle you.
Read message
From: tori_so_awesome
To: Bending-Chills
Subject: unreal tori fans!
Date: Mon, 11/26/2007 - 16:12
you need to have your clitoris cut off and your vaginal lips burnt off, then you should be raped witha broom handle, then strangled slowly, then raped again, then burned. your mom too, shesa f***ing whore
Read message
From: tori_so_awesome
To: Bending-Chills
Subject: trolls suck!
Date: Mon, 11/26/2007 - 16:27
but so do you, c*** whore. die in agony b****, die, get cancer. get raped. seriously
--
"So now you're off, you're gonna see America.
Well, let me tell you something about America...".
Cloudonmytongue, those are some foul things to have to read, and I just think of all places, why on this website, which is supposed to be the official site, are people having to tolerate it? I know the record label/web admin have a disclaimer when we register that pretty much washes their hands of anything that gets posted, but it's just ridiculous. But it's useful to remember that this maggot is totally powerless to do anything to anyone, it's disgusting stuff to read, but no one should let it get to you. Someone else on another thread suggested showing a copy of it to the police, at least to have it on record. Vaguely reminds me of the disturbed kid at Virginia Tech and the gross, 3rd-grade-reading-level "plays" he wrote for his drama class.
--
"vibracatholiquefixion"