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Don’t Feed the Trolls — Get Inspired Instead
Turn your anger into excellent content
“So I got into a bit of an argument with someone on the internet today,” I said as a conversation starter at the dinner table.
“Mom, don’t feed the trolls,” my college-aged daughter immediately replied.
“Yes, but this person was using the word “it” to refer to people. That isn’t okay.”
“Mom, never feed the trolls.”
“Yes, but I had some good — “
“Never feed the trolls.”
“Okay, but — “
“Never! Feed! The! Trolls!
She was right of course. Feeding the trolls who trawl the internet looking for things to get outraged about is not a good use of time. They gain energy and satisfaction out of getting others riled up and you end up angry exactly as they intended.
There is another option. When you come across a troll use the frustration you feel bubbling up within you to fuel an excellent article making all the points you would have made to the troll if they were a person capable of being reasoned with.
In this specific instance, I can’t say I’m sorry I engaged. I do not belong to the category of people this troll was calling an “it”. He was commenting in support…
