Right off the bat, I want to announce that I in no way am approving of Trolling. It's not cool for real. Also, I want to say that I'm not whining. This isn't a hate article. Like the teaser says, it's a memoir.
I remember back in like...oh, let's say late '90s. I was growing up like any other kid, except for the fact that I was probably more conceited than most. I spent my afternoons slaving over a hot Super Nintendo. I begged my parents to take me to Blockbuster, especially on Tuesdays for the Two-for-Tuesdays buy-one-get-one deal. I was a chubby, happy, imaginative little kid. Why am I telling you this? Well if you'd shut up and read a bit more, you'd find out.
It wasn't until a few years ago that I was allowed the privilege of internet-dom. No it wasn't because of my parents, I've been an adult for quite a while now. Fooled ya! No, the economy sucks, and I blame nobody, so that's the reason why. Anyway, you should know by now that a computer can change somebody's life. The computer gives you access to good, evil, and everything gray in between at just the click of a mouse. You double-click on the Firefox logo and BAM! you have access to everything and anywhere. I mean, are you freaking kidding me? I can Google anything I can think of and find it? We are living better than all the greatest kings and rulers of all time, simply because of computers and technology.
So the question is, what are YOU doing with this amazing gift? The internet is basically a super power that everybody has. It's like if everybody on Earth could fly like Superman. You just think happy thoughts and off you go, faster than a speeding bullet. Well, that's the internet for you. Type what's on your mind in that search bar and off you go, faster than a speeding anything.
Do you want the short answer, or the complicated answer?
Here on CBM, quite a bit of us are aspiring to be reporters and whatnot. We post articles about comic books being turned into movies. A simple premise, but why do we do it? I know, I'm asking a lot of questions, but I'm getting to a point. Geez, you sound like my ex.
Recently, you could not fail to notice the inclusion of the "troll badges" next to certain members' names on the articles. These members have been endowed with a tag, not unlike the Jewish Star posted obviously for all to see, that says they have screwed up. While hilarious at times, these members can sometimes be called Trolls. Hell, you'll probably see one on THIS article. Surprised? No, probably not. Well...
What is a Troll? I'm not going to capitalize the word anymore, because I'm going to be using it a lot.
If you Google the word 'troll', it will give you this definition.
~A mythical, cave-dwelling being depicted in folklore as either a giant or a dwarf, typically having a very ugly appearance.~
Can you imagine some of your favorite CBM users as a ugly monster in a cave? Surprise! That's why they are called "trolls". The act of trolling turns you into something that's not much different than the Google definition: an ugly giant or dwarf in your "cave" (computer room, etc), having an ugly appearance. Basically, trolling = you suck.
Just search around the articles, and you will find instances where users have long and drawn out arguments. I won't say any names, but some users even threaten others! There's a troll badge for that too. But why?! Why all the hub bub? Why all the drama? I am sorry to say my friends, but there are trolls all around us.
And that makes me feel like this:
And it makes me want to say this:
Back before computers and the internet started being popular, which wasn't long ago, things were easier. You COULDN'T troll. You just had to be a jerk in real life, which would get you punched in the face. But NOOOOOOOOOOOOO, now we have to deal with ass-clowns on this website who think it's funny. And to some extent, it is, but not for long. Come on, what's the worth in it? Why? It just starts drama, and everybody loves drama, but it's not needed.
To all the trolls of CBM:
We love our trolls at CBM though. We have to until you REAAALLY mess up, then you get banned. :)
As a show of good faith, please check out this article.
http://www.comicbookmovie.com/fan_fic/news/?a=47723
I found it very amusing. By the way, I will be writing another memoir like this, probably with a different structure though. It will be about something very different than this, but quite similar.
I believe that someone may be staging a coup here on our website, and I plan to expose who it is! Until next time, fellow members. Same Bat time, same Bat channel.