Welcome to DU! The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards. Join the community: Create a free account Support DU (and get rid of ads!): Become a Star Member All Forums Issue Forums Culture Forums Alliance Forums Region Forums Support Forums Help & Search

General Discussion

Showing Original Post only (View all)

phantom power

(25,966 posts)
Thu Aug 1, 2013, 02:40 PM Aug 2013

Misogynist Trolls Have An Agenda, And It’s Not Lulz [View all]

I’d like to recommend a couple of interesting pieces by Paul Mason and Lindy West, who have a point that I think bears stressing: Trolls are real people and they have an agenda outside of some vague “need for attention”. They are misogynists, and as I said during the CONvergence panel on this subject, it’s important to understand that misogynists believe they are in the right. Indeed, they are incredibly dogged and self-righteous, as Mason found out when he first decided to explore online misogyny—they get really mad when you do this, by the way, because part of their self-righteous worldview includes a belief that they should be able to push their agenda without being examined or questioned too closely.

...

Of course, Mason interviews the guys who claim they’re just in it for the “lulz” and discovers to no one’s great surprise that actually, these trolls have deep hatred and resentment of women and actually do take the mission to silence women very, very seriously. They just can’t quite admit that to themselves, because part of the identity of the misogynist is to deny that he is a misogynist—he loves women as long as they know they are subhuman sex/reproduction appliances put here to serve, so how can he hate women?!—so the amount of rationalization that goes on is astounding.

...

The seething rage on display from so many men (and their female supporters) all the time on the internet is educational; it makes it much harder to hand wave and pretend that rape and sexual harassment are a matter of miscommunication, that anti-choice sentiment is a result of some kind of affection for “life”, and that women’s failure to reach economic and social equality is a matter of women’s failures instead of widespread sentiment that women don’t deserve said equality. Seeing the livid rage of devoted Republican voters at the very existence of independent women sharing their thoughts and opinions online makes it very difficult indeed to see Republican policies that hurt women as being merely coincidental. So this shit matters.

..

West is right; it’s time to stop thinking of trolls as idiots who are just seeking attention, and see them for what they are: Misogynists with a political agenda. These are men that absolutely do not want to live in a society where women are treated equally, and they are obsessed with silencing the women online whose writings they rightfully fear are going to help push society in a more feminist direction. They want to harass feminists into silence. If we keep this understanding front and center and discard useless theories about “attention-seeking” or “lulz”, we can begin to have a more productive conversation about what the hell to do about the problem.

http://www.rawstory.com/rs/2013/08/01/misogynist-trolls-have-an-agenda-and-its-not-lulz/
182 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
Highlight: NoneDon't highlight anything 5 newestHighlight 5 most recent replies
I think that's probably right GiaGiovanni Aug 2013 #1
Very well said BrotherIvan Aug 2013 #2
That very thing happened here on DU when two of my favorite posters were chased away LanternWaste Aug 2013 #3
Oh, please. Pab Sungenis Aug 2013 #4
Here on DU there are plenty of misogynists of just the sort this article describes. Squinch Aug 2013 #5
Seriously? There are plenty of established posters liberalhistorian Aug 2013 #7
Ya think? QuestForSense Aug 2013 #8
Very well said. Standing ovation here. Whisp Aug 2013 #14
Nicely said. Squinch Aug 2013 #19
Links, please. Pab Sungenis Aug 2013 #23
I'm guessing you're in for a loooong wait.. opiate69 Aug 2013 #28
:snort: so you can tell us how that's not really misogynist, and we are being oversensitive, and Scout Aug 2013 #31
This message was self-deleted by its author Warren DeMontague Aug 2013 #34
M is for..... opiate69 Aug 2013 #35
You act like an innocent noob who never set foot into meta, boston bean Aug 2013 #134
This message was self-deleted by its author Warren DeMontague Aug 2013 #136
And you had nothing to do with it. LOL boston bean Aug 2013 #137
Fetch them your self. If you haven't read all those statement here multiple times, then you weren't bettyellen Aug 2013 #49
Then you should be able to provide them. Pab Sungenis Aug 2013 #59
And you could find them your own damned self, if you were truly interested. LOL. bettyellen Aug 2013 #67
I'm not the one making the accusation. Pab Sungenis Aug 2013 #74
No one here is actually required to find links for you. We are discussing something we have seen bettyellen Aug 2013 #79
And if you use what you think you've seen as an excuse to attack all men Pab Sungenis Aug 2013 #92
This makes little sense. But no, I am not searching for jack shit for you. Thought I made that clear bettyellen Aug 2013 #96
I don't give a shit. Pab Sungenis Aug 2013 #101
You can't always get what you want. bettyellen Aug 2013 #107
Misandry is tolerated? Well now I wonder if YOU will provide links supporting YOUR claim? Nine Aug 2013 #112
The way I'm being treated in this thread is a good example. Pab Sungenis Aug 2013 #119
THESE are your examples of misandry? Nine Aug 2013 #125
The first one isn't "misandry" treestar Aug 2013 #151
I'm pretty sure if the mirror statement was made about women it would be labeled as misogyny Major Nikon Aug 2013 #158
I was gonna ask the same thing hfojvt Aug 2013 #120
How many thousands do you want? Major Nikon Aug 2013 #141
You attack all men, is the accusation. Well, I know you don't. boston bean Aug 2013 #94
is that what Pab was trying to say? LOL, I needed that translation! bettyellen Aug 2013 #100
Don't you have to get links to prove the assertion in your last sentence? treestar Aug 2013 #149
you may not know this hfojvt Aug 2013 #87
I rarely read gun threads, so I would refrain from telling people what goes on in gun threads.... bettyellen Aug 2013 #93
I think he is right on hfojvt Aug 2013 #111
wow, way to go, privileged white dude. we are so sorry that you need to be exposed to other bettyellen Aug 2013 #117
so you won't provide the requested evidence hfojvt Aug 2013 #122
that white privilege exists! bettyellen Aug 2013 #123
Notice also the obvious "privilege" conflations Major Nikon Aug 2013 #159
There is currently a thread BainsBane Aug 2013 #65
So rude comments do not rise to the level of violence? ProudToBeBlueInRhody Aug 2013 #128
No, they most certainly do not BainsBane Aug 2013 #130
Pab Sungenis... theHandpuppet Aug 2013 #140
yep. bettyellen Aug 2013 #164
Here's the really sad part Major Nikon Aug 2013 #143
Sigh theHandpuppet Aug 2013 #144
It was a bit wordy, so I didn't read much of it Major Nikon Aug 2013 #154
Heh. (nt) Inkfreak Aug 2013 #147
You didn't realize we do spend all day in public - in the market , LOL? And you have no clue what it bettyellen Aug 2013 #165
"you have no clue" Major Nikon Aug 2013 #170
Oh dear, you assume cooking makes you understand what women's lives are like, LOL. bettyellen Aug 2013 #173
I'm just pointing out how your obvious display of sexism was dead wrong Major Nikon Aug 2013 #174
I live in New Orleans. Going to the Market is a normal thing. Katashi_itto Nov 2013 #181
Great post. nt raccoon Aug 2013 #24
+100000 JustAnotherGen Aug 2013 #26
Well said. Their agenda in obvious. nt sufrommich Aug 2013 #27
Yep. People have to be pretty blind not to see that those types are around here. (nt) Posteritatis Aug 2013 #40
Thank you. Most of us have run into at least one of those Warpy Aug 2013 #51
There are a few BainsBane Aug 2013 #64
That's bullshit the two posters mentioned were bullied and called out constantly even Arcanetrance Aug 2013 #11
More of a problem of misandry? That's horseshit. Gormy Cuss Aug 2013 #13
lol Sheldon Cooper Aug 2013 #15
this is akin to people claiming that gay people have too much control of du. nt La Lioness Priyanka Aug 2013 #16
Oh jeez, menz complaining about the poor oppresssed menz. nt geek tragedy Aug 2013 #18
+1000 Katashi_itto Aug 2013 #20
Ridic. Starry Messenger Aug 2013 #62
Exhibit A! Thank you! WinkyDink Aug 2013 #89
As long as people are still asking, "what was the rape victim wearing?" LanternWaste Aug 2013 #124
Agree Katashi_itto Nov 2013 #182
This message was self-deleted by its author Warren DeMontague Aug 2013 #6
Does the little boy group still exists? trumad Aug 2013 #9
This message was self-deleted by its author Warren DeMontague Aug 2013 #10
I rest my case. Pab Sungenis Aug 2013 #22
And by "a long time", you mean five minutes ago ProudToBeBlueInRhody Aug 2013 #129
shit...I put the little boys group on ignore trumad Aug 2013 #132
Don't even know what you are talking about ProudToBeBlueInRhody Aug 2013 #150
then you don't know much. bettyellen Aug 2013 #162
I guess you don't know what a poll is. ProudToBeBlueInRhody Aug 2013 #179
Both Redqueen and Seabeyond were very active sufrommich Aug 2013 #32
This message was self-deleted by its author Warren DeMontague Aug 2013 #33
matter of fact they were both active all over DU. Tuesday Afternoon Aug 2013 #55
They chased them away and are still high-fiving each other over it. Sheldon Cooper Aug 2013 #17
This message was self-deleted by its author Warren DeMontague Aug 2013 #21
That place was a wonderful, beautiful, cluster fuck The Straight Story Aug 2013 #29
This message was self-deleted by its author Warren DeMontague Aug 2013 #50
I really don't think that is what chased those two away. The dissolving of Meta. Tuesday Afternoon Aug 2013 #36
All I have to go on are my keen skills as an observer of human nature. Warren DeMontague Aug 2013 #37
oh yeah, for reals that ... but, I was speaking to the other thing but, you know Tuesday Afternoon Aug 2013 #38
also, having interacted with those guys over the years, I might speculate that maybe, just maybe Warren DeMontague Aug 2013 #39
me too, Warren, me too. it is -just- a message board after all. Tuesday Afternoon Aug 2013 #42
Or a magnifying glass on the sunnier days... (nt) Posteritatis Aug 2013 #44
fried, yep. Tuesday Afternoon Aug 2013 #46
There always was, I think, but that did affect it Posteritatis Aug 2013 #43
I don't claim to have solution but, I recognize the problem. Tuesday Afternoon Aug 2013 #47
If you are talking mstinamotorcity2 Aug 2013 #156
Who got chased away? dkf Aug 2013 #176
K & R historylovr Aug 2013 #12
Sounds like Mason and West got trolled by the pros. Decoy of Fenris Aug 2013 #25
except too many women haters give themselves away. they arent nearly as smart as bettyellen Aug 2013 #52
Except they're not particularly "women haters". They just say things to piss folks off. Decoy of Fenris Aug 2013 #61
Trust me, there are too many of them in real life to think this is just bettyellen Aug 2013 #69
I never said there weren't such folks in real life. Decoy of Fenris Aug 2013 #73
I can't see how someone who really, really thinks of women as equals... LisaLynne Aug 2013 #75
Then you've missed a generation or two. Decoy of Fenris Aug 2013 #80
I've missed nothing. LisaLynne Aug 2013 #82
I've read the article, and I've done similar to what's in it. Decoy of Fenris Aug 2013 #91
IF you did all that and you think it was just for fun, you are fooling yourself. LisaLynne Aug 2013 #95
I already have, and I am pleased. Decoy of Fenris Aug 2013 #106
ha ha, first "you know people", now you are one of them... is that the fun "evil" trolling bettyellen Aug 2013 #104
I -was- one of them. Feels like a lifetime ago, though it was only a few years. n/t Decoy of Fenris Aug 2013 #115
Not beating their female partners is a tellingly low standard. I'm guessing the cars are nice and bettyellen Aug 2013 #83
Yeah, and I think the age thing may be coming into play here. LisaLynne Aug 2013 #85
Exactly- and any troll that picks on women as a specialty does have an axe to grind.... bettyellen Aug 2013 #90
And a nice little shield to hide behind. LisaLynne Aug 2013 #97
I've met a few too. And they weren't the angels you describe. And they are asses in bettyellen Aug 2013 #78
Oh, assholes are assholes, no doubt there. Decoy of Fenris Aug 2013 #81
what you don't get is that a decent percentage of those acting hateful on the net really are. bettyellen Aug 2013 #86
I don't "Excuse" anything. I understand it. Decoy of Fenris Aug 2013 #102
why do you refer to "them" when you admit here, it is you too? bettyellen Aug 2013 #105
I retired, so to speak. Decoy of Fenris Aug 2013 #108
Out of your depth here too. Goodbye and very good riddance. bettyellen Aug 2013 #110
Hardly. This is a kiddie pool in comparison. Decoy of Fenris Aug 2013 #114
In this subthread your descriptions of LULZers align with many traits of sociopaths. Gormy Cuss Aug 2013 #138
I noticed that too. bettyellen Aug 2013 #163
Or the other option is that these people are sad troglodytes that Dash87 Aug 2013 #148
and sometimes there are groups on the opposite quinnox Aug 2013 #30
So what? Posteritatis Aug 2013 #41
Bravo- all this BS about a few outliers. Thanks for laying it out clearly. bettyellen Aug 2013 #53
Kick & recommended. William769 Aug 2013 #45
According to this article, "abuse" = "gentle condescenscion laden with malice" Warren DeMontague Aug 2013 #48
Did something get mercuryblues Aug 2013 #58
Right. Warren DeMontague Aug 2013 #60
yup mercuryblues Aug 2013 #66
you're post was wrong, and is now corrected. perhaps if you didn't post bulllshit.... bettyellen Aug 2013 #68
It's quite common for them to cherry pick, and then claim others can't understand context. boston bean Aug 2013 #135
It does mercuryblues Aug 2013 #160
It is really bad when a Misoygnist Troll is a female. Tuesday Afternoon Aug 2013 #54
Meh. A tempest in a blog post. But still a chance for some to get their jollies. Oh, well. Comrade Grumpy Aug 2013 #56
Thanks for this demonstration... Z_I_Peevey Aug 2013 #57
k&r Starry Messenger Aug 2013 #63
One poster still can't help himself in this thread. boston bean Aug 2013 #70
Derp Major Nikon Aug 2013 #71
This message was self-deleted by its author JTFrog Aug 2013 #72
I assume you're talking about me. Pab Sungenis Aug 2013 #76
Always interesting when the responses to these types of articles MadrasT Aug 2013 #77
Only in the eyes of Pab Sungenis Aug 2013 #98
This message was self-deleted by its author JTFrog Aug 2013 #116
Yep. just look at the response to you. boston bean Aug 2013 #103
Who is berating women? Pab Sungenis Aug 2013 #113
Here and pretty much anywhere else they're discussed Posteritatis Aug 2013 #121
To paraphrase the Immortal Dr. Seuss: Warren DeMontague Aug 2013 #131
These threads certainly do bring you out. That's for sure! boston bean Aug 2013 #133
I found this part of the article to be really interesting: LisaLynne Aug 2013 #84
^^^^ yes.^^^^ Tuesday Afternoon Aug 2013 #99
it's not painful- it;s just to frightening to think they'd have to go up against their more bullying bettyellen Aug 2013 #109
Power has never wanted to share. Ever. If these men could eliminate all women, they'd turn on each WinkyDink Aug 2013 #88
they would turn on the more vulnerable- chicken shits do that. bettyellen Aug 2013 #118
Amen. WinkyDink Aug 2013 #146
This thread is a good example of why they do it LittleBlue Aug 2013 #126
You have described the antics of those two "feminists" so well. Good job. nt msanthrope Aug 2013 #142
exactly... and the concerted effort some are engaged in... opiate69 Aug 2013 #145
I think they gave as good as they got. The idea that they were victims, as opposed to willing msanthrope Aug 2013 #152
+1 Major Nikon Aug 2013 #157
Interesting that so many on this thread think they know which two posters were referenced. Gormy Cuss Aug 2013 #166
well, their names are mentioned earlier in this thread but, Tuesday Afternoon Aug 2013 #167
And as one of the study authors pointed out, "Ignore" is not my friend. Gormy Cuss Aug 2013 #168
Yes, you are right and it is a shame that subthreads developed because their names were Tuesday Afternoon Aug 2013 #169
Seems to have coincided with improvements to GD LittleBlue Aug 2013 #171
Yes but, you realize that you are admitting that there are, indeed Trolls when you say this: Tuesday Afternoon Aug 2013 #172
And I would suggest that you consider that those two weren't the subject of this thread Gormy Cuss Aug 2013 #175
They live on dating site forums. knitter4democracy Aug 2013 #127
It has taken me far too long in life to understand me b zola Aug 2013 #139
Intersting this thread is still going. Just Saying Aug 2013 #153
good read inspiraven Aug 2013 #155
Women should be seen and not heard. They need to STFU and stay in the kitchen and the bedroom Zorra Aug 2013 #161
What does lulz mean? roody Aug 2013 #177
"lulz" == "laughs" phantom power Aug 2013 #178
Kicked & Recommended In_The_Wind Aug 2013 #180
Latest Discussions»General Discussion»Misogynist Trolls Have An...