Tag: trolls

A quick note on how to handle twitter trolls.

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A couple of months ago, I interviewed Janet Street Porter for Tombola. One of the questions I posed was…

You’re no stranger to controversy, particularly on social media networks such as Twitter. Can you give some tips on how you handle the Twitter trolls? 

In which she replied: Ignore them! Don’t block them, just mute them. Don’t get drawn into a conversation with them.

And you know what? It’s really as simple as that.

As time goes by, it becomes easier and easier to ignore such things. Trolls are kind of like unruly teenagers. The more attention they get, the more likely they are to seek it. Ignore them and they quickly lose steam. Clearly, twitter trolls don’t get the attention they crave at home or at work so they take to the internet to seek it.

So ignore them. Use your energies in more positive ways and remember that Steve Jobs quote…

“By the way, what have you done that’s so great? Do you create anything, or just criticize other’s work and belittle their motivations?”

If you’d like to read more about my interview with Janet Street Porter head to Tombola.

A real person, a lot like you.

I was going to write a blog post this evening about work but then I stumbled upon this video by Derek Sivers.

A real person, a lot like you.

It’s a gentle reminder to all of us that at the end of every computer – is a real person.

Something that people may like to remember when they’re leaving nasty comments on blogs or sending emails full of hate.

It’s dehumanizing to have thousands of people passing through our computer screens, so we do things we’d never do if they were sitting next to us. – Derek Sivers

It’s a sad fact that most of us (especially those who write or produce anything online) are used to the fact that there are people out there who will make nasty comments on almost a daily basis. One of my regular writing jobs brings out the same person time and time again. He clearly feels it worth his while reading what’s been published but still takes time out of (what I can only surmise as being very empty) day to leave a comment reminding me how rubbish I am (in his opinion, of course).

Although, this video isn’t really about those nasty little trolls, it is a good reminder in these days of virtual communication it’s more important that ever to start being considerate and to treat people the way we expect to be treated.

And be aware, people will ALWAYS see the negative comments. It could be a stream of 100,0000 messages but that one nasty comment will always stand out.

Think before you send.

Enjoy the video!

A real person, a lot like you from Derek Sivers on Vimeo.

Why not come say hello on facebook or twitter