Jack Ludtke
Business Manager
Dear Internet Trolls,
Hey You
Yeah, I’m talking to you.
You, who maybe just went on to YouTube to leave your criticism of last night’s award show, under your hilarious username. You, who just went on a legitimate local news website (the Patch?) and harassed some poor beat reporter with your grammar critiques or blatently belligerent comment under names like “NC Citizen” and “Concerned Parent.”
I’m writing to you to say that this has to stop. Now.
Just to clarify, I’m not saying that you shouldn’t express your views; far from it. Free speech is a right that this country values, and it has helped make America the great country it is today. Expressing your opinions is simply not what we “non-trolls” are frustrated about.
But the truth is your trolling (or commenting on internet content anonymously) is hurting every internet user. Knee-jerk reaction posts pollute the internet with opinions and assertions that are a. often false and b. intentionally hurtful. When combined with anonymity, your posts become some of the most cowardly things that this modern age can produce.
The ability of being able to say whatever is on your mind, while not being identified, does not give you the right to plaster your opinions on every newsfeed and blog post. Every responsible adult in the world knows that you should always think before you speak, and you shouldn’t be the exception. You are not being cool or funny, nor “telling it like it is.” You are simply being a coward. Furthermore, you are not giving anybody the opportunity to respond to you directly, gutlessly lashing out without fear of disapproval or retribution.
You are simply taking the easy way out by not having anybody know and, therefore, possibly think less of you. Trolls ultimately hold their own personal reputation above their own thoughts, which, although annoying, is also sad. Whenever you do it, Mister or Madam Troll, you are expressing what low confidence you have in yourself and how much sway public opinion has over your actions, which ultimately shows how dependent you are on reputation.
All of this being said, it is not too late for you. Even if you post the nastiest things about your friends using a fake Twitter account, or lambast high school kids on local news pages, or spread pugnacious and superfluous thoughts, there is still time to change. All you have to do is muster the courage to express your opinions and to post online with your name – your full name – therefore standing up and declaring that yes, you said something and are sticking to it. If you aren’t confident about what people will think about one of your posts, then take a second or two to think over the full implications of what you are saying and if you truly believe in it.
Consider this your intervention. You have been warned. There are tens of millions of blowhards out there too scared to stand up for what they think is right. I’m asking you to just take that step, be a little more courageous, and to put yourself out there when posting. Then, maybe, we can get to work on solving some problems rather than creating them.
Your Friend,
Jack Ludtke
