Which is worse? (Assume — although I acknowledge it may be a stretch — that the trolls in the latter category “aren’t really” racist/sexist/whatever.)
This question, obviously, was brought up by grousing about Internet message boards and comment sections. I’ve always wondered how many of the people saying those things actually believe in what they’re writing.
I’d go with the (hypothetical) troll being the lesser of two evils. They tend to use hyperbole, whether it’s their intent or not, to illuminate the ugliness of the viewpoint. But then, as a troll I am a bit biased.
I am not a troll, but I do admit to desiring to throw out a random racist/sexist line every once in a while for kicks.
I don’t actually believe any of it, but I do have this belief that the US has too much of a I-love-to-be-offended culture and high-horse mentality that just begs for it. So many of the self-appointed racism/sexism crusaders are wound up so tight it is just somewhat satisfying to see them get frothy at the mouth.
This kind of trolling is best done when there is a whole thread of mostly hand holding agreement and the troll just throws a turd on the table. There is not much real discussion or debate going on, so liven up the discussion.
The opposite to that is the line after line of racist garbage on youtube that is just worthless and stupid.
On the internet, they’re functionally identical.
I vote troll as worse because it’s entirely possible to be racist/sexist/whatever through ignorance and therefore it is possible to improve people like that. Trolls are intentionally and voluntarily seeking to anger others and stir up trouble. That’s malignant.
“You are what you pretend to be, so be careful about who you pretend to be.”
– Kurt Vonnegut, from Mother Night