So where would you put Rush Limbaugh? He was a professional shit-stirrer of the highest magnitude, which also made him a ton of money.
He’s in that category too.
I’m not saying professional trolls are always helpful or good. It varies from case to case. It’s just like comedians that push the envelope… If you say things that shock people, maybe you’re saying something important that people need to hear, or maybe you’re a bigot spreading hate. Details matter.
But Rush was still different than a weirdo lurking on a forum, saying things to rile people up on purpose without any clear gain except a compulsion or sick glee. He did it for fame and money, and it worked.
I’m sure he did more harm than the top hundred worst online trolls combined, but it’s still a different category.
Which category?
or
You said there was a difference, but ISTM Rush was both.
I disagree. I don’t think Rush would be the kind to do his schtick if he wasn’t being paid.
Recall that he was a failed radio DJ who didn’t find success until he was able to set himself up as the voice of the right wing, and even that could only happen after the FCC loosened their rules on political commentary over broadcasts in 1987.
I do think many of his political beliefs were sincere, but he wasn’t the kind of guy who’d be wasting his time if it wasn’t filling his bank account and making him famous.
And how many of the internet trolls believe that if they earn enough internet points, they will get to be the next Rush?
Probably close to zero. A person who wants to be the next Rush isn’t going to post anonymously in some random place anymore than someone who wants to be the next Mariah Carey only sings in the shower.
I didn’t say that they would be successful.
You’re probably right about that.
No, but they might very well practice and hone their craft in front of a smaller audience.
I disagree with your division here. The difference isn’t doing it for professional reasons vs. doing it for their own reasons. It’s doing it to entertain others vs, doing it to deceive them.
I would put Rush in the second category, even if he did do it entirely for money. In his act, at least, Andy Kaufman did it for entertainment purposes.
Holy fuckballs, he’s made an absolute, utter, and unforgivable jerk of himself in the current “Danger Will Robinson” thread about Texas Syphilis explosion. Illegals are apparently all disease vectors and sex workers. OMFG.
I was debating throwing a note in this thread earlier for his absolute fucking smug blindness in the Pit thread about Global Warming excuses for Republicans, but it’s in the pit anyway, although those trying to reason with him are IMHO smashing their faces into a wall of bland entitled smugness as well.
band name
But not a good one.
Reminds me of an old high school buddy who came up with the band name “Sloppy Condoms”.
I could see it as a side project for some of the Butthole Surfers.
Did he ever figure out why all his completely straight and totally not gay friends are always having sex with each other? Was it feminists or pronouns?
I have no idea, and will likely never find out as after that report I put them on ignore. HB is free to find out by fucking themselves, which should give them a new data point at least.
I think I missed that thread! Sounds interesting, in a driving-by-a-car-accident way.
He also complained that this board is too political, but really he’s just too dumb.
If you want to check it out, here it is!
FFS, what a dumbass. I could have gone the rest of my life without reading that and been the happier for it.
Also, I’m a little disappointed. The appropriate response would be, as the kids (used to?) say, “cool story, bro”
Oh my gosh! What a maroon. And, the “gay is a pronoun” is really bizarre.