Slashdot Mirror
New Campaign Features Internet Trolls On Roadside Billboards (bbc.com)
An anonymous reader writes: A campaign taking shape in Brazil seeks to fight online harassment in an unusual way: by posting the abusive comments on real billboards. "The group collects comments from Facebook or Twitter and uses geolocation tools to find out where the people who have posted them live. They then buy billboard space nearby and post the comments in huge letters, although names and photos are pixelated." Brazil has laws prohibiting racial abuse, but this group doesn't think the government is doing enough to stop it. The campaign's founder said, "Those people [who post abuse online] think they can sit in the comfort of their homes and do whatever they want on the internet. We don't let that happen. They can't hide from us, we will find them."
Remember kids its okay to dox someone if you are doing it for the right reasons.
I wonder how members of this group would react if people start posting their comments anonymous or otherwise without context.
I have no problem with what they are doing. I don't believe at all in any of this PC safe space bullshit. I just hope these folks realize that what they are doing is abusive in its own way. I don't challenge their right legally ( I have not idea what the rules are in their country) or morally to do this. They should understand though that its not likely to escalate rather than deescalate the discourse and its going to make their group and its members targets. The people they are calling out as trolls will probably respond by doing what trolls do, more trolling. As long as they understand by doing this that they have it coming and don't go crying to 'mommy government' best of luck to them.
Repeal the 17th Amendment TODAY! Also Please Read http://www.gnu.org/philosophy/right-to-read.html
This is supposed to be shameful? I'd be damn proud I'd one of my trolls made it on this billboard. That's like the ultimate goal for a troll like me - getting as many eyeballs on my message and as much attention as possible.
Next time I go to Brazil, I'll think of this campaign and take my shot at fame with a good troll or two.
Sincerely,
AC
Why do people continue to use the word "troll" to describe every offensive thing they see on the Internet? Trolling means you are looking to provoke a reaction by making comments designed just to get a reaction. Some people post offensive things that they actually believe in. They aren't looking for a reaction, but posting what they really think. Those aren't "trolls", they are just offensive people.
The meaning of trolling has changed now from "pretending to take an inflammatory stance on a subject with the intent of pissing people off" to "offending people".
But you're right in that whichever definition you use, this seems like a bad idea. If the "troll" fits in the traditional definition, they've basically won the game by getting someone so riled up that they took out an entire billboard about it and put their comment in a kind of hall of fame. If they fit the modernized definition and actually believe their own nonsense, they'll probably be happy to see their comments reaching a wider audience.
Best case it might raise awareness in parents in the sense of them seeing it and thinking "that's terrible! I wonder what timmy posts online?" and maybe looking at their kids comment history for once.