Are we bullies and trolls when we go online?

Gabe said it first.

Bullying is a form of aggressive behavior manifested by the use of force or coercion to affect others, particularly when the behavior is habitual and involves an imbalance of power. It can include verbal harassment, physical assault or coercion and may be directed repeatedly towards particular victims, perhaps on grounds of race, religion, gender, sexuality, or ability.[2][3] The "imbalance of power" may be social power and/or physical power. The victim of bullying is sometimes referred to as a "target".

Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bullying

I do suppose that someone coming to a forum that is dedicated to "One Man's Analysis of Alcoholics Anonymous and Substance Misuse Recovery Programs, and Real Recovery" and insisting that AA is the "only" or "best" way to handle addiction, that they would be considered a "bully" in this context.

In Internet slang, a troll is someone who posts inflammatory,[2] extraneous, or off-topic messages in an online community, such as an online discussion forum, chat room, or blog, with the primary intent of provoking readers into an emotional response[3] or of otherwise disrupting normal on-topic discussion.[4] The noun troll may refer to the provocative message itself, as in: "That was an excellent troll you posted."

Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Internet_troll

In the case of a "bully" that continued to come to a site dedicated to "One Man's Analysis of Alcoholics Anonymous and Substance Misuse Recovery Programs, and Real Recovery." after being banned at least once, I would agree in your conclusion that these people are both bullies and trolls.

If you read more about these actual trolling events, the "griefers" for example, and the man mentioned who was arrested in the UK, they aren't just expressing their opinions. They're setting up multiple anonymous accounts for the express purpose of tormenting people anonymously online by mocking the actual opinions of those expressing more heartfelt emotions. That is a rough definition of an internet troll, and one that is more than accurate when it comes to the activities on this forum of "Trisha K.", to say the least.

I found that this article contains quite a few useful links on the RIP trolls (griefers), not to mention the idiotic defenses put forth by them to justify their web activities:
http://gawker.com/5868503/why-people-troll-dead-kids-on-facebook/
I just hope that doesn't encourage the trolls here even more than they already are....

He sets up a thread that criticises his own actions...lol. Priceless.

Oh, pulease. I don't know you Trisha K, but from what I've read of your posts you seem to be pro AA.

So you come on an anti-AA site and post such a ridiculous question? Pot, meet kettle.

about this for awhile now. I am new to blogging. I came on to this forum because I felt a social obligation to participate because of my experience. I was and still am extemely grateful for the work that Orange has done. Along with his work and the help of a couple of other people not even remotely connected to AA or any other recovery group has helped me make a tremendous and wonderful shift in my life. I really don't feel a need personaly to express myself here. But I remember all to clearly what it was like leaving AA for the last time and being absolutely sure that I needed to do so. In retrospect my involvement in AA was indeed making me feel more and more unwell. I had no safety net,no nada. But lo and behold I happened to find this place. A coincidence? I don't know. I don't question this type of stuff. I think that I have mentioned this before but I read alot of Oranges work before even coming on here. I am glad that I did. Because when I started to observe the Forum before posting I noticed this person named Marietta. I said to myself WTF is this person doing here? I was not familiar with the whole Troll deal and that they were internet parasites. I looked it up on Google. All I saw that this person was obviously trying to fuck with people here. I take great offense to this. I mean we are not a garden club discussing flowers here. Peoples lives are indeed at stake. This no exageration. I should know. People who act as trolls represent here represent a much darker side of the human condition. They exploit a very simple social reality on the internet. They do not have be in our physical presence. They wouldn't dare. Because in a normal social situation they would be unwelcome,excluded from our activities even thumped if they persisted! But here they insist even after repeated questions as why they are here? Many bullshit reasons are given by them .People here get pissed sidetracked etc. They do it BECAUSE THEY CAN! People who exibit this type of behavior are as low as you can get. Thieves will break into your house and steal all your things when you are not home. Why? Because they can! A cop can pull you over ,handcuff you and beat the living shit out of you. Why? Because he can! Hitler brainwashed an entire nation and killed millions of fellow human beings. Why? Because he could!! It is a disgusting behavior. Just because we are on a little tiny blog in sea of other ones doen't diminish or excuse their conduct here. If some of you think that this is just a little playground where you feel a need to debate these fools then go ahead. To me they are the enemy. I don't have to explain shit to them!! I made a very distinct choice. I left AA. I don't like AA. I think AA is fucked! AA is dangerous!! Becoming involved with AA was by far the biggest mistake in my adult life. Clara and Fuckit or becket or whatever her name is this week, are cartoons. They are the type of people that would walk into a vegetarian pot luck dinner with a big old plate of greasy pork chops Insisting that people try them.I have been watching you guys talk about sherry in crab bisque for chrissakes!! WTF are you doing?? Quit the milktoast, limp wristed approach That approach is for people still in AA .

Steve,
Great post. I agree that people's life's are @ stake & also the health of their families. AA is insidious & needs to end. Thankfully Orange did all the work he did & his site & forum are available for ex AAers, current AAers who are seeking validation & for current addicts & their families as information, a buyer beware. All ex AAers are no longer part of the problem & by leaving are now part of the solution. Every time a member quits the group, it is one less supporter, promoter & advertiser & unpaid voluntary worker. And it's one more person telling the truth & exposing the insidiousness. One thing about the trolls presence is that they represent the madness of the cult & its members & the creepiness of it all.

And it carries so much more weight because of the obvious thought that has gone behind it. You are definitely a quality rather than quantity poster - maybe something I could learn a little of...lol (There you go Marietta - making it too easy for you...lol)

Is there anything more pathetic than a whinging troll?

No.

"Is there anything more pathetic than a whinging troll?"
"No."

Wouldn't a person who was being fleeced by a pyramid schemer after the Lord's Prayer at an AA meeting in the Florida park filled with vulnerable children be more pathetic that a "whinging troll"?