Over the last week, a few people online have been less than kind to me.
I wrote a list of suggestions for changes in the NFL, which actually spurred a lot of good discussion, but one reader on Facebook commented, “Useless list.”
Nothing more.
Another reader scolded me on Facebook for a post about how much I can’t stand the “Don’t yuck someone’s yum” admonition, telling me what I know and what I should know.
One of those silly, “Matt, you should know better, and you do know better” arguments, which are so pointless.
I also received an email from someone explaining to me how the measles vaccine is unnecessary, and I am a member of the deep state problem in our country.
I received another email explaining to me how my belief that people deserve reasonable sick and bereavement time is anti-capitalist.
Both of these emails were especially aggressive.
I also had people come to my defense on Facebook in response to both less-than-kind posts, which was lovely but completely unnecessary.
When someone responds to my thoughtful post with “Useless list’ or chooses to debate my opinion by telling me that I should know better (rather than addressing my argument with salience, logic, and thoughtfulness), it merely tells me who the person is and how seriously;y I should consider anything they ever say in the future.
Small, petty, personal attacks are amusing to me. They shine more of a light on the attacker than they ever would on me. They are a means by which I can identify those worthy of my time and attention and the pointless gnats who should be swatted away without a second thought.
They also inspire me.
They serve as a reminder how how happy I am. They shine a light on how joyous my life is and on how many excellent people fill my days with conversation, companionship, and love. When I see a comment like “Useless list,” I think:
I made my dreams come true! I’m a bestselling author, an award-winning storyteller, a highly sought-after keynote speaker, and an award-winning teacher! I have an amazing team working alongside me to bring my words to light. I’m also the husband to a fantastic woman, and we have two great kids, and I have so many friends!”
I really do.
A person who comments on someone’s post with “Useless list” can’t possibly be as happy and productive as I am.
Trolls never are.
So when I see these attempts at cruelty or these thoughtless remarks, I smile.
They are hilarious, enlightening, and inspiring.
The thing I don’t like about comments like these is that, while they are irrelevant to me, they can stifle others’ opinions and output. I have tens of thousands of people reading my blog every day, and another couple of thousand people reading my posts on platforms like Facebook. I have a large readership that offers many thoughtful responses, and when most people disagree with me, they do so with respect, insight, and logic.
But for the person who doesn’t have a readership yet, or for someone who can’t swat away stupidity as easily because they are not as confident or cavalier or experienced as I am, comments like these, even on someone else’s work, can prevent them from contributing their own ideas in the future.
This is the danger of the troll:
They may not silence the person they attempt to silence, but they may silence that person’s readers, which is equally bad.
So when you see a troll online trying to ruin someone’s day, try to smile and remind yourself that trolls are undoubtedly unhappy and unsuccessful people who are unable to make a real connection with people in this world.
See their petty, stupid remarks as both informative and inspiring.
Laugh along with me.
