[Air-l] Doctorow on Dealing With Trolls

[James Whyte]

Charles,
   
  IMHO, this hypothetical person can no longer be considered a troll since a troll by definition operates outside the norms of the group. By your own statement, "he largely remains within the boundaries of proscribed behavior." Unless you mean, "once a troll always a troll", without the possibility of redemption. You weren't suggesting that were you?
   
  Secondly, spam has a legal definition and if the conference is a non-profit activity it is considered a "public service announcement", not advertising, and it is excepted from the law. This exposes a possible imprecision in the application of another web jargonistic term. Since spam is legally defined, a responsible person would report this person to authorities.
  Also if a mechanism for a person to unsubscribe is part of the mailing and he has complied to the requests then again, no foul.
   
  Assuming he is using an pseudonym, the  use of a pseudonym is not unusual even in AIR-L. where many people are known only by their email address or alias. Most listservs do not require a real name for registration. I think I remember it to be true of AIR-L as well. ICBW
   
  So in answer to your question, the only name you can reasonably apply is "participant." in good standing. One could assume that he has learned to be a good nettizen.
   
  There remains the possibility that a few members of the list could flame him so as to provoke a defense that will then be considered poor netiquette and evidence of "Trolling." But of course if he is smart he will not be provoked. Wouldn't the flaming be a violation of group norms?
   
  Your question actually exposes the subjective nature of such labeling. Good job and cleverly framed.
   
  James
  

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