Trolls: They’re doing it for the Lulz (Part 3)

So, a few days back we mods discover what can only be described as Trolls-in-Concert. Multiple texts coming in from various different texters sporting different nicknames, spelling out lurid sex acts and proposing extremely offensive discussion topics. 

It was, in its own right, a breath of fresh air – usually the trolling happens sporadically, this was the first instance of collaborative trolling we had experienced.

It was further complicated by the fact that one of the users had a pre-approved nickname that ought to have raised alarms before it was approved. This can happen, especially when you’re sorting through hundreds of nicknames and profile pics that all require diligent consideration. What can I say – TXT-TV is getting more and more popular every day.

Now keep in mind, rules about vulgarity change around 11pm, and as any devotee of our late-night programming can attest, raunch certainly abounds on TXT-TV ‘after the lights go out’. Most of this is harmless and playful, fun without being creepy or offensive. It’s a necessary concession, similar in principle to the un-written rule about public-drinking (keep it in a brown paper bag and don’t act like a fool) – there needs to be a time when the strictures of the established rules are relaxed – it’s a give and take thing.

Moreover, its not like we’re a bunch of prudes either. 

We all dig on the raunch, the offensive, the limits of comedy and trying to figure out where the line lies. A tendency in broadcast media I’ve noticed is that the people behind the scenes and the people at the mic over-compensate for what they’re not allowed to say on air when they’re off the air. A cousin of mine is the morning DJ for a local radio station – he curses a blue streak, real sailor styles, whenever the mic is turned off. On air, he’s a real sweetheart – the kind of guy you’d think nothing of introducing to your conservative grandparents.

Regardless, we find ourselves delighted by the attempts of the numerous trolls if for no other reason than it has become functionally taboo for us – we love it even more when it has a hint of subtlety or cleverness to it. But alas, the work of the obvious troll is easy to spot and habitually will never make it to air. 

I want the trolls to know their work is widely appreciated by the mods, despite the fact it will never see the light of day. Try harder if you must, but be aware we’re paid to be hyper vigilant. It may seem paradoxical, but it isn’t inherently hypocritical, and at the end of the day that’s all that really matters.