How Does Topix Work

So many celebratory things to think about today, but I just didn't want this to get away in the flood of other news today.

Something incredible happened on Topix yesterday. The roboposter pulled an article about someone who died in a car accident. One of the woman's friends posted a comment about knowing and missing her. Then Bob and the gang showed up to start dissing. The woman must have been using drugs, must have been a whore, must have been black, must have deserved to die. And the webcrawlers started googling her name on Facebook and the Sheriff's office and the court system to see how much dirt they could dig.

And the woman's friends stood up.

It wasn't a thread I was watching, but yesterday was a slow day and I noticed the numbers on that one piling up. And then Glitter's dead goldfish thread started to make sense.

I tried to add some rationality.

And then all suddenly the thread was flooded with unknown trolls all bullying right back at the bullies. And asking them why they thought it made sense to make fun of someone who died. Puzzling, but highly enjoyable.

And I saw Bob draw up in righteous anger about anyone having the nerve to invade, and drawing parallels to Rose and threatening to actually SEND the letter to Topix owners. And they laughed in his face. And offered to give him the fella's inbox.

George claimed that Rose had offended our Midwestern values and sensibilities--as if bullying and shouting racial epithets were part of the fabric and culture of our part of the country. I never saw our local bullies looking so small and ineffective.

I did follow bb's link and actually lurked for awhile on that moderator board. And saw when George, BB, and bunch of our other locals showed up in a herd, looking pathetic.

I have to say, I read some of the troll comments out loud to my daughter--who thinks I spend too much time with the Topix bullies (her terminology BTW). We really enjoyed the GPS comment and the Mapquest rejoinder.

What a day of hilarity!

FKA Reader wrote:

What a day of hilarity!

Reader, no one will appear more ineffective than Barack Hussein Obama on November 7, 2012.
Chief Justice Roberts just assured his loss.
Enjoy your very brief moment of "hilarity."

But--what I really wanted to discuss, is the glimpse that I think I got into how Topix moderation may work.

Everyone got all hissified about Rose's "Beta" when she was here--and Bob thought it gave her some kind of special consideration with the moderators. I have seen these on some of the national threads and also knew already that they related to points for playing some kind of game geared to Topix use--open to anyone who registers.

But, lurking around on the moderator's thread yesterday was eye-opening. Rose's Beta is really just an opening salvo. BB already has one. Not only are there other insignia, but apparently also levels. I clicked on a few things and came to understand that scores related to reading and posting, but also giving (or receiving) "props" by clicking a thumbs up. And props are apparently only in limited supply.

So--I dunno if these folks are paid moderators, who also play at the game. Or if moderators are largely volunteers selected from folks who have far more time even than I do to spend on Topix. But the more I think about it, there are probably far more effective ways to handle moderation than paying a limited number of folks to respond blindly or build algorithms to catch repeat offenders or whatever. Thinking about it, while most registered users "hide" the recent record of their posts (helps thwarty cyber-stalkers), the system is clearly maintaining the info and certainly might grant higher levels of clearance to some folks.

So many celebratory things to think about today, but I just didn't want this to get away in the flood of other news today.

Something incredible happened on Topix yesterday. The roboposter pulled an article about someone who died in a car accident. One of the woman's friends posted a comment about knowing and missing her. Then Bob and the gang showed up to start dissing. The woman must have been using drugs, must have been a whore, must have been black, must have deserved to die. And the webcrawlers started googling her name on Facebook and the Sheriff's office and the court system to see how much dirt they could dig.

And the woman's friends stood up.

It wasn't a thread I was watching, but yesterday was a slow day and I noticed the numbers on that one piling up. And then Glitter's dead goldfish thread started to make sense.

I tried to add some rationality.

And then all suddenly the thread was flooded with unknown trolls all bullying right back at the bullies. And asking them why they thought it made sense to make fun of someone who died. Puzzling, but highly enjoyable.

And I saw Bob draw up in righteous anger about anyone having the nerve to invade, and drawing parallels to Rose and threatening to actually SEND the letter to Topix owners. And they laughed in his face. And offered to give him the fella's inbox.

George claimed that Rose had offended our Midwestern values and sensibilities--as if bullying and shouting racial epithets were part of the fabric and culture of our part of the country. I never saw our local bullies looking so small and ineffective.

I did follow bb's link and actually lurked for awhile on that moderator board. And saw when George, BB, and bunch of our other locals showed up in a herd, looking pathetic.

I have to say, I read some of the troll comments out loud to my daughter--who thinks I spend too much time with the Topix bullies (her terminology BTW). We really enjoyed the GPS comment and the Mapquest rejoinder.

What a day of hilarity!

BB was interested in having found the original post that sparked yesterday's invasion. But, in lurking, it wasn't the only such event discussed. There was also a mention of folks somewhere beating up (virtually) on someone with a dead baby, and someone whose house was burning down.

Now, we know that Topix made news recently for being the vehicle by which some small towns were being torn apart. So--just suppose that kind of press wasn't good for them.

How might they construct some counter moves. Yanking posts and threads has limited utility--as we all know. Yesterday's little guerrilla action was effective. And so far as I can tell organized by a single poster, who must have pulled together some folks through messaging rather than online.

Or maybe there are just some folks, like Anonymous, who have a lot of computer skills and like to stand up for good stuff using those skills.

Anyway, altogether very interesting food for thought.

Así que muchas cosas de celebración para pensar hoy en día, pero yo no quería esto para escapar de la inundación de otras noticias de hoy.Algo increíble ocurrió el Topix ayer. El roboposter sacó un artículo acerca de alguien que murió en un accidente de coche. Uno de los amigos de la mujer publicó un comentario acerca del saber y de su falta. Entonces Bob y sus amigos se presentaron para comenzar a hablar mal. La mujer debe haber sido el uso de drogas, debe haber sido una prostituta, debe haber sido negro, tiene que haber merecía morir. Y los webcrawlers comenzó buscando en Google su nombre en Facebook y la oficina del Sheriff y el sistema judicial para ver la cantidad de suciedad que podría cavar.Y los amigos de la mujer se puso de pie.No era un tema que estaba viendo, pero ayer fue un día lento y me di cuenta de los números en que uno acumula. Y entonces hilo de escarcha de peces de colores muertos comenzó a tener sentido.He intentado añadir un poco de racionalidad.Y luego, de repente el hilo se inundó con los trolls desconocidos toda la intimidación de regreso a los matones. Y preguntándoles por qué pensé que tenía sentido para burlarse de alguien que murió. Desconcertante, pero altamente agradable.Y vi a Bob en la elaboración de la justa ira sobre cualquier persona que tenga la osadía de invadir y establecer paralelos a Rose y amenaza con enviar realmente la carta a los propietarios de Topix. Y se rieron en su cara. Y se ofreció a darle bandeja de entrada del chico de.George dijo que Rose había ofendido a nuestros valores y sensibilidades del Medio Oeste - como si el acoso y gritar epítetos raciales eran parte de la estructura y la cultura de esta parte del país. Nunca vi a nuestro local de los matones que parece tan pequeña e ineficaz.Hice seguir el enlace de BB y, de hecho se escondía por un tiempo en que el consejo asesor. Y vi cuando George, BB, y el manojo de nuestros otros locales se presentaron en un rebaño, buscando patético.Tengo que decir, he leído algunos de los comentarios de trolls en voz alta a mi hija - que piensa que pasar mucho tiempo con el que el Topix matones (su terminología por cierto). Nos gustó mucho el comentario del GPS y la dúplica Mapquest.Lo que un día de regocijo!

tip wrote:

<quoted text>
Reader, no one will appear more ineffective than Barack Hussein Obama on November 7, 2012.
Chief Justice Roberts just assured his loss.
Enjoy your very brief moment of "hilarity."

No apologies?

Or did you always know that the Affordable Care Act would be found Contstitutional?

So FKA Reader and Echo are the same? PS, your daughter is right.

Enzyte Bob wrote:

<quoted text>
That just reinforces what others here say about your being social inept. If you really think those trolls rise to anything significant other than being annoyances, then you are c. r. a. z. y.
Whether you like my posts or not, I get icons and responses. Sometimes laughs, sometimes disagree, but at least my posts (and those of others) merits a response. I challenge you to respond to anything those trolls have been posting. It's elementary school drivel for the most part.

Watching paint dry is more entertaining.

So viele Dinge,über die feierliche heute denken, aber ich wollte nur nicht, dies zu entkommen in der Flut der anderen Nachrichten heute.Etwas Unglaubliches geschah am Topix gestern. Die roboposter zog einen Artikel über jemanden, der bei einem Autounfall starb. Einer der Freunde der Frau hat einen Kommentar über das Wissen und fehlende ihr. Dann Bob und die Bande zeigte bis zu dissen starten. Die Frau muß habe mit Drogen, muss eine Hure haben, müssen schon schwarz sind, müssen den Tod verdient haben. Und die webcrawlers begann googeln ihr Name auf Facebook und das Büro des Sheriffs und das Gerichtssystem zu sehen, wie viel Schmutz, sie könnten zu graben.Und Freunde der Frau stand auf.Es war nicht ein Thread Ich war gerade, aber gestern war ein guter Tag und ich bemerkte, die Zahlen auf, dass man häufen sich. Und dann Glitter ist tot. Goldfisch Thread gestartet, um Sinn zu machen.Ich habe versucht, eine gewisse Rationalität hinzuzufügen.Und dann plötzlich der Faden wurde mit unbekannten Trolle alle Mobbing gleich wieder an der Tyrannen überschwemmt. Und fragen sie, warum sie dachte war es sinnvoll,über jemanden lustig machen, die gestorben sind. Rätselhaft, aber sehr angenehm.Und ich sah Bob erarbeiten in gerechtem Zorn über jedermann mit der Nerv zu erobern, und Parallelen zur Rose und droht, tatsächlich den Brief an Topix Eigentümer. Und sie lachte ihm ins Gesicht. Und bot an, ihm den Kerl den Posteingang.George behauptet, dass Rose hatte unsere Mittleren Westen der Werte und Gefühle beleidigt - als ob Mobbing und Geschrei rassische Epitheta waren Teil des Gewebes und der Kultur unserer Teil des Landes. Nie sah ich unseren lokalen Tyrannen suchen so klein und ineffektiv.Ich folgte BB Link und tatsächlich lauerte eine Weile auf diesem Board Moderator. Und sah, als George, BB, und Haufen von unseren anderen Einheimischen zeigten sich in einer Herde und sah erbärmlich.Ich muss sagen, ich las einige der Kommentare Troll laut für meine Tochter - der denkt, dass ich zu viel Zeit mit der Topix Bullies (ihre Terminologie BTW). Wir genossen die GPS-Kommentar und der MapQuest Gegenerwiderung.Was für ein Tag der Heiterkeit!

BTW--I love the TWO people who marked my first post off topic. It's my thread, folks, my topic.

FKA Reader wrote:

BB was interested in having found the original post that sparked yesterday's invasion. But, in lurking, it wasn't the only such event discussed. There was also a mention of folks somewhere beating up (virtually) on someone with a dead baby, and someone whose house was burning down.
Now, we know that Topix made news recently for being the vehicle by which some small towns were being torn apart. So--just suppose that kind of press wasn't good for them.
How might they construct some counter moves. Yanking posts and threads has limited utility--as we all know. Yesterday's little guerrilla action was effective. And so far as I can tell organized by a single poster, who must have pulled together some folks through messaging rather than online.
Or maybe there are just some folks, like Anonymous, who have a lot of computer skills and like to stand up for good stuff using those skills.
Anyway, altogether very interesting food for thought.

OMG, Reader, you are clueless. Do some homework already!

FKA Reader wrote:

I did follow bb's link and actually lurked for awhile on that moderator board. And saw when George, BB, and bunch of our other locals showed up in a herd, looking pathetic.

Actually, go back to the forum, bb has been handing them their azz. If you find the trolls more enjoyable than Georgie, bb, Rowdy, tip, Bobby, et al, well you know what forum to comment on. I personally thought they did a great job and they are doing a good job on the 71 thread.

FKA Reader wrote:

BTW--I love the TWO people who marked my first post off topic. It's my thread, folks, my topic.

Don't look me, and why in the world would you care how someone marks your post?

FKA Reader wrote:

BB was interested in having found the original post that sparked yesterday's invasion. But, in lurking, it wasn't the only such event discussed. There was also a mention of folks somewhere beating up (virtually) on someone with a dead baby, and someone whose house was burning down.
Now, we know that Topix made news recently for being the vehicle by which some small towns were being torn apart. So--just suppose that kind of press wasn't good for them.
How might they construct some counter moves. Yanking posts and threads has limited utility--as we all know. Yesterday's little guerrilla action was effective. And so far as I can tell organized by a single poster, who must have pulled together some folks through messaging rather than online.
Or maybe there are just some folks, like Anonymous, who have a lot of computer skills and like to stand up for good stuff using those skills.
Anyway, altogether very interesting food for thought.

Reader, if you think the Columbus board is bad, check out the Chillicothe or Circleville board. You are correct in that these discussions could tear apart a small community. Nothing going on in either of them but malicious gossip.

2ceoh6 wrote:

So viele Dinge,über die feierliche heute denken, aber ich wollte nur nicht, dies zu entkommen in der Flut der anderen Nachrichten heute.Etwas Unglaubliches geschah am Topix gestern. Die roboposter zog einen Artikel über jemanden, der bei einem Autounfall starb. Einer der Freunde der Frau hat einen Kommentar über das Wissen und fehlende ihr. Dann Bob und die Bande zeigte bis zu dissen starten. Die Frau muß habe mit Drogen, muss eine Hure haben, müssen schon schwarz sind, müssen den Tod verdient haben. Und die webcrawlers begann googeln ihr Name auf Facebook und das Büro des Sheriffs und das Gerichtssystem zu sehen, wie viel Schmutz, sie könnten zu graben.Und Freunde der Frau stand auf.Es war nicht ein Thread Ich war gerade, aber gestern war ein guter Tag und ich bemerkte, die Zahlen auf, dass man häufen sich. Und dann Glitter ist tot. Goldfisch Thread gestartet, um Sinn zu machen.Ich habe versucht, eine gewisse Rationalität hinzuzufügen.Und dann plötzlich der Faden wurde mit unbekannten Trolle alle Mobbing gleich wieder an der Tyrannen überschwemmt. Und fragen sie, warum sie dachte war es sinnvoll,über jemanden lustig machen, die gestorben sind. Rätselhaft, aber sehr angenehm.Und ich sah Bob erarbeiten in gerechtem Zorn über jedermann mit der Nerv zu erobern, und Parallelen zur Rose und droht, tatsächlich den Brief an Topix Eigentümer. Und sie lachte ihm ins Gesicht. Und bot an, ihm den Kerl den Posteingang.George behauptet, dass Rose hatte unsere Mittleren Westen der Werte und Gefühle beleidigt - als ob Mobbing und Geschrei rassische Epitheta waren Teil des Gewebes und der Kultur unserer Teil des Landes. Nie sah ich unseren lokalen Tyrannen suchen so klein und ineffektiv.Ich folgte BB Link und tatsächlich lauerte eine Weile auf diesem Board Moderator. Und sah, als George, BB, und Haufen von unseren anderen Einheimischen zeigten sich in einer Herde und sah erbärmlich.Ich muss sagen, ich las einige der Kommentare Troll laut für meine Tochter - der denkt, dass ich zu viel Zeit mit der Topix Bullies (ihre Terminologie BTW). Wir genossen die GPS-Kommentar und der MapQuest Gegenerwiderung.Was für ein Tag der Heiterkeit!

Oh, halt die schnauze!

FKA Reader wrote:

<quoted text>
No apologies?
Or did you always know that the Affordable Care Act would be found Contstitutional?

I owe you no apology.

Excuse me, but the mandate was found unconstitutional under the Commerce Clause.
One -- and only one -- Justice [Roberts] construed the mandate as a tax. Four others accepted the mandate itself as constitutional, and the remaining four rejected the legislation in its entirety.

By allowing Obama an historic first -- that of presiding over the largest and most unpopular tax increase in world history -- Chief Justice Roberts has ensured his election loss.

Strategery works, Reader.

rowdy01 wrote:

<quoted text>
Reader, if you think the Columbus board is bad, check out the Chillicothe or Circleville board. You are correct in that these discussions could tear apart a small community. Nothing going on in either of them but malicious gossip.

So I have heard.

Reader supports and defends the homo-pedo movement so nothing it says can be taken seriously.

FKA Reader wrote:

But--what I really wanted to discuss, is the glimpse that I think I got into how Topix moderation may work.
Everyone got all hissified about Rose's "Beta" when she was here--and Bob thought it gave her some kind of special consideration with the moderators. I have seen these on some of the national threads and also knew already that they related to points for playing some kind of game geared to Topix use--open to anyone who registers.
But, lurking around on the moderator's thread yesterday was eye-opening. Rose's Beta is really just an opening salvo. BB already has one. Not only are there other insignia, but apparently also levels. I clicked on a few things and came to understand that scores related to reading and posting, but also giving (or receiving) "props" by clicking a thumbs up. And props are apparently only in limited supply.
So--I dunno if these folks are paid moderators, who also play at the game. Or if moderators are largely volunteers selected from folks who have far more time even than I do to spend on Topix. But the more I think about it, there are probably far more effective ways to handle moderation than paying a limited number of folks to respond blindly or build algorithms to catch repeat offenders or whatever. Thinking about it, while most registered users "hide" the recent record of their posts (helps thwarty cyber-stalkers), the system is clearly maintaining the info and certainly might grant higher levels of clearance to some folks.

Yawn........