The Online Disrupters

The Online Disrupters 

by Rhys Ferguson

Image Credit: Trollface; Creator: Carlos Ramirez; Link: http://adventuretime.wikia.com/wiki/File:Troll-face-problem.jpg

In today's society, there is a resurgence of a being that used to be known as the Flâneur. For those who may not know what a Flâneur is exactly. A 'Flâneur' according to the "Wikipedia" (2017) entry, "flâneur, means "stroller", "lounger", "saunterer", or "loafer". Flânerie is the act of strolling, with all of its accompanying associations." The resurgence of these Flâneurs, aren't necessarily the same as they were back when this term originally came around however. Today they may be more commonly known as Lurkers or Trolls (Internet slang for trouble makers) in the more disruptive cases. 

Trolls are people who like to sow their seeds of discord and chaos, then sit back and watch people's reactions and outrage. Elise Moreau (2017) in her Lifewire article (follow the link if you'd like additional details), says; "What makes trolling so easy is that anyone can do it, and it can be done from a safe, isolated place as opposed to interacting with others in person." This inherent difference of being able to stay anonymous and safe means that they don't really have any real consequences - in the vast majority of cases. 

In other cases the severity of the "trolling" may, in fact, be quite minor in the grand scheme of things. For whatever reason/s, some people who feel the need to 'act out', may stick to doing very menial things to disturb or disrupt the flow. (Kuttainen, V., 2017; de Certeau, 1984) "Confronted with a technical infrastructure and a set of "rules of the game," tactical players may enroll in gentle forms of subversion to make the prefabricated space more "habitable" and better suited to fulfil their needs (de Certeau, 1984)". Perhaps, it is just a "need" to create a more "habitable" space, but perhaps not. Every troll is different, as every person is different. Our needs and wants are part of what makes us unique as human beings. What we desire in our "Space/s" and/or our "Place/s" differ from one another. Which is what makes the internet with its abundance of social networks a marvellous place. 

As marvellous as the internet is, there really is nowhere that is truly "safe" from internet trolls. Whether it be a small relatively unknown segment, a more moderate segment like Crunchroll or a larger segment like Facebook. Trolls and lurkers are everywhere, which is why there are generally rules, guidelines and those who enforce them, to keep the community a place where everyone can feel at ease and enjoy themselves within the context of their virtual location. The social site Crunchyroll, whilst obviously not immune to the effects and potential infestation of trolls, has administrators or moderators, circulating and monitoring the ongoings of the site to ensure that any posts or content added by trolls for the purpose of discord are swiftly removed. Ultimately, as long as the majority are allowed to go about their business unhindered and without undue malice, the populace is kept happy.

References: 

Image: Creator: Carlos Ramirez (2007/8**); Link used: http://adverturetime.wikia.com/wiki/File:Troll-face-problem.jpg

**http://meme.wikia.com/wiki/Trollface 

    & https://www.businessinsider.com.au/trollface-carlos-ramirez-100000-kotaku-cartoon-meme-viral-success-2015-4?r=UK&IR=T

Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flâneur

Elise Moreau: Internet Trolling: How do you spot a real troll?;

                       https://www.lifewire.com/what-is-internet-trolling-3485891

Kuttainen, V., 2017; Pauwels & Hellriegel, 2009, de Certeau, 1984:

                 BA1002 Lecture 4 2017, slide 24. Link: https://learnjcu.jcu.edu.au/webapps/blackboard/execute/content/file?cmd=view&content_id=_2850929_1&course_id=_84764_1&framesetWrapped=true