The Book of Josh

I’m pretty big on not link baiting, or so I thought. As it turns out, some of the Macgasm readers, and one in particular, seem to think just a little bit differently. According to a message on Twitter (the sender shall remain anonymous), paraphrased of course, Macgasm is pretty much turning into link bait trolling.

Hours, upon hours are spent by me, as well as a handful of others, writing daily about what we love — technology. Our opinions vary, out tones differ, but all in all I would have to say that all of the contributors sincerely try to avoid link baiting readers for page views. On occasion a misleading title pops out here, or there, but for the most part we try to avoid the leading post titles and stick to the facts, then provide our opinions.

But, apparently the definition of link-bait-trolling has changed without notice, and link-baiting is now synonymous with opinion. Expressing opinions, that also happen to be unpopular with your audience, is now officially defined as link-bait trolling, at least according to my latest Macgasm fan.

So, what was I trolling

I dislike how Apple handled the Lion release. I don’t think it was ready for primetime, and I certainly don’t think that Apple took a great first-step by releasing it when they did. So I wrote about it, on my Apple blog. Sure, I was sarcastic, and a little bit tongue-in-cheek, but meant every word of it.

My Web site. My Blog. My Article. My Opinion. My right to write it.

What followed was a series of complaints, from one person in particular, that ranged from pretty much equating us to Gizmodo all the way to claiming that we were actively trying to manipulate Apple stock prices to make a quick buck, and sadly it was all from someone who knew better.

That’s when I began to question humanity

Those of you who know me, know I just returned from vacation. A vacation I didn’t plan on taking until I found myself unable to sanely write about technology without feeling stabby. So, instead of continuing my ornery ways, I decided to take a break. Minimum Internet. No writing. Real-life stuff. Time went by and more and more I craved, and missed, writing about technology on a daily basis. By the time my week was up, I was glad to be settling back into the saddle. One full day into my return, I’m questioning my sanity — why do I continue to write, for free, for a community that rarely speaks positively about things, and rarely provides fair and honest insights in comment systems? 

For an industry that seems to pride itself on swinging the biggest dick around the room, why do we continue to try and out-swing our neighbours? I’m really starting to wonder about it.

Are comment systems and social networks really adding to, or building, community, or is it just arming the enemy with tools they need to carry on with their pointless crusade to be the biggest douche on the Internet? Why do I, do we all really, write in an industry comprised of people willing to race to the bottom, and thump their chest the whole way into the toilet?

Why?

I’m as guilty as some I guess, getting caught up in the daily grind, taking my annoyances out on others (sorry other Apple blogs) in a negative way. But to be honest, it’s not me, it’s never really been me, and after today, I’m starting to wonder when it became me? I’m starting to realize it was the moment that I published my first post on the Internet.

Some say it’s being overtaken by passion, others say it’s grand-standing, and some have taken to labelling it trolling, but all in all it could be summed up in one word: futile. Yet, I find myself getting sucked into it again, and again, and again.

Here’s why: I spend countless hours trying to help others online by writing posts, news posts, tips, and reviews, and yet we’re mostly met with drive-by trolls. Someone once said Garbage In, Garbage Out, but on the Internet too often it’s Good In, Garbage Out. That needs to change.

I’m not complaining, I’m pretty blessed, but…

I’m worried that this may come off sounding like whining, or even complaining, but I really want you to stop and think for a moment about what you give back to the Internet, what you give back to the sites and communities you frequent? Are you really engaging them? Are you doing all you can to let your favourite authors know that you appreciate their hard work?

I’m not, and I really should. I know full well that negative comments often overshadow and outnumber positive ones by quite a large number, and still, I say nothing, and I sit in the shadows, letting the trolls run rampant.

The positive fans remain silent, and the negative complainers bombard message systems. Why is that?

Writers, hundreds, thousands, and possibly even millions head to the Internet to educate and entertain, and more times than not they’re doing it for free, for the love of it. They don’t ask for a cent, and yet, on the whole the only thing we give them is silence or smartass comments.

I’m vowing to be more positive and more supportive of the Web sites that I love and frequent, I hope you do the same. Maybe it’ll help me to stop questioning humanity so much.