I went viral last week.
When a post spreads far and wide it’s always an interesting experience, seeing the comments and reactions.
Which is where I’d like to make something clear:
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Just like in real life, the vast majority of people you interact with online are thoughtful, kind, decent, interesting, warm…
- Human, in other words.
The problem comes with those who aren’t. And there are always one or two.
This however, is the way to deal with them.
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My post, on LinkedIn, as you can see from the picture, was (to me at least) inoffensive.
You might even say the thought was optimistic.
It certainly felt that way when I wrote it.
A way to push back against far too much of the narrative when it comes to our young people.
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I got a lot of comments, and all except one were humorous, warm and positive.
The sole and single exception said:
- Tedious post in the wrong medium.
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Now, I’m used to abuse.
20 plus years reporting the news on BBC TV and radio does have that effect.
But I was tempted, albeit briefly, to bite back.
Not with anything unpleasant.
Just with my legendary (ahem!) wit.
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To deal with part one of the criticism, I considered mentioning the hundreds of people who had engaged with the post, and the hundreds of thousands who had seen it.
Not that tedious then, huh?!
Regarding the wrong medium, I thought about saying:
- Should I have used watercolours? Or pastels? Or oils?!
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Instead, I did what I knew I should, and what I always do in such situations:
- I ignored the troll.
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A reaction is what they want.
It gives them a platform, lets them know they're being seen and heard, offers a chance to reply and so be seen and heard some more.
Which, of course, is exactly what they don’t deserve.
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So instead, I maintained a lofty silence.
A dignified turning of the virtual cheek.
Allowed that single unpleasant comment to be the only one I didn't engage with...
In what I trust was a suitably pointed - yet subtle - manner.
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And yeah! It felt good and also...
Ended an unwanted interaction with an unpleasant interactor.
That’s the way to deal with trolls.
