I agree with most of your post (personally I find the new stuff pretty funny, only the video was depressing), but this point is frankly out of the trolls control. Chris HAD disappeared off the internet in the 3 years before the fire, updates were sparse and mostly based on facebook posts. Then after the fire Chris got reckless, stupid or desperate (or all of the above) and started producing more material, including the dating profile. Chris must of have known that would attract attention, but he still did it, I think he's past the point of trying to hide from the trolls. Personally I think the fire hammered home how precarious his position is so now he's being reckless
Trolling Chris has always seemed like a moral grey area: of course, picking on an autistic man is wrong and anyone who disagrees is an asshole, but at the same time, he was also sexist, racist, homophobic, and an idiot...so how can it be all that wrong?
How autistic? How aggressively are you picking on him? Are you picking on him for reasons outside of his control? Or are you picking on him for things he consciously chooses to engage in? How big of an impact do your critiques have on his life? Are they just small insults or are they soul-shattering barbs?
I don't think you can reasonably make an indisputable evaluation of the ethics of Chris' troll situation just because of his autism.
Also, @Atlas 95 is right on the money. Chris absolutely knows how to avoid the trolls. Maybe his life is kind of turned upside down since the fire, but regardless, he knows what techniques to employ to avoid attention.
Assuming Barb stays alive for a bit, I think Chris'll gradually resume his normal, non-internet life. He strayed online in 2014, got burned, but eventually he'll remember that he has to stay offline.
I disagree. I think he needs the Internet at this point now more than ever. Until the Barber of Trashville kicks off and Chris goes to a half-way house, Chris will be on the Internet, fighting his battles. I think he likes it in a way.
Hi, I've never posted on this or any other forum before. However I think I have something constructive to say that maybe hasn't been said in the 20 pages of comments. If it has then I apologize I tried to read through them but I've been pretty busy. Anyways, when it comes to ethics I'm not sure that it would even be ethical to stop trolling him. I've watched,read through, and listened to most of what is on the internet pertaining to Chris and I can say that without an outside force leading him in a certain direction he could be destructive and even dangerous to the people around him.
Think about it this way. Right now we have a lecherous middle aged man who unleashes his loneliness and sexual frustrations on specific people who are aware of the situation and have safe-gaurds in place should things get out of hand (ie Catie with cousin Al). He is used to this outlet he expects it as was conditioned throughout his twenties. His autism compounds this as it causes him not to understand and fear changes in his surroundings.
Basically what I'm saying is that if all of the trolls were to leave his life today, things would end very badly for Chris and an unlucky female. He is a dangerous ticking time bomb and once his desires become stronger than his lethargy he will do something terrible if not directed in a safe fashion.
Hi, I've never posted on this or any other forum before. However I think I have something constructive to say that maybe hasn't been said in the 20 pages of comments. If it has then I apologize I tried to read through them but I've been pretty busy. Anyways, when it comes to ethics I'm not sure that it would even be ethical to stop trolling him. I've watched,read through, and listened to most of what is on the internet pertaining to Chris and I can say that without an outside force leading him in a certain direction he could be destructive and even dangerous to the people around him.
Think about it this way. Right now we have a lecherous middle aged man who unleashes his loneliness and sexual frustrations on specific people who are aware of the situation and have safe-gaurds in place should things get out of hand (ie Catie with cousin Al). He is used to this outlet he expects it as was conditioned throughout his twenties. His autism compounds this as it causes him not to understand and fear changes in his surroundings.
Basically what I'm saying is that if all of the trolls were to leave his life today, things would end very badly for Chris and an unlucky female. He is a dangerous ticking time bomb and once his desires become stronger than his lethargy he will do something terrible if not directed in a safe fashion.
I disagree. I think he needs the Internet at this point now more than ever. Until the Barber of Trashville kicks off and Chris goes to a half-way house, Chris will be on the Internet, fighting his battles. I think he likes it in a way.
Eh, nah, he's very aware that he gets his ass kicked every time he goes online. 2014 has been an anomaly in that area, because his house burned down. But I think without motivation, he'll revert to his offline activity, like he did in 2013.
Ah I see, I'm just a recent observer. I really don't know the ins and outs of the situation and I didn't really see how things played out until years later. I just hear about things like his possible shoplifting and his inability to accept any kind of responsibility for his own actions and historically people that are like that end up doing something rather destructive. I'm not really a psych major though as I only really took a few courses in college, so I could be way off.
Hi, I've never posted on this or any other forum before. However I think I have something constructive to say that maybe hasn't been said in the 20 pages of comments. If it has then I apologize I tried to read through them but I've been pretty busy. Anyways, when it comes to ethics I'm not sure that it would even be ethical to stop trolling him. I've watched,read through, and listened to most of what is on the internet pertaining to Chris and I can say that without an outside force leading him in a certain direction he could be destructive and even dangerous to the people around him.
I think you make an interesting point but I must respectfully disagree with you on this. While many trolls have attempted to be good in their guidance and advice to Chris, at the end of the day, we did not create Chris; neither by birth nor the way he turned out as a person. That onus is on his parents and the burden lies on his remaining parent and Chris himself since he could actually BE a competent individual and chooses not to.
Trolling Chris is not easy, it takes a coordinated effort and sheer luck. The returns have been remarked as diminishing for the amount of effort needed.
Think about it this way. Right now we have a lecherous middle aged man who unleashes his loneliness and sexual frustrations on specific people who are aware of the situation and have safe-gaurds in place should things get out of hand (ie Catie with cousin Al). He is used to this outlet he expects it as was conditioned throughout his twenties. His autism compounds this as it causes him not to understand and fear changes in his surroundings.
Basically what I'm saying is that if all of the trolls were to leave his life today, things would end very badly for Chris and an unlucky female. He is a dangerous ticking time bomb and once his desires become stronger than his lethargy he will do something terrible if not directed in a safe fashion.
I know he was a complete lecher to Catie and to any female who will talk to him, but I'm with Marvin and skyraider that he's not going to go out and rape women. He's not the type to plot a rape, you won't ever find him lying in wait or putting roofies in drinks. If he's too shy to even initiate contact with a girl online on a dating website, he's not going to start being super forceful with them.
Besides, I really don't think the trolls have any say in this particular quirk whatsoever. Bob clearly knew he was like this and would chaperone him. Barb is elderly and ill and probably can't chaperone him constantly. Just don't worry about him raping anyone, not Chris's style.
Chris is wanting to minimize effort and optimize troll filtering. So he wants the most basic ID scrutiny that'll get him a girlfriend. If after this event with Catie, he decides that he fucked up this time by not paying enough attention to the ID, he'll be a bit more strict next time.
Also, Chris is indeed hurt, but hurt because he thought he had his bangmaid in the bag. It'll be better if he doesn't have trolls raising his hopes every so often. But still, regardless of the trolls, he's going to settle down into a long term life of depression because he's all alone.
I understand that feeling, but... like, the internet is a swirling miasma of complicated trust issues. It's like old ladies getting conned by nigerian princes. The nigerian princes shouldn't be doing what they're doing, of course, but it's not like they're going to stop. That's just the essence of what the internet is.
At the end of the day, Chris is, frankly, not smart enough to navigate the internet on his own. I do believe, however, that he'll learn eventually. He'll just learn gradually and painfully, because he doesn't have proper parenting to keep him off the internet.
It's depressing to admit but you are right. The trollings if nothing else I guess give substance to Chrissy's life. I mean I guess if you are doing something stupid at least you're still doing something? He may one day reflect upon these times like he once did the H.S. Gal pal days. I also may just be reaching to not feel bad about loving all this new content!
Aww, I thought you seemed kinda off. You're normally pretty mild, I was getting worried. D:
I do see your point, though, but the way I see it---& this is probably a stretch---this was not just a social experiment, but a way to further delve into the warped psyche of Chris to see how we could better help or understand him. A lot of the trolling efforts were attempts to improve his quality of life. That's really for the trolling ethics debate thread, though.
This Catherine stuff made me think a lot about the Jackie Saga. Jackie tried to pry him away from the PS3, get him to curb his spending & be more fiscally responsible, & generally encourage him to improve himself. What tripped the alarms for me was when she gave him that October video contest as a means of compromise to prove his devotion to her since he wouldn't give up his game addiction---with sex as the incentive. Now, what had happened if Chris had followed through? Would she have been all "NO LOLJK"? Or was she banking on the fact that Chris wouldn't deliver so she wouldn't have to give him china (as there was likely none to give to begin with)? I'm pretty sure it was the latter. But let's say for the sake of argument that Chris pulled a complete 180 & became a whole new person---bathed, got off SSI, sought help, etc. Then when it was time for "Jackie" to hold up her end of the bargain, she bailed. Kinda cruel to string him along like that, yes. But if he had, in fact, improved, he would have no trouble finding other women, & would have become a better person from the experience.
. . .I'd be lying if I said that wasn't also part of it, yeah.
EDIT x2 COMBO:
But there have been a couple lolcows who have actually cleaned up their act in the past, albeit a little. & I can only think of, like, two. But I'd say the trollings had something to do with that. I mean, I've been in situations where people around me have acted negatively, & when it happens enough times, you start to think, "well, maybe they're on to something."
When my bipolar & shit started getting really bad, I started unintentionally using it a crutch. Is mental illness difficult to deal with? Absolutely. Was I taking my meds as directed? Actually, yes. Did it give me leave to act like an asshole & moan about how I couldn't do anything because my illness was SOO BAD? Fuck no.
I got kicked out. I went to the hospital. I got my meds adjusted. & then I was like, ". . .well, fuck. I guess some people WERE right. I was kind of acting like a dick." It took a while for me to come to that realization, & I felt stupid for not realizing it sooner, but I was able to improve.
I think the trolls I take issue with are the ones going around selling their "cruel to be kind" brand of trolling. It's not so much of the actual trolling itself that bothers me as it has produced some great content in the past but them trying to convince everyone else (perhaps themselves as well) that they are "benevolent trolls" who only will manipulate for positive change. Either they are lying to themselves or they are lying to everyone. Do you truly believe someone with nothing but good intentions would go about helping someone in this manner? No, probably not.
They seriously should just stop trying to bullshit everyone and themselves and just admit the only reason they ever did what they did was to manipulate him for more content period and practically be the only influence to him, similar to a child who doesn't want to share their toy. You can try to justify it anyway you want but does any of us seriously want to see Chris make a 180 in his life? I think if those of you who say yes need to be more honest with yourself, I mean come on your on a forum dedicated entirely to following and discussing past, present, and probable future mishaps.
With all that said I have more respect for Bluespike, I know he isn't very popular in these parts but you can't deny he was honest with his intent and wasn't trying to convince the world it was with good intentions. So moral of the story "the path to hell is paved with good intentions", assuming there was any to begin with.
I guess you're new here? Because a majority of the people here would love for Chris to fix his life. Chris is a huge self important dick all the time, but he didn't become OPL alone. He had/has some of the shittiest parents you can imagine, so most people in here are very sympathetic for his plight.
I guess you're new here? Because a majority of the people here would love for Chris to fix his life. Chris is a huge self important dick all the time, but he didn't become OPL alone. He had/has some of the shittiest parents you can imagine, so most people in here are very sympathetic for his plight.
Not new, was awol for awhile though. I'm sorry but I think very few people on here that are genuinely interested in his betterment they may say they are ,yet here we all are still ridiculing him years later. You may be genuinely want to see him improve but just because others say it as well doesn't necessarily mean they meant it . With all that said I do feel bad he continues to spiral down but at the same time I would be lying if I said I never laughed at many of his antics or the trolling that would happen. I'm really not trying to sound A-loggy and I know this is a touchy subject but just tired of people defending the "benevolent trolls" while condemning "weens". It's trolling anyway you slice it and doesn't make for very good motivation to try to help someone.
Not new, was awol for awhile though. I'm sorry but I think very few people on here that are genuinely interested in his betterment they may say they are ,yet here we all are still ridiculing him years later. You may be genuinely want to see him improve but just because others say it as well doesn't necessarily mean they meant it . With all that said I do feel bad he continues to spiral down but at the same time I would be lying if I said I never laughed at many of his antics or the trolling that would happen.
I'm really not trying to sound A-loggy and I know this is a touchy subject but just tired of people defending the "benevolent trolls" while condemning "weens". It's trolling anyway you slice it and doesn't make for very good motivation to try to help someone.
"Ween" is a term mostly relating to the whether or not a troll is funny. It doesn't have anything to do with whether they're trying to help Chris or not.
Laughing at Chris and wanting to see him improve aren't mutually exclusive.
"Ween" is a term mostly relating to the whether or not a troll is funny. It doesn't have anything to do with whether they're trying to help Chris or not.
I'm aware of what "ween" means that wasn't the point. My point was people need to get off their high horse because I don't believe people who say they only trolled him to help him and if people really truly had wanted to help him they would have just left him be. Maybe the only exception to this was the house fire when people sent him care packages that truly was an awful thing that I blame his mother's hoarding for making it worse than it should have been.
I'm aware of what "ween" means that wasn't the point. My point was people need to get off their high horse because I don't believe people who say they only trolled him to help him and if people really truly had wanted to help him they would have just left him be. Maybe the only exception to this was the house fire when people sent him care packages that truly was an awful thing that I blame his mother's hoarding for making it worse than it should have been.
I don't think anyone's saying they initially went into trolling Chris to help him. However, through their contact with Chris, people definitely have helped Chris. Like sending Chris to gay events in Charlottesville. Or when we made him take out the taint piercing.
Fucking with Chris on the internet obviously isn't something to brag about. However, I think it says a lot about how amazingly shitty Chris' life is right now, that the best friends in his life, the people with the most concern for his welfare, are the people who follow him to make fun of him.
I don't think anyone's saying they initially went into trolling Chris to help him. However, through their contact with Chris, people definitely have helped Chris. Like sending Chris to gay events in Charlottesville. Or when we made him take out the taint piercing.
Fucking with Chris on the internet obviously isn't something to brag about. However, I think it says a lot about how amazingly shitty Chris' life is right now, that the best friends in his life, the people with the most concern for his welfare, are the people who follow him to make fun of him.
It's pretty sad state of affairs when the only "friends" you have are only such in hopes that some juicy content will come about. This is quite clearly a complex and multi-faceted issue that I know some people have strong feelings about and I'm well aware my opinion is not a very popular opinion with others on here. I am probably one of only a few people on here that actually preferred the days before the trolling got more organized. Believe it or not despite what I have said I would be happy for Chris if he beat the odds and for once trolled the trolls by turning himself around of his own free will but then again I would be lying if I said I wouldn't miss new updates every now and then of his latest antics.
