Trolling: Writing Assignment 4_ETH-230-OL014

This assignment seeks to explore one of the themes of free speech, trolls, anonymity, and fake news online. In particular, things will stay bad because tangible and intangible economic and political incentives support trolling; hate, anxiety, and anger drive participation; participation, power, and profits.

Trolling has been around since the early days of the internet, but it has become more prevalent in recent years with the rise of social media. A troll is someone who posts inflammatory, offensive, or provocative messages in an online community with the intent of provoking a reaction or stirring up controversy. A bot is a computer program that automates certain tasks, such as posting comments or likes on social media.

Both trolls and bots can have a negative impact on individuals and communities. Trolls can harass and bully people, spread misinformation and hate speech, and incite violence. Bots can amplify the reach and impact of trolls and fake news, and they can be used to manipulate public opinion.

The business model of social media platforms amplifies the reach and impact of trolls and bots; emotive language, images, and videos increase clicks and shares; bad actors exploit loopholes and vulnerabilities; platform policies are reactive rather than proactive. There is a race to the bottom as companies compete for users, eyeballs, and ad revenue; platforms have little incentive to change their algorithms or business models.

There are no easy solutions, but there are things that can be done to make a difference. We need to start by understanding the problem. We need to think about how we can design social media platforms that discourage trolling and bots while promoting healthy dialogue. We need to create incentives for good behavior and disincentives for bad behavior. We need to empower individuals, communities, and institutions to hold bad actors accountable. We need to support and invest in research on online behavior. And we need to create a shared understanding of the problem and its solutions.

Individuals can take steps to protect themselves from trolls and bots, such as being aware of what they're sharing, being careful about what information they share online, and reporting abusive behavior. Communities can create their own policies and procedures for dealing with trolls and bots. Scholars can conduct research on the effects of trolling and bots on individuals and communities. Corporations can design social media platforms that discourage trolling and bots. Governments can enact laws and regulations that discourage trolling and bots. International coalitions can work together to address the problem of trolling and bots.