Comments on: You Need a Thick Skin to Participate Online

By: WebCelebCarbonFootprint

WebCelebCarbonFootprint — Thu, 23 Jul 2009 02:07:20 +0000

LOL I’m sorry, but what a tool. NIN always annoyed me. I remember when the I want to F you like an animal song came out… and if you went out they would play it once every 15 minutes (so it seemed). To me the aholeness of the song is similar to the way he has reacted by pulling his Twitter account.

Sorry Trent, but you really AREN’T God. lol

By: iEllie

iEllie — Wed, 22 Jul 2009 17:56:31 +0000

I fully agree with you on this. If you are going to put yourself out there whether it be musically, on the Internet, on TV, the radio or anything you have to have a thick skin. People are judgmental and everyone has an opinion. The Internet allows anyone that has an opinion to voice it which is great but can be hurtful. In the end you have to just let it roll of your back.

No one likes a Troll but they are out there and if you don’t want to deal with them then don’t put yourself out there.

By: Ron Knights

Ron Knights — Wed, 22 Jul 2009 16:33:09 +0000

Chris,

Yes, I guess you need a thick skin.

But then again, people should know how to act mature. There should also be a way to govern or banish the trolls and hateful people.

At times, it’s seemed that you have been affected by the insults against you. I’ve seen it in your videos, etc.

But Chris, you’re only human.

Over the past decade I was active in the 3D online community. The Trolls kept after me that long before I finally left.

Now I’m in the Geeky Community, and have attracted a loyal following.

To date I’ve only attracted one Troll.. He’s a loyal Troll, having followed me for 14 months.

By: Kitty

Kitty — Wed, 22 Jul 2009 14:57:48 +0000

He’s right though. Even on your site, the people who have the least to contribute and the biggest agenda, are the ones who talk the most, drowning out, if not altogether abusing good users.

By: steve

steve — Wed, 22 Jul 2009 14:07:56 +0000

To Trent Reznor: You’re missing a beautiful opportunity here. No, not all that stuff that you used to love about Twitter. The frustration and anger that Twitter brings up in you could be your fuel – your best music has always been the stuff you’re angriest about. Shouldn’t you be tapping into all that angst to drive your creative process? Just a thought.

To Chris Pirillo: I like your site and your commentary, but these floating ads that fly across my screen, forcing me to close them in order to even read your posts are driving me nuts. I’m all for bloggers making money through ad revenue, really. I totally support that – but you’ve gone a step or two too far with those. Just my opinion. I figured that responding to a post about growing thicker skin would be a good place to insert this critique. ;) Cheers!

By: Lisa

Lisa — Wed, 22 Jul 2009 12:43:32 +0000

This is my 10th year of writing “scam-busting” articles online and I have to agree that, at least at first glance, it DOES seem as though idiots rule the internet. I get about 1 “Thank you” or “That was helpful” comment for every 200 “You’re a moron” or “F you”.

Chris is absolutely right, you MUST be thick skinned. Anonymity and distance embolden people and they will say and do things they would never have the courage to do to your face. To survive online you HAVE to learn to separate legitimate criticism from idiotic knee-jerk reactions.

On the other hand, there are only so many times you can hear “You totally suck” before it starts to get to you.

By: Zagorath

Zagorath — Wed, 22 Jul 2009 12:37:28 +0000

Well said!
You should try to see if you can get him to read this, although it’s very unlikely…

By: sean808080

sean808080 — Wed, 22 Jul 2009 12:14:58 +0000

sad to see trolls scared away someone who seemed to get it. trolls have been around as long as there have been new ways for people to connect. ignoring them seems to be the best approach.