Leo Traynor relates his heartbreaking [true] story about the anguish a troll on the Internet can cause, especially if they ‘reach out’ in the real world. Read it. Please.
This is why I left Twitter, why I came back and how I met a Troll. (via @ohsarahrose)
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I’m aware of a case years ago where a troubled teenaged son living at home was found, on police investigation, to have repeatedly daubed ugly anti Semitic slogans on his (Jewish) parents house. His actions caused terrible mental anguish — before and after he was identified as the perpetrator.
I had cause to remember that case (from long ago) and re-imagine the sense of bewildered betrayal around it when absorbing news reports about the vandalism, arson, slogans and abusive letters directed at farmer Scott Guy and his family — by his (perfectly sane?) brother in law.
There’s something very awful and unsettling about an ‘inside job’ like this.
Leo Traynor (above) demonstrates a level of understanding, compassion and humanity that impresses me very much — a level to which I hope I could rise, (lord, don’t lead me into temptation).
To be able face your tormentor and quench a sense of righteous rage — think of the protective papa bear urges — is a big step. He did it without disgrace, without vindictiveness.
Well done to him. I don’t know if I would be so kind. But I would be just as curious about what drives such behaviour.
– P
