I'm thinking that the way the Internet has evolved makes the concept of a single-profile flame warrior obsolete. The clue's in the name: A warrior gets into fights, but the Internet has become an...
I'm thinking that the way the Internet has evolved makes the concept of a single-profile flame warrior obsolete. The clue's in the name: A warrior gets into fights, but the Internet has become an eternal battlefield, and it calls for soldiers, with each type outlined in this guide yet another weapon in their arsenal.
After all, war is profitable to those who know how to take advantage of it, and the Internet is no exception. It's no longer about how you're fighting, but for whom.
Indeed. Social media values the sacrosanct user engagement above all else, and getting people riled up is one of the best ways to achieve it. To that end, they're giving us all the tools we could...
Indeed. Social media values the sacrosanct user engagement above all else, and getting people riled up is one of the best ways to achieve it. To that end, they're giving us all the tools we could need at our disposal. Why stick to one way of fighting when you have combined arms?
While the Internet is no stranger to politically-charged shouting matches, the modern Internet has raised it to an art form by silo-ing like-minded users that are prone to more extreme views into echo-chambers, then letting them loose on more neutral terrain, especially against those holding the opposite beliefs. This may match the profile of the "Ideologue" at first glance, but the reality is that both sides know damn well the political aspect is not the point, just a pretext to bring the other down in the eyes of those watching.
Likewise, the "Archivist" is hardly a specialized type when the platform is more than happy to show anyone's comment and post history through their profile. Once you've spotted a Controversial™ comment there, all you need to do is present it to the audience and the very mechanics set by the platform will do the rest, be it mass downvotes on Reddit or ratios on Twitter. You don't even need to use your keyboard to join the fray when a button will do.
Even seemingly benign profiles that you'd think are just people who don't know any better like the "Diplomat" can be weaponized for the sake of disruption, see the concept of concern trolling.
I randomly remembered this relic from the PHPBB forums of old, back when "flame wars" were spats that happened now and then rather than just the water we swim in while being online. Tag yourself!...
I randomly remembered this relic from the PHPBB forums of old, back when "flame wars" were spats that happened now and then rather than just the water we swim in while being online. Tag yourself!
I was also disappointed the images were broken. Here's an archive link with working images: https://web.archive.org/web/20131029014307/http://www.flamewarriorsguide.com/warriorshtm/bigdogmetoo.htm
This was an entertaining read and the caricatures are well-done. Thanks for sharing @NaraVara! I don't think any of them describe me particularly well, but perhaps it's easier to assign them to...
This was an entertaining read and the caricatures are well-done. Thanks for sharing @NaraVara!
I don't think any of them describe me particularly well, but perhaps it's easier to assign them to others than to oneself.
I find the description of Idealogue is relevant to the decline in civil discussion across the internet. The Idealogues are ubiquitous now, where they may have been more rare before? They are certainly represented here to a degree.
The most common variants of Ideologue are conservative and liberal. Smug and self satisfied in their certitudes, Ideologue's opinions are merely a loose collection of intellectual conceits, and [h]e is genuinely astonished, bewildered and and indignant that his views are not universally embraced as the Truth. He regards the opposing point of view as a form of cognitive dissonance whose only cure is relentless propagandizing and browbeating. The conservative iteration of Ideologue parades himself as a logical, clear thinker, while the liberal version trumpets his higher level of mental, spiritual and social awareness. Troglodyte is the natural ally of conservative Ideologue, and for liberal Ideologue it is Weenie. Ideologue is a fierce, but very predictable Warrior..
Yeah that one and a few others (Pinko, Weenie, Ferrous Cranius) are clearly artifacts of when this was made in the 2000s. I think we'd probably have 3 or 4 sub-types of each of those at this...
Yeah that one and a few others (Pinko, Weenie, Ferrous Cranius) are clearly artifacts of when this was made in the 2000s. I think we'd probably have 3 or 4 sub-types of each of those at this point. And the conspiracy theorist one would be regarded as much more formidable.
I'm thinking that the way the Internet has evolved makes the concept of a single-profile flame warrior obsolete. The clue's in the name: A warrior gets into fights, but the Internet has become an eternal battlefield, and it calls for soldiers, with each type outlined in this guide yet another weapon in their arsenal.
After all, war is profitable to those who know how to take advantage of it, and the Internet is no exception. It's no longer about how you're fighting, but for whom.
"Engagement"
Spot on.
Oooh very insightful! So the warriors are more like military doctrines.
Indeed. Social media values the sacrosanct user engagement above all else, and getting people riled up is one of the best ways to achieve it. To that end, they're giving us all the tools we could need at our disposal. Why stick to one way of fighting when you have combined arms?
While the Internet is no stranger to politically-charged shouting matches, the modern Internet has raised it to an art form by silo-ing like-minded users that are prone to more extreme views into echo-chambers, then letting them loose on more neutral terrain, especially against those holding the opposite beliefs. This may match the profile of the "Ideologue" at first glance, but the reality is that both sides know damn well the political aspect is not the point, just a pretext to bring the other down in the eyes of those watching.
Likewise, the "Archivist" is hardly a specialized type when the platform is more than happy to show anyone's comment and post history through their profile. Once you've spotted a Controversial™ comment there, all you need to do is present it to the audience and the very mechanics set by the platform will do the rest, be it mass downvotes on Reddit or ratios on Twitter. You don't even need to use your keyboard to join the fray when a button will do.
Even seemingly benign profiles that you'd think are just people who don't know any better like the "Diplomat" can be weaponized for the sake of disruption, see the concept of concern trolling.
Tools on your belt, just tools on your belt. Works for a lot of things.
Holy shit, I couldn't have said it better myself. You choose this day whom you will serve...
Lovely username by the way.
I randomly remembered this relic from the PHPBB forums of old, back when "flame wars" were spats that happened now and then rather than just the water we swim in while being online. Tag yourself!
I'd like to think I'm a Kung Fu Master but I'm probably just Furious Typer.
It's a shame many of the images seem to be broken. Once upon a time each of these was a full trading card.
I was also disappointed the images were broken. Here's an archive link with working images: https://web.archive.org/web/20131029014307/http://www.flamewarriorsguide.com/warriorshtm/bigdogmetoo.htm
Dang. Good brainmeats! I don't know if I saw this back in the day.
Tagging myself as Bliss Ninny with a side of Coffee Klatch. ;)
Wow. This is still around? I swear this actually was passed around back in the day of newsgroups. I haven’t even seen it since then.
This was an entertaining read and the caricatures are well-done. Thanks for sharing @NaraVara!
I don't think any of them describe me particularly well, but perhaps it's easier to assign them to others than to oneself.
I find the description of Idealogue is relevant to the decline in civil discussion across the internet. The Idealogues are ubiquitous now, where they may have been more rare before? They are certainly represented here to a degree.
Yeah that one and a few others (Pinko, Weenie, Ferrous Cranius) are clearly artifacts of when this was made in the 2000s. I think we'd probably have 3 or 4 sub-types of each of those at this point. And the conspiracy theorist one would be regarded as much more formidable.