I See You Internet Troll

Every now and then I get comments on videos for my YouTube channel that are disrespectful in nature.  As someone who is an introvert by nature, the various attention that comes from trying to make myself known online can be a bit of a maze to deal with.

I knew that YouTube comment sections could turn into a cesspool from time to time but up until this past year (2022) I’ve been able to post videos with relative obscurity so it hasn’t been a problem for me.  But with more attention comes the potential for some foolishness.  

Initially I thought I might want to engage with the negative commenters and do a bit of word sparring.  I like a good debate.  But I’ve realized that most of these people aren’t interested in dialogue.  They’re interested in trying to get a reaction out of me.  They’re interested in trying to divert my energy and attention away from doing the work that I believe is important.  Another reality is the fact that some of these commenters are just kids being stupid.  I remember being a teenager in the late 90’s and anonymously going into chat rooms online and straight-up harassing people.  Why?  Because I could do it and suffer zero consequences.

When I get comments that aren’t constructive and just seek to tear me down I simply delete them and keep moving.  I’ve realized through paying attention to my own behavior on YouTube, that people who are reasonable and moving forward in the world will usually leave a comment once in a blue moon.  Those individuals who are immature or simply in a dark place in life, are more likely to stop and take the time to try to tear me down.  They’ll make ugly comments on my appearance or say I’m ridiculous for certain ideas.  The underbelly of the internet has a way of making itself known and as a creator I’m learning to enjoy the process of heightened concentration.

The thing I have to realize at times is the fact that there is someone out there watching and reading faithfully.  Not because they worship me but because they get value out of what I do.  They don’t comment because they don’t have time to comment or because they realize that what they might say can be summarized by just hitting the like button.  Those people are out there living their life.  They’re too busy trying to be the best human they can be in reality, to spend a bunch of time commenting online.  I know because I’m the same way.  There are people I follow online regularly but I never comment on their content because I’m more concerned with being out in the world and actually implementing those useful ideas.

Sometimes we don’t know who’s watching us, whether online or in real-life.  I guess this situation is helping me to remember to not allow my view of the world to not get skewed by internet trolls.  People who have nothing better to do will waste time making ridiculous comments.  People who want to grow will spend time trying to embody ideas that are useful and every now and then they may make a comment about how something has truly helped improve the quality of their life.  I have to make it my job to focus on the latter.

What negative energy are you paying attention to that doesn’t deserve your precious focus?