The Defamers Reward: He is taking the one-up pose to talk down to you, even though he doesn't know the meaning, nor application of the words.

A well-meaning pro might, or can appear, to have the same motivations to gain satisfaction from one-upping everyone through exclusive knowledge, but

Problem and Cure

I am very comfortable with all types. However, IMO, a DIY site is not the best forum for a never-ending thread about personal opinions in an open discussion forum. It is fun for the girls and girly-men, but not exactly what is looked for by DIY's looking for professionally complicated answers. There is certainly room for open discussion groups though, I can find entertainment in it, and tolerate it without becoming 'bitchy' myself. It isn't the first time I've confronted it on many sites. However, it is best to keep them completely separate, perhaps with a link to the 'other' discussion site, with moderators that are not Venusian politicians, as they will drive the pros off the site with continual blaming and repetitive boredom. In simpler terms, it is like an American high school where kid gangs are in charge and the teachers are the enemy. If you propose that you can reason with raw tribal power without bringing trinkets, be warned: You are seriously outnumbered and you know when to stop - they don't.

Once a site is clearly defined for DOERS, instead of ARGUERS, rancor is more avoidable. There is a serious design flaw in DIY sites that have open discussion to attract the barely functional so the owner can gather 'clicks,' as it makes rancor: Venusians are there to 'feel' not to examine ideas - Martians are there to explore thoughts and learn - Venusians know everything they needed by age 13. It is a matter of intelligence. A Venusian that spends all day repeating greetings, small-talk, and pets isn't usually there to get a point across that would help someone get something done (unless so primitive that a child could do it. A warning that the site is really for they barely able to hold a screwdriver is fair.) They are irritated by professionals with vocational training. As it is so beyond their ability to process, they harass the pro off the site to preserve their self-image of 'good, superior' diplomats. A solution, for they who want one, is to separate the groups by having a separate high school site and a university site with moderators that match and respect the difference.

the difference here is when a pro actually prods someone to think about what they are asking, or better yet - gets them to ask a specific question that has an answer - then answers it to their benefit.

Many manic need to remain one-up or try to gain the 'upper hand.' Asking a question places the inquirer in a one-down position, so trolls are more likely to find victims on a DIY site, as many DIY's ask for tips.

Defamers aren't making an even trade, like exchanging their expertise for yours, unless they clearly state that is a condition of the meeting. If trolls can divert inquiries that they can't answer into a personal discussion they have hopes of controlling, they gain satisfaction. They can one-up the inquirer AND the answerer.

In their perception, they declare their target as a threat to their supremacy or a threat to the peace of their creation. It is much like an Ayatollah deciding who is evil and then starting a Jihad on someone who writes. The punishments at Abu Grabe were justified because the prisoners were dangerous.