©iStockphoto.com/Colleen Bradley
Much we marvel this alternate persona posting hyperlinks so plainly
To click a link and see its meaning, in images, videos and more
What makes The Raven tick I wonder? I seek to find the answer
Of our beloved trollish wonder post post posting on our message board.
I’d like to start by asking, do you consider what you do to be trolling? Or is it a form of performance art or public service to you? Or something else altogether?
It is all three, really. I started out with the purpose of hounding trolls until they’d give up and go away. Gradually I began to enjoy the creative aspect of finding a link that fits into a discussion in an clever or amusing way. But, like a troll I’d probably give it up if everyone ignored me.
Has anyone ever guessed who you are? How do you take it when people are insistent that you are a poster you are not? Will you ever reveal your identity?
One or two people have guessed right. It doesn’t bother me when people insist I’m someone else. Well, that’s not true. Maybe it does bother me when they say I’m a certain poster who I HATE…
You must tell us who it is that you hate! I know it’s not me, because nobody ever thinks I am you – don’t you find that odd? I would find it vaguely insulting if I were a troll.
I was just messing with you. I hate no one. I just don’t have it in me.
It is disappointing that nobody ever thinks I’m you. I’ve always admired your genius with the AIP. But if you were me, you’d be interviewing yourself right now and that would be, well, crazy.
Heheh, yeah, crazy, nobody would interview themselves! That really is crazy talk. Does your significant other know about your alternate internet personality? If so, do they give you the roll-eyes?
Yes. I do get the roll-eyes a lot.
Do you feel like most people “get” you? Or do you feel misunderstood?
I think most people do. Everyone seems to appreciate my hijinks and accept it for what it is: a harmless bit of fun. I’m glad that no one says that I’m weird or creepy- publicly, anyway.
I like it when someone gets my “nevermore”, but it’s fun when they see something in it I didn’t. It demonstrates my superior intellect and multi-dimensionality and stuff.
Does it bother you when people say bad things about the Raven?
Who says bad things!? I may have to re-think my answer to the hate question…
Is it liberating to have an identity outside of your “real” internet identity?
Yes, I highly recommend it. Everyone should have at least one alternate internet personality. But not if you do it to harass and insult people. That sort of behaviour is cowardly and cruel and ruins the fun for those of us who wish to remain harmless and amusing.
Have you ever thought about taking your show on the road, going to other message boards?
Who has the time?!
Do you have any other alternate internet personalities or trolls planned? If this message board fails to you want to join me in a Legion of Super Trolls?
I am occasionally inspired by my Muse to create other personalities. I will gladly join your Legion as long as we are a force for good, not evil. Evil gives me the piles.
So, do you have a “nevermore” to close the story with? Thanks for doing this interview!
{ 5 comments… read them below or add one }
Great interview. I really feel like I know the Raven just a little bit better. Who knew that beneath those black feathers beat a tell-tale heart of gold.
Oh, and now I miss the SuperFriends. Talk about a blast from the past.
That’s hysterical!
All I know about the Raven is that its first name is Quoth.
I know who The Raven is!
There was this guy see.
He wasn’t very bright and he reached his adult life without ever having learned “the facts”.
Somehow, it gets to be his wedding day.
While he is walking down the isle, his father tugs his sleeve and says,
“Son, when you get to the hotel room…Call me”
Hours later he gets to the hotel room with his beautiful blushing bride and he calls his father,
“Dad, we are the hotel, what do I do?”
“O.K. Son, listen up, take off your clothes and get in the bed, then she should take off her clothes and get in the bed, if not help her. Then either way, ah, call me”
A few moments later…
“Dad we took off our clothes and we are in the bed, what do I do?”
O.K. Son, listen up. Move real close to her and she should move real close to you, and then… Ah, call me.”
A few moments later…
“DAD! WE TOOK OFF OUR CLOTHES, GOT IN THE BED AND MOVED REAL CLOSE, WHAT DO I DO???”
“O.K. Son, Listen up, this is the most important part. Stick the long part of your body into the place where she goes to the bathroom.”
A few moments later…
“Dad, I’ve got my foot in the toilet, what do I do?”