This Is Why We Can't Have Nice Things: Mapping the Relationship between Online Trolling and Mainstream Culture

A tool for understanding trolls -- one of the most prominent and disturbing groups of people on the internet. An exhaustive study by Whitney Phillips exposes the roots of the troll space and follows trolling through its early, middle, and late iterations. Phillips explains the origins of many different memes and their importance to trolling, information which is useful in spotting and dealing with trolling behaviors online.The main argument of the book is that trolls are irrevocably linked to mainstream culture, that they are an exaggerated instance of the worst of the mainstream --and the media in particular. Because of this, Phillips doesn't believe trolls can be stopped, not until massive cultural overhaul is made. She says herself that she's been accused of being an apologist for trolls, and it is true that the tone of the book sometimes skirts toward troll sympathizing. Though, overall it is still a very readable, and useable resource. A recommended read for anyone who wants to better understand the internet, especially its wicked underbelly (4chan /b/ specifically).

Very educational. To be 100% academic, the author shed a great deal of light on a tremendously elusive subject. However, she might have gotten a little too close to the subjects and perhaps is a touch soft handed with them. Apart from that, she's a regular Jane Fossey of the amorphic world of online trolling.

I found this book after reading the author's excellent op Ed about Donald Trump. The book didn't disappoint. It is a model for how to do rigorous and accessible scholarship on media, and I found it's underlying argument soberly compelling: troll space isn't the antithesis of mainstream American values, but an extreme expression of them. Anyone trying to understand the disturbing dynamic of American politics at present could benefit from this book.

Well argued and well supported. It was a class read but I really enjoyed it and learning about trolling culture. Informative and a light read.

Interesting topic, but too nerdy and specialized. Author is clearly an expert in her field, but not an expert in exposing her knowledge beyond the narrow confines of academia. Phillips could reach a way bigger audience by collaborating with a professional writer.

A fascinating investigation and examination of a subculture which is likely to be much misunderstood. Whitney Phillips' rigor, combined with an open-mindedness about the subject, combine to make her book a must-read for anyone interested in contemporary culture.

This is a very interesting book. It charters the terrain to understand the problem of trolling, and it signals avenues to assess sound responses. Anonymity, feminism, mainstream media and political activism, are part of the mix. (Here's a short review in Spanish: http://carloscortes.co/blog/2015/8/23/por-eso-es-que-no-podemos-tener-cosas-bonitas).

Enlightening work on troll culture with historical and folkloric context which allows the reader to better understand the groups who troll and the communities who are trolled.

I liked the style, the narrative and all of the sources presented. The author made me think of my own responsibility on why we cannot have nice things on the internet.

Excellent book on a topic which has been overlooked for way too long ! Based on academic research, it is precise and rigorous, yet very fun to read.

This book emphasizes the embedding of troll culture in mainstream society. The trolls' famous memes are perpetually echoed by the media, sold by companies, mined by political activists, and imitated by kiddies who are younger than 4chan itself. The development of trollspace from its /b/eginnings to its decline and fail is unfolded. Philips' thoughts and insights are absolutely interesting, but as an social media admin I missed more detailed information about the trolls themselves: who they are, what they think, how they act. While exactly describing her methodology, the author omits telling her primary results. Well, probably nobody really _has_ this information...

In depth PhD analysis of American Anglosaxon culture. The message of troll culture emulating IRL culture is, in hindsight, a premonition of what was to come next: reality emulating online troll culture to its sociopolitical extremes. A re-edition and current revision is way overdue, and it might be good if Phillips released it before the world as we know it lulz itself to death.

It's a v interesting book, although I am a bit annoyed at the constant "here's a thing, but I will only mention it for now and talk about it in depth later" which basically results in the first half of the book being just a tease, really.