The Authentic Eclectic
Sealion — As The Troll Barks
Sealioning is a term I came across some time ago, describing the act of pretending you don’t understand something and are interested in an answer, in order to ask exhaustive, pointless questions of the person you have targeted.
Sealioning as a behaviour is another sour fruit from the tree that gave us the concern troll.
The Urban Dictionary describes Sealioning as: “Disingenuous questions in an attempt to engage in unwanted debate as a form of harassment.” The Sealion, as with all other trolls, has malicious intent.
As with all other manner of trolls, I often block Sealions immediately. Though sometimes for my own satisfaction, I’ll first point out I know what they’re doing.
Extrapolate. You can tell in one comment, usually, if someone is being disingenous.
You owe nobody even a second of your time online. People show you who they are all the time (to paraphrase Maya Angelou), so spare yourself their dreary squabbling, and believe them.
And if pleases you to silence them, by hiding their replies or blocking them, do so without a moment’s pause.
You owe the Sealion nothing, and if you choose to silence its bark, that is your right.
