Trolling

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I don't get it.

I really don't get it. Could someone who trolls explain to me why do you it, what you get out of it, and how you justify it?

I think I just belong to a generation that won't get this at all. But I'd like to get some sort of insight into why people do it.


I couldn't think where else to put this, but if someone wants to move it, then feel free.

I think it is a sign of immaturity. Typically bored kids trying to mess with other people because they've nothing better to do.

I used to troll a forum for a clubnight a guy I couldn't stand used to run. He had competition every week for free tickets, so I made up my own competition on the forum with spoof prizes and it got more posts.

Really?

If you really think about it, do you really think a true troll would admit right on a forum that they do it? Sounds like a quick way to attract attention and have your posting habits looked at more closely, get banned, and lose the ability to do it.

Kind of counter productive, don't you think?

All I can say is, I don't troll, and I am as mystified about the mentality of those who do as you are.

EDIT: There weren't any replies here when I started typing this. Never thought about admitting to "past" trolling.

I'm not talking about people who troll on WP. I mean people who troll anywhere online.

And by trolling, I'm referring to deliberate attempts to provoke, upset, offend, etc.

It seems to be quite common? Or maybe I'm wrong about that.

I always figured it was negative attention-whoring - they don't necessarily even believe what they are saying, as long as it provokes a response.

U GUISE ALL SUK, I IS THE BEST MAN EVAH!

I am new to this site but I have pin pointed one guy as a troll so basically when I see his posts I just skip to the next one. I am very curious if he will have the balls to come and troll this thread! lol
I think what they get out of it is that in their real lives they feel powerless and they are cowards so the only way for them to get a taste of having a tiny bit of power is to hide behind a keyboard and insult people who can't find them and kick their ass.
This way the trolls are feeling that they have control over other people and in effect of their own lives, even if it is just for minutes and even if it is not even true.

Dear Suspie, Welcome to WP!
And, you sound pretty correct about trolls.

Sylkat

Yeah, I hate trolls and trolling in general as much as most of us do. But, you know, simply ignoring them helps a lot. "Do not feed the animals." Oh, I mean, "trolls."

Oh, joy!
The Imperious,
The Irresistable,
The Incomparable
!Dork!

Is back!

So, where's Errol?

Sylkat

That's flame-baiting. Trolling, to me, is when you mess with people in subtle ways for your own amusement, not necessarily to upset them (though it can be a side effect, the intent is generally harmless).

The former I would never engage in, even with someone who ticks me off, because hate is a wasted emotion. The latter I engage in quite frequently, but only in good company.

Errol's in the laundromat, because he loves being white and his coat is getting dirrty.

Henbane and Gs0, sometimes, there is a very thin line between simple trolling and flame-baiting. And in most cases, that line is being crossed.

I used to troll. I found it funny. It was especially funny when someone played along. I also used to troll trolls, now that was entertainment.

These days, though, I am harmless.

I think that not all people who are called Trolls come into places with the intention of Trolling. I think it may be in the eye of the perceiver. Two instances where I supposedly 'trolled' an internet space:

1. I was involved in a discussion after a post I made, and told a commenter I agree with her, even though what she said was not in complete agreement to my original post. To me it's common courtesy, to think about other people's feelings and thoughts if I raise an argument. She also didn't believe me I could have considered the point she made prior to writing my post, and that I can include more than one POV when I discuss something. I also used to use smilies until then, to show I'm making a light-hearted discussion, but I got told by posters that smilies are 'passive aggressive' - whatever that means, because it means nothing to me.

2. On WP, I raised a question to a mother of an autistic kid, who said she's awaiting assessment for herself and another child regarding autism - I asked if she often suspects autism. Since then she backtracked/edited a lot of her posts, and also called me a troll via PM.

I don't get it either. I only go online to find something interesting, not to provoke other people for the hell of it. I could do that IRL if I really wanted to, but I don't get kicks out of being mean to people...unless it's revenge.