On the subject of Trolls

[Schwarzd354]

To me, a troll, a lurker, etc. Is someone who intentionally writes their posts in a way to get the strongest reaction. Sometimes these reactions can be for the good, but all too often people are upset and offended. If it ended there, I think most issues of trolling would be resolved.

Unfortunately, it doesn't end there. What always seems to follow is the thread degenerating into the troll stating that they were joking, or that they were in their right to state their opinion so everyone else is in the wrong. And on the other side people continue to react with more fervor to the troll's comments. Each side rallying supporters to their cause.

For the joking, I'm all for humor, but it is damn hard to convey through text. Tone of voice and body language are removed, making it harder for people to realize the humor. For stating your opinion, everyone absolutely has that right. But there is a time and a place and people don't always seem to acknowledge when it is appropriate to state their opinion, or to phrase it a certain way. A lot of comments could be shifted away from seeming negative if they were written with less confrontational language.

Personally, I find it rather aggravating that this happens so often. And obviously, not just on this website. I deal with enough obnoxious people in real life, I'd like to have a chance to get away from them for a while. Instead, I see the same self-absorbed arrogance.

An example would be fanficiton. I write and read fanfics, using www.fanfiction.net as a resource. There are some exceptionally talented authors out there. But there are also some horrid ones who put no effort into their stories. Even ignoring grammar and format, these authors put no effort into plot and character development, proper characterization, narrative flow, etc. And when they don't receive the praise they believe they deserve, they become offended and blame the audience. It's the same attitude I see in forums.

[Taruby]

Originally Posted by Schwarzd354

To me, a troll, a lurker, etc. Is someone who intentionally writes their posts in a way to get the strongest reaction. Sometimes these reactions can be for the good, but all too often people are upset and offended. If it ended there, I think most issues of trolling would be resolved.

Why did you add lurker to that? Lurkers are called lurkers because they lurk (e.g. they read threads without posting).

Trolls, on the other hand, troll for newbies and lolcows that frequent boards. If you were to establish groups. The trolls would be those in the elite (in) group along with everyone else who is intelligent and savvy, while everyone else who falls for it belong in the sucker (out) group.

I have a feeling that the topic post is only describing the useless trolls, or those who want to be savvy but aren't witty enough to achieve the satisfaction of being among the elite. Like those who try to post on a fansite telling the users there that whatever they are obsessing about sucks. I prefer calling these kinds of trolls a flaming troll. But, that's only if the person is not serious about it or merely joking, like you said. People who are actually serious about such things usually belong to the flamer and kook label.

Successful trolls are rarely identified as such and usually post just like any other user on a board. When a board goes into a troll-witch-hunt, where they begin accusing other posters of being trolls, is probably the work of a troll who will not be identified as a troll.

[elmo]

Originally Posted by Taruby

Why did you add lurker to that? Lurkers are called lurkers because they lurk (e.g. they read threads without posting).

Trolls, on the other hand, troll for newbies and lolcows that frequent boards. If you were to establish groups. The trolls would be those in the elite (in) group along with everyone else who is intelligent and savvy, while everyone else who falls for it belong in the sucker (out) group.

I have a feeling that the topic post is only describing the useless trolls, or those who want to be savvy but aren't witty enough to achieve the satisfaction of being among the elite. Like those who try to post on a fansite telling the users there that whatever they are obsessing about sucks. I prefer calling these kinds of trolls a flaming troll. But, that's only if the person is not serious about it or merely joking, like you said. People who are actually serious about such things usually belong to the flamer and kook label.

Successful trolls are rarely identified as such and usually post just like any other user on a board. When a board goes into a troll-witch-hunt, where they begin accusing other posters of being trolls, is probably the work of a troll who will not be identified as a troll.

take thejakeman for example he's the most well known troll i know of

[ElastiGirl]

Taruby, are you arguing anyone here could be a troll, even if they are not seen as such?!?!?

[Taruby]

Originally Posted by ElastiGirl

Taruby, are you arguing anyone here could be a troll, even if they are not seen as such?!?!?

The upper echelon of any forum board consists of trollers and troller aficionados who read the trolls for their pleasure while sipping on a cup of tea.

Trolling is a highly complicated and subtle art. Anyone could be a troll, but those who play the role of fool are generally not trolls. Though, some weak trolls create sock puppets to play as the fools. But, that seems less genuine and thus isn't respected among troll peers.

[TrumanGrace]

Some horrid authors on fanfiction.net?

Some?

Last time I checked it out, there was probably a good 20-1 ratio of absolutely horrible stories and writers to good ones. Most of the stories are bad romance fics either between characters or an author's self-insertion. Nearly all of the stories had "no criticism" or something of the sort on it, which only proved to me the worthlessness of the majority of those who wrote on it. There are sometimes some hidden gems, but unless it's changed a whole hell of a lot since I was last there (which was, admittedly, years ago), those usually get drowned out quickly unless the subject is so obscure that no one really cares about.

Edit: Also, I agree with everything Taruby said.

[ElastiGirl]

Wow!!! You guys make trolling sound like an art-form or something!!

[elmo]

im sure theres gunna be a trolls that going to say something along the line of " trolling IS art!"

[TrumanGrace]

Originally Posted by ElastiGirl

Wow!!! You guys make trolling sound like an art-form or something!!

It's like debate. Anyone can do it, but to do it well takes a lot of skill and craftmanship.

[Clickme]

Trolling isn't an art-from, it's about a person who enjoys pissing people off, and getting yuks from it.

If someone happens to offend someone else with a joke that was ill phrased or taken out of context, all they need to do is say Sorry, I didn't mean it like that, and drop it. On the other hand, Trolls like to believe that whatever they do, is in the right, and no one can tell them otherwise... like Hitler. Yes that's a bit extreme, but it gets teh point across.

[elmo]

Originally Posted by Clickme

Trolling isn't an art-from, it's about a person who enjoys pissing people off, and getting yuks from it.

If someone happens to offend someone else with a joke that was ill phrased or taken out of context, all they need to do is say Sorry, I didn't mean it like that, and drop it. On the other hand, Trolls like to believe that whatever they do, is in the right, and no one can tell them otherwise... like Hitler. Yes that's a bit extreme, but it gets teh point across.

sadistic's come to mind

[blackvelvetrpg]

Originally Posted by Clickme

Trolling isn't an art-from, it's about a person who enjoys pissing people off, and getting yuks from it.

.

Writing a poem/novel/painting
that pisses people off and gets the creator some satisfaction
no doubt has already been done.

(eg all those anti-Islam cartoons some European papers
carried)