Definition of a "Troll"

Definition of a "Troll"
Posted in the Offbeat Forum
http://www.topix.com/forum/news/weird/TTEK0AEKIUGL6EFG4

From Rebecca Goodwin, Chamblee, GA, Thursday Nov 6


Lots of talk about trolls lately but everyone seems to have a different definition on what a troll is. I always thought of a troll as someone who is unregistered and who just runs around making snide comments, then returns back under their bridge.


Hey Hey Tiger Lilly, Jacksonville, FL, Thursday Nov 6

My dad taught me that all things are relative. Keeping that in mind, different people will define a troll differently. So, I'll just say what I think a troll is and others can say what they think a troll is. If enough people post to this thread, we will have a better idea what we all see as troll posters.
To me, a troll is someone who comes here to cause problems. They may just make posts to everyone or they may pick one or more posters and reply to them. They have major issues to deal with and instead of getting the help they need, they come here and go for the quick fix. By that I mean, when they post their comments and read the replies, it makes them feel better in the short run. Because it's just a quick fix, it must be done over and over again, cause it does not last that long. Many times trolls make troll polls. They pick one or more posters and start a poll where we can all vote and post. You have all seen these polls, like Who Is Here Too Much Or Who Is The Most Sexually Frustrated, that kind of thing. Some trolls are more like stalkers and they target one poster and just go after them with a vengence. There are times regulars don't get along and they fight back and forth and call each other trolls. To me, those people are not trolls, they are just having a disagreement, they don't like each other, and they fight it out. Ok, that is my take, I hope others will post to this thread. I would love to read what others think about this subject."


BC in Chicago, Bloomingdale, IL, Thursday Nov 6

As I see it, there are two main categories of trolls:
The first is by far the more obvious - the foam at the mouth, calling everyone names, hating everyone who disagrees even slightly with them, generally offensive kind, who is openly out to bait people and gets his/her kicks out of the outrage and havoc they cause.

The second kind is by far harder to detect, weeks may go by before it becomes obvious. That's the more subtle kind, who--on the surface--is all sweetness and light, peace to all, let's all get along, etc., etc. Then, out of the blue, the claws come out. This particular troll often just picks on one or two people and stabs them in the back again and again (frequently for no discernible reason). This is actually the more vicious kind, because many other posters will defend this one, since he/she is "such a nice person," "means so well," "has not done anything bad" (to others, that is), etc. etc. I have found this kind more often in the RW too, such as in offices. The first kind wouldn't last long in a work environment--what employer/HR department puts up with openly offensive troublemakers? But the second category gets away with this crap for years.

Do I have a solution? Other than ignore, ignore, ignore, no - I don't. However, unlike the real world, we don't have to take it this seriously here.

Just my take on it...

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Bababooeey, “Yes, I do bite!!”, Thursday Nov 6


You forgot about the mutant quasi-trolls who are registered and do that exact same thing. I think it's related to multiple personality disorder coupled with living under power lines or adjacent to chemical/nuclear plants & eating paint chips as a child. Gives one the impression that they are more than they really are.

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Pretty Feet, Sicklerville, NJ, Thursday Nov 6

i'd say a troll is someone who continues to harass others day in and day out.
its like they come here for just that reason, but i do think theres a reason for it.
IMO i think that troll is acting out frustrations that he feels with topix and the people itself.
hes frustrated because he feels hes being rejected here. in other words, people arent responding to him so he feels the need to say things to hurt and annoy others to get even.
its his way of getting attention, whether its the right kind or not doesnt matter, hes being noticed and people are finally "talking" to him. whether its justified doesnt matter either, because to him it is. its his way of being the "star on topix".
thats what i think, rejection causes a powerful emotion that a person feels and everyone has their way of dealing with it.

then again i think some trolls are just messing with it, having a good laugh at other peoples expense. its a thrill for them.

whatever, i still say if a person is bothering u then, best to ignore and not read any of their stuff. if u do, then u are putting urself in harms way. if u dont read them, they cant hurt u..
:O)


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D Louis

I would think that a troll is some one who has no love or real joy in their life. And just hates to see others so happy. I, like so many others come here to post and have a little fun. A troll is some one who hates to see people happy and having fun. And that's why they are always on the attack. Or just maybe they were that kid who was bullied all through school. (I am not a fan of bullying at all.)

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Bababooeey

Actually just 2 tiny minded dopes with nothing better to do. At this point all they do is take limp noodle potshots amusing themselves and nobody else with gutter snipes & broken record comments.

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