What Is A Troll?

[Huntn]

Recently I read a comment in the Political section about trolling. Based on my experience in the MacRumors Forums, I think that most participants do a great job of conducting simultaneously thoughtful and lively debates.

I think trolling is more than a single post but a pattern of activity. And still you have the challenge of determining is this what the person believes or is his/her primary purpose just to stir the pot? It's not that easy to identify, but it is easy to say "troll' every time you hear something you don't like. So what do you think a troll is? And more importantly how do you distinguish a troll from someone who has valid criticisms?

1. "Invading Iraq was a huge error in judgement."
2. "You warmongering Americans attacked a country based on lies."

Statement no.2 is definitely more incendiary. But is it a 100% troll statement?

According to Wikipedia: In Internet slang, a troll is someone who posts inflammatory, extraneous, or off-topic messages in an online community, such as an online discussion forum, chat room, or blog, with the primary intent of provoking other users into a desired emotional response[1] or of otherwise disrupting normal on-topic discussion.

 

[roadbloc]

I'ma troll. I think everyone has a bit of troll in them at times.

A troll disagrees no matter anyone's opinion, having a debate for the sake of having a debate, disagreeing for the sake of disagreeing, just to try and wind the other party up and make the "mad".

Some people mistake people who just have very "single minded" (for the lack of a better phrase) opinions as trolls.

 

[Blue Velvet]

I think trolling is more than a single post but a pattern of activity.

Which, generally speaking and from experience, is precisely how the moderators approach it. Multiple instances across a range of threads, reported by different people and then looked at by a group of moderators usually comes to a consensus that can then be acted on.

From my point of view, the only blatant trolling on MacRumors seems to tend to come from n00bs who deliberately come here to say Apple products are terrible. All the rest are in grey areas, which in many instances, can take a little while to assess where they're coming from and what their intent is.

 

[That-Is-Bull]

Trolling is the act of saying or posting something to intentionally get a rise out of people - posting something really stupid on a political forum just to piss people off, for example.

Nowadays everybody throws the word around everywhere, people seem to think that "troll" means "somebody I disagree with," or "an internet cyber bully" according to the news.

 

[R94N]

Some people mistake people who just have very "single minded" (for the lack of a better phrase) opinions as trolls.

Yeah, kind of like people who cannot accept there are differing opinions out there other than theirs.

 

[Pink∆Floyd]

Trolling is an art really.

Ah, I love the smell of trolling in the morning

 

[jav6454]

A troll is a clever user with the thought process of an 8 year old. Main purpose is to incite fighting among users with the slightest inane response or remark he/she makes.

Known pictures of the troll:

 

[benthewraith]

Recently I read a comment in the Political section about trolling. Based on my experience in the MacRumors Forums, I think that most participants do a great job of conducting simultaneously thoughtful and lively debates.

I think trolling is more than a single post but a pattern of activity. And still you have the challenge of determining is this what the person believes or is his/her primary purpose just to stir the pot? It's not that easy to identify, but it is easy to say "troll' every time you hear something you don't like. So what do you think a troll is? And more importantly how do you distinguish a troll from someone who has valid criticisms?

1. "Invading Iraq was a huge error in judgement."
2. "You warmongering Americans attacked a country based on lies."

Statement no.2 is definitely more incendiary. But is it a 100% troll statement?

According to Wikipedia: In Internet slang, a troll is someone who posts inflammatory, extraneous, or off-topic messages in an online community, such as an online discussion forum, chat room, or blog, with the primary intent of provoking other users into a desired emotional response[1] or of otherwise disrupting normal on-topic discussion.

They see me trollin', they hatin', gonna try and catch me postin' dirteh!

 

[Mousse]

Known pictures of the troll:

Icaramba. That looks like me.

 

[jav6454]

Icaramba. That looks like me.

Doubtful....

 

[wpotere]

Sadly many around here will call you a troll if you simply disagree with their opinion. I got called a troll the other day for not agreeing with somone about trying to scam Apple. What we used for labeling a person only around to make trouble is now used to label someone that doesn't agree....

 

[Pink∆Floyd]

lol

 

[ravenvii]

Trolls are everywhere in the iPad/iPhone forums. They are also rampant in the main page news comment threads.

And they are multiplying.

I might be confusing trolls with excessively stupid people, however.

 

[jav6454]

....
lol

You are doing it wrong....

also:

 

[Melrose]

Flamebaiting is a trademark of trollhood. Fanaticism is another, typically, although we do have some members who are otherwise fanatical but seem to be able to function outside of the scope of their obsession.

 

[vincenz]

Doubtful....

That's gonna give people nightmares tonight.

 

[Melrose]

You are doing it wrong....

As a matter of fact...

 

[jav6454]

As a matter of fact...
...

No...

Also:

 

[Pink∆Floyd]

No...

Yes...

Also,

Jav, is it really you?

 

[neko girl]

A special kind of trolling going on upstairs^^ with the pictures, but..
I think I'm a troll sometimes, maybe on PRSI forum

):

 

[dmr727]

):

You're obviously trolling with that upside down friggin' smiley of yours!

 

[neko girl]

You're obviously trolling with that upside down friggin' smiley of yours!

I'm a lefty.

And you're upside down!

 

[Melrose]

You're obviously trolling with that upside down friggin' smiley of yours!

 

[citizenzen]

I think I'm a troll sometimes, maybe on PRSI forum

I'm a lefty.

I'm a lefty, and don't have any problem being forthright with my opinion.

But I am not a troll.

I think being a troll is about intent. If your intent is merely to stir the pot, then that's one thing. But people do have opinions. And it should not be considered trollish to simply debate one's opinion.

The fear of opinion that some take umbrage to is another way to describe political correctness.

 

[ravenvii]

This is exactly what I think the situation on those forums actually is.