What is the point of being a troll?

[XemaSab]

I was reading a blog the other day the purpose of which is to take threads from DU and heckle people's posts. (Can you say "too much free time?" Yes you can.)

This blog also had pointers on being a troll. One suggestion was to post a lot in the lounge, or make a lot of short posts in order to rack up a high post total.

Ok, so you accumulate a lot of posts, and then what?

You rip off your mask and go out in a blaze of freeper glory, running into the sunset shouting "Praise W!" ?

Or is it more of a long term, insidious thing where you make offhand comments like "Iraq might possibly be better off without Saddam" and "abortion is a sad thing" or other comments that are perhaps not the status quo but won't get you summarily tombstoned?

Either way, what's the point? There are a lot of good democrats here that I don't always agree with and who don't always agree with me, both to the left of me and to the right of me. I know how I feel about certain issues, and while I like to keep an open mind, I'm not going to change my opinion on an issue based on one post, and I'm certainly never going to support W in this lifetime or any other.

If the goal is to sow dissent among our ranks, it's frankly a stupid strategy as far as I'm concerned. There are times when people's opposing opinions strike me as being uninformed, and I know I've made some uninformed posts, but for the most part I'm overjoyed to see the diversity of informed, well-thought-out opinion here.

So why be a troll?

[atommom]

1. I don't understand it either. But some people seem to get a lot of

satisfaction from doing it! :shrug:

[rkc3]

2. Because being a troll is a step up for most of them.

[hobbit709]

4. LOL

most of these clowns would have to climb a ladder to get to the gutter at the curb.

[Lerkfish]

3. why be a bootlicking BushChrist worshipper?

:shrug:

obviously their minds are wired differently than humans.

[wakeme2008]

5. Come to me little Trollie

Don't waste you time posting here, I have some nice Enlistment Papers for you to fill out and sign... Free food,,, free housing.... what more could you ask for....

[ET Awful]

6. The simple answer? Because Freepers consider lying and deceit

to be forms of entertainment. Only a "conservative" finds lying, manipulating, and deceiving to be acceptable forms of entertainment.

[Jo March]

7. Some think that it will make their penises larger

It doesn't, of course, but I guess they'll learn one day.

[tanyev]

8. Because I am constantly looking for advice and guidance on

what to think from low post-count lecturers dispensing advice. I really don't know what opinions to hold until I run across one of them who can tell me what is right and what is wrong. :eyes:

I don't know why they bother, either.

[SteppingRazor]

9. What makes DUers troll at Free Republic?

I would guess it's the same thing -- morbid curiosity.

[deacon2]

10. Disinformation and disruption

They needle away, hoping their dysfunction will take root in one, then two, then three. It can build up over time and cause that inexplicable moment of doubt - you wonder if you really should oppose nuclear holocaust, after all someone at DU was in favor of it. You wake up with an overpowering desire to buy a trailer, or to beat up on small pets. At a crucial moment, perhaps you don't take the correct action. And in this moment of doubt and weakness, you allow THEM to win, if only briefly. True Black Ops in all its insidious glory. Analagous to the pods under the bed - and just as dangerous to the soul in the long run. Read carefully and respond with truth...

Ah bullshit - its just the prankster gene run amok. Pay them less attention than a gnat and they'll go away in time. They're cowardly punks at the end of the day. Show them the requisite respect - NONE.

[bvar22]

11. It is an adolescent fantasy of being a "secret agent"...

....combined with the compulsion to "vandalize" something that someone else values. The same things that motivates DUers to sneak over to FR and vandalize that board.
Then there is the "attention seeking" that happens when they return home and "brag" about their heroic exploits.

[endarkenment]

12. Trolling can be amusing

It is kind of why your kid does something deliberate just to piss you off. Push the buttons and watch all the interesting action!

There is an element of subterfuge - the troll is posing as a bona fide DU'er while trying to cause lots of 'interesting action' but not get tombstoned.

A good troll is trying to subtley influence the debate, a little disinfo here, a talking point there, all the while feigning naivity or genuine disagreement but intending to either divert attention away from real issues or hopefully convince others to adopt false positions. There are probably not a lot of good trolls out there.

[The White Tree]

14. Wow - Are you a good troll or a bad troll?

Fair enough question I presume.

[endarkenment]

16. Lets see

bad troll. no wait - i stopped beating my wife last week.

Actually sometimes we are all a bit of a troll.

[MsTryska]

21. that about covers it i think.....nt

nt

[The White Tree]

13. It's a terrorist mentality without actually be a terrorist.

That came to me as I was reading your description. A lot of people play video cames for that same vicarious thrill of doing something that seems meaningful yet has very little actual real world consequences (except the wasting of time).

Vindictive trolls, I would postulate, probably get some vicarious thrill out of feeling like they are doing something covert in support of their cause. When they blaze out it is like a suicide bomber detonating themselves for the glory of the cause.

But they don't actually get banned for life, they just hit reset and start the game again.

Like terrorists, somewhere in the back of their pea brain they probably think they are doing something good.

It's like a phenomenon I read about recently concerning Online role-playing adventure games like Everquest. Some people are creating characters in these games with the sole purpose of finding other people to evangelize their Christian faith to. They don't really seem to care that the people are not interested at that moment in a discussion of religion, they are just concerned with the result of getting them to say they are converted so they can chalk up another soul they saved.

These 2 behaviors probably have a parallel in the same neural satisfaction stimulators of a persons brain. They provide the same sense of satisfaction.

Anyhow, that would be my guess.

[endarkenment]

17. don't you think that comparing board-trolling

to suicide bomber terrorism is a bit over the top? Just a little?

[XemaSab]

18. it's an analogy

it's about being a martyr for the cause.

[The White Tree]

19. Thanks for getting it.

Maybe I struck a nerve since the person who made this comment seemed to out himself as a troll in a post that i did not see when I wrote this.

[endarkenment]

25. I did?

I outed myself as a troll? Oh god I better run back to freeperland.
:sarcasm:
(As apparently you need emoticons for reading comprehension.)

You asked me if I were a good troll or a bad troll, which is the equivalent of "when did you stop beating your wife" as any answer confirms trolldom.

I simply cannot believe that the two of you find the analogy between trolling and suicide bombers valid. Get a clue.

[The White Tree]

40. Excuse me but What????

Sorry I was not able to get back to this yesterday but please can you give me a little clarification.

When did I insinuate that you were a freeper?

You stated in your post that trolling can be fun. I just reread your post now and realize that maybe I took it the wrong way. I thought you were describing your own experiences, wherever they may have been, not necessarily on DU. Maybe you were just speculating like I was, but initially because of the details I interpreted it to mean you were talking from personal experience.

Whether you are a troll on any board or not is of little consequence to me. However, you were the one who commented on something I posted as being "over the top" without even giving a reason why you thought that, as if that should just be understood point blank. I felt an obligation to try to clarify my opinion. If you don't agree with me that is fine but I find it interesting that you have not once said why you think in the course of this discussion that the analogy is over-the-top, and even if it is why it is not appropriate. I think racking up loads of meaningless posts for the purpose of trying to disrupt discussion on your perceived enemies web-site (not suggesting that you do this mind you) is a somewhat over the top behavior.

But for the record, I apologize if you thought I was saying you were a) a Troll and b) in particular, a freeper. I assure you I was not. That is why I asked the question in the first place, I thought kind of tongue in cheek (it is actually a paraphrasing of a line from the Wizard of OZ - Are you a good Witch or a bad Witch?). If you don't believe me that is fine - Peace.



:yourock: No :sarcasm: intended.

[The White Tree]

23. In the context of this discussion, not really

As another poster pointed out, it's an analogy. I didn't call anyone a terrorist. Rather I compared their actions in virtually dying for their cause to the actions of a terrorist (or anyone else for that matter who fights for a cause) who is willing to actually die for a cause. The cause and effect of a flaming troller is similar virtually to the cause and effect of someone doing it for real. But the key point is it's virtual.

It's kind of like saying you wholeheartedly support the war in Iraq but don't think that it's worth your time, effort and sacrifice to fight it.

And mind you, I'm not condeming trolling as much as speculating on what would make a person want to pursue that as a hobby.

So troll away, my friend, if that's your hearts desire.

[endarkenment]

26. wow

So if I don't agree with you or think your analogy is false, I'm a troll?

[XemaSab]

29. This isn't the SAT's.

It's ok if you don't like the analogy; you're free to have that opinion.

"Can't we all just get along?"

:-)

[endarkenment]

30. oh I'd be happy to debate the merits

of the analogy between terrorism and trolling, it was the repeated insinuation that I am a freeper troll that I found irritating.

So do you think trolling is like suicide bombing?

And as a bonus question: isn't this whole thread a bit of a troll?

[XemaSab]

32. Do I think trolling is like

suicide bombing?

In the same way that I think having "town hall meetings" with only republican supporters is Hitleresque. It's an over-the-top analogy, certainly, but it also serves a purpose, namely that trolls think they're furthering some cause when all they're really doing is hurting people and disrupting society, and wasting their own lives in the process.

I'm not sure I understand the bonus question, so my opportunity to earn over 100% on this test isn't going to be used.

[frictionlessO]

15. Mental Masturbation???

[Catrina]

27. Chickenhawks who love war

but are too scared to fight. Or wannabe covert agents, which they'll never be for the same reason, too cowardly.

Trolling is a probably a little step above cheering for wars they'll never fight in. It probably makes them feel like some kind of undercover agents or warriors without any of the risk involved!

Actually, I have no idea ~ they're probably frustrated, inadequate individuals in RL with no friends and way too much time on their hands.

War hath no fury like the non-combatant

[jmm]

20. Look at the bright side

atleast trolls are making their cause look pathetic instead of doing something productive. Years ago when I first got a computer I had a guy who would follow me around chat rooms admit the reason he did it was because his life sucked. He couldn't lash out at his boss or family so I became his target.

[bitchkitty]

22. The answer is very simple - they're stupid and

their lives reflect that stupidity - useless, meaningless and boring.

[earth mom]

24. The point of being a troll is to stem the truth from being known

because they can't stand being proven WRONG.

Not to mention that trolls are evil, monstrous, jealous, greedy, sociopathic, scum sucking slugs who get their jollies from tearing this country and it's people apart rather than see everyone united and happy with decent paying jobs. That's waaay too threatening for them. :puke:

[CatWoman]

28. they say that WE are the ones who obsesses

and that they "keep us together", as without them, none of us would be friends with each other.

I shit you not.

I just left from over there.

I've never seen so many pathetic people bunched together, other than the GOP convention.

Those people put the "loon" in lunatic.

[XemaSab]

31. As a total non-sequitor

I find it interesting that any post on FR that's not just a news article is termed a "vanity post," as though sharing an original opinion is somehow immoral.

[resident bunnypants]

33. I'd say it's mostly people who can't get laid and have stalker

tendencies.

[CatWoman]

34. they seem to have hard ons for Matcom, Bouncy Ball,

Progmom, Walt Starr, Will Pitt and MoPaul.

They also say we will never "win" again.

Funny -- even when they "win" they lose.

and I don't know if this guy is stupid, delusional, or both:


Yeah, my long-time DUmmie persona has a next-door relationship, almost, with the DUmmie Walt Starr; in fact, sometimes I feel as if Walt and I are almost brothers, like in the same lodge or union hall or fraternal organization.

One of these days I'll have to break it to Walt, but not right now.

[XemaSab]

35. Doesn't everyone have (metaphorical) hardons for

Matcom, Bouncy Ball, Progmom, Walt Starr, Will Pitt and MoPaul?

Those guys ROCK!

(Even when I don't agree with them, which is often).

[resident bunnypants]

39. Oh and the just love you. They say people here don't have a life.

Yet their life's purpose seems to be to obsess over a "bunch of losers". Ironic, isn't it.

[JNelson6563]

36. And an equally good question

Why would anyone want to discuss trolls in depth beyond dismissing them for the time wasters that they are?

Julie

[mcar]

37. Some of them really think that they'll change our minds

With their "superior intellect" :eyes:. All they have to do is make a few posts telling us the "truth" according to the Gospel of Rush and we'll become believers.

They believe in the power of redemption. Hallelujah!

[wildeyed]

38. I am not obsessed with trolls.

If someone is being really obvious about it, I hit alert and then ignore them, kind of like stepping over a turd in the road. Seems like they want attention. Best not to give it to them.

Some posters are more insidious. They want to sow divisiveness and hopelessness. Sometimes I will go head to head with them, try to turn the thread around, not let them win any points. Other times I use ignore. And I am never really certain if these individuals are actual trolls or dems with a personality issues.

I guess if the troll population got too out of control here, the site would just die. I come here to find like minds and have good discussions. If that became impossible, I would find somewhere else to post, or just give it up all together. But the mods and admins do a good job, and so far I don't feel too bothered.

[bemildred]

41. It's a well-paying job in a tight economy. nt