NationStates Jolt Archive

Okay, I know what a troll is, I just can't come up with a decent definition. So can anyone define a forum troll for me?

(No, MTAE doesn't count as a definition)

So can anyone define a forum troll for me?

a git?

What was that website that had all those descriptions of different forum peronalities?

An ugly fellow who lives under a bridge and harasses billy-goats as they try to cross.

troll /v.,n./

[From the Usenet group alt.folklore.urban] To utter a posting on Usenet designed to attract predictable responses or flames. Derives from the phrase "trolling for newbies" which in turn comes from mainstream "trolling", a style of fishing in which one trails bait through a likely spot hoping for a bite. The well-constructed troll is a post that induces lots of newbies and flamers to make themselves look even more clueless than they already do, while subtly conveying to the more savvy and experienced that it is in fact a deliberate troll. If you don't fall for the joke, you get to be in on it.

Some people claim that the troll is properly a narrower category than flame bait, that a troll is categorized by containing some assertion that is wrong but not overtly controversial.

Or its a mythological creature that lives, variously, under bridges (3 billy goats gruff), in forrests (Tolkien), anywhere (D&D), Azeroth (WoW)

Also Trolling is a mutation of the fishing term "Trawling" which is using drag nets behind boats to catch fish.

Okay, I know what a troll is, I just can't come up with a decent definition. So can anyone define a forum troll for me?

(No, MTAE doesn't count as a definition)

CP! :p

Anybody who doesnt agree with you?
That seems to be the generally accepted definition around here.

Okay, I know what a troll is, I just can't come up with a decent definition. So can anyone define a forum troll for me?

(No, MTAE doesn't count as a definition)

IMO, a troll is the type of person who writes threads/posts that are not designed to be constructive. A person who, to use a metaphore, whacks a hornets with a stick because of, or sometime in spite of (though that's usually a puppet), their personal beliefs, and then does nothing but stoke the fire they start, acting totally impervious and/or insensetive to the points and opinions of others. And, instead of adressing those points or opinions they choose to lob insults.

Some may say that I have engaged in this type of activity, but to that I say that all people have a breaking point. After that all bets are off. Mine happens to be when I percieve a deliberate callousness toward other people. This is why I tend to go off on our resident conservatives, especially MtaE, TRA, Wilgrove, and previously UNA, DK, Corny, Whittier, and AC, who is now AC II.

There's a bunch of definitions, but I think the most relevant one is found in the One Stop Rules Shop in the stickies.

as far as im concerned a troll is a person whose intention in posting is to upset people. he isnt interested in a discussion, a debate, or even in showing how much smarter he is than you are. all he wants is to piss people off. over and over again.

Anybody who doesnt agree with you?
That seems to be the generally accepted definition around here.

I was gonna answer that same thing maybe a little different of wording but you hit in on the nail.

Troll is quite frequently used by those who disagree with your views. If you disagree your a troll. I guess Everybody is practically a Troll of some type. :D

What I think of as a troll:

A user of a forum that, for whatever reason, repeatedly posts deliberately inflammatory posts or comments that can be outrageosly racist, immoral by almost all standards, or just plain stupid. Also, they don't actually advocate what they are posting; They may be relatively moderate in reality, but derive enjoyment from making a fool of themselves, mocking others viewpoints by impersonating them, or they thrive off the confusion and controversy their posts cause.

It is hard to spot a troll, as the main requirement is that they don't honestly beleive what they are saying. MTAE is a good example. Does he really beleive the horrific things he has advocated? He says so, but a troll would do that just so sow more confusion. I personally think he is; I find it difficult to believe that someone could be quite so, erm, messed up, as he seems. Also, he seems to only reply to the stawman, easily rebutted posts, while ignoring the well structured ones.

Now, posters like The Redemption Army, I am POSITIVE they are trolls

Okay, seriously, here is the proper term for Troll.....

In Internet terminology, a troll is a person who enters an established community such as an online discussion forum and intentionally tries to cause disruption, most often in the form of posting inflammatory, off-topic, insulting, or otherwise inappropriate messages.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Internet_Troll

Trolls are evil and they wish to eat children. :p

Oh I forgot, some on NSG think that calling somebody out on being a Troll is winning the debate. ;)

Oh I forgot, some on NSG think that calling somebody out on being a Troll is winning the debate. ;)Nah. If a troll is involved, there was no debate to begin with.

I am realitively new to NS and I know what a troll is however who or what is MTEA?Some kind of internet slang?

I am realitively new to NS and I know what a troll is however who or what is MTEA?Some kind of internet slang?

abbreviations MeanToAnEnd

I think he may have been recently banned. Most on NSG consider him to be the prime example of a Troll

A troll is someone who does not fall for these liberal elitists and their fallacious arguments that end only in infanticide.
Sorry, I don't really believe that. But no one else had taken advantage of this thread's topic, and I saw my chance.

abbreviations MeanToAnEnd

I think he may have been recently banned. Most on NSG consider him to be the prime example of a Troll

http://forums.jolt.co.uk/showpost.php?p=11977202&postcount=6 Calling a moderator a liar when they call out your puppet, and later being caught in a lie oneself (hi, this is my alternate account!), is a pretty good indication that you might just be a troll.

Most broadly- a pissant, a degenerate, a miscreant, a fink: someone who posts with the intention of annoying people.

Most specifically - purporting to support some ideology or idea that you dont, especially for the purpose of making it look bad.

A troll is a kobold with a steroid problem.

A troll is a kobold with a steroid problem.

That, and regeneration.

That, and regeneration.

And often a large, blunt stick.

abbreviations MeanToAnEnd

I think he may have been recently banned. Most on NSG consider him to be the prime example of a Troll

jesussaves.

prime example #1

And often a large, blunt stick.

It would be interesting to see a troll archmage, though.

jesussaves.

prime example #1

Not terribly sure on that. At least DCD came out eventually to say that was a satyre. Still, quite trollish, but I'd rank MTAE up there, along with UNA(Whom I believe are one and the same to this day).

Not terribly sure on that. At least DCD came out eventually to say that was a satyre. Still, quite trollish, but I'd rank MTAE up there, along with UNA(Whom I believe are one and the same to this day).

well, satire or not, quoting an article from The Onion as an OP doesnt exactly add credibility, either.

what about The Redemption Army? classic troll... accuses Catholics of being sinners, says abortion is punishable by damnation, etc. etc.... basically makes fun of everything a protestant stands for.

btw, whered the lil bugger go, anyway? ive been gone for a week.

Any of you around for TRA/MKULTRA (The origional TRA, not today's TRA). Good times.

Any of you around for TRA/MKULTRA (The origional TRA, not today's TRA). Good times.

is mkultra an acronym or wha? sorry, no to the original TRA... i used to be posting with another name about 3 yrs ago, and i stopped for a long time.

is mkultra an acronym or wha?

TRA is. The Red Arrow.

If memory serves MKULTRA was TRA resurected. And no, MKULTRA is not an acronym, that was the screen name.

well, satire or not, quoting an article from The Onion as an OP doesnt exactly add credibility, either.

what about The Redemption Army? classic troll... accuses Catholics of being sinners, says abortion is punishable by damnation, etc. etc.... basically makes fun of everything a protestant stands for.

btw, whered the lil bugger go, anyway? ive been gone for a week.

On TRA, he seems to have a Catholic Counterpart in The Fourth Holy Reich(Rather ironic in name, if you understand what the third Reich was), as well. Not sure where he went. Maybe said something wrong and got himself banned for a while, or died off.

On TRA, he seems to have a Catholic Counterpart in The Fourth Holy Reich(Rather ironic in name, if you understand what the third Reich was), as well. Not sure where he went. Maybe said something wrong and got himself banned for a while, or died off.

The Fourth Holy Reich?! you have got to be kidding me!

id say banned.

The Fourth Holy Reich?! you have got to be kidding me!

id say banned.

Yep. The Fourth Holy Reich. He plays the "devout" Catholic quite well, and is rather trollish.

Yep. The Fourth Holy Reich. He plays the "devout" Catholic quite well, and is rather trollish.

I thought he was Christian... maybe he "cleared that up?"

Hence, troll. Look, saying youre one thing and turning out to be another is a surefire way of being called a troll.

Best definition I've seen yet is the one about "trawling" for flames. :) Mogtaria.

I generally apply it to those who keep repeating the same point on different occasions, ignoring or failing to see that it is thoroughly debunked each time. They usually are quick to become abusive, though not always. Sometimes they even have a good point, but it's the fact that their view never takes account of the offered criticism which marks them as a troll. A troll thinks they've won, every time, even after being used to clean the floor of a public toilet.

As several posters have indicated, the word means what you want it to mean. I'm sure it's changed over the years. (Off topic, I got entangled IRL in a debate about the word 'fulsome' yesterday. I'll never use that word seriously again!)