NationStates Jolt Archive

Some of us old crusties actually have a high appreciation for the various trolls that have passed through NS. Trolling can be an art, if practiced by a dedicated poster. But trolling must balance outrageousness with subtly, and few trolls seem to have mastered this.

Trolls can not be stock characters, devoid of depth, and cartoonish in nature. They must aim for believability, and challenge us from what may seem like ridiculous points of view...but they must manage to do all of this without pushing things far enough to get DEATed.

So, in the hopes that our new batch of trolls could learn from those of us who have been around long enough to see them come and go, see the successes and the failures...what advice would you like to pass on as to what makes a good troll?

Have a pro-NSer pose as a troll to show the young ones the light.

Spend a couple thousand posts as a non-troll, then turn into one. Gradually, mind you, not like certain "religious converters" we've seen who from one day to the next go from a joe-shmoe to an anti-semite/homophobe pastiche. A good troll is never called a troll.

Spend a couple thousand posts as a non-troll, then turn into one. Gradually, mind you, not like certain "religious converters" we've seen who from one day to the next go from a joe-shmoe to an anti-semite/homophobe pastiche. A good troll is never called a troll.

I believe it take dedication, of the kind you've described here, to be a good and effective troll. You should have a purpose as a troll...not troll for the sake of trolling. As a troll, you can approach certain topics from a viewpoint you normally would not, and you can push people in directions that might be difficult otherwise. If you can get people thinking in a different way via trolling, then you've at least accomplished something.

Spend a couple thousand posts as a non-troll, then turn into one. Gradually, mind you, not like certain "religious converters" we've seen who from one day to the next go from a joe-shmoe to an anti-semite/homophobe pastiche. A good troll is never called a troll.

You'd know, eh?

Some of us old crusties actually have a high appreciation for the various trolls that have passed through NS. Trolling can be an art, if practiced by a dedicated poster. But trolling must balance outrageousness with subtly, and few trolls seem to have mastered this.

Trolls can not be stock characters, devoid of depth, and cartoonish in nature. They must aim for believability, and challenge us from what may seem like ridiculous points of view...but they must manage to do all of this without pushing things far enough to get DEATed.

So, in the hopes that our new batch of trolls could learn from those of us who have been around long enough to see them come and go, see the successes and the failures...what advice would you like to pass on as to what makes a good troll?

My advice would be to not troll at all. If you want to play Devil's Advocate, which is more what's being described here anyway, that's fine.

You'd know, eh?

Oooh, that's a rather serious accusation.

I was just wondering... did we ever have a leftish troll? Someone argueing about the benefits of Stalinist communism? Or promoted abortion instead of abstinence as a moral way of life? That kind of thing?
I think with a little energy, good arguments can be found for these points of view...

Spend a couple thousand posts as a non-troll, then turn into one. Gradually, mind you, not like certain "religious converters" we've seen who from one day to the next go from a joe-shmoe to an anti-semite/homophobe pastiche.

I seem to be reminded of someone like that, So... the name escapes me right now, but I'm sure it'll vieturn.

Stand for everything the regulars of whatever you're trying to parody stand for, but just a little meaner/crazier/far-fetched/outrageous. But occasionally outflank whoever the main group you rile-up, but only on the most trivial of issues.

Pretty soon, all of NS will secretly love and yet openly revile your every post. And only then will you find happiness.

I was just wondering... did we ever have a leftish troll? Someone argueing about the benefits of Stalinist communism? Or promoted abortion instead of abstinence as a moral way of life? That kind of thing?
I think with a little energy, good arguments can be found for these points of view...

We've had several leftist trolls pass through. Overall, they tend to get less attention, but they have been known to haunt these forums.

My advice would be to not troll at all. If you want to play Devil's Advocate, which is more what's being described here anyway, that's fine.

I suppose one could define it that way, but in my mind, a troll is not just a devil's advocate...it is a kind of alternate persona one can take out of a box now and again and unleash. A poster can certain argue from an opposing viewpoint, and not be trolling...and perhaps even be able to put themselves somewhat in the mindset of that opposing viewpoint. However, a good troll tries, to the extent that is possible, to shift their thoughts completely over to a particular viewpoint in order to convincingly argue from it. The difference is subtle, but acting as a devil's advocate involves imposing a sort of layer over one's actual beliefs. A troll tosses aside those actual beliefs in order to more effectively push a certain opinion.

Oooh, that's a rather serious accusation.

He knows I love him; he knows I know him as much as he allows it and that I appreciate that, and what I see, very much, so don't worry.

We've had several leftist trolls pass through. Overall, they tend to get less attention, but they have been known to haunt these forums.
They haunt these forums because they are lost souls, who need to be gently guided back into the bosom of our Lord.

I was just wondering... did we ever have a leftish troll? Someone argueing about the benefits of Stalinist communism? Or promoted abortion instead of abstinence as a moral way of life? That kind of thing?
I think with a little energy, good arguments can be found for these points of view...

Neesika had a ultra feminist troll for a while called Herpower.

The best trolls are unidentifiable as trolls.

I was just wondering... did we ever have a leftish troll? Someone argueing about the benefits of Stalinist communism? Or promoted abortion instead of abstinence as a moral way of life? That kind of thing?
I think with a little energy, good arguments can be found for these points of view...
Well that's the thing...some of our very rabid leftists quite possibly were trolls, but it was difficult or outright impossible to prove. But many of us suspect...

Neesika had a ultra feminist troll for a while called Herpower.

Who was, for a time, one of the most interesting posters in General, even after her status as a false persona had become clear.

You'd know, eh?

I've lost count of how many times I've been called a troll, so by my own account I'm a very poor one indeed. Luckily, I'm not one, so I don't even have a puppet, unlike certain people...

They haunt these forums because they are lost souls, who need to be gently guided back into the bosom of our Lord.

Your trolling could use a little practice, you know? You're just being a tad too obvious

I was just wondering... did we ever have a leftish troll? Someone argueing about the benefits of Stalinist communism? Or promoted abortion instead of abstinence as a moral way of life? That kind of thing?
I think with a little energy, good arguments can be found for these points of view...

Oddly enough, Glorious Freedonia was nattering on about encouraging abrtion because the world is over-populated with humans and they're endangering the trees he loves to hug. or something like that.

Your trolling could use a little practice, you know? You're just being a tad too obvious
Maybe I intend to be...

MeanstoanEnd, I could take all his posts and turn them in dystopia fiction book.

He knows I love him; he knows I know him as much as he allows it and that I appreciate that, and what I see, very much, so don't worry.

I was actually hoping it would lead to general suspicion and inquiry into Fass' posts :P Don't worry, I'm aware there is no need to try to protect Fass from anyone, much less yourself.

Maybe I intend to be...

Ah, but where's the challenge in that? Being obvious is just good for flame-baiting really. Like, say, you knew that someone like Edwardis was around. Then your little thread would turn out to be fun.

Oddly enough, Glorious Freedonia was nattering on about encouraging abrtion because the world is over-populated with humans and they're endangering the trees he loves to hug. or something like that.

Must have missed that one. Damn.

Ah, but where's the challenge in that? Being obvious is just good for flame-baiting really. Like, say, you knew that someone like Edwardis was around. Then your little thread would turn out to be fun.

Ah, but, what fun is that? I'd rather mess with left-wingers. I'm bored with right-wingers. In fact, I'm a common sight here with my numerous posts.

Ah well. I had hope for this thread, but it's turning into trollbaiting.

Road Closed.

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