Posts: 1,226
Threads: 49
Joined: Oct 2011
Quote:Trolls divert online discussions into non-productive, off-topic venues. They pose as part of a community only to disrupt it. Trolling is anti-social behavior.
Some of the techniques trolls use to accomplish their objectives are:
- Pithy put-downs
- Name-calling and insults
- Ad hominem attacks that try to negate an opinion by alleging negatives about the person supporting it
- Impugning other's motives
- Emotional rants
- Bullying and harassment
- Completely off-topic posts
- Posting inaccurate "facts"
What is the pay-off for trolling? Experts and online discussions cite:
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- Attention and recognition, even if negative
- The emotional release of venting
- Power (the power to disrupt)
- Vandalism
- The thrill of breaking social conventions
- Sabotaging groups the troll dislikes
- Immaturity