Do you know where trolls live? “Under the bridge”—that's how I would have answered that question in the past. But today, these malevolent creatures from Scandinavian fairy tales have migrated to the World Wide Web. Having infested various forums and communities, modern trolls remain true to the precepts of their mythological brethren. They sow discord, incite holy wars, and irritate respectable users…
So, what are these troublemakers, why do they do it, and, most importantly, how can we combat them? Let's take it one step at a time…
Catch a fish…
Translated from English, “trolling” means fishing with a spoon. In online community slang, trolling refers to posting any information that provokes pointless conflict. The troll's goal is obvious: to hook as many users as possible with this “provocation.” “Anything for the lulz” is the troll's motto. Lulz, in case you didn't know, are jokes, sources of fun and good humor.
The modern troll is multifaceted and cunning. It's not always easy to spot one in a crowd of users. But there are certain types that can be identified by certain characteristics. We'll look at the most prominent ones now…
“Was There a Macho?” or An Entertaining Typology of Trolls
If you encounter someone online who's trying to attract attention by any means necessary, be aware that they might be an egocentric troll . Deliberately naive questions, obviously erroneous comments, advertising a competing forum, and provocative statements are just a few of the ways they “catch” the lulz. Typically, at the end of an argument, the egocentric feigns innocence and resentment.
The romantic hero gets his kicks from consistently flirting with the female half of the group. Here, the troll hits the eternal pitfall—the desire to be the only one. This tactic provokes competition among the women, as well as imitation of the “hero” by the male half of the group. As a result, everyone is consumed by flirting, and the group fails to fulfill its primary goal.
Sometimes you encounter a user online who is shockingly stupid. Meet the idiot . Their goal is to observe people's reactions. And the reactions can range from attempts to set them on the right path to outright mockery and attempts to show off their intelligence compared to the “idiot.”
A gossip troll specializes in spreading slander or rumors about an event or person. As evidence, they usually provide a link to a similar, albeit nonexistent, resource.
Another popular character type is the boor . He usually chooses a mentally unstable victim and begins to infuriate them with insults. Often, the boor has several like-minded supporters.
The tactic of the debater , another troll, is to start a debate about tastes and preferences. The debater then takes the most unpopular position and begins arguing with the majority. Here, the “catch” directly depends on the troll's mastery of the topic.
Some trolls like to exploit people's curiosity by posing as celebrities . More often than not, users rush to fact-check and debate the “star's” authenticity.
An interesting variant is the schizophrenic troll . Two accounts with opposing opinions are created in a group. The troll then starts a debate with themselves, aiming to find like-minded people on both sides among the group's users and provoke a holy war.
Envy is a mortal sin and a vast field of activity for a successful troll . The scheme is simple: an image of someone who has achieved unprecedented heights, in any area of life, is created. Undoubtedly, there will be users eager to put the impudent person in his place. Some will prove the troll is lying. Others will argue that he isn't as successful as he thinks. Still others will sling mud at the troll simply because they realize they're nowhere near his level.
In fact, compiling a complete list of troll types is extremely difficult. It's also difficult to understand their motives. But I'll try anyway…
Why do they do this?
As I've already noted, a troll's main goal is to find lulz. However, there are other reasons why users troll:
• Experiment . Online communication offers a certain anonymity that allows one to test the limits of human patience. However, it's important to remember that online impunity is illusory, and serious violations of rules of conduct can lead to serious consequences.
• Expression of hostility . Trolling allows one to anonymously express a position that is alien to a particular point of view or group.
• Checking the work of moderators . Trolling makes it possible to observe the reaction to violations of those who are supposed to maintain order.
• Sadism . Some people simply enjoy personal attacks. This is a clinical case and a topic for another article entirely.
Trolling a troll – mission impossible?
While a troll's motives may not always defy rational explanation, the response options are much simpler. There are only three ways to interact with a troll:
1. Set the troll on the right path. A fail-safe option. Responding to the troll will distract the discussion from the topic, unsettle observers, and provide the troll with the attention they crave.
2. Ignore the troll. The most reliable option. “Don't feed the troll” is a slogan found on many forums for good reason. By ignoring, you deprive the troll of attention and “food,” which negates its purpose in existence.
3. Troll the troll . This is a very risky option, requiring a significant investment of time and effort. If you're committed to getting revenge on the troll and think it's worth the effort, you can give it a try. Here are some general tips for those considering confronting a troll:
• Always be on guard.
• Be able to quickly adapt to changing situations.
• Be stubborn.
• Be attentive to details.
However, all these qualities don't guarantee victory. After all, when hunting a troll, you risk sinking to its level, where it will overwhelm anyone with its experience.
