I'm Addicted to Trolling?

Tomasso

Well-known member
This is the only forum I'm the real me on. So don't worry, you're not being trolled.

I only realized it today, but I spent around 5 hours trolling on two different forums just today, and this has been a staple in my lifestyle for the past 2 years. It came to my attention when I noticed that my girlfriend tells me stories about things that happen in her real life, while I tell her things that happen on my internet life.

Anyway, I just get such a huge rush from winding people up on forums, I can't explain it. It makes me gain notoriety very quickly and that makes me feel important and popular. Sad, I know, but it's all I have... :(.

Another reason it concerns me is because once I get into an e-argument, it's very difficult for me to not constantly check it. I maintain good grades and lately this has been interrupting my studying. I really need to stop.

Has anybody experienced anything like this?
 

Newtype

Well-known member
Anyway, I just get such a huge rush from winding people up on forums, I can't explain it. It makes me gain notoriety very quickly and that makes me feel important and popular. Sad, I know, but it's all I have... :(.

What's the point of being popular if everyone wants you to die?

U are not alone fellow troll. Not only I like to do it on the internet, but in real life as well :D. Theres nothing wrong with it, but..u shouldnt let it interfere with ur studying though.

Really? One day somebody's gonna physically punish you, if that hasn't already been done. The advantage of trolling is hiding behind a computer so that nobody can touch you.
 
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Roman Legion

Well-known member
I don't understand a lot of things about people, especially this.. I mean me personally, I like to avoid unecessary confrontation and not be the cause or recipient of it. Youtube comments are bad for trolls, they try to bait me into things by saying some crazy stuff.. I really don't care, I just remember this..

dickwad-theory.jpg
 

Vampayah88

Well-known member
Really? One day somebody's gonna physically punish you, if that hasn't already been done. The advantage of trolling is hiding behind a computer so that nobody can touch you.

Nobodys gonna punish me, if I do some "trolling", its completely harmless and actually FUNNY for everyone and i only do it with people who I KNOW would get it, I don't hurt anyone's feelings or things like that. Thats not my definition of trolling for me.
 
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Roman Legion

Well-known member
Trolling seems a bit too much like bullying to me, I have been through that and wouldn't wish to put others through it myself. Do as you wish though, just my $0.02 which way or may not mean anything to anyone.
 

MikeyC

Well-known member
Interesting. I hate being ignored in real life but I'm too shy and timid to make myself noticed, so the internet gives me that opportunity to be somebody.
It doesn't bother you that the "somebody" you're being is someone people dislike?

Forgive my bluntness but I dislike trolling.
 

Tomasso

Well-known member
It doesn't bother you that the "somebody" you're being is someone people dislike?

Forgive my bluntness but I dislike trolling.

You can be blunt if you want, doesn't bother me. To answer your question, not everybody dislikes me, there are a few others who do the same. I'm more of a subtle type of troll. I don't flame.
 

MikeyC

Well-known member
You can be blunt if you want, doesn't bother me. To answer your question, not everybody dislikes me, there are a few others who do the same. I'm more of a subtle type of troll. I don't flame.
Fair enough, but I still dislike trolling. I feel like it's akin to someone poking me in the cheek every time I have a conversation.
 

Remus

Moderator
Staff member
As this is a support forum, the mods just ban trolls. There's plenty of places on the net to do that sort of thing. I think if someone does this to upset or anger other people, you need to ask yourself why. There is a big difference between heated debate and trolling.
 

dyingtolive

Well-known member
I think more 'subtle' trolls are the ones closer to bullies. The obvious ones are obvious and therefore make fun of themselves. The subtle ones are the ones that become known for noticing the slightest error of a poster and making fun of that. Even if the poster doesn't really have an error, the subtle troll makes fun of him either way. And instead of making fun of himself, he gains a posse of people who contribute to the bullying and becomes notorious or popular for it.

These trolls can be very hurtful.
 
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How_slow_the_Wind

Well-known member
I really dislike trolling. It's the very definition of anti-social behaviour and a cowardly way of being a prick. If you don't have the guts to do it in real life, than you shouldn't do it all. Really says something about human nature that people will act like douchebags if they know there is no direct acountability for their actions.

Seeing as we all are sensitive with social anxiety on this forum, don't you find it kind of weird to spend so much time antagonising others for amuesment? The intention to annoy makes it sadistic. I mean I doubt your a serious cyber bully(benefit of the doubt) or anything, and you're probably referring to being overly argumentative, but the people your annoying aren't fictional; they're real. Because of that, I don't think you can justify it as being harmless fun.
 

EscapeArtist

Well-known member
What exactly is trolling, per se? (And what does per se really mean, anyway?)

I am sorry to hear this has become such a problem that it is interfering with your life. I agree when people say that it seems a very much less damaging form of bullying, so it really makes you see things from the perspective of being a very addictive coping mechanism whether in online world or real world, people are really very loving behind harsh words, they are simply looking for innocent needs.

Hmmmmmmm... Have you tried to gain attention the other way? By putting the very best of your character out there, helping as many people as you can, etc? That's another way to gain reputation, maybe you steer clear of this way because it takes a little bit more time and nurturing, but it means a lot more and is attached to a confidence boost, friends, being admired, feeling helpful and purposeful. Would you rather find a few people on a forum who really respect you deeply, appreciate you, and know you for who you are (a good guy), or have tons of people see you as a thorn in their side?

I feel like you are going after something that you feel like you need (acknowledgement) because you feel so deprived of it, and so the way to take away the urge to troll (or to do it less, because honestly it's only a big deal if it's interrupting your life, as it is at this level) by satisfying this thing that you need desperately in other, more gratifying ways.

What about in your life outside of forums, do you have people that pay attention to you, listen to you, know you, love you for who you are? Mass attention may give you a little bit of a confidence boost, but the best kind of confidence boost is having people who know every bit of you, who you can be vulnerable to, but can reassure you that you are a great person.

It's a great start that you are on this forum as your real self, and it's even better that you know exactly why you troll (Rare even.) and remain completely aware of the reasons behind it. That was already the first step to helping your situation
 
I don't care who does it, or where, trolling in merely the virtual equivalent of bullying. If you choose to troll a person to get a negative emotional response out of them for personal enjoyment, you are a bully. Note that there is a difference between arguing and trolling.

Little stabs at people as what makes the majority of us loose faith in humanity and common decency.
 
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