what is a troll?
Posted by nathan on 22 Mar 2007 | Tagged as: Tech Stuff., Uncategorized, random.
I have received this question on several occasions, so i figured i would address it. The question is:
What is a troll?
In case you hadn’t noticed or read via RSS, i used the term in my disclaimer at the bottom of my sidebar. Part of the disclaimer reads: : “Do not hijack nor troll. Your comments will be edited or deleted without warning. I have no patience for a troll. NONE.”
Wikipedia defines a troll as: “a troll is a person who enters an established community..and intentionally tries to cause disruption, often in the form of posting messages that are inflammatory, insulting, incorrect, inaccurate, absurd, or off-topic, with the intent of provoking a reaction from others.”
After serving as a moderator at the Joomla! forums, i became very aware of trolls and trollish behavior, and developed a deep disgust for it.
If you’re familiar with fairy tale trolls (think: Three Billy Goats Gruff ), these Internet trolls aren’t much different…both are ugly and mischievous, looking to cause disturbance.
Anyway, just thought I’d address that. I’m not accusing you of being a troll, or presently having any trolls around. But i won’t have any trolls around. i’ll shut off comments before i allow a troll to have a voice on my site…
Thank you for reading about trolls. Now, don’t become one!
(sorry for the angry undertones…i’m really not an angry person, i promise! But, Trolls suck!)
2 Comments »
on 22 Mar 2007 at 12:45 pm 1.
Ryan Middleton said …
I must comment on the ever-so-popular page that Nathan Diehl has brewed up (pun-intended). I cannot say how I jumped on the bandwagon that is blog writing, and especially onto the specific page of Nathan. I have, once again, confused myself on how I got somewhere but in this instance I shall comment and leave a waft of sweet aroma for all to enjoy (again, pun-intended).
The problem I have with troll’s are that they remind me too much of leprachaun’s. I cannot differentiate between the two. I know, I know this is not what Nathan was talking about, but to some degree it is - stay with me and you will see where I am going. A troll is someone who disrupts a community, in simple terms, and according to the internet-world the troll is paired with a friend and his name is stupid. Stupid and troll go together disrupting great bloggers and their quest to provide interesting conversations for all to ponder and comment on (i.e. me).
Now, as I stated earlier, a troll and a leprechaun do the same thing in going around to disrupt communities. Nobody enjoys having these two around. Nor does anyone enjoy having stupid around. Get my drift? Let me clarify. You are “stupid” if you “troll” a blogger.
I did just as Nathan asked, I commented. A note explaining, illustrating, or criticizing the meaning of a writing is the definition. I only add that for those thinking my presentation on troll in abstract and troll in character was a bit lengthy.
I leave you with great intentions of revisiting in hopes to clarify, share, or provide insight to the filtered (pun)blog column that Great-Nate (sounds like grape-ape) has provided.
Good Riddance - Ryan Middleton
on 23 Mar 2007 at 7:55 am 2.
nathan said …
ryan,
you should be blogging, you know.
good to hear from you man.
drink more coffee, btw.