Trolls Trolling....why?

[∞♥ 17]

Just wondering why people would come to this site to troll?

I don't use this site for more than doing research and trying to get answers about the K1 process, but have noticed in a few discussions in the Philippines forum that there seem to be a few trolls (no names mentioned) that have been called out.

What could one possibly get from trolling this site?

Just curious.

[Deputy Purple 1,294]

Some people don't have a real life that they are happy with or they don't like who they see in the mirror so they need to accomplish something to help them feel better.

Somehow they get their kicks by inciting a reaction in others and doing so on the internet is less likely to get their back-side kicked in real life.

Think of it like the kids who misbehave to get their parent's attention because "even negative attention is better than no attention".

[Darnell 8,478]

Trolls are a worldwide internet problem - so to have trolls here at VJ seems normal, as trolls abound.

What makes the difference, IMO, is how portal owners DEAL with trolls.

IMO, any troll has some deep psychological problem, and his/her basic 'needs' structure is not met in real life, so is natural extension to try to handle repercussions of NOT having normal life, to get the extra 'things' that a troll can get in an online portal.

I don't see the problem disappearing, but web portal owners usually have some method to deal with trolls.

Edited June 25, 2011 by Darnell

[∞♥ 17]

Yeah, trolling is rampant pretty much everywhere...I just didn't expect to see it on a site like this.

I guess some may have had some negative experiences with a visa issue and they want to make everyone miserable like themselves...never really thought about that.

Thanks for the answers.

Yeah, trolling is rampant pretty much everywhere...I just didn't expect to see it on a site like this.

I guess some may have had some negative experiences with a visa issue and they want to make everyone miserable like themselves...never really thought about that.

Thanks for the answers.

[cartaverde 12]

Trolling isn't rampant everywhere. Whether there's trolling or not depends of both what kind of people are frequenting a site, and how the trolling is allowed/discouraged/banned/feed.

It doesn't matter if the topic is immigration, computer stuff, or gardening, the same applies to them all. What I've found is that a few sites manage to keep the trolls away very effectively. As one example a computer related site. The frequent members discourage the trolls, never feeding them. A first time troll may get just a talk or a warning, but repetitive trolling gets a fast ban. Usually a talk helps too - not all that appear to be trolls are trolling just for the sake of it; they may simply have different views or have had previous bad experiences with the topic they are talking about or the board is about. They may find that USCIS was very unhelpful in what they recommended them officially, causing damage in their financial and personal life, or they may have done something innocent seeming but stupid with their computer that made them lost everything when they didn't bother to make a backup. rm command in unix systems with a space in a wrong place and they can be very angry. Or a few wrong tickboxes in some visa application forms, and they will be equally angry. After a few posters trying to make them discuss something usually helps, either they'll loosen up and show what the less passionate side of themselves is, or if it's a troll for the sake of trolling, that shows too. And then it's time for the instaban, or letting the trolls die out of the lack of attention.

[Nagishkaw 510]

[Ban Hammer 13,334]

[one...two...tree 2,762]

Charles never trolls, but feels his he can only truly express himself through pictures he's grabbed off the internetz.

[Kathryn41 3,205]

I have found this resource a very useful one in recognizing trolls and the various other members of similar ilk who frequent internet forums:

http://redwing.hutman.net/~mreed/warriorshtm/troller.htm You might want to check the other listed players in this group through the pull down menu. Some of them are definitely here on VJ as well .

One site where I also moderate has a relatively foolproof way of dealing with trolls. Of course, no one here would appreciate it but it works on that site because it is a tightly focused special interest group and if people want to post, they have to play by the rules. Every single post is moderated. Nothing reaches the forum until it has been read and approved by the site owner or a moderator. Censorship? Yep. No flaming, baiting, trolling or insulting posts gets through. Disagreements and differences of opinions are welcome and posted - as long as they don't violate the Terms of Service. Members who fail to post in the appropriate manner have their posts sent back to them and asked to re-write them. It is their choice whether they want to bother or not. Most do - and find that they are able to make their comments without violating the TOS.

It definitely wouldn't work here !

[one...two...tree 2,762]

One site where I also moderate has a relatively foolproof way of dealing with trolls. Of course, no one here would appreciate it but it works on that site because it is a tightly focused special interest group and if people want to post, they have to play by the rules. Every single post is moderated. Nothing reaches the forum until it has been read and approved by the site owner or a moderator. Censorship? Yep. No flaming, baiting, trolling or insulting posts gets through. Disagreements and differences of opinions are welcome and posted - as long as they don't violate the Terms of Service. Members who fail to post in the appropriate manner have their posts sent back to them and asked to re-write them. It is their choice whether they want to bother or not. Most do - and find that they are able to make their comments without violating the TOS.

It definitely wouldn't work here !

That sounds boring.

Seriously though, people in real life conversations use sarcasm and there is playful banter that goes on. The label 'troll' has morphed over the last several years to include all or any antagonistic remarks, which IMO, is a disservice to keeping online social networking dynamic. For example, email no longer has to follow the rigid and often, too formal, format of traditional letter writing. There's a little troll in all of us.

[Bad_Daddy 2,209]

I have found this resource a very useful one in recognizing trolls and the various other members of similar ilk who frequent internet forums:

http://redwing.hutman.net/~mreed/warriorshtm/troller.htm You might want to check the other listed players in this group through the pull down menu. Some of them are definitely here on VJ as well .

One site where I also moderate has a relatively foolproof way of dealing with trolls. Of course, no one here would appreciate it but it works on that site because it is a tightly focused special interest group and if people want to post, they have to play by the rules. Every single post is moderated. Nothing reaches the forum until it has been read and approved by the site owner or a moderator. Censorship? Yep. No flaming, baiting, trolling or insulting posts gets through. Disagreements and differences of opinions are welcome and posted - as long as they don't violate the Terms of Service. Members who fail to post in the appropriate manner have their posts sent back to them and asked to re-write them. It is their choice whether they want to bother or not. Most do - and find that they are able to make their comments without violating the TOS.

It definitely wouldn't work here !

I need to get out more often. I fit the mold of at least three of those definitions.

[Kathryn41 3,205]

I need to get out more often. I fit the mold of at least three of those definitions.

hehehe, Oh I found me there as well!

[∞♥ 17]

I have found this resource a very useful one in recognizing trolls and the various other members of similar ilk who frequent internet forums:

http://redwing.hutman.net/~mreed/warriorshtm/troller.htm You might want to check the other listed players in this group through the pull down menu. Some of them are definitely here on VJ as well .

That's great ...I've definitely seen some of those on other forums. Thanks for the link!

[EAbbas 213]

I have found this resource a very useful one in recognizing trolls and the various other members of similar ilk who frequent internet forums:

http://redwing.hutman.net/~mreed/warriorshtm/troller.htm You might want to check the other listed players in this group through the pull down menu. Some of them are definitely here on VJ as well .

This is perfect!!!! LOL Thanks for the laugh and yeah..i think we can find a little of each of us in that site

[Krikit 1,164]

Every time I read the subject line of this thread I'm thinking/singing "10 Trolls a-trolling".