Accusations of trolling

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Something I've noticed here and on other forums, is that if someone states an opinion that goes against the generally held opinion of the board, they will almost invariably be accused of trolling. Why is this? Trolling is deliberately done to upset people. Going against the tide of opinion probably will upset people, but if it's done with the intention of expressing one's viewpoint, and not just to make people angry, then it isn't trolling.

I started a thread like this in early 2008. People accuse others of trolling for their opinions is because they are sore losers who can't take the heat of someones opinion whose is different than theirs.

I agree with the fact the term is abused way out of context.
Generally noticeable when you get the typical hit and run bully.
They will result to name calling, just for lack of better so-called fact.
Most Aspies I are very good at doing whatever it is that they are doing,
Leaving little doubt for question as to exactly what they are doing.
(exactly why they are doing it......different Topic)

Prime example is; when I get upset, people will know that I am upset,
no bull or hiding what I am upset about nor at whom I am upset with.
I have seen this happen over and over again to many people at WP.
Standing for, or standing up for what you believe is not trolling.
Dishonoring the person rather than the principle, is trolling.

Reaching into the proverbial hat just to throw a bunch of names for entertainment, is trolling.
Repeated such acts are by definition is bullying. And yes, it does make me sick to see people revert to blaming others for their emotions. But truth be known, I don't believe for one minute that any human being on earth was ever born knowing what to do or not to do. At the same time, when multiple people from multiple directions are telling you the same thing, it is a clue to be considered. When such clues are ignored, it's time for a reminder from upstairs.

Sad thing is that some absolutely refuse to be open to others opinions and assessments.
As a result, they try to make you as angry as they are, and can not or will not admit it.
This brings up the point of false accusations of trolling, is actually flaming in itself.

I have accused people of trolling me before, or trolling threads. By that I mean harassment. Continuing on ad naseum, whether by baiting or ridiculing my views, making parodies of things I believe, or just down right insulting me. I hate it when this happens, but I feel drawn in to defend my views; however, I don't want to and it is extremely stressful at times. But I'm not one to give up a fight, and if people are going to dish junk at me they should be prepared to argue.

Can someone give a definition of what a 'troll' is or 'trolling'? I see people using this all the time on different boards, but I have never really been sure what it means . I have never been called it or anything, and it seems like it is something bad, so I am not sure how to avoid the label if I dont know what it means

I have a hard enough time with abbreviations, they need to make a manual/book on internet terms and language

a manual/book on internet terms and language

Usage of the word (wiki)
Application of the term troll is highly subjective. Some readers may characterize a post as trolling, while others may regard the same post as a legitimate contribution to the discussion, even if controversial. The term is often used as an ad hominem strategy to discredit an opposing position by attacking its proponent.

Often, calling someone a troll makes assumptions about a writer's motives. Regardless of the circumstances, controversial posts may attract a particularly strong response from those unfamiliar with the robust dialogue found in some online, rather than physical, communities. Experienced participants in online forums know that the most effective way to discourage a troll is usually to ignore him or her, because responding tends to encourage trolls to continue disruptive posts — hence the often-seen warning: "Please do not feed the trolls".

That's happened to me as well.

Sometimes even trolls do it.

Sometimes I think people try to insinuate things, but I'm too tired to tell the difference between insinuation and alarm clocks.

this thread gets written every once in a while too

trolling!! !

but yes. people should get to see some real trolling. that would shut them up.
i always see that attitude in the most troll-free forums

(troll-free, haha)

I think, but it's just a thought of mine, one among the silly ones, that maybe in those so called trolls-free forums ( ), people are so used to take the worst out of people that they can't believe it when it's done to them as well.

I have not seen many acusations of trolling here. In fact, there are occasionally people here that are clearly trolls but seem to be taken seriously but the community

I have only seen a couple of troll accusations that were unfounded and I think those were thrown out just to try to hurt/discredit the poster.

I've been called a troll on other forums, but not this one.

I was called a troll on the nsider2 forum for my post or question. I don't remember the situation. Oh it was about if anyone goes naked in their home when it's hot out and I told about how I do it. I got told it was good trolling or soemthing. I didn't get it.

So now I have been called it four times already or should I include Plotinus but that was just a payback he was doing because he thought I called him one.

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cdiz0k0Rudw[/youtube]

^ Yeah I've seen you called a troll before but I know you're not. It's just that usually when people talk about being naked or something like that, they're pervy old men who are trying to get people to tell him dirty things about themselves

And I think Plotinus may have been one himself but not 100% sure.

so trolling is posting with only the intention of causing trouble? (typical attention seeking behaviour) So it would seem that maybe the best way to handle a troll would be to shower them with love and kindness! Since they are trying to get you mad and fired up for there own attention seeking pleasure, it seems giving them the opposite reaction would only cause themselfs anguish. I think that if they dont get what they want, then they wont come around anymore, they will go somewere else

This reminds me of back in the day, when AOL dial-up was popular (pre broadband ), the AOL message boards always seemed to be 99% troll (that is if I am understanding all these meanings correct). You could post a message, any message, about anything, no matter how nice and kind, and you would get 50 people swearing, calling each other names, saying your message sucked, you sucked, burn in hell.... ect. (the good old days lol) Luckily WP is NOTHING like that