Define "trolling"

[tz101]

I have seen the term used on many game sites, but it seems to be interpreted differently at each one. I don't mean to start a flaming thread or any such thing, but am curious to know.

For instance, Sega-16 seems to be a good site for allowing posters to openly state their opinion, no matter how offensive it may be to some. I have been at other game forums where merely stating your opinion, especially if it differs from the admin and mods, gets you labeled as a troll.

Any ideas about exactly what defines a forum "troll"?

[QuickSciFi]

One who openly (and very often passively) disrupts the peace just for kicks.

[tz101]

But could a person be just trying to get a point across and be misinterpreted as trolling?

[sheath]

My definition stems from the Usenet days. Any poster that is present only to start fights with the regular subscribers of the group would be a troll. The characteristics were easy to peg, on the stupid end they would hit on hot political and religious topics and take a stance nobody would agree with. On the smarter end they usually resort to name calling of some sort while trying to maintain an image of being more intelligent. They correct spelling and grammar as often as they post an opinion. They never post sources unless it can add kindle to the fire of a flame war.

Most importantly for me, their opinions shift whenever it is convenient for them and you never really know what their real view is because you are talking to an internet personality.

[makinagenesis]

I have seen the term used on many game sites, but it seems to be interpreted differently at each one. I don't mean to start a flaming thread or any such thing, but am curious to know.

For instance, Sega-16 seems to be a good site for allowing posters to openly state their opinion, no matter how offensive it may be to some. I have been at other game forums where merely stating your opinion, especially if it differs from the admin and mods, gets you labeled as a troll.

Any ideas about exactly what defines a forum "troll"?

I have been called it on here or its been implied that im trolling, which is not the case. I do tend to not take thing like forums and discussions within them serious at all and never will, but then again there is very little in life that i take serious, if i did i'd go more insane that i am. I never purposefully try to stoke arguments, or deliberately disagree with an opinion just to get some shit stirred. Im an opinionated person though. Over in england the words 'internet troll' means much worse than what americans use it for though

just to prove im not a troll or derailing anything here is a picture of my latest buttplug

[old man]

My definition stems from the Usenet days. Any poster that is present only to start fights with the regular subscribers of the group would be a troll. The characteristics were easy to peg, on the stupid end they would hit on hot political and religious topics and take a stance nobody would agree with. On the smarter end they usually resort to name calling of some sort while trying to maintain an image of being more intelligent. They correct spelling and grammar as often as they post an opinion. They never post sources unless it can add kindle to the fire of a flame war.

Most importantly for me, their opinions shift whenever it is convenient for them and you never really know what their real view is because you are talking to an internet personality.

This. (You practically described a certain engineer who used to post here)

[MrMatthews]

I think it's basically just "shit-disturbing," and it really depends on who the popular crowd in the thread is.

For example, I've blatantly trolled some threads/members and received rep for it, and yet I've seen other members labeled as trolls and banned for it, when from my perspective they were just stating an opinion (albeit an unpopular one).

[tz101]

On the smarter end they usually resort to name calling of some sort while trying to maintain an image of being more intelligent. They correct spelling and grammar as often as they post an opinion.

This perfectly describes a poster on another forum who is allowed preferential treatment by the mods and admin. Go figure.

I think it's basically just "shit-disturbing," and it really depends on who the popular crowd in the thread is.

This.

What I have seen is that the popular crowd is seen as "normal" and anyone who disagrees is labeled a "troll". This reason alone is why I have learned to avoid certain game forum sites.

[DarkDragon]

For instance, Sega-16 seems to be a good site for allowing posters to openly state their opinion, no matter how offensive it may be to some. I have been at other game forums where merely stating your opinion, especially if it differs from the admin and mods, gets you labeled as a troll.

Ive been on another sites where you cant even discuss politics or religion and you cant even go after someone if you see fit to. I think its great this site seems to allow you a bit more freedom that other places do.

[MrMatthews]

Eh, people don't like being disagreed with, and people don't like to see other people vehemently defend opinions different from their own.

I'm not saying it's right, but that's the way people are.

Although some people around here only seem to post when there's something to argue about. That shit pisses me off.

Can't you guys be positive? Sometimes, at least? Oh, and no one cares about how much obscure technical minutae you have memorized about games and consoles.

[Kamahl]

Oh, and no one cares about how much obscure technical minutae you have memorized about games and consoles.

[MrMatthews]

Present company excepted, Kamahl.

[tz101]

I just don't think that sticking to one's opinions should be defined as trolling, but it can get you banned at certain sites. Whatever happened to freedom of speech?

[sheath]

Freedom of speech is all about what the government can and can't do. Individual groups of any kind can censor as the see fit. I can't discuss what I have learned of American History anywhere, for example, because what little I have learned of reality hasn't fit with any agenda or personal interest group.

[Baloo]

Ive been on another sites where you cant even discuss politics or religion and you cant even go after someone if you see fit to. I think its great this site seems to allow you a bit more freedom that other places do.

We try to make as much free discussion as possible. I feel that in a civilized environment, grown people can talk and discuss anything without getting all hot and bothered, whether it be politics, religion, or who likes what video game

I try not to do anything until it has to be done.