What do trolls get out of trolling?

[FairlyFrightenedFeline]

I was just thinking, in general, how bad things make people feel good. I know about the whole stomping-on-sandcastles logic but, seriously, how do trolls keep it up? Perpetually doing the same thing over and over.
I can't help but think how emotionally hollow it must be. I get the greatest boost from helping people.

But, I pose a question; Could you reform a troll, and for a forum, what would be the best troll deterrent?

 

[Karlaxx]

Whenever I see trolling done IRL, it's for a laugh. Presumably, they just get a giggle from fucking with people on the internet as well. It's a sad thing, but it's a human thing nonetheless.

Sure it would be possible to reform a troll. You can reform just about anyone or anything, as long as the right conditions are met. Unfortunately, I doubt we can ever truly stamp the impulse out.

 

[Zenode]

The satisfaction of a response.

and Schadenfreude its a wonderful thing or as Avenue Q put it

[HEADING=2]"It's the happiness at the misfortune of others"[/HEADING]

i.e. have you ever laughed at someone fall down or hurt themself etc etc

Trolls can't be "reformed" its just a person hiding behind the internet, you cant reform a troll

 

[Woodsey]

Same reason people rip the living shit out of their mates - because its funny.

 

[DEAD34345]

I think it's about attention more than anything else. Especially since nothing bores a troll faster than completely ignoring them.

 

[RhombusHatesYou]

They get the shits and giggles.

 

[Onyx Oblivion]

It's fun to rile people up.

I prefer griefing, though.

 

[KafkaOffTheBeach]

Its because trolling is a art.

 

[Kuhkren]

I was just thinking, in general, how bad things make people feel good. I know about the whole stomping-on-sandcastles logic but, seriously, how do trolls keep it up? Perpetually doing the same thing over and over.
I can't help but think how emotionally hollow it must be. I get the greatest boost from helping people.

But, I pose a question; Could you reform a troll, and for a forum, what would be the best troll deterrent?

If you talk to a person enough on a forum you can get them to renounce their troll ways. Totally true.

 

[Serving UpSmiles]

"For Teh Lulz!" Actually they are bullied in their own lives and want to take it on something most likley the internet.

 

[Irridium]

Same reason people rip the living shit out of their mates - because its funny.

This. Its hilarious to see people on the internet flip their shit over such simple things. Like how I prefer Halo to Half Life. Of course thats not really trolling, its just an opinion about personal preference. But people will take it as trolling, simply because I said something they don't agree with.

This person will have trolled him/herself, and I will just laugh.

 

[Sharalon]

Well, I don't think that most people who troll do it all day long, but when you see an opportunity you post something. Personally I think that you need a little trolling on a forum. Not too much, but at least a little bit of the fun trolls.

 

[Jordi]

1. Attention
Post something outrageous and watch the masses rage.
2. Feeling smarter than everyone
You said something outrageous just to see if there would be anyone who would take you seriously. The idiots...
3. Excuse
Saying "Just trolling!" when your stupid opinion has just been thoroughly debunked.
4. Schadenfreude

 

[Miles000]

Same reason people rip the living shit out of their mates - because its funny.

This. Its hilarious to see people on the internet flip their shit over such simple things. Like how I prefer Halo to Half Life.

Now to sit back and enjoy the show

YOU WHAT?

Actually so do I.

Because humans like taking the piss. However instead of doing it to peoples faces, trolls hide behind the internet.
Best way to deal with them. Ignore the shit out of them.

 

[Ima842]

Well if a person is extremely ignorant they get the satisfaction of pissing them of.
If they are not then they get the satisfaction of pissing them of anyways.
BTW: I just woke up so please don't mind my spelling.

 

[TriGGeR_HaPPy]

Whenever I see trolling done IRL, it's for a laugh. Presumably, they just get a giggle from fucking with people on the internet as well. It's a sad thing, but it's a human thing nonetheless.

Sure it would be possible to reform a troll. You can reform just about anyone or anything, as long as the right conditions are met. Unfortunately, I doubt we can ever truly stamp the impulse out.

This. But with one added part.

Troll deterrent? Ignoring. Answering them only fuels them.
The problem with this is that it requires everyone to ignore them - it only takes one person to respond to keep that troll going.
I remember a few days ago, though. There was someone who was trying to troll people, but everyone in that thread ignored him. He tried again, people kept ignoring him, and from that point, despite the continuation of the thread, he wasn't seen of again. It was truly a thing of beauty.

 

[Irridium]

They also exploit this chart:

So people, please stop raging about simple things.

 

[tomtom94]

Reform a troll? PAHAHAHAHA. You would literally have more luck punching a brick wall.

It's attention seeking, and laughing at people's OTT reactions, really.

(Speaking as someone who has trolled in the past...though only people who genuinely deserve it)