That's not really trolling then, though. The very concept of trolling revolves around getting a negative response out of someone. If it's all in good fun, it's more good natured ripping then anything else.
I'm Addicted to Trolling?
- Thread starter Tomasso
- Start date
That's not really trolling then, though. The very concept of trolling revolves around getting a negative response out of someone. If it's all in good fun, it's more good natured ripping then anything else.
Golden Beam
Active member
Trolling seems to be a pointless endeavor. I do not condone, nor would I ever engage in it. Now from wikipedia, a troll is someone who posts inflammatory, extraneous, or off-topic messages in an online community, such as an online discussion forum, chat room, or blog, with the primary intent of provoking readers into an emotional response or of otherwise disrupting normal on-topic discussion.
Once trolls are identified, most people familiar with them stop feeding the trolls. I like the signs that say "Don't feed the trolls". I would encourage you not to be a troll, find a healthy outlet for your need for attention.
Once trolls are identified, most people familiar with them stop feeding the trolls. I like the signs that say "Don't feed the trolls". I would encourage you not to be a troll, find a healthy outlet for your need for attention.
Waybuloo
Well-known member
I like to troll once in a while. I like to wind up conventional dumb ****s with their mainstream morals and ideas. Most of the time I get disagreements but sometimes a few users like my style, apparently. But when I see a lone opinion get pissed on then or when I see a troll who gets on my nerves insult other people like then I'm quick to defend. I can flip both ways.
Waybuloo
Well-known member
You may well dislike trolls but for a lot of them, the ability to self regulate emotions is amiss and they often have self esteem and anger issues. By the same logic, alcoholics, drug addicts, sex addicts and comfort eaters make me lose faith in humanity.
I take a lot less offense when drug/alcohol addicts cause discomfort because they are dealing with something a lot more aggressive in nature then just low self esteem. It just doesn't compare. Addicts also don't behave as a regular person would due to strong chemical influence. You might loose faith in addicts, but hardly humanity.
I think slashing out at perfect strangers because of self esteem and/or anger issues, or any other personal based issue, is a weak excuse. There's tons of other ways to get emotions out in a lot less damaging ways.
The person that is being trolled might as well have similar difficult issues.
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Waybuloo
Well-known member
If slashing out at strangers due to personal issues is weak, then becoming reliant on substances is weak too. If there are tons of other ways to feel happy and secure, then addicts are weak for going down the wrong route. Chemical influences may cause stronger reactions, but if there are addicts who are reformed, why aren't existing addicts making themselves independent? You can't favour one group over the other. And I think children who suffer at the hands of addicts would disagree with being less offended. No I do lose faith in humanity due to the aspects I've outlined.
Waybuloo
Well-known member
I think, OP, you should curtail your trolling activities because it can get addictive. All power tripping are. For the sake of your own health, it's best to find other ways to get 'high'. I find helping strangers make me feel good, though I do this out of the fact that they are helpless and I am able, not because of any feelings I get out of it.
Iluv
Well-known member
Just thought I'd share this quote since the discussion of trolling made way.
But, I can't offer any advice except to stop trolling. It's mean and nobody deserves to be insulted or called names that hurt them. And words cut deep. They cut real deep.
Golden Beam
Active member
I'll second that. Trolls make other people upset and angry for no reason other than their own satisfaction. In a perfect world, people would edify each other in love, and leave their narcissitic desire to be the center of attention in the garbage can.
Don't give me that, my father was a alcoholic and my brother did about every drug he could get his hands on. Both of which I'd rather would have seen dead at the time then enduring their presence for a minute longer. I'm well aware of what it does to family life. I said it's a weak excuse, not weak behavior. Admitting to one's self that it's a bad thing to do, but still doing it because it feels good.
And I do favor substance addicts over low self esteem caused behavior because it doesn't compare. Not every compulsion and habit is by definition a addiction. Sometimes it's just that; a negative compulsion that you need to break yourself out of.
Circumstances and situations differ. Each person is different, and so are their resources (physical and mental). Much like people who struggle with their respective phobia, some have the resources to fight it, others aren't ready yet.
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Waybuloo
Well-known member
I find people in the real world are way more offensive than trolls. Trolls are pretty obvious when they are being trolls. I've been on the receiving end of trolls too and they insult traits that I used to feel really self conscious about. Even with my low self esteem, I manage to not take them seriously.
Waybuloo
Well-known member
Personally addicts have a weaker excuse in my eyes than anything else. It doesn't matter what you do, if you have the resolve to not burrow your sorrow and issues in alcohol or others, then you have a stronger will to not fall into oblivion. I still don't understand why you say the two don't compare, like it's bleeding obvious or something. Low self esteem is a very bad thing that I wouldn't want to wish on my worst enemy. It by definition is the beginning of defeat. To me, to be inflicted with self esteem (which happen due to abuse, bullying, neglect) is a much worse problem. You describe addiction as an ill which people struggle against and some of whom cannot break away from. By the way you give these people excuses and demonise the other, you seem to suggest self esteem issues are easier to control. Self esteem issues can be associated with narcissistic personality disorders which are actually not of the victims fault. It's something they are born with or which develop over time so that it becomes an integral part of who they are.
By the way, you clarify that you meant weak excuse, not weak behaviour. It's the same thing at the end of the day.
knowledgeofself
Well-known member
well at least you are aware of the problem and you aren't lying to yourself by telling yourself its ok. a lot of people that troll can't even see how its an issue, thats quite good of you to be this self aware.
I think one negative dynamic a lot of people have within them is the urge to be recognised no matter what it is. some serial killers have expressed an urge for notoriety and to be known and leave their mark on the world which is the main motivation for what they do. try and work at positive ways to bring attention to yourself.
I think one negative dynamic a lot of people have within them is the urge to be recognised no matter what it is. some serial killers have expressed an urge for notoriety and to be known and leave their mark on the world which is the main motivation for what they do. try and work at positive ways to bring attention to yourself.
dyingtolive
Well-known member
^ Addiction vs Bad behavior due to low self esteem
Which is worse? Which is more controllable?
I agree with Blackpuma that addiction is different, i also think that it is more excusable. The substance addict does not directly intend to harm others, or even himself.
The one with low self esteem harms others. There is no excuse for harming others. But i guess it depends on the severity. If its just playful trolling... that's minor. As mentioned above, internet anonymity can turn 'nice' people into bad guys. Now if its more severe harmful behavior against others, then that's inexcusable like harassment, bullying, etc.
If someone with low self esteem did self-harm, in my opinion, that is not as bad as harming others.
If we are going to rate how hard it is to cure addiction vs low self esteem, I do not know which is harder to cure. As mentioned above by Wayblu, self esteem can be harder to fix, and i think is is often part of the underlying cause of an addiction, but, i think harming others because of a low self esteem is worse than doing substance abuse as a result of low self esteem.
Which is worse? Which is more controllable?
I agree with Blackpuma that addiction is different, i also think that it is more excusable. The substance addict does not directly intend to harm others, or even himself.
The one with low self esteem harms others. There is no excuse for harming others. But i guess it depends on the severity. If its just playful trolling... that's minor. As mentioned above, internet anonymity can turn 'nice' people into bad guys. Now if its more severe harmful behavior against others, then that's inexcusable like harassment, bullying, etc.
If someone with low self esteem did self-harm, in my opinion, that is not as bad as harming others.
If we are going to rate how hard it is to cure addiction vs low self esteem, I do not know which is harder to cure. As mentioned above by Wayblu, self esteem can be harder to fix, and i think is is often part of the underlying cause of an addiction, but, i think harming others because of a low self esteem is worse than doing substance abuse as a result of low self esteem.
Addiction doesn't always happen because people try to drown their troubles. Sometimes it's a gradual slope that can get thus far out of hand without someone noticing. Substance addiction isn't something you can physically avoid avoid once the ball starts rolling. It's start with a drink, then two.. oh why not 3 tomorrow, ect. If they don't see the pattern, it's easy to fall in a addiction.
I'm not trying to say that low self esteem is by any means a easy thing to live with, but the choices people make while dealing with it shouldn't be without consequence or pardoned just because they have low self esteem. Trolling is something that requires a lot of coordination.
Find a website > Find a thread/page > Target a person > Think of a offensive response > Write the offensive response > Post it > Commit to it in hopes to cause a negative response in said person.
That are all choices a person makes. A lot of steps, each of which has to be pursued by conscious actions. With each step the person trolling another can decide to stop, but doesn't. He/she consciously decides to do it, knows what it will do to the receiving end, and continues doing it anyway. At a certain point you can't play the ''self esteem'' card anymore. While the need for self empowerment can be generated from it, these are hateful, conscious, actions and are in total disregard for the person on the other end.
I'm making a point toward trolling, not people with low self esteem.
A weak excuse and weak behavior are quite different. While a weak excuse can be a branch of weak behavior, they're not necessarily the same thing. A weak excuse is used to mentally justify something you know is less then good. Weak behavior (at large) is when you know you have to do something, and just don't do it for whatever reason that isn't valid to the situation.
Waybuloo
Well-known member
At the end of the day, addiction is a get out of jail free card, it's even a disability that entitles you to welfare in the UK. I guess if you have a personality disorder that makes you want to hurt others then there is no hope for you to be recognised as needing help. Even though this is something which you also cannot help. Just because someone has the faculty to plan a trolling attack doesn't mean they are necessarily all there. People will just think you are mean and hurtful and wholly responsible. I guess there needs to be more understanding and education for people about the nature of these disorders and what drives people to troll. And I guess some people just have trouble understanding because it's not black and white.
Dying to live is also assuming the harmer's life is less valuable than other peoples.
Waybuloo
Well-known member
Yes, good point. After staying away from the pc, even if it's just to be immersed with stressful activities or errands/chores, you come back thinking why you wasted all that time on it anyway. Robin hood was a thief for the good for the people, I'm not sure why he was a troll. Did he also taunt the rich victims as they begged not to be robbed?
First of all, I don't appreciate that condescending comment near the end. I understand what a disorder is, but I also understand that there are a lot of people that play the addiction/disorder card whenever they have a bad habit as excuse to make it something deemed unchangeable. Not everything is a addiction or a disorder.
When it is a real addiction/disorder, and people/you recognize it, they deserve every bit of help available. But when it's simply a shortcut to power to feed your self esteem or for the fun of it, which considering the quantity of trolls online today is majority of the time, then it becomes something inexcusable.
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