Topic: The motivations of trolls
Anonymous A started this discussion 11 years ago #39,542
The conventional wisdom seems to be that trolls do what they do because of the reaction they get from people, reveling in the rage and offense that they generate.
But my time browsing these websites has made me question this. For example, there are trolls on Tinychan who have been going at the Doctor for years, even though he has never once shown annoyance at their antics and is obvioisly just a persona himself. Then there's people like ShitArse or to4str who, even after people stopped taking them seriously and just laughed at them, still kept going with their acts. Some of them keep at it constantly despite getting seemingly little in terms of reactions.
Do think it's accurate to say that the main motivation for some trolls is that they just enjoy trolling, regardless of the reaction they get from people?
But my time browsing these websites has made me question this. For example, there are trolls on Tinychan who have been going at the Doctor for years, even though he has never once shown annoyance at their antics and is obvioisly just a persona himself. Then there's people like ShitArse or to4str who, even after people stopped taking them seriously and just laughed at them, still kept going with their acts. Some of them keep at it constantly despite getting seemingly little in terms of reactions.
Do think it's accurate to say that the main motivation for some trolls is that they just enjoy trolling, regardless of the reaction they get from people?
Anonymous B joined in and replied with this 11 years ago, 12 minutes later[^] [v] #526,158
It certainly varies from troll to troll. There are different kinds, the most common ones being the one that are in it for the obvious reactions. I think the ones you are describing are either the more subtle trolls playing the long con, or people who have been acting this certain persona for so long on these parts they no longer consider it natural to act differently (on these fora). I'm not sure I would consider the second category really a troll though, just a persona.
I think that the majority of the trolls are in it for the reactions, either instantaneous reactions (rage, disgust, etc), or knowing that they're influencing certain people their thoughts/opinions in a certain way. It can be hard to tell if the second type is trolling or not, since their goal is to be non-obvious. This kind seems rare on the chans, though. That said, I'm sure there are trolls who troll purely for the act of trolling itself. They may enjoy the reactions, but will keep going regardless because why not? They've been at it so long, and it is how they interact with this community.
I am currently under the influence. Apologies if this post is an incoherent rambling.
I think that the majority of the trolls are in it for the reactions, either instantaneous reactions (rage, disgust, etc), or knowing that they're influencing certain people their thoughts/opinions in a certain way. It can be hard to tell if the second type is trolling or not, since their goal is to be non-obvious. This kind seems rare on the chans, though. That said, I'm sure there are trolls who troll purely for the act of trolling itself. They may enjoy the reactions, but will keep going regardless because why not? They've been at it so long, and it is how they interact with this community.
I am currently under the influence. Apologies if this post is an incoherent rambling.
(Edited 22 seconds later.)
FuckAlms !vX8K53rFBI joined in and replied with this 11 years ago, 10 minutes later, 23 minutes after the original post[^] [v] #526,161
Anonymous A (OP) replied with this 11 years ago, 3 hours later, 3 hours after the original post[^] [v] #526,188
@526,158 (B)
That's an interesting take on it. The idea that they're so into they just do it out of habit. It's probably at least partially true for some of them, considering how long some of these people have been doing their acts on these sites.
I have done it myself. Trolling with a persona, I mean. Actually carrying out the trolling was funny, but I was mainly amused by some of the hilarious reactions I got from the community I was plaguing. I'm just intrigued by how much enthusiasm some of them put into it, even when nobody really reacts very strongly (if at all).
And yes, your post was coherent. Insightful, even.
That's an interesting take on it. The idea that they're so into they just do it out of habit. It's probably at least partially true for some of them, considering how long some of these people have been doing their acts on these sites.
I have done it myself. Trolling with a persona, I mean. Actually carrying out the trolling was funny, but I was mainly amused by some of the hilarious reactions I got from the community I was plaguing. I'm just intrigued by how much enthusiasm some of them put into it, even when nobody really reacts very strongly (if at all).
And yes, your post was coherent. Insightful, even.
Anonymous B replied with this 11 years ago, 9 minutes later, 3 hours after the original post[^] [v] #526,193
@previous (A)
I'm fairly sure that Matt is one of those trolls that just does it out of habit, possibly because he has nothing better to do. He does get some reactions, but it's mostly just everyone hating his guts. I don't know if he gets off on that, but he does seem to want to come back if he gets banned or whatever. I have no idea, he is weird but also one of the more extreme ones.
I'm fairly sure that Matt is one of those trolls that just does it out of habit, possibly because he has nothing better to do. He does get some reactions, but it's mostly just everyone hating his guts. I don't know if he gets off on that, but he does seem to want to come back if he gets banned or whatever. I have no idea, he is weird but also one of the more extreme ones.
Anonymous D joined in and replied with this 11 years ago, 11 minutes later, 3 hours after the original post[^] [v] #526,197
Syntax trolls because he... Well.... Doesn't have a life.
Anonymous A (OP) replied with this 11 years ago, 13 minutes later, 4 hours after the original post[^] [v] #526,203
@previous (D)
I don't think that Syntax is actually a troll. While he might sometimes try to annoy people, I think he's acting genuinely and not particularly trying to troll people. He did previously post on a site called the mental ward (or something like that), and I've never seen him go "out of character".
@526,193 (B)
I remember I once heard Matt being interviewed by Fats on that old podcast Fats did, and he came across as pretty normal, even affable guy. It was weird.
Anyway, he may also enjoy the drama generated from his mere presence, given his reputation on these sites.
I don't think that Syntax is actually a troll. While he might sometimes try to annoy people, I think he's acting genuinely and not particularly trying to troll people. He did previously post on a site called the mental ward (or something like that), and I've never seen him go "out of character".
@526,193 (B)
I remember I once heard Matt being interviewed by Fats on that old podcast Fats did, and he came across as pretty normal, even affable guy. It was weird.
Anyway, he may also enjoy the drama generated from his mere presence, given his reputation on these sites.
Anonymous B replied with this 11 years ago, 47 seconds later, 4 hours after the original post[^] [v] #526,204
netscape joined in and replied with this 11 years ago, 8 minutes later, 4 hours after the original post[^] [v] #526,205
remember when syntax claimedhe was banging whitney
houston???? then bobby
brown put the breaks
on that one
Anonymous A (OP) replied with this 11 years ago, 6 minutes later, 4 hours after the original post[^] [v] #526,209
@previous (netscape)
He does say some very outlandish things. My favourite has to be the one where he said that he had trained US marines, or something like that. Or owning some island with Jacques Cousteau.
Those "Syntax claims" posts that he inspired are also hilarious.
@526,204 (B)
For a few, maybe. Though I think that being a deluded weirdo is distinct from being a troll.
He does say some very outlandish things. My favourite has to be the one where he said that he had trained US marines, or something like that. Or owning some island with Jacques Cousteau.
Those "Syntax claims" posts that he inspired are also hilarious.
@526,204 (B)
For a few, maybe. Though I think that being a deluded weirdo is distinct from being a troll.
Anonymous F joined in and replied with this 11 years ago, 2 minutes later, 4 hours after the original post[^] [v] #526,210
Anonymous G joined in and replied with this 11 years ago, 26 minutes later, 4 hours after the original post[^] [v] #526,216
Syntax has to be a little bit crazy to keep telling so many outlandish and ridiculous lies about his life though. I don't think he's trolling, I think he has a mental condition.
FuckAlms !vX8K53rFBI replied with this 11 years ago, 25 minutes later, 5 hours after the original post[^] [v] #526,245
Anonymous G replied with this 11 years ago, 6 minutes later, 5 hours after the original post[^] [v] #526,248
@previous (FuckAlms !vX8K53rFBI)
Yeah, that wasn't a 5000 word gibberish post about the movie The Bodyguard, that syntax watched and then claimed those events happened to him irl.
Yeah, that wasn't a 5000 word gibberish post about the movie The Bodyguard, that syntax watched and then claimed those events happened to him irl.
Anonymous H joined in and replied with this 11 years ago, 32 minutes later, 5 hours after the original post[^] [v] #526,250
@OP
> The conventional wisdom seems to be that trolls do what they do because of the reaction they get from people, reveling in the rage and offense that they generate.
>
> But my time browsing these websites has made me question this. For example, there are trolls on Tinychan who have been going at the Doctor for years, even though he has never once shown annoyance at their antics and is obvioisly just a persona himself. Then there's people like ShitArse or to4str who, even after people stopped taking them seriously and just laughed at them, still kept going with their acts. Some of them keep at it constantly despite getting seemingly little in terms of reactions.
>
> Do think it's accurate to say that the main motivation for some trolls is that they just enjoy trolling, regardless of the reaction they get from people?
It's called being a sociopath. That's what they and you are, those who get pleasure from ruining others' usage of boards.
> The conventional wisdom seems to be that trolls do what they do because of the reaction they get from people, reveling in the rage and offense that they generate.
>
> But my time browsing these websites has made me question this. For example, there are trolls on Tinychan who have been going at the Doctor for years, even though he has never once shown annoyance at their antics and is obvioisly just a persona himself. Then there's people like ShitArse or to4str who, even after people stopped taking them seriously and just laughed at them, still kept going with their acts. Some of them keep at it constantly despite getting seemingly little in terms of reactions.
>
> Do think it's accurate to say that the main motivation for some trolls is that they just enjoy trolling, regardless of the reaction they get from people?
It's called being a sociopath. That's what they and you are, those who get pleasure from ruining others' usage of boards.
Anonymous G replied with this 11 years ago, 13 minutes later, 6 hours after the original post[^] [v] #526,251
Anonymous H replied with this 11 years ago, 2 hours later, 8 hours after the original post[^] [v] #526,260
FuckAlms !vX8K53rFBI replied with this 11 years ago, 1 hour later, 9 hours after the original post[^] [v] #526,264
Anonymous H replied with this 11 years ago, 1 hour later, 10 hours after the original post[^] [v] #526,272
netscape replied with this 11 years ago, 7 hours later, 18 hours after the original post[^] [v] #526,332
@526,250 (H)
> > The conventional wisdom seems to be that trolls do what they do because of the reaction they get from people, reveling in the rage and offense that they generate.
> >
> > But my time browsing these websites has made me question this. For example, there are trolls on Tinychan who have been going at the Doctor for years, even though he has never once shown annoyance at their antics and is obvioisly just a persona himself. Then there's people like ShitArse or to4str who, even after people stopped taking them seriously and just laughed at them, still kept going with their acts. Some of them keep at it constantly despite getting seemingly little in terms of reactions.
> >
> > Do think it's accurate to say that the main motivation for some trolls is that they just enjoy trolling, regardless of the reaction they get from people?
>
> It's called being a sociopath. That's what they and you are, those who get pleasure from ruining others' usage of boards.
i think that the doctor has legitimate mental problems
there is no other way someone would put up with
doing that for so long unless he is
autistic, at the very least
not as long as he has
been keeping up
the charade
(by the way the doctor is bobby
ＣＩＡＯ ＴＨＥ ＤＯＣＴＯＲ)
> > The conventional wisdom seems to be that trolls do what they do because of the reaction they get from people, reveling in the rage and offense that they generate.
> >
> > But my time browsing these websites has made me question this. For example, there are trolls on Tinychan who have been going at the Doctor for years, even though he has never once shown annoyance at their antics and is obvioisly just a persona himself. Then there's people like ShitArse or to4str who, even after people stopped taking them seriously and just laughed at them, still kept going with their acts. Some of them keep at it constantly despite getting seemingly little in terms of reactions.
> >
> > Do think it's accurate to say that the main motivation for some trolls is that they just enjoy trolling, regardless of the reaction they get from people?
>
> It's called being a sociopath. That's what they and you are, those who get pleasure from ruining others' usage of boards.
i think that the doctor has legitimate mental problems
there is no other way someone would put up with
doing that for so long unless he is
autistic, at the very least
not as long as he has
been keeping up
the charade
(by the way the doctor is bobby
ＣＩＡＯ ＴＨＥ ＤＯＣＴＯＲ)
Dr. FuckAlms !vX8K53rFBI replied with this 11 years ago, 1 hour later, 20 hours after the original post[^] [v] #526,364
Syntax joined in and replied with this 11 years ago, 1 day later, 1 day after the original post[^] [v] #526,671
@526,205 (netscape)@526,209 (A)
@526,248 (G)
netscape
U dumb as fuck - No clue who/whom that Syntax B
I on the other hand was on a downhill ski trip and perhaps that Syntax did or did not court~over with drugged up Huston?
Your out of date usless name does fit you netscape