Ben's WTF! files: Internet Trolls

[benbenthegamerman]

Today on Ben's WTF! files, ben will look into the mysterious world of internet trolls

Ok, so ever since i have stopped looking at the WoW forums, i have been haunted by the memories of the forum trolls that lurked in the shadows, attacking with profanity and idiocy.
example:

Linranis posted: So, does anyone want to join Victims of the UC Elevator? we have (etc.)

ok, standard guild recruitment. not bad, until...

ExampleTroll posted: LOL TAHT GUILD IS TEH GHEYZ, DEY OLNY RAIDE WHEN DEY FEEL LIEK AND NTO ALL TEH TIME FFS.

Now, part of me really wants to believe that these are bored 14 year-old shut-ins that can only argue with swearing. Then i realize that i might be talking to a grown man or woman.

Are there people out there who are really that STUPID? I mean i have met some pretty stupid people in my life, but what person over the age of 18 argues with profanity and nothing else?

Lets focus on one of the main reasons people might be doing this: Attention. Sure, the internet is a big place. Many people have become famous off of it, some for good reasons, others... not so much. Let me bring a certain blogger into this: Perez Hilton. The man has become a huge internet celebrity, known world wide for... calling people he disagrees with homophobic? How about Shane Dawson, the number on most subscribed youtube channel, and hes famous for... talking in a high pitched voice to try and be funny?

If all of these things happened in real life, people wouldn't give two-shits about trolls, let alone come across the possibility to understand their logic. What makes the internet so different? Animosity? A larger audience then perceived? Who knows. There isnt much that can be done, so its not really worth trying to solve. It can get on your nerves, but it is best to let idiots be idiots.

 

[cuddly_tomato]

If all of these things happened in real life, people wouldn't give two-shits about trolls, let alone come across the possibility to understand their logic. What makes the internet so different? Animosity? A larger audience then perceived? Who knows. There isnt much that can be done, so its not really worth trying to solve. It can get on your nerves, but it is best to let idiots be idiots.

I disagree...

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/shropshire/7099569.stm

A nine-year-old girl who began an internet blog after being diagnosed with leukaemia has received death threats on her online diary.

Messages have been posted on Sophie Foxley's website threatening to set her house on fire and murder her.

Such people should be prosecuted to the full extent of the law.

Just because you are on the internet it does not mean that a fucking human being is not on the other side. If the mere lack of a visual reference of the human in question is all it takes to reduce a person to behaving in a sub-human way then I really don't see them as "mere idiots" but bottom-feeding slime.

 

[Lullabye]

Just because you are on the internet it does not mean that a fucking human being is not on the other side. If the mere lack of a visual reference of the human in question is all it takes to reduce a person to behaving in a sub-human way then I really don't see them as "mere idiots" but bottom-feeding slime.

Aaaaaand Tomato takes the words right outta my mouth.

 

[Aardvark]

Once again, Gabe [http://www.penny-arcade.com/comic/2004/03/19/] explains it best.

 

[DannyBoy451]

Am I the only person here who actually kinda likes trolls when they troll well?

 

[SextusMaximus]

Internet trolls, hey-hey! I post on this site and YouTube. This site has no trolls (or at least the people trolling are very subtle and have decent grammar - which I therefore, don't mind) and if anyone's a troll on YouTube then I will, frankly troll back.

 

[Binerexis]

Just because you are on the internet it does not mean that a fucking human being is not on the other side. If the mere lack of a visual reference of the human in question is all it takes to reduce a person to behaving in a sub-human way then I really don't see them as "mere idiots" but bottom-feeding slime.

Aaaaaand Tomato takes the words right outta my mouth.

I'd agree to some extent but the internet always has that pesky habit of flashing those 'Block User' and 'Disable Comments' buttons in my face.

 

[DeadlyYellow]

A lot of it is a bizarre social game. People are inherently jerks, and since the internet offers them a place to enact this with no real consequences they proceed to do so.

They try to upset and cause disorder merely because it's funny to them. It's part of the game. It's only when they break the border and begin attacking in real life that it turns serious.

 

[The Austin]

Just because you are on the internet it does not mean that a fucking human being is not on the other side. If the mere lack of a visual reference of the human in question is all it takes to reduce a person to behaving in a sub-human way then I really don't see them as "mere idiots" but bottom-feeding slime.

Aaaaaand Tomato takes the words right outta my mouth.

The problem is, that people don't care. They don't CARE if it's another person that they are hurting, as long as they get their cheap laugh.

 

[ArcWinter]

Trolls? They are fine, people who piss people off and have fun doing it. Ignore 'em.
Normal people, pissing people off because they are so stupid? Not okay.

 

[DemonicVixen]

well i can't always tell a troll from a stupid idiot. I hate when people think they are being funny such as on this thread: http://www.escapistmagazine.com/forums/read/18.169624#4619085 earlier. Several people seemed to think it funny to "laugh" at people's misfortunes, but for me i think its cruel. Yes, so you might not help but do you really have to say you laugh at them... urgh... i might not be so wound up if it wasnt for my mother dying the other day after falling and hitting her head... she was disabled for starters and also unwell and unsteady on her feet. If you find my post, you will know more...

 

[cuddly_tomato]

They try to upset and cause disorder merely because it's funny to them. It's part of the game. It's only when they break the border and begin attacking in real life that it turns serious.

I disagree, they do it merely because it is the most likely way to get a reaction. When they get that reaction they get noticed. They get attention. Another human being says "Hey, there is someone there!". It validates their existence. And it is extremely pathetic.

 

[yamitami]

It's like anything else in life where there's no consequence for doing something wrong. Where I work the overnighters are only graded on time, not actually doing their job right. So why the hell should they put out the effort when they can just stick shelf packs behind things and get a better score?

If it's your typical all caps bad grammar spamming links to porn site troll, there's not really a legal reason to go after them as all they are is annoying. But the people who tear down others in a personal manner should be tried for harassment, and if there was a big coordinated attack doing so then there would be a reason for them to not do it. As is it takes a suicide to bring the issue to court. As long as they can get away with it they WILL keep doing it.

 

[benbenthegamerman]

well i can't always tell a troll from a stupid idiot. I hate when people think they are being funny such as on this thread: http://www.escapistmagazine.com/forums/read/18.169624#4619085 earlier. Several people seemed to think it funny to "laugh" at people's misfortunes, but for me i think its cruel. Yes, so you might not help but do you really have to say you laugh at them... urgh... i might not be so wound up if it wasnt for my mother dying the other day after falling and hitting her head... she was disabled for starters and also unwell and unsteady on her feet. If you find my post, you will know more...

im horribly sorry about that. words cannot describe how much pain you must be going through. you have my sympathy, if you need it.

 

[DannyBoy451]

There's good trolling, and there's bad trolling. People of The Escapist are in many cases so stupid that they yell "TROLL!!!!111" at everything, but anywho. Examples of good trolling is that Facebook memorial for some guy who got crushed by a truck.

"I were really crushed to hear the news of his death, but obviously not as crushed as he was."

Trolling is what makes the internet interesting.

More or less this, although in my opinion trolling facebook memorials is pitifully lazy.

Also: This one time I deliberately started a trollpost Final Fantasy VII thread on 4chan, and managed to somehow get everyone into a massive argument with one another about whether Sepiroth was controlling Jenova, or vice versa, it was pretty funny.

Best part: I've never even played FFVII

 

[Dusty Donuts]

LOL TIHS THRED IS THE SUXXORS U R ALL GHEY.
If anyone actually posted that. They shouldn't be banned.

Spoiler: Here's what should happen

They should be cast into a deathly place. Be imaginative (No Voting. Mine is already the best)

 

[Canadamus Prime]

I think it's largely due to the general lack of consequences even more then the animosity. I mean really there is really not much we can do to counter trolls. Sure we can ban them, but there's nothing to stop them from just creating a new account on whatever given site they're trolling on and resuming where they left off. I've heard the term "IP ban" tossed around, but really since most ISP's use dynamic IP addressing, that wouldn't stop them for long.

 

[DeadlyYellow]

I disagree, they do it merely because it is the most likely way to get a reaction. When they get that reaction they get noticed. They get attention. Another human being says "Hey, there is someone there!". It validates their existence. And it is extremely pathetic.

By posting, I got a reaction from you. I held your attention for a period of time. I didn't need to curse or post profane images.

I don't think it's validation they seek, rather then entertainment from their game.

 

[Insideout Ink Demon]

I disagree...

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/shropshire/7099569.stm

A nine-year-old girl who began an internet blog after being diagnosed with leukaemia has received death threats on her online diary.

Messages have been posted on Sophie Foxley's website threatening to set her house on fire and murder her.

Such people should be prosecuted to the full extent of the law.

Just because you are on the internet it does not mean that a fucking human being is not on the other side. If the mere lack of a visual reference of the human in question is all it takes to reduce a person to behaving in a sub-human way then I really don't see them as "mere idiots" but bottom-feeding slime.

wow, that is a new level of low I've not seen before.

I'd love to know the mentality of this scum

 

[CloggedDonkey]

If all of these things happened in real life, people wouldn't give two-shits about trolls, let alone come across the possibility to understand their logic. What makes the internet so different? Animosity? A larger audience then perceived? Who knows. There isnt much that can be done, so its not really worth trying to solve. It can get on your nerves, but it is best to let idiots be idiots.

I disagree...

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/shropshire/7099569.stm

A nine-year-old girl who began an internet blog after being diagnosed with leukaemia has received death threats on her online diary.

Messages have been posted on Sophie Foxley's website threatening to set her house on fire and murder her.

Such people should be prosecuted to the full extent of the law.

Just because you are on the internet it does not mean that a fucking human being is not on the other side. If the mere lack of a visual reference of the human in question is all it takes to reduce a person to behaving in a sub-human way then I really don't see them as "mere idiots" but bottom-feeding slime.

that person needs to know what it's like to have a family member die before their eyes.

anyway, I(for some reason) can't help but react to trolls. I hate the guys/12 year olds, mainly because they do things like the person listed above,