Poll: Trolling?

[Owen Robertson]

I've been trolled, seen trolling, and even participated (for the record, only as a counter-troll (that is to say I trolled trolls) and only when I played WoW) in the act that many treat as the absolute worst thing one can do with an internet connection. But recently, I've come to appreciate it as a valuable part of the zeitgeist of our generation, and an insight into human nature in a consequence-free environment. I'm asking you Escapists what you think of the act and my opinion.

DISCLAIMER --- By selecting Trollolololol you are, of course, trolling the thread and thus are in favor of trolling while devaluing my opinion.

EDIT - - - By trolling I do mean being dick-ish for the sake of being dick-ish. Going out of your way to ruin someone else's day. Because the internet is a consequence-free environment (for the most part), some people will call names because they won't be harmed.

EDIT 2 - - - 46.4% of you chose Trollolololol... Success

 

[Vault101]

I dont get it...its not funny

and god help us any trolls actullly belive what they are saying (you know..to an extent)

 

[LoFr3Eq]

The best trolling is the subtle kind, where it is hard to tell if trolling or not.

 

[manic_depressive13]

I think it's a fantastic method of getting people to chill the fuck out. You can either calm down, accept it and even see the humour in it, or you can get angry and upset at something ultimately harmless that you will never be able to change.

 

[Weentastic]

You don't get to use multiple syllable words like zeitgeist if you are in favor of trolling. All you get to do is make grunts and slide around on a slimy basement floor.

 

[Jedoro]

Meh, trolls can do their trolling, so long as they keep it to certain dedicated parts of the internet *cough*4chan*cough*

Oh, and "Poll Poll Trolling"?
Methinks the Escapist is doing some trolling of it's own.

I think people put "Poll:" in the thread title, but the Escapist adds it automatically when there's a poll.

Maybe.

OT: It's situational, but I'm not opposed to its general existence.

 

[Marter]

So ... what's trolling, exactly? Not exactly well-defined in that good ol' OP up there.

 

[triggrhappy94]

Trolling is only really good when it's on something that takes itself too seriously, or something that isn't me. I find it to be a fun passtime, but does get kind of old fast.

Funny Story: Knowing the stereotypical Modern Warfare player (and my personal political believes), I made my MW3 clan tag "OBMA", as in "Obama" as in the president and democratic presidential candidate. I then just had to play the waiting came. So far, I've gotten on message saying, "Mitt Romney 2012" and an audio recording that I haven't listened to. I'm not sure if I want to respond. I will have updates on my trollventure as the situation develops

 

[smithy_2045]

If people can tell if you're trolling or not, you're doing it wrong.

 

[Baneat]

So ... what's trolling, exactly? Not exactly well-defined in that good ol' OP up there.

If you make a statement that you know's going to make someone angry just to see them get angry, you're trolling.

 

[Esotera]

It's been absolutely ruined by 12-year olds, who think calling someone an idiot & having them reply is trolling. Traditionally, it's always been posting an inflammatory statement, no matter whether you believe it or not, to get as many answers as possible. It has to be intentional, also.

I'm a pretty good troll on some other sites if the community has really annoyed me, but not here.

 

[Laser Priest]

Trolling is done because people enjoy watching others suffer.

That's pretty much how I define evil, so I generally choose not to partake.

 

[Hugga_Bear]

If trolling is done well then I actually like it, but it has to be very clever. The "I accidentally the whole bottle" for example, I found that absolutely hilarious when I first saw it and if I had been on the receiving end (and somehow too dumb not to figure it out) would STILL have found it funny.
In my view, that's good trolling, it's funny, clever and a little out there without being overly mean or at all cruel. If you have a good sense of humour then you should be able to laugh at yourself for taking the bait.

However in general trolling is boring, not causes grief or upsets me 'boo-hoo' it's just rubbish. There's nothing more dull than seeing the fourteenth 'pretend to be an idiot christian to annoy the atheists' in a day doing their best to sound congenitally retarded. We've seen it a million times, it's simply not amusing, not offensive either, just boring.
I also take a dislike to seriously cruel trolling, like the an hero shit /b/ pulled a long time back. Kinda funny but the kid died, stupid as people are I think you should give them a little breathing space when they face tragedy.

So yeah, if it's clever and not nasty I like it. If it's not clever it's boring and if it's nasty it can be amusing but isn't kind so I disagree with it. Just depends what they do really.

 

[Sarge034]

I think it is situational, but you have to do it right and at the right time. I am a counter-troll (just look at my avatar), a master-troll, an obvious troll, an epic tier-three troll, and a stupid troll. However, I know when it is and when it is not appropriate to troll. As well as what type of troll to employ.



Just try to keep it classy, none of those little 12 year old's shenanigans.

 

[Astoria]

So ... what's trolling, exactly? Not exactly well-defined in that good ol' OP up there.

I'm not sure if you're being serious or not...

If the person being trolled is a douchebag who deserves it then it's funny but if it's just trolling for the hell of trolling then it's annoying. I've done it occasionally but only to smart mouth 15 year olds who think they know it all.

 

[Dr Pussymagnet]

I love to troll, but it really depends where you do it. For example, I've had more fun in Champions Online by going into Club Caprice and fucking with stuck up and pretentious role players than I've had playing the actual game. I just wish I could still pick up the furniture.