Why do people "Troll"?

[Mr Montmorency]

I find it hilarious and comforting that people don't know what a real troll actually is. "Overcompensation"? "Anonymity"? "I don't feed them"? "To get a response"? Really? Do you srsly think that's why they do it? It's a little more complicated than that.

The fact that you think that is just one of the many reasons why they do it.

 

[AMMO Kid]

People don't troll for attention, they troll to make you mad, because that is how they get their kicks.

 

[Contun]

When done right, it's hysterical.

Mean, but hysterical...

 

[ShadowsofHope]

Read up on "The Greater Internet Fuckwad Theory".

Or, this carefully yet simply explained diagram:

 

[DustyDrB]

Have you ever wanted to push people's buttons just to see what makes them snap and how they act when it happens? I used to do it all the time to people in middle school to early high school, it was actually fun.

Think about it: the Joker is basically just a troll to the max.

I remember once when I snapped on a troll on a forum. I went on a huge rant and then had a back and forth argument until I realized what had happened. It was sort of impressive and kind gave me a little insight into myself. I'm not saying it's a good thing to do, but they aren't all just mindless dickwads who scream "FAG" at everything.

 

[neoontime]

They feel they have nothing better to do with their time.
It's usually best to ignore them, believe me, I deal with a troll on the daily basis.

 

[DarthFennec]

It's funny.

Seriously.

This. Yeah, trolls are stupid and annoying and you probably want to be without them, but if you step back and look at the bigger picture you realize how hilarious it is to see a bunch of idiots on a forum get all worked up about some anon's comment.

 

[Wildcard5]

My bet is that most people are easily bored or naturally malicious.

 

[Miumaru]

I havent yet, but I think I will start just being weird with trolls. Hopefully confusing them will throw them off.

 

[Kortney]

Attention!

Everything is for attention.

 

[Warforger]

It really does annoy me. Even though I know I am not going to change their opinion or even get them to shut up, in some cases I HAVE to reply...

So how do you respond to trolls? Do you have the will power to leave them alone? Or are like me, and get dragged in to arguements?

They troll because they find pissing people off is funny. Even funnier when they troll other trolls and neither get that the other is a troll.

 

[zehydra]

The fact that you get annoyed by Trolls means they've done what they intended to do. The way to deal with them is to ignore them, or silence them.

 

[Imperioratorex Caprae]

It can be funny, if it is original. After 1 or 2 its just sad...

Btw anyone like fishsticks? (Instant fail)

 

[Jewrean]

They troll for attention.

This. It brings to mind that girl who was throwing puppies into a river and then filmed it. People do things like this to be the centre of attention no matter how morally ambiguous their actions are. The more controversy they stir (regardless of whether they truly feel that way) the larger a response they will receive. Humans are stupid creatures.

 

[Super Toast]

Because it's entertaining. I don't do it here, but there's nothing more fun than wrecking IGN and Gametrailers shit.

 

[JPH330]

It makes them feel superior.

 

[the Dept of Science]

Looking back at some of my posting habits when I was 12-13, I was probably a troll (or at least troll like at times). Thing is I just didn't realise it, I was precocious and didn't really have much idea about internet etiquette or good argument strategies. While I wasn't as bad or prolific as someone that purposefully trolls, some of the things I did were definately trolling.
It was just stupidity like a lot of people suffer from at that age.

 

[titanium turtle]

fur teh lulz
end thread

 

[number2301]

Basically this -

Spoiler

Trolls do it 'for teh lulz' simple as. They are not necessarily after attention, pathetic or any of the many other things which have been said.

How to respond, don't feed the troll. If no-one responds to the troll does it really make a sound?

 

[El Poncho]

To annoy people for the fun of it.