What is an 'internet troll'?

[G-Unit]

The definition of a troll has changed. Initially it was;

a person who starts quarrels or upsets people on the Internet to distract and sow discord by posting inflammatory and digressive, extraneous, or off-topic messages in an online community (such as a newsgroup, forum, chat room, or blog) with the intent of provoking readers into displaying emotional responses and normalizing tangential discussion, whether for the troll's amusement or a specific gain.

The media, it seems, have extended the definition to include;

online harassment. For example, the mass media have used "troll" to mean "a person who defaces Internet tribute sites with the aim of causing grief to families".
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Internet_troll

Which definition is used often depends on the readers opinion rather than on some neutral standard. People who behave in the manner described in the original definition are often the ones accusing others of 'trolling' by reference to the second definition imo.

[Venturi Swirl]

The definition of a troll has changed. Initially it was;

a person who starts quarrels or upsets people on the Internet to distract and sow discord by posting inflammatory and digressive, extraneous, or off-topic messages in an online community (such as a newsgroup, forum, chat room, or blog) with the intent of provoking readers into displaying emotional responses and normalizing tangential discussion, whether for the troll's amusement or a specific gain.

The media, it seems, have extended the definition to include;

online harassment. For example, the mass media have used "troll" to mean "a person who defaces Internet tribute sites with the aim of causing grief to families".
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Internet_troll

Which definition is used often depends on the readers opinion rather than on some neutral standard. People who behave in the manner described in the original definition are often the ones accusing others of 'trolling' by reference to the second definition imo.

By the first definition there is definitely one (self confessed) troll on this forum, and I can think of a few others, all sceptics incidentally.

[slartibartfast]

By the first definition there is definitely one (self confessed) troll on this forum, and I can think of a few others, all sceptics incidentally.

There are a couple of supporters whose whole presence here appears to be for the purpose of trolling.

[Holly Goodhead]

There are a couple of supporters whose whole presence here appears to be for the purpose of trolling.

I don't believe we have any trolls here just a couple of zealots from both camps.

[Venturi Swirl]

There are a couple of supporters whose whole presence here appears to be for the purpose of trolling.

Who would that be?

[Holly Goodhead]

Who would that be?

I don't think it would be appropriate for a mod to name names and in any event its only my perception.  The fact I perceive a couple of zealots here from both camps does not make me factually correct its just my perception.

[Mr Gray]

There are a couple of supporters whose whole presence here appears to be for the purpose of trolling.

Has it ever occurred to you your opinion might just be a Tad biased... You really don't do your credibility a lot of good with your post

[Mr Gray]

I don't think it would be appropriate for a mod to name names and in any event its only my perception.  The fact I perceive a couple of zealots here from both camps does not make me factually correct its just my perception.

I would say that mod is guilty of behaviour that fits the trolling definition

[Mr Gray]

I don't think it would be appropriate for a mod to name names and in any event its only my perception.  The fact I perceive a couple of zealots here from both camps does not make me factually correct its just my perception.

I think it would be best fir mods not to describe postets as trolls or zealots... It's hardly adds to the smooth running of the forum

[Miss Taken Identity]

I think it would be best fir mods not to describe postets as trolls or zealots... It's hardly adds to the smooth running of the forum

Mods are posters too and are allowed their opinions as you are allowed yours. The smooth running of the forum is not what you want Davel.Many of Your posts are evidence of such.

[Mr Gray]

Mods are posters too and are allowed their opinions as you are allowed yours. The smooth running of the forum is not what you want Davel.Many of Your posts are evidence of such.

im not allowed to post my opinions...lets see if my posts are allowed to stay...if so I have no complaints. i dont really see how criticism of other posters is productive

[Mr Gray]

There are a couple of supporters whose whole presence here appears to be for the purpose of trolling.

have alook at that...are you therefore referring to yourself

The definition of a troll has changed. Initially it was;

a person who starts quarrels or upsets people on the Internet

for the past couple of weeks the forum has run smoothly with no sanctions...then  a mod who hardly ever posts turns up with an inflammatory post   ...and gets four likes ...how absolutely childish

[sadie]

im not allowed to post my opinions...lets see if my posts are allowed to stay...if so I have no complaints. i dont really see how criticism of other posters is productive

Me neither, at times
or,
They are truncated so extremely that the meaning is totally changed.  Sometimes they are so cleverly truncated that they end up saying the exact opposite to what I actually said.

It has not been so bad recently tho' for me.

[Mr Gray]

Me neither, at times
or,
They are truncated so extremely that the meaning is totally changed.  Sometimes they are so cleverly truncated that they end up saying the exact opposite to what I actually said.

It has not been so bad recently tho' for me.

I wouldnt call it cleverly truncated...I doubt they are capable of cleverness

[sadie]

I wouldnt call it cleverly truncated...I doubt they are capable of cleverness

Well it seems clever to me cos the pieces taken out sometimes makes the meaning completely opposite ... and that makes me