Trolling: Difference between revisions
there can NEVER be too detailed an article on trolling - it is the source of all we do, and the basis of all we are (online, anyway)
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===Definition of | ===Definition of Trolling=== | ||
'''Trolling''' is activity which annoys others but is nonetheless necessary. In general internet terms, trolling can be described as making an undefended and polarised statement, to stimulate a large and reactive response. However, what constitutes "undefended" is usually entirely up to the observer (see [[spun threat]] for a way in which this can be made obvious to third party observers). | '''Trolling''' is activity which annoys others but is nonetheless necessary. In general internet terms, trolling can be described as making an undefended and polarised statement, to stimulate a large and reactive response. However, what constitutes "undefended" is usually entirely up to the observer (see [[spun threat]] for a way in which this can be made obvious to third party observers). | ||
Many believe that '''trolling''' is the main form of '''wiki governance''' - mostly consisting of resistance to bad [[wiki management]] decisions, e.g. [[Wikipedia Red Faction]] resistance against [[Wikimedia]] and [[GodKing]]. Some of these advocate a more formal [[faction]] system to organize [[trolls]] to reduce conflict between trolls, and focus more on defeating [[usurper]]s and [[martinet]]s and the [[sysop power structure]] itself. ''All of this is about as complicated as [[politics as usual]], so we focus on tactics and techniques:'' | Many believe that '''trolling''' is the main form of '''wiki governance''' - mostly consisting of resistance to bad [[wiki management]] decisions, e.g. [[Wikipedia Red Faction]] resistance against [[Wikimedia]] and [[GodKing]]. Some of these advocate a more formal [[faction]] system to organize [[trolls]] to reduce conflict between trolls, and focus more on defeating [[usurper]]s and [[martinet]]s and the [[sysop power structure]] itself. ''All of this is about as complicated as [[politics as usual]], so we focus on tactics and techniques:'' | ||
=== | A [[trollherd]] is someone whose activities or interests have a very high correlation with that of several [[trolls]]. This may or may not be a [[troll]] themselves, and they might even openly attack and abuse trolls. However, this could be a [[cover story]] to avoid being accused of causing the '''trolling''', whether they approve of it or not. It's hard to tell. | ||
===trolling tactics=== | |||
*pointing out [[harassment]] | *pointing out [[harassment]] | ||
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*strongly defending the [[GFDL corpus]] and moving text between [[GFDL corpus access provider]]s to ensure it remains visible, as the licenses seem to demand | *strongly defending the [[GFDL corpus]] and moving text between [[GFDL corpus access provider]]s to ensure it remains visible, as the licenses seem to demand | ||
=== | ===established trolling techniques=== | ||
*Typos or Tyops and even broken links to annoy the [[Lowest Troll]] since only correcting the typo and leaving the made statements "intact" will act as an seal of approval for the trolling. | *Typos or Tyops and even broken links to annoy the [[Lowest Troll]] since only correcting the typo and leaving the made statements "intact" will act as an seal of approval for the trolling. | ||
*Grammatically dysfunctional pseudo-sentences that are complex to decypher what is supposed to be the "correct" sentence. | *Grammatically dysfunctional pseudo-sentences that are complex to decypher what is supposed to be the "correct" sentence. | ||
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*Heavy linking to very trollish articles, e.g. critical analysis of serious mistakes made by [[enemy projects]] | *Heavy linking to very trollish articles, e.g. critical analysis of serious mistakes made by [[enemy projects]] | ||
All these techniques will be immensely useful when trying to bring attention to bad behaviour by corporations; Basically, we are all | All these techniques will be immensely useful when trying to bring attention to bad behaviour by corporations; Basically, we are all "trolling" corporations and governments and industries here at [[Consumerium]], and some believe that the whole [[Internet]] only exists for purposes of "trolling" the real world. When [[Wikipedia China block|Wikipedia was blocked in China]], for instance, some said it was for "trolling" the Chinese government, i.e. stating things as facts that the Chinese government denied or simply did not want anyone to read. | ||
Also trolling helps to engage more people in examining their behaviour. Someone may be drawn into a debate simply because of '''trolling''' but, once in, may feel compelled to make moral and value systems decisions that will, ultimately, result in their applying stricter [[individual buying criteria]]. | Also, trolling helps to engage more people in examining their behaviour. Someone may be drawn into a debate simply because of '''trolling''' but, once in, may feel compelled to make moral and value systems decisions that will, ultimately, result in their applying stricter [[individual buying criteria]]. | ||
However, no one likes being forced to think: Those accused of | However, no one likes being forced to think: Those accused of deliberately using trolling tactics (not just accidently using some techniques in common) are called "[[trolls]]", usually by the [[sysop power structure]] to whom this means "person to be persecuted, outsider, not one of us." However, many [[political activist]]s or [[freethinker]]s or [[heretic]]s adopt this label as a term of pride and collective self-defense. Accordingly it is as meaningless as any other [[pop psychiatry]] label. | ||
===See also=== | ===See also=== | ||
*[[Troll]] | *[[Troll]] - what is it? | ||
*[[Trolls]] | *[[Trolls]] - how do they co-operate? | ||
*[[troll organization]]s - do they exist? | |||
=== References === | === References === | ||