Trolls

Trolls are originally a mythical, cave-dwelling being depicted in folklore as either a giant or a dwarf, typically having a very ugly appearance.

A troll on the internet is a person who sows discord by starting arguments, antagonizing or ridiculing other people or their ideas. He (they are usually male) by posting inflammatory, extraneous, or off-topic messages online community. This is done to promote an emotional response or to disrupt a normal on-topic discussion. This is all done for their own emotional satisfaction or amusement.

Trolling is the impulsive habit of emotionally hurting, harassing or molesting others online, seemingly without immediate detrimental consequences for themselves. While many trolls on the internet are often narcissists, psychopaths, and even sadists, some trolling may only be the result of a bad day or a compilation of stress and anxiety in need of release.

The problem is that trolling can be addictive and once it begins granting some relief people may return to it like the "Pig to The Mire". And trolling on a group can be like a virus on a crowded bus. Trolling begets more trolling. Unfortunately, that is often the goal of some trolls for misery loves company.

Trolls are not always after a person or even the subject matter of a conversation but may simply desire to “create mayhem or confusion”. Like any addiction, it is a compulsion of the mind that is looking for a climax of confirmation through a perception of control. They are driven by feelings of frustration, failure, and inadequacy. If they cannot have accomplishment and accolades, they will have chaos.

The historically recent phenomena of the internet troll is a classic example of a psychopathic "personality disorder characterized by persistent antisocial behavior, impaired empathy and remorse, and bold, disinhibited, and egotistical traits." People who are attracted to the activity of trolling commonly score high in psychopathy and cognitive empathy. Cognitive empathy means that they understand the emotions of others but have less affective empathy, which is the ability to naturally respond appropriately or with compassion to the emotions of others.

Psychology scores demonstrate a tendency toward sadism, even Machiavellian traits often falling into what psychologists call the "dark triad". Of course, the first ones to deny this or ridicule the idea is someone with a troll personality. They often imagine themselves social justice warriors, crusaders of truth, or just intellectual superior by protecting the masses of pions by putting down anyone with an opposing opinion. The delusion as a self-styled hero is essential to emotionally justify the actions of a troll.

Of course, if the subject matter exposes them they will be motivated to troll with greater intensely.

Several studies indicate that Internet Trolling is a manifestation of sadism sometimes linked to being bullied from youth. So, some are just victims of other trolls and have become trolls or engage in trolling because of a memetic compulsion because of experienced abuse. But repeat offenders are almost always addicted to trolling. They need to get a rise out of others to give themselves a sense of superiority or just meaning. They become like a pack of wolves or sharks which smell blood and go on a feeding frenzy. They have no real life or compassion for others and releasing their true malevolent hearts on the internet allows them some imagined safety.

The problem is the more they indulge the more addicted they become. That rehearsal of mocking attacks, disruptive behavior, and infectious chaos at the expense of others will take a toll on the addicted troll.

What mechanism in his own mind and heart has he unleashed by lashing out at his digital victims?

There are lots of articles about trolling and Karma. There are lots of old sayings about "What goes around comes around" or just the golden rule to "Do unto others as you would have them do unto you."

But my favorite is Galatians 6:7 "Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap."

Spirit of the Troll

What is the Spirit of the Troll.

Cain Saul Philip Zimbardo's Stanford Prison Experiment cognitive empathy is over come by loving your neighbor as yourself.