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?

What is the driving force behind their mental disorder?

Why can't they see it?

Where is it taking them?

And what can save them from their ultimate fate?

The most common motivation for trolling is to obtain relief from those "feelings of frustration, failure, and inadequacy." This is accomplished by putting others down emotionally, psychologically or simply disrupting the conversation with chaos and distraction. The same spirit that sits behind a computer screen disrupting and attacking conversations is also found shouting down speakers and disrupting events they disagree with.

Trolling can lead to more frustration and the stakes or pattern of engagement may increase to obtain relief and can eventually lead to real violence. During that rise in aggression cognitive empathy must also increase which will increase levels of psychopathy.

Cain was the first troll. Having feelings of frustration, failure, and inadequacy because his sacrifice was not acceptable he was driven to mercilessly bludgeon his brother to death. He hid the truth of his action and excused it with "...[Am] I my brother’s keeper?" Cain clearly would score high in psychopathy and cognitive empathy.

Saul was a great man who fought for justice and was held in high esteem. But after he was made king he would eventually manifest Machiavellian traits. He "foolishly taxed" the people by forcing an offering in support of his army as God and Samuel had prophesied but condemned.

Once Saul was in power he began to demonstrate a similar psychopathy and cognitive empathy toward David as a threat merely because of his popularity. He would eventually attempt to kill David. He continued to make choices seeking to maintain power which drove him to suicide upon his own sword.

David faced similar temptation concerning numbering the people and stealing the "wife of Uriah the Hittite".

What drove Saul to his fate and what saved David?

Saul foolishly forced the offering of the people to support his army. David numbered the people so they could be drafted into military service but repented. He started to build a stone temple which would further centralize the government but repented. He was going to use force to extract support from Nabal but repented through the kind and generous efforts Abigail. Except for his betrayal of Uriah to steal his wife David did pretty good because he was willing to change his thinking and actions, which is the essence of repentance.

Both granting power to select individuals and groups and the relinquishing of power can give rise to tyrannical abuse and degenerative submission to injustice.

Jimmy Savile was a popular disc jockey who raised millions of dollars for charity but was allowed to get away with sexual abuse of children for years. We see the same phenomena amongst priests.

cognitive empathy is overcome by loving your neighbor as yourself.

Cognitive dissonance love

humility

pride

forgiveness

1 Corinthians 3:16 Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you?

1 Corinthians 6:19 What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own?