So we know trolls do what they do for the attention, and most of us know they also do it for the “rush” that trolling gives them. I’m talking about how the brain releases endorphins when it responds to certain stimuli such as “likes” on Facebook or a texts on your phone (or whatever).
So what I’m wondering is: Are the Troll Feeders getting the same rush? I don’t think TF crave attention like Trolls themselves do. But I do wonder by participating in certain “pile on” threads, if they themselves aren’t getting the same rush as the trolls?
Reading some of these threads, I see what I regard as otherwise intelligent posters engaging in some rather juvenile behavior. And I don’t absolve myself from any of this. Not only have I participated in many of these threads, I’ve even started a few of my own.
Anyway, I hate realizing something so unsavory about myself.
MMmm, well, no, I wouldn’t say so. Not all of them, anyway. In a way, because you are now aware of your complicity and (hopefully) working on ending it, that means that you are NOT mindlessly playing “brain chemical self-diddle” like the “trolls.”
I discovered after making my own mistakes some time ago, that it really takes a LOT of work, for any person to behave even reasonably intelligently at all times. The trolls of the world often do get very good at pushing our buttons and setting us off, too.
And especially in these times, there is another drive that affects those of us who do try to think clearly, and that is the frightening recognition that a surprising number of our fellow beings actually think the trolls are telling truths, and they confirm that, by noting when the trollcrap goes unrefuted. So we have good reason to TRY to strike back at them, and that makes it even harder to stay on an even keel.
But yes, it is possible for someone to be an Anti-troll Troll. Self-righteousness is always a hint, but the true identifier of Anti Troll Trolls, is that they are every bit as pedantically knee-jerk in their efforts to refute the Trolls as the Trolls are in presenting their fecal matter.
I think that, often, yes. Assuming we’re talking about the drive-by random troll type who makes a new account and starts posting nonsense (vs an established poster who you think is now ‘just trolling’).
In the drive-by case, the people responding are usually part of the community and take some enjoyment in high-fiving their buddies in how they showed that guy how dumb he is. I don’t know about “rush” or “thrill” but, sure, there’s some fun in sitting with your friends and engaging in some risk-free mockery.
I have learned engaging them in a thread to the point of taking the thread off the rails is worthless and gets them exactly what they want. I have no problem, however, with Pit threads especially launched in order to point and laugh at them, even if it means engaging with them.
There may be some similarities, but it’s still rather different. Trolls aren’t blowing off steam. They don’t genuinely feel like there’s something wrong they need to fix. They just want to see what mess they can cause.
And this is assuming the legitimately angry troll, which is the only one that is similar. If they’re fake angry, then the motivation is just pure fucking with people
Now, if you mean my strategy of fucking with trolls, then that’s a little closer. But theres still a feeling of fixing things that is missing from the troll.