Why do people troll on the Internet?
by 
lady fuschia
ANSWERS: 9
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For those who want a little more information: http://members.aol.com/intwg/trolls.htm I am not really sure why some people feel the need to do this. I have noticed that occasionally people try this on Answerbag, but most of the users are friendly and serious about trying to give and get answers to questions that matter to them. Also thankfully, most members of Answerbag realise when someone is trolling and give them short shift. I've never understood the mind of one who prefers sowing dissention rather than uniting in common causes. I suppose it must be a power thing - you know, the power to throw people onto the defensive and to make them justify every facet of their beliefs. It is always easier to criticise than to support. I think that is why I like Answerbag. It is seldom that people make snide comments, without justification, just to get a rise.
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Simple. They don't aggree with other beliefs and stated opinions, yet can't get people to aggree with/like them, so they want to destroy any vestige of civility and order on a site. They're under the mentality of "If you don't aggree with me, then I geuss I'll shut down the discusion completly.
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Because all of the bridges already have trolls living under them! Ok, seriously: I like Ulysses' answer but gotta tag on anyway. Its an expression of their sense of isolation from others. When somebody feels that they don't belong, and that there's no way into the group, a mental "switch" goes off: they usually make a decision something like "well, screw everybody then." This translates into disruptive behavior for no apparent reason. We see it in abused children a lot -- they failed to bond with their families in the critical early years, and then have trouble feeling like they belong to any group. All the fighting and nasty behavior is really the kid crying out "why doesn't anybody love me?". But they can't tolerate the vulnerability that comes with saying that, so it gets expressed as anger and drives people away even further. A vicious circle.
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Attention. Generic link on Trolling: http://www.answerbag.com/q_view/94065/197083 Image attached is a back-up of ChubbDaddy's answer:
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Animosity.
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Money (supposedly), if you're a Spam Troll.
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Because they lack the intellgence and creativity to express themselves otherwise.
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Either they find it as a fun diversion or They aren't trolling, they just generally have those opinions or They suck and need to bully to feel good. Take your pick.
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They want attention.
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