If you've been on an online forum or discussion group, or been involved in an online community, the odds are that you've run into a troll. If you haven't, you're what people call 'lucky.'
What is a troll?
A pretty good definition of an online troll is one who "regularly posts specious arguments, flames or personal attacks to a newsgroup, discussion list or in email for no other purpose than to annoy someone or disrupt a discussion...." (From Broadband Reports FAQ, "TROLL? What is that? (#8667)")
The sort of troll that appeared in European folklore often turned to stone when the sun appeared. Regrettably, the Information Age variety seems to lack that vulnerability.
Okay, that's what a troll is. So What?
I'm collecting useless information, and trying out this blogging service's new Poll function. At the top of the sidebar, over there at your left, you'll find the poll. Please: take a minute, or a few seconds, check off your choice, and see the results.
One more thing: Not everyone is familiar with corrosive bacterial slime. Read the linked article, and you'll see why I chose this, ah, creature.
One more thing: have fun!
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4 comments:
I picked rabid badgers.
I picked them because if you have ever seen a rabid badger you would understand. You can take your largest rifle shoot them ten times and they will still be running at you foaming at the mouth trying to destroy you just for the sheer sake of destroying you.
That in my opinion is a troll.
Cameron
Bacterial Slime for me. As you don't see it at first and then all of a sudden its all over the place!
Rabid Badgers for me--but probably for an entirely different reason. Sorry to get serious in the middle of your lighthearted poll, but I picked the animal with the disease that makes it behave outside it's natural character because I think that trollism generally stems from some emotional/psychological damage that creates some compulsive needs in the troll. And it does seem to be somewhat contagious. There really should be a vaccination.
Everyone, thanks!
cameron, I haven't seen a rabid badger, but I see your point.
claire - yep.
rockstories, don't apologize for getting serious. And, I think you're probably right. The psych people haven't come up with the equivalent of 'germ theory' for klinkers in the thinker: but I'd guess that things like Trollism are contagious.
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