Quote:
Originally Posted by CraigD
A more interesting psychological question than the incidence of trollishness, is, IMHO, the development of it in individuals. I wonder when – at what age – trollishness manifests in various people? Do non-trolls become trolls? Do trolls stop being trolls – not do they just stop plaguing internet forums, but do they control or expunge the psychological trait? And, more importantly I think for the promotion of science and the attendant benefit of humankind, how best can teachers and caregivers prevent trollishness?
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Well, my friend, of course the easy answer is "a desire for attention." Much like a child will act out to gain "negative attention" since that is so much better psychologically than "no attention," the internet troll needs attention. It also relates to a feeling of power in an otherwise powerless life. They need to feel like they "have the power to cause a response," and the validation it brings to get someone to respond in a premeditated way is something that is difficult to quantify, but enormously important to the trolls feelings of self-worth.
Either way, it's simply about attention, and trying to fill that abysmal gap within their psyche that causes them to feel alone, separate, and ostracized from the pack. They unconsciously act to become part of a pack by throwing rocks at the established pack members, and getting those established pack members to acknowledge their existence with a response. Even if said response is retaliatory or negative, it is still an acknowledgement of their presence, an acknowledgment of their being in an otherwise pervasive individual sense of solitude.
As to the rest of your questions, I am enormously willing to let this thread become a place whereby those questions are presented with answers, so I humbly request that all members reading this offer their views and enrich the dialog.
