What is 'trolling'?

Couple of years ago I was trying to make a point involving an unknown -- indeed an unknowable -- quantity. I went through various what-ifs with hypothetical values for this unknown (i.e., if X is 0.2, Y would be thus-and-such; if X is 0.3, Y would be ... and so on). I was accused of trolling because I wouldn't settle on a number.

 

I doubt anyone would claim that trolling is never misdefined. But let's not say that there's no such thing.

 

That's not trolling.

That's just not reading the room.

 

Two magazine writers arrive in Zanesville?

 

Then a lot of people flunked reading. Including quite a few who don't think they flunked it.

 

I mean, read the way you described it.

That's not trolling.

 

You're allowing a lack of awareness to disqualify someone as a troll. I don't think I do. An unintended slight is still a slight to the person on the other end.

 

But that's not trolling!

 

Or maybe I have the right definition and you don't. Stranger things have happened, sir.

 

Find me somewhere, anywhere, where trolling is defined to include accidentally pissing someone off.

 

Geez, Dick ... half the room is saying there IS no such thing as trolling. Now you're going to tell me there's a concrete definition of it? C'mon.

 

I am flabbergasted right now. The entire concept is about intent.

You are basically saying, "I can call a dog a cat if I want to."