What is 'trolling'?

What I'm really saying is that your definition of trolling is too limited.

There are many ways to troll and many kinds of trolling. It's not cats vs. dogs.

 

And the common thread is intent.

 

Here is your definition.

Definition of TROLL

 

Dick, let's take a little example.

Let's say our 45th president is just a little bit dim, and he doesn't realize the damage he causes while sticking out his tongue to other world leaders on Twitter.

Is he not trolling in that case? He might just not know any better. He may not get the tonedeafness of his actions.

(Yes, I know he does. Just use the example. LOL.)

Damn troll.

 

No, he's not! Unequivocally, by definition, he's not!

 

So, when you change your avatar to, oh, I don't know—Bryce Harper—you're not intending to piss someone off?

Trolling for me is saying something with the express desire to upset somebody needlessly, and then getting off on that.

 

I guess I believe in unintentional trolls, and that doesn't fit your definition. OK.

Of course, Dick, there are many instances when I know you know what you're doing. And that would be trolling -- by your own definition.

Bazinga.

 

It's not my definition.

 

What about willfully twisting the nature of events? What about gaslighting, or ham-handed attempts to gaslight?

What about answering every question with a question?

 

It was unintentional. So it can't be trolling.

 

It's a particular form of trolling to first declare yourself above it all, then scamper behind the teacher to lob insults while being protected.

 

I can see that.

One-hundred times more, I am hoping someone just kind of gets the absurdity of it all and we all get a good laugh.

I have this former co-worker, a friend, who has been giving me endless shit because I said Avisail Garcia would never keep hitting like he is. Just gets relentless about it. I used to be the worst about taking that kind of bait, when I "know" I'm right. But lately I just make a joke about myself being a stat NERD!!! and you can feel the tension dissipate.