Challenge to the Asshole formerly known as Quantum

Gedanken

Quantum,

Let's agree to destruct the Mormom religion in 10 minutes. Then we'll do the dubs in 5.

Gedanken

ps: then we can talk kwantum fizix

Marilyn

Gedanken, are you saying the Mormons are more complicated than the Jdubs? Does it take twice as long to descontruct them as dubbies? I'm really looking forward to this.

Marilyn

Gedanken

Marilyn,

Sadly, for me at least, you're too astute. It's just that I know more about the dubs....but actually,

Mo's can be disposed of faster than Dubs. They just don't have the "intellect" the Mos don't.

Gedanken

wasasister

Gedanken: Good to see ya' back! I'll go fetch the popcorn and a couple of beers. When the previews are over, start the deconstruction.

5.....4.....3.....2.....1.....

QUANTUM

gedanken.........

YOU ARE SO SMALL!!!!!

Valis

For your viewing pleasure...especially for the new people...

http://www.teamtechnology.co.uk/troll.htm

Sincerely,

District Overbeer

The Game of Trolling
Trolling is like playing chess - there is a point to the game, and that point is to win. Unlike chess, though, there are various ways of winning for the internet troll. These might include:
gaining credence for false and invidious ideas
driving bona fide list members, and/or particular groups, out of the mailing list
dominating the list with messages/posts that they have generated
gaining recognition or an award for their trolling from fellow trollers
getting reprimanded by individuals, list managers or internet authorities
gaining the confidence, trust and support of bona fide list members
distracting list members from their own bona fide discussions or objectives.
gaining attention that they cannot get using their real personalities
Sometimes trolls operate alone, and sometimes they operate in groups, but for all of them trolling is a game. There are newsgroups and mailing lists that are dedicated to trolls, for them to exchange techniques and to plan concerted campaigns where they can invade internet mailing lists. Trolls have no concern for the feelings of the people with whom they deal. They are often manipulative, clever and approach their trolling with the same degree of planning and research as those seeking financial gain, or the same competitiveness as a serious chess player. For those familiar with Transactional Analysis (the psychological theory of real-life game playing) there are many parallels with the activities of trolls: there are many games, with different types of payoff and different tactics.
Trolling can be played at various levels...
Level one - "Playtime" - This is where the troller is simply out for the gratification provided by a quick "win". An example of this might be to join a list with a fictitious name, cause an argument, withdraw and then boast to friends about what he/she had done. Such trolls are relatively easy to spot because their attack or provocation is fairly blatant, and the persona is fairly two-dimensional.
Level two - "Tactical" - This is where the troller takes the game more seriously, creates a credible persona with which to provoke the list, and uses recognised techniques or tactics to gain the confidence and support of individuals on the list. Provocation is subtle and invidious, so spotting this type of troll is not easy, because the persona is credible, and off-list email exchanges have caused you to believe that this person is genuine and trustworthy.
Level three - "Strategic" - This is a very serious form of game, involving the production of an overall strategy that can take months or years to develop. It can also involve a number of people acting together in order to invade a list. Once a list is infested, it can be nigh impossible to work out who is a troll and who is bona fide.
Level four - "Domination" - This is where the trollers' strategy extends to the creation and running of apparently bona-fide mailing lists. In such circumstances, their payoff may be the knowledge that they are dominating the emotional lives of list members, and is perhaps one of the ultimate forms of deceit that can be achieved.
It should be noted that trolling games are not restricted to the internet. Their tactics can also include contacting people in real life using snail-mail and/or telephone. The boundaries between real-life con-men and internet trolls are not as clear as they used to be.

Everyone, please take a few minutes to look at the link Valis posted.

Nikita

Englishman

Hi Gedanken,

Great that you're here. Will you still be cooking Yorkshire pud for Farkel?

Englishman.

Gedanken

Eman,

I was in Bristol not two weeks ago. Thought about you since you're in Weston-S-M, yes?

Yorkshire Pudding is good but I broke down and had some Gary Rhodes Steak and Onion Pud. Evil.

And found a place where Trophy Bitter was 1.08 a pint....now back in Holy Zion where the beer is watery and

the locals are mos.

G.

After I presented a Mormon colleague with a few observations about his religion - he had approached me to try to convert me - his reaction was much like yours. Essentially he said "I don't have time to discuss it now." And he never has had ever since. The best I could get out of him was that a tapir is actually a type of horse and that cranberries are grapes. Or some such nonsense.

Your name is quite fitting, though - the quantum uncertainty principle, no?

Gedanken

Challenge to the Asshole formerly known as Quantum

The Game of Trolling

Share this