people on the internet who go out of their way to argue

[amw]

What is it that goes through the minds of people that compels them to log on to the internet and just keep... on... arguing? Desperate to get the last word in, apparently incapable of reflecting on their own compulsion to try to lecture others

Comments

[sweetmeow]

I've been on the Internet since 1995 and learned very quickly, "Do Not Engage the Internet Troll!" I used to be one of the Sysops in a Compuserve forum back in those early days, and I (and others) had the power to boot people out of the forum who were contentious -- i.e., Internet Trolls

[amw]

You're right, i should have known better! I often try to take someone's comment in good faith and at least respond once - even if my response is a sharp one - because i don't like to imagine people who are into niche hobbies like highbrow indie games are petty enough to engage in trolling other people who share their area of interest.

I think i used to reserve the term "internet troll" for those intrinsically malicious people, agents provacateurs deliberately looking to cause mayhem in specific online spaces. But now i wonder if some of the people who start (and endlessly continue) internet debates don't have any particular agenda of disruption, perhaps they're just people who see something online that triggers them and engaging in an unproductive back-and-forth somehow brings them a sense of accomplishment or satisfaction... Without them even being conscious of how unnecessary it is?

I remember seeing someone i knew and respected - a forum moderator - proudly share how entertaining it was for them to engage trolls back and forth.

[sweetmeow]

I don't think there's anything wrong with responding to contentious comments. Initially, you don't know whether the person is a troll who uses conflict as a "sport," or if it's a disagreement you can civilly discuss and then move on. I think trolls can't agree to disagree.

The thing about these trolls, if you're involved in a forum, you get to know who they are because their reputation for cultivating drama precedes them!

A forum moderator that engages with other trolls for sport? Personally, I think he's a troll himself. It sure sounds like it!

I think there is a personality type that thrives on conflict. For some, conflict is what makes them feel alive.

[nahele_101]

Seems you found one of the game designers, and they took issue with your version of the game. I don’t engage in back and forth dialogue with strangers online. I agree with you,..coconut and booze pleases

[newwaytowrite]

There are just people who love to argue for the sake of arguing. It is exhausting. I had a s-i-l who came from a large family and there was always drama. Our family was rarely upset or mad and if we were would say so and then we all move on.

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[seaivy]

i had one too
here on L J
another topic but
endlessly trying to prove how wrong i was
even when i didn't respond

i finally grew tired of it and banned them
the only person i have ever banned
i checked their site
it had no entries
they existed only to engage in controversy
their "drug of choice"

get a nice "coconut" and relax
your friends here read you and appreciate