Someone explain "trolling" to me.

SixPapaCharlie

May the force be with you
Joined
Aug 8, 2013
Messages
16,470
Display Name

Display name:
Sixer
I don't understand it.
What is the goal and what do they get out of it?

I think it may be because I am in my late 30s that I don't understand how it is a kick to waste your own and other people's time.

That is the only thing I gather. Someone says "I am going to go on to a random forum, and see if I can:
a. **** some people off
b. see how long I can keep it going
c. some other option?"

It is somewhat Andy Kaufman to me.

But is that it? just wasting time?
Is there a real goal?
 
Last edited:
I don't understand it.
What is the goal and what do they get out of it?

I think it may be because I am in my late 30s that I don't understand how it is a kick to waste you r own and other people's time.

That is the only thing I gather. Someone says "I am going to go on to a random forum, and see if I can:
a. **** some people off
b. see how long I can keep it going
c. some other option?"

It is somewhat Andy Kaufman to me.

But is that it? just wasting time?
Is there a real goal?

Trolling is the practice of fishing by drawing a baited line or lure behind a boat.
 
Amusement by stirring other people up. Basically like having an ant farm and occasionally shaking it up.
 
Or it can be the practice of picking up women by exerting minimal effort in an immersion zone.

i.e. "Hey bro, let's go to the club and troll for some chicks!"
 
its weird.
I suspect it is young kids.

But I am trying to figure the payoff. Do they go to school and say "Hey man, I totally had this forum full of pilots believing I was Pete the pilot" then they all high five and reflect on how awesome they are?
 
Maybe I am over thinking it. When I was a kid we TP'd houses.
What did we get out of that? Who the hell knows..
 
Calls of trolls is simply the whine of folks whose egos have been deflated by the shiv of reality sunshine.
 
I think I know who your referring to....


I don't exactly think it's high school kids, rather some established members here with another account to mess with people.....

I'd bet if you cross reference I addresses you'd get your answer of who.....
 
its weird.
I suspect it is young kids.

But I am trying to figure the payoff. Do they go to school and say "Hey man, I totally had this forum full of pilots believing I was Pete the pilot" then they all high five and reflect on how awesome they are?

Young kid here, I've seen more adults on this board lose their **** and attack each other with petty insults and accusations than one might think.
 
We all need attention. I define internet trolling as posting things that might attract some interest that might not be true.
 
Young kid here, I've seen more adults on this board lose their **** and attack each other with petty insults and accusations than one might think.


HaHa I have too. I did some name calling last week.
But I am more referring to the people doing it for the purpose of annoying people. Like not even being a pilot but posing as one on this forum just to ruffle feathers.

By the way congratulations on being young and a pilot!
I am jealous that I didn't start this when I was your age.
On the other hand. Fly Safe. If I was your age and a pilot, I would probably be dead. I was a real "Watch this!" kind of kid.
 
In this group ? all you have to do is ask a question.
 
Yeah, but some people around here think that any disagreement with them is considered trolling.
 
This forum does seem more volatile than the student pilot forum at times.
Incidentally all your CFI's are wrong. better find a different one ;)
 
Yeah, but some people around here think that any disagreement with them is considered trolling.

Specially if they don't know the answer.
 
If you can understand the adolescent mind then you've grasped trolling.
 
Simply arguing over a topic of disscusion isn't trolling. It's when you bring up a subject that's created intentionally to tick people off is trolling. Usually this topic isn't even real or fact. It's created because the troller enjoys the stimulation of people arguing about what they started. Like 13 yr old girls who post every minute on Twitter, they enjoy attention.
 
Last edited:
It's related to why some people are obsessed with FaceBook. Post something, then go back and see what the reactions were. The more reaction, the better the thrill. No reactions, then stir the pot.
 
Young kid here, I've seen more adults on this board lose their **** and attack each other with petty insults and accusations than one might think.

Yes, funny. I am active on a gaming forum for a video game that I like, it is populated by mostly tweenagers. I see more thought provoking, intelligent and rational arguments on there than here. :yikes: :lol: :)
 
In real life I like to needle people a little. It's my idea of humor. Similar things happen online but on a forum like this, for instance, you don't get the subtle cues that tell you when you've gone too far and a little gentle back and forth ribbing is actually upsetting people.

Watch the never-ending little jabs between Cessna 337 critics and defenders, for example. I find it amusing, hopefully the participants do as well.

I think there's a fine line between people having fun and "trolling." I guess it's another thing to start a fresh thread with no intent of having meaningful discussion. That's the true troll.
 
"Any trollers in the forum, please advise".
 
I would NEVER troll in an aviation forum.

Now on the other hand, my other user names....
 
A nice young lady out trolling.
 

Attachments

  • these_hookers_know_what_to_wear_to_attract_immediate_attention_part_2_640_10.jpg
    these_hookers_know_what_to_wear_to_attract_immediate_attention_part_2_640_10.jpg
    98 KB · Views: 78
This forum is pretty tame compared to a couple railroad forums I participate in. Those draw a bunch of know-it-all kids who are constantly telling real railroaders they don't know what they are talking about. :mad2::mad2::mad2:
 
its weird.
I suspect it is young kids.

But I am trying to figure the payoff. Do they go to school and say "Hey man, I totally had this forum full of pilots believing I was Pete the pilot" then they all high five and reflect on how awesome they are?

Not just kids, cuckholds and other disenfranchised people who spend their life powerless at the bottom of the pecking order.
 
Yes, funny. I am active on a gaming forum for a video game that I like, it is populated by mostly tweenagers. I see more thought provoking, intelligent and rational arguments on there than here. :yikes: :lol: :)

OUCH! :rofl:
 
...I guess it's another thing to start a fresh thread with no intent of having meaningful discussion. That's the true troll.

That's the most succinct definition of trolling that I've seen.
 
By the way congratulations on being young and a pilot!
I am jealous that I didn't start this when I was your age.
On the other hand. Fly Safe. If I was your age and a pilot, I would probably be dead. I was a real "Watch this!" kind of kid.

Thank you! Was born into it, there's nothing else for me to do on this earth. There's not much stopping me from being a dip**** on the ground, but I have an entirely different attitude in the air. Pretty conservative pilot, I try and let the other guys crack up airplanes so I can learn what not to do from them. So far so good.
 
Back
Top