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Thread: Internet Trolls Are Narcissists, Psychopaths, and Sadists

  1. #1
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    Internet Trolls Are Narcissists, Psychopaths, and Sadists

    A new study shows that internet trolls really are just terrible human beings.

    In this month's issue of Personality and Individual Differences, a study was published that confirms what we all suspected: internet trolls are horrible people.

    Let's start by getting our definitions straight. An internet troll is someone who comes into a discussion and posts comments designed to upset or disrupt the conversation. Often, it seems like there is no real purpose behind their comments except to upset everyone else involved. Trolls will lie, exaggerate, and offend to get a response.

    What kind of person would do this?

    Canadian researchers decided to find out. They conducted two internet studies with over 1,200 people. They gave personality tests to each subject along with a survey about their internet commenting behavior. They were looking for evidence that linked trolling with the Dark Tetrad of personality: narcissism, Machiavellianism, psychopathy, and sadistic personality.

    Edit to add: these are technical terms with formalized surveys to measure them. You can find lots more information about their formal definitions online]

    They found that Dark Tetrad scores were highest among people who said trolling was their favorite internet activity. To get an idea of how much more prevalent these traits were among internet trolls, check out this figure from the paper:



    Look at how low the scores are for everyone except the internet trolls! Their scores for all four terrible personality traits soar on the chart. The relationship between this Dark Tetrad and trolling is so significant, that the authors write the following in their paper:

    "... the associations between sadism and GAIT (Global Assessment of Internet Trolling) scores were so strong that it might be said that online trolls are prototypical everyday sadists." [emphasis added]

    Trolls truly enjoy making you feel bad. To quote the authors once more (because this is a truly quotable article):

    "Both trolls and sadists feel sadistic glee at the distress of others. Sadists just want to have fun ... and the Internet is their playground!"

    So next time you encounter a troll online, remember a few things. (1) These trolls are some truly messed up people and (2) it is your suffering that brings them pleasure, so the best thing you can do is ignore them.
    No one person can ever change the truth, but the truth, once learned, can and will change the person

    You must be the change you wish to see in the world when you are through changing, you are through


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    I think we had one here recently, did we not?

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    "This is all BS"

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    been accused of most of the above.
    so if a troll came on here would you all gather together and troll him/her out or would you have the patience to try to understand?
    it is easy to give someone a label without understanding where they are coming from.
    remember people who are new to and are starting to wake up will feel all sorts of emotions as they begin to learn their truths.
    there will be sadness,anger ,disbelieve and someone to lash out.

    are you capable to see through these emotions and be patient and wait for them to come through?
    that does not mean take tons of abuse but just being aware.
    i know you have with me and i thank you.

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    They can also gang up as a group and work together and cause psychological harm to people even clans and clicks the want to ostracize someone for a different viewpoint. Thinking of Dr Judy Woods how they attacked her videos (noticed by comments on her research videos) even a friend in PA(seeingufosPa) went through grief when they hacked her channel. They showed up in force writing hateful comments and created fake uploads and personal attack videos on her character. It's great you highlighted something so overlooked, as its easy to do if you aren't involved in the usual conspiracy/paranormal/truther reseach. And speaking out to defend is a loosing battle because of emotional attachment that others will observe in defending. Thats just what I observed on youtube in forums it seems more subtle and complicated but whom relates to you (or not)is an excellent indicator (best to have thick skin) it seems the world needs their antagonists to create the drama.
    Last edited by mojo, 23rd September 2014 at 02:23.

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    Patience is a virtue, those pubeless quailtards that troll YouTube will come around eventually.

    Plus always remember, what may be trolling to some, could be 'moderating' to others.

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    Quote Originally posted by monk View Post
    Patience is a virtue, those pubeless quailtards that troll YouTube will come around eventually.

    Plus always remember, what may be trolling to some, could be 'moderating' to others.
    Then that "some" have ignored the definitions of each. None of the above surprises me but I do take your point Monk. Sometimes carefully worded tips with the sole intent of genuinely helping people and allowing self-critique can be taken as offensive trolling. Definitively though, there is a marked difference.

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    hmmmm. i know i haven't posted for a while and yes i have interrupted ongoing conversations to understand or contribute another viewpoint

    Maybe we all have been a little like these guys at times

    Name:  images.jpg
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    But i think malcom is truly referring to is the down right nasty,spiteful people online. You see them all the time, say on you tube comments or movie reviews online ,nasty ,nasty . Here a tot i find it hard to remember them and i'm glad for that, there so many more giving people to remember than to waste time on other things.

    anyway as for me try not to get under my skin or you may see the Name:  images.jpg
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    also i think its very important to ignore the the trolls on line as you react you feed them . Name:  images.jpg
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    It's all a matter of degree I think. Is someone who disagrees with you, and gets passionate, a troll?

    All depends on the overall delivery and reading between the lines.

    Many here may think I'm a troll sometimes.

    Common sense is the answer.
    Last edited by Sooz, 23rd September 2014 at 11:53.

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    I would say that TOT has next to no "trolls" per se, and we all have to accept that the line between refusing to self-censor and trolling is a blurry one!

    Off topic Note: Just read the rocker fellers are moving into clean energy ! Ha ha ha! Watch out for cruk.org (apt abbreviation!) announcing they have "finally" found the cure for which we have overpaid by trillions!

    Oh how they doth scramble in vain to save their necks!

    They know the jig is up, do you? :-D

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    Quote Originally posted by monk View Post
    I would say that TOT has next to no "trolls" per se, and we all have to accept that the line between refusing to self-censor and trolling is a blurry one!

    Off topic Note: Just read the rocker fellers are moving into clean energy ! Ha ha ha! Watch out for cruk.org (apt abbreviation!) announcing they have "finally" found the cure for which we have overpaid by trillions!

    Oh how they doth scramble in vain to save their necks!

    They know the jig is up, do you? :-D
    actually i don,t mind a bit of trolling on a weekend,it can be fun

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