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Essay: Why I am a Troll (and Why I am not a Troll)

Lord Raffles

Lord Raffles

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Essay: Why I am a Troll (and Why I am not a Troll)

By

Joe Eschaton

"Do I contradict myself? - very well then, I contradict myself! I am large,
I contain multitudes..." Walt Whitman - Song of Myself​


In this short essay I would like to indicate clearly my position with regard to the relatively recent internet phenomenon that has become known as trolls and trolling. I am beset with certain difficulties from the very outset however, since it is my contention that one of the defining features of this phenomenon is its hostility to rigid categories, to which 'trolling' itself as a category will naturally be no exception. Furthermore the art of trolling itself is marked, I contend, by a conscious slipperiness of argument often bordering on the downright inconsistent - at least (significantly) in appearance. Part of my interpretation will insist that this feature, often mistaken for flippancy or an all-too-easy nod to 'irony' of some badly comprehended description (hipster, postmodern etc), is far from being a reflexive kneejerk 'lol'-fest and in fact has its roots in a long tradition of radical intellectual action (Why I am a troll). I further insist that the practice can be defended as a form of creativity with motives possessed of the utmost logical rigour; and may also conceal, contrary to the lazy protests of the postmodern crowd, a potentially moral significance of historical and even metaphysical importance to the individual and indeed the world. Of course not all trolls, if any in fact, are distinctly conscious of these motives. I may well be an exception in this respect (Why I am not a troll). If I occasionally appear to be employing the methods and techniques of this art in the course of my exposition, thereby prejudicing my proposed analysis, then it should be recalled throughout that in my considered opinion these techniques predate the phenomenon not only by centuries but, in recalling the Sophists of pre-socratic Athens, by millenia. They have been, and are, employed by satirists, by artists, by stand-up comedians. More importantly (at least to some) they are readily employed by politicians and the ruling classes. A useful reminder since perhaps the strongest weapon possessed by the growing legions of trolls, in contrast to their often whining opponents, is a reasonable and commonsensical sense of perspective. When it comes to controversy, or disagreement in furthering 'the great debate', they were not the first, nor will they be the last. But in that self-same interest there should be no shame attaching to anybody, troll or otherwise, in striving to be the best. On the contrary, in the final analysis this may turn out to be anyone and everyone's only shot at redemption. For in this world of mediocrity, laziness and general ill-will, even the serial killer has become a philosopher. Consequently our arguments must become something more than the merely murderous. Indeed, and in tune with the temper of our times, as a form of intellectual terrorism they may even have to become suicidal. Fundamental and fanatical. Or else, (and quite demonstrably), let aeroplanes be crashed into our skulls...


1.

"We think the same things at the same time - there are too many of us and you can't count..." Thom Yorke - Harrowdown Hill (from The Eraser).
 
I disagree on the basis of the amount of effort put into defining what being a troll is. I always have.

It's a well-written essay, but it's first step is all about how dedicated this person seems to be towards trolling.

The ambitious trolls are normal people who believe they should be more famous based on their intellect, and that typing is an easy way to get to it. It's a way of winning some sort of race.

It's not bad in itself. I'm open about my belief that it's simple to troll a regular person; it's done all the time. But to be talked about is something different.
 
Lord Raffles said:
Essay: Why I am a Troll (and Why I am not a Troll)

By

Joe Eschaton

"Do I contradict myself? - very well then, I contradict myself! I am large,
I contain multitudes..." Walt Whitman - Song of Myself​


In this short essay I would like to indicate clearly my position with regard to the relatively recent internet phenomenon that has become known as trolls and trolling. I am beset with certain difficulties from the very outset however, since it is my contention that one of the defining features of this phenomenon is its hostility to rigid categories, to which 'trolling' itself as a category will naturally be no exception. Furthermore the art of trolling itself is marked, I contend, by a conscious slipperiness of argument often bordering on the downright inconsistent - at least (significantly) in appearance. Part of my interpretation will insist that this feature, often mistaken for flippancy or an all-too-easy nod to 'irony' of some badly comprehended description (hipster, postmodern etc), is far from being a reflexive kneejerk 'lol'-fest and in fact has its roots in a long tradition of radical intellectual action (Why I am a troll). I further insist that the practice can be defended as a form of creativity with motives possessed of the utmost logical rigour; and may also conceal, contrary to the lazy protests of the postmodern crowd, a potentially moral significance of historical and even metaphysical importance to the individual and indeed the world. Of course not all trolls, if any in fact, are distinctly conscious of these motives. I may well be an exception in this respect (Why I am not a troll). If I occasionally appear to be employing the methods and techniques of this art in the course of my exposition, thereby prejudicing my proposed analysis, then it should be recalled throughout that in my considered opinion these techniques predate the phenomenon not only by centuries but, in recalling the Sophists of pre-socratic Athens, by millenia. They have been, and are, employed by satirists, by artists, by stand-up comedians. More importantly (at least to some) they are readily employed by politicians and the ruling classes. A useful reminder since perhaps the strongest weapon possessed by the growing legions of trolls, in contrast to their often whining opponents, is a reasonable and commonsensical sense of perspective. When it comes to controversy, or disagreement in furthering 'the great debate', they were not the first, nor will they be the last. But in that self-same interest there should be no shame attaching to anybody, troll or otherwise, in striving to be the best. On the contrary, in the final analysis this may turn out to be anyone and everyone's only shot at redemption. For in this world of mediocrity, laziness and general ill-will, even the serial killer has become a philosopher. Consequently our arguments must become something more than the merely murderous. Indeed, and in tune with the temper of our times, as a form of intellectual terrorism they may even have to become suicidal. Fundamental and fanatical. Or else, (and quite demonstrably), let aeroplanes be crashed into our skulls...


1.

"We think the same things at the same time - there are too many of us and you can't count..." Thom Yorke - Harrowdown Hill (from The Eraser).
Click to expand...
If someone wants to achieve fame through trolling, then it's a different story. If someone has TROLL tattooed over his heart, then he's a sad fuck who is addicted to the Internet he seeks to control.

Grammour Boy said:
Trolling is dead.

(Welcome to the Information Age!)
Click to expand...
You're less than nothing.
 
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