February 20, 2018

Who are the good trolls?

You can Google that...



You can do a poll...

Who are the good trolls? Check as many answers as you want.
 
pollcode.com free polls

And you can discuss it in the comments...

ADDED: Poll results:

70 comments:

Sebastian said...

I nominate Chuck. I mean, that's some high-level trolling by Trump right there.

Meade said...

ConTROLL your own troll self!

tim in vermont said...

Trolls ask questions that are hard to answer without changing your thinking, or you’re not allowed to cross the bridge. That was the original definition that I got from the Three Billy Goats Gruff, anyway, as my source.

Usually, though, all we hear is “Wait for my brother! My brother’s big and fat!” But alas, in real life, since it’s not a fairy tale, the strong brother never arrives, and questions remain ignored.

Joe Biden, America's Putin said...

All trolls are bad except corruptocratic trolls like Hillarywoodland actresses trying to kill-off the electoral college by brain-washing young skulls full of mush so that CA a-holes can pick our Corrupt President each and every time.

Quaestor said...

Evil or Good, the Russian trolls successfully trolled MSNBC

Meade said...

"A good troll knows how to take the bait Althouse serves and whip it into a delightful new concoction."

Why thank you! Here, I whipped up this Door County cherry pie for you.

tim in vermont said...

I might have the story line of the The Three Billy Goats Gruff, mixed up. My father used to say “I’m sure that’s true Tim, but it sounds better the way you tell it.”

Michael Fitzgerald said...

"Spying on Trump supporters"... Why, the good trolls are the ones who support the democrat party fascist state, of course!

The Cracker Emcee Refulgent said...

I like trolls. They make me feel smart and perceptive, as most are laughably transparent. It is depressing though, to see how people less intelligent than myself are so easily baited.

Quaestor said...

Long before there were trolls as we know them there was a girl who was known in my undergrad days as the Troll. She wasn't ugly, quite nice in fact, but she claimed ownership of a bridge. She lived in a dorm reserved for School of Design students (apparently the designos weren't fit to live with anyone but their own kind) and her window faced this bridge which many students used daily. She sat by her window and shouted obtuse abuse at anyone crossing "her" bridge. I even received a demand for delinquent tolls delivered by a Domino's Pizza delivery dude. It was a long and convoluted joke, which I suppose is the best definition of a good troll's work.

n.n said...

A good troll warns the kids to get off the lawn.

Quaestor said...

Why thank you! Here, I whipped up this Door County cherry pie for you.

Please don't shove it in my face.

tim in vermont said...

Over the past several weeks, Discord has also become a surprisingly effective hub for Trump supporters, members of the alt-right, white supremacists, and neo-Nazis to congregate, metastasize their political ideology, share memes, and plan out campaigns of organized harassment — largely due to the veil of real-time anonymity it offers users. - Buzzfeed

I never knew I had been missing the meetings!

But things didn’t go as he had apparently planned. In the chatroom he once moderated and where he was taking questions, instead of support, TheBigKK found himself being called a “cuck” and an “autistic furry” for failing so awkwardly to bait protesters.

Jeezum Crow, it’s Chuck!

Henry said...

I voted for all the good troll options.

I still haven't actually seen a good troll, but people tell me they exist.

tim in vermont said...

Here is a bit of critical thinking advice that is kind of easy to understand, buzzfeed. Just because somebody calls themselves “anti-fascist” doesn’t actually make them anti-fascist. Sometimes it just means that they completely lack self-awareness, are ignorant of history, or are trying to deceive everybody outside fo their group.

tim in vermont said...

I like trolls. They make me feel smart and perceptive, as most are laughably transparent.

I call that the “inoculation effect.” Trolls are generally counterproductive.

Trumpit said...

Althouse is so funny even when she is trolling us. She's like a yummy, chocolate Troll House Althouse cookie. Take some home for later, and warm them in the microwave. They don't go well with a glass of wine; perhaps a glass of cold almond milk with warm cookies. Even for breakfast on a winter's day.

Anonymous said...

Geez, Trumpit is nonsensical even in this thread.

tim in vermont said...

“A good troll has a good cause.”

Two votes... let me guess...

Quaestor said...

Just because somebody calls themselves “anti-fascist” doesn’t actually make them anti-fascist.

Generally, the soi-disant anti-fascist uses fascist tactics against his perceived enemies and approves of fascist economics, i.e. central planning and state-control (as opposed to state ownership) of the means of production. They even tend to approve of class persecution. I've never heard of an anti-fascist who favored laissez-faire capitalism on even a small scale or held freedom of repellent speech to be the sine qua non of a liberal society.

The confluence of classical fascism as it developed in the post-Great War era and what is taught in many humanities departments in today's universities is staggering. I wonder who they think they're fooling.

Quaestor said...

Troll House Althouse cookie.

Here's an impromptu poll: How many minutes did Trumpit devote to that lame-ass concatenation?
(1) 5
(2) 10
(3) 15 or more

Fernandinande said...

"who are the good trolls" has only 14 google results, and they're mostly about patent trolls and IP investment, so the poll is kinda pointless.

"IP finance: Who are the “Good” “Trolls”? Or, How to Monetize Well?"

"Much has been said about the would-be patent troll and its vagaries on the rapidly-evolving patent litigation minefield"

"IP Strategy: IP Management Through Patent Litigation | FlashPoint IP ...
flashpointip.com/who-are-the-good-trolls-on-apple-ibm-iv-trolls-portfolios-3/ "


robother said...

Without trolls, how would we ever notice the passing squirrels?

exiledonmainstreet, green-eyed devil said...

(3) 15 or more

Michael K said...

There are bridge trolls, which can make life interesting and internet trolls who want only attention to their pitiful lives.

Hammond X. Gritzkofe said...

Next up: "Gentle Bullies" - how their compassion helps us learn about life.

MayBee said...

How much different are these Facebook trolls than illegal immigrants who protest on behalf of Democrats? I would say the illegal immigrants - who are not US citizens- are much more disruptive than a Facebook ad, and gain more attention.

Dust Bunny Queen said...

Good Troll? as in having great skills in reeling in the unwary and creating chaos in the blog.

Or Good? as in that troll agrees with me?

I appreciate the first category of Troll. The clever and highly skilled who are amusing, skilled and subtle. It is fascinating (as in watching an oncoming train wreck kind of way) to observe the reactions of the unwitting who get caught up.

Bad Trolls are those who are so obvious and tedious that everyone knows what is happening and they become the butt of jokes. Not to name names, but we all know some of those.

AllenS said...

Describe "troll". I'd like a good description that makes a difference between troll and one who comments frequently or infrequently.

Henry said...

Tim in Vermont wrote:

Two votes... let me guess...

One of them is me. I decide not read anything into "a good cause." If you're a good troll, being a troll is self-justifying.

tim in vermont said...

Without trolls, how would we ever notice the passing squirrels

There’s a squirrel around here named Stormy Daniels, as a matter of fact.

traditionalguy said...

That was a Push Poll if I have ever seen one.

tim in vermont said...

I think the only reasonably effective, contrarian to the general commentariat at this blog, troll around here is TTR, who can shut down conversation by sheer dint of bilious prolixity. The recently departed troll only served to strengthen conviction in her supposed targets.

Fabi said...

I thought Troll House cookies was funny.

Bay Area Guy said...

There's no such thing as a good Russian troll.

Alas, under the US Constitution even indicted Russian Trolls have rights, too.

These allegedly nefarious Russian trolls must be presumed innocent until proven guilty. We must not judge them in the court of public opinion. They must have had their day in court, supported by a vigorous defense, under the 6th Amendment. I would recommend Robert Shapiro or F. Lee Bailey, if they are still alive.

Now, as to the trial date, I am a bit confused. The Russian Trolls live in Russia. Will Mr. Mueller hold the trial via FaceTime, where the alleged Nefarious Russian Trolls could appear by live video stream from Minsk? Of course, that is fraught with procedural peril, since these sophisticated IT Trolls are already accused of mis-using Facebook, Facetime, Google, Twitter, Skype. This is what got these cunning little trouble-makers into hot water in the first place.

It's always a thorny dilemma when you indict 13 Russian alleged Trolls who live 14,000 miles away. Without an extradiction treaty, Mr. Mueller and his crack staff, may need to file extensive briefing in The Hague. As an alternative, perhaps the United Nations, with additional funding, could open up the International Court of Trolls, to properly adjudicate this matter.

Another option would be to send in Navy Seal Team Six on a mission to exfiltrate the Russian Trolls, and sequester them at Guantanamo Bay, while they await trial.

This might cause a chill in diplomatic relations with Russia, but nonetheless it remains an viable option against these alleged evil-doers.


tim in vermont said...

“Extraordinary rendition” is the term you were looking for, I think.

Meade said...

"I thought Troll House cookies was funny."

Annd I did too.

Dust Bunny Queen said...

@ Tim

TTR, who can shut down conversation by sheer dint of bilious prolixity

This is an example of a bad troll. Everyone knows he is trolling. Is tedious. Has a repertoire of standard repetitive insults and avoids contact with "it" as much as possible. In that "its" goal is to shut down the conversation, "it" is successful but is actually a bad Troll because a GOOD Troll would be able to direct the conversation into "its" own path and completely hijack the thread or blog.

Ignorance is Bliss said...

All the bad trolls are on the other side.

Yancey Ward said...

Trolls never answer questions.

tcrosse said...

It's amazing the amount of material a really determined troll can generate, and skilfully provoke enough responses to drive a thread to great lengths. Not to name any names....

Michael K said...

Describe "troll". I'd like a good description that makes a difference between troll and one who comments frequently or infrequently.

An internet troll, as I understand the definition. is a commenter that posts outrageous stuff to generate responses and that makes him (usually a him) feel important.

They don't contribute to a discussion, which can be interesting, but just post insults and outrageous things to stimulate response. Angry responses are just as valuable to them as they make them feel important.

Sock puppets, as in the case of Michael Hiltzik of the LA Times, is a fake ID used to publish praise of one's self. Hiltzik was caught several times doing this but is still a Times columnist.

Trolls can change ID, as we see here several times, but the tone is the same and they are quickly recognized in spite of the new moniker.

langford peel said...

A Troll is someone you disagree with. Especially if they are effective in presenting a different viewpoint than the conventional wisdom.

The main stream media and the liberal progressive hive want to shut down any opinion that does not conform to their social justice warrior point of view. It is most evident on campus but the move to censor Facebook and Twitter are part of it as well.

The constant demand that President Trump get off Twitter is another manifestation of this drive to stifle dissent.

Sorry elite cucks but the normals are on to your game.

Char Char Binks, Esq. said...

The only thing that can stop a bad troll with a Blogger account is a good troll with a Blogger account.

Tyrone Slothrop said...

Boy, will everyone be surprised when it turns out no one is commenting on the internet besides Russians and #Resist trolls.

Roy Lofquist said...

Sometimes people are called trolls when they ask questions that stump the chump. It's the internet equivalent of calling people racist.

langford peel said...

That is exactly right. When you can't answer an argument you call someone a troll. Or if they something in a tone or a manner that violates political correctness then they will call you a troll. A racist. A white supremacist. Alt-right. White privilege.

It is inevitable. It is never just an opinion it is always a label.

Bay Area Guy said...

Neil Young, "Let's Troll"

REO Speedwagon, "Troll With the Changes"

Bob Seeger, "Troll Me Away"

The Cars, "Let the Good Times Troll"

Clyde said...

The secret to killing trolls is fire, which counteracts their ability to regenerate health. Either fire spells or a weapon with a fire enchantment will do the job. Be sure to have some soul gems in your inventory as well; regular trolls will give you a Lesser soul if you Soul Trap them, while frost trolls will give you a Common soul, to be used later for enchanting magical items.

When fighting frost trolls, it's also nice to have a good Poison of Paralysis to use on them (I like Canis Root, Imp Stool and Mora Tapinella, which paralyzes and causes lingering health damage for a few seconds, longer if you have Alchemy buffs). Frost trolls will kick your butt if you don't take them down quickly, so hit them fast and hard.

n.n said...

Seriously, no lawn ornaments?

Sit. Keep the kids, and their little dogs, too, off the lawn. You're a good troll.

Roy Lofquist said...

Clyde,

Your is the better story but I just send a couple of Dremora Lords into the cave and listen to them scream while I eat a sandwich. Neat trick: you can completely own Skyrim if you stop leveling as soon as you can summon 2 of the lords - around 19 or 20. Since everything is leveled nothing can touch you. Of course the game then becomes about as exciting as Candy Krush.

Michael K said...

"When you can't answer an argument you call someone a troll."

I guess that is your definition.

It's one that would be made by a troll, of course.

Drago said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Drago said...

Bay Area Guy: "There's no such thing as a good Russian troll. Alas, under the US Constitution even indicted Russian Trolls have rights, too."

All a Russian troll has to do is take a little journey to Mexico, illegally cross our border, claim to be a "white hispanic" and not only will the dems advocate for the troll to vote in our elections the dems might invite the troll to a State of the Union to show that Trumpster who's boss!!

TWW said...

A Troll as used is a metaphor. Real Trolls reside in Iceland.

robother said...

Bay Area Guy forgot "Is it Trolling, Bob?"

Jim at said...

A good troll challenges us to maintain skepticism and a good sense of humor.

Yes.

However, they are few and far between.

langford peel said...

Well Micheal generally I agree with most of what you say but I notice that when you get push back you flounce away. Or at least you announce the flounce but then you still hang around.

Thats not a troll. That's a cuck.

langford peel said...

Let the flouncing commence!

Big Mike said...

Sometimes Althouse is trolling us.

Sometimes she seems to be trolling us because she applies cruel neutrality and discussing items of news interest in a way that forces us to think in different patterns.

Sometimes she is just plain wrong. She's trolling us, but not deliberately since she really believes what she wrote.

Big Mike said...

@TWW, Norway -- real trolls come from Norway. And they really, really hate billy goats.

Will Cate said...

Won't ya tell me...
Where have all the good trolls gone?

Mr. Fabulous said...

(World Famous Lurker says....)

A "Good Troll" lurks under a bridge and is, let's face it, FABULOUS!

tcrosse said...

On weekdays the real trolls don't show up until the sun is over the yardarm.

Howard said...

I agree, langford is a cuck. His low self esteem prevents him from being a troll. tcrosse is the top troll here as brevity is the soul of twit

Michael K said...

Well Micheal generally I agree with most of what you say but I notice that when you get push back you flounce away. Or at least you announce the flounce but then you still hang around.

Thats not a troll. That's a cuck.


Ritmo, is that you ?

The trolls always stick to the same script.

TWW said...

Big Mike; I visited Iceland several years ago. Took a tour into the center of the Island. Occasionally, the road would take a sharp turn around rock cropping that was said to house Trolls. These roads were built by engineers.

Big Mike said...

@TWW, if they aren't afraid of billy goats then they aren't real trolls!

mandrewa said...

I remember when the word was coined in the online context. No one should be surprised that the original meaning is nothing like what it means now.

The word troll on the internet originally meant someone that tries to disrupt a conversation or discussion as in the one we are having. And it was even more specific than that, it meant someone that disrupted by posting lots and lots of brief comments. It made it difficult and frustrating to read what others were writing and of course that seemed be the purpose.

I laughed when I first heard the term because it seemed an oddly appropriate moniker for the behavior of the people like this that I encountered online.

And troll comments, you know they were low information. It was often the same message repeated over and over. Twitter came much later. But when I first heard about it I thought, wow, they made a system just for trolls! But of course good twitter users actually manage to say something in their few sentences. And the original people that were given that label, were in some significant sense about blocking people they disagreed with from communicating or preventing them from being heard.

I knew as soon as heard the word, which was funny in context, that it wasn't going to keep it's original meaning. I was pretty sure that it was just going to turn into a pejorative for people on the right. Almost all the original trolls that I knew about were left-wing. But it didn't actually mean left-wing. It meant the specific behavior I've described.

Bay Area Guy said...

Ahh, never fear, the NYTimes is here to rescue and protect the unwitting from nefarious trolls.

How Unwitting Americans Encountered Russian Operatives Online

"A glance at the Russian posts supports the idea that they focus on candidates. Heart of Texas ran an unflattering portrait of Mrs. Clinton with the tag “Pure Evil”; posted a fake photo of her shaking hands with Osama bin Laden; and paired her with Adolf Hitler as a supporter of gun control. Mr. Trump was shown surrounded by police officers wearing Trump hats and grinning outside a fake cage with Mrs. Clinton inside."

The horror. The horror. The horror.