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What's trolling?

grapefruit

先輩
2 Sep 2008
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What's the definition of "trolling"? I looked up the wikipedia and it seems the definition is subjective. I'm curious about what the consented view on this is in this forum.
 
I always took it to mean intentionally making inflammatory posts (which may or may not be the poster's real opinion) simply for the purpose of riling people up and watching them get offended.
 
I always took it to mean intentionally making inflammatory posts (which may or may not be the poster's real opinion) simply for the purpose of riling people up and watching them get offended.

I was reading the "tap water" thread, and it seemed some members mentioned "trolling". To me it was not inflammatory at all and it was interesting to read it. I did not know which parts of the post were "trolling". It seemed such labeling was unfair to the OP.:? But again, I'm kind of new to this forum...
 
I was reading the "tap water" thread, and it seemed some members mentioned "trolling". To me it was not inflammatory at all and it was interesting to read it. I did not know which parts of the post were "trolling". It seemed such labeling was unfair to the OP.:? But again, I'm kind of new to this forum...

Trolling is posting whatever just to get reactions from others. I thought it was a quite common behavior on any online forums.

I couldn't smell her bad breath but I sure could smell the very strong odor of trolling from that whole thing... (wow..that just came to me! God, I'm brilliant!) :p
 
Trolling is posting whatever just to get reactions from others. I thought it was a quite common behavior on any online forums.
I couldn't smell her bad breath but I sure could smell the very strong odor of trolling from that whole thing... (wow..that just came to me! God, I'm brilliant!) :p

😌

I'm still not entirely clear on what it means by "reactions"? I believe the purpose of posting is to get responses from others. Are "responses" different from "reactions"?

I understand if someone posts cursing expressions, then he/she is intentionally provoking others. But, if a person uses civil language, how does one distinguish a trolling post from others? Could someone teach me a few pointers? I don't want to be a troll.:unsure:
 
OK, I continue to use the tap water thread as an example.

What exactly is it that OP is looking for? Is she really trying to find out what it was that caused her bad breath? Is she looking for others who had similar experiences with bad breath and bullying from schoolmates because of it? Is she, as she asks in the OP, asking the question, "Should I go back to Japan despite of the miserable experince she's had"? What!?

To me, and apparently, to some others, it sounded like she was just fishing to see the reactions from others to a... meaningless post. I, personally, don't get it but some people get a kick out of seeing people give serious replies to their posts consisted of some random thoughts/semi-facts and made-up stories.

An exact same post has appeared on another Japan-related online forum as pointed out by a member, who posted a link to it. Did she post it on JREF forum after not getting the kind of response to this serious problem she had been looking for on the other forum (what IS she looking for anyway, again, I ask) OR did she copy and paste the post onto JREF forum "just to see what happens. hee hee hee..."? I think the latter, and THAT is trolling.

Did you seriously think that that thread was not some kind of a joke? Wait a sec.... are you trolling me right now!? lol
 
OK, I continue to use the tap water thread as an example.
What exactly is it that OP is looking for? Is she really trying to find out what it was that caused her bad breath? Is she looking for others who had similar experiences with bad breath and bullying from schoolmates because of it? Is she, as she asks in the OP, asking the question, "Should I go back to Japan despite of the miserable experince she's had"? What!?
To me, and apparently, to some others, it sounded like she was just fishing to see the reactions from others to a... meaningless post. I, personally, don't get it but some people get a kick out of seeing people give serious replies to their posts consisted of some random thoughts/semi-facts and made-up stories.
An exact same post has appeared on another Japan-related online forum as pointed out by a member, who posted a link to it. Did she post it on JREF forum after not getting the kind of response to this serious problem she had been looking for on the other forum (what IS she looking for anyway, again, I ask) OR did she copy and paste the post onto JREF forum "just to see what happens. hee hee hee..."? I think the latter, and THAT is trolling.
Did you seriously think that that thread was not some kind of a joke? Wait a sec.... are you trolling me right now!? lol

Thanks, Ashikaga-san. I think, I got it!:)

I would say that this is a good sign that you have nothing to worry about!
Thanks.😌
 
I can think of a few other examples. One is when someone comes in and posts a thread that has been put on multiple forums. Usually long and pointless and very rarely get any other posts from that member. Others are obvious, members that copy and paste with no input and not citing where the copy is from, long erligious texts normally in the forum of preaching, anti-japan trolling (our repeat korean friend for anyone who knows about him), porn links, selling for shoes or phones, we have even had farm spam. Many members don't see as they are normally dealt with quickly by the mods.

I have seen people accused of trolling if their point of view disgrees with another poster. This isn't, it is just a disgreement of views, except the person can take such an objection that they see it as trolling. We have had members in the past that were very fond of this tactic:eek:
 
Now you are trolling!
Kiddingツ!LOL
For a moment, I fell for it. 😌

I have seen people accused of trolling if their point of view disgrees with another poster. This isn't, it is just a disgreement of views, except the person can take such an objection that they see it as trolling. We have had members in the past that were very fond of this tactic:eek:

Now I understood why I was accused like that in the past (and how to fight back). Thank you, Mycernius-san.
 
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A broad view.

I think of a troll as one who does not fit in to the smooth flow of JREF. I feel JREF is a place for people who have some interest in Japan, it's culture, language, things like anime, manga,J-rock, travel there, etc. . I think most members here like Japan and it's people. We do have a lot of discussion about things we would like to see change for the better in Japan, for although it seems to be heaven on earth to many of us, there is always room for improvement.
The ones I see as trollish are the members who come here with their own personal adgenda. They wish to talk about things that have nothing to do with Japan for the most part. They are more interested in talking about their personal religion, hobbies, music, personal problems that are not really related to Japan. Members who are angry or hate-filled don't fit in or belong here as far as I'm concerned. We have had many members over the years who join just to express hatred of a country or it's people. If you want to express hatred toward Japan or it's people or any other country or group, you won't fit in here. It is hard sometimes for our members who have not had the chance to go to Japan to be able to post and that's OK, we have a chit chat section for interesting non-Japanese topics. People who join just to annoy or irritate other people don't fit in here most of the time. Members who join looking for a free Japanese teacher, a Japanese girl/boy friend never seem to stay long.
SPAM/advertising is someting different than trolling in my mind. A troll may take a while to identify , whereas spammers usually stick out right away. I would not go into a persons private home and hang posters about my business. I don't know why they think they can come on our forum and post crap about their business and what they want to sell or offer.
Just some personal thoughts of mine; I can not speak for the forum.

Uncle Frank

 
What I wanted

I wanted to know if anyone else knew what I was talking about and had any similiar experiences that could help me feel better.Nobody wants to be the ONLY one on planet earth that something like that happend to
 
I wanted to know if anyone else knew what I was talking about and had any similiar experiences that could help me feel better.Nobody wants to be the ONLY one on planet earth that something like that happend to
About being accused of being a troll? Well there was this one time at band camp...
 
Trolling is not, contrary to popular belief, saying something offensive.
Trolling is however, saying something offensive to be offensive.

The troll usually doesn't hold the views of which they say. And may even be quite offended by them. And using their own person experience and magnifying it upon others. They get a sadistic sort of pleasure out of trying to inflict pain upon others on the mere internet.
That's what the term "internet serious business" saying comes from. That basically, if you're offended by ANYTHING on the internet, you have it coming. Usually a saying spouted by trolls themselves. Often right after they are called out on being sick individuals or whatever.
 
per wiki

"An Internet troll, or simply troll in Internet slang, is someone who posts controversial, inflammatory, irrelevant or off-topic messages in an online community, such as an online discussion forum or chat room, with the intention of provoking other users into an emotional response or to generally disrupt normal on-topic discussion."
 
In English: Trolling is a person who tries to start arguments, provoke flaming, and deliberately upset people.
 
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