Internet trolls may be sadists, new psychological research suggests

[Omaha Steve]

http://www.omaha.com/article/20140405/LIVEWELL01/140409196/1707#internet-trolls-may-be-sadists-new-psychological-research-suggests

McClatchy Newspapers
April 5, 2014

KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Anyone who's ever encountered Internet trolls, those vile, racist, sexist and often profane people who gorge themselves on others' misery, might have concluded they are psychologically disturbed.

That would be correct, new research suggests.

Trolls gleefully spew their "e-bile" using smartphone apps, online comments, texts or social media sites for no other reason than cruelty.

"It happens every night," said Darla Jaye, a radio talk show host in Kansas City whose conservative views often serve as a lightning rod for trolls. "I get stuff on the text line all the time where people swear at me and call me the foulest names. ... It's easy to throw something out there when you're anonymous. That is the thing about the Internet, especially about trolls. Most of these people are cowards."

FULL story at link.

[Cirque du So-What]

1. After reading this snip from the article

Buckels said that the anonymity of the Internet can no doubt provide a dark corner from which to strike. For some users, trolling may also offer the same outlet as do violent video games or movies, providing a dose of vicarious sadism as an alternative to the actual thing.

"Our research suggests that trolls also want to be mean to people in real life," Buckels said. "Perhaps trolling online allows them to satisfy their appetites for cruelty without it creeping into real life.

"As someone recently suggested to me, maybe we should feed the trolls."

it appears I wasn't far off the mark when I told a troll, 'at least you're here, being nasty to strangers, instead of making some unfortunate woman's life hell on earth.'

[JEFF9K]

2. STRANGE ARTICLE.

It tells of a conservative radio talker getting "trolled." Nearly all trolling I've seen is PRO-conservative. And trolling is inherently dishonest, just like conservatism.

[pipi_k]

3. Sadists exist

on all parts of the political spectrum, all races, all religions, all cultures, all economic levels.


And really, if trolling is a manifestation of some inner psychological "disease", then I think it's a mistake to call it inherently dishonest.


It's a symptom, just like anxiety or OCD behavior or something similar...

[JEFF9K]

4. A Venn diagram of Trolls and Conservatives ...

... would show the Troll circle almost entirely inside the Conservative circle. And how is it even possible to "troll" a conservative talk show?