Trolling · 10:30pm Sep 7th, 2014
Does anyone seem to know what this even is anymore? It's thrown around like it's candy. The entire point to trolling is its subtlety. Let's take a few cases in point (note: I like these people; they just use the word "troll" improperly):
Let me re-iterate that I like these guys. moviemaster8510 and I tend to comment on the same stories (though he black knights and I white knight in a comedic fashion), shinygiratinaz is pretty bro, and I'm well on my way to rebuilding my broken friendship with Semper Fidelis and hope to be in his bed by the end of the week.
Would you like to see a classic example of not trolling? All right, you asked for it!
This is what's referred to as "sarcasm." I know this may come as a shock, dear readers, but it's actually not considered a form of trolling! 
"So what," you may be asking, "is trolling?" That, my friends, can be answered relatively easily: By looking it up!
Source: TVTropes page for Troll
"But wait, Scootareader, you hurt peoples' feelings for your own sick pleasure! Don't you?"
No, voice in my head, I do not. In fact, the very definition of what I do is linked on the Troll page. What am I?
Source: TVTropes page for Gadfly
I have tried to do my part; in the three instances of these horrible accusations of my being an awful human being, I have attempted to refute these statements by educating the users on proper terminology.
So, what have we learned today? People keep calling Scootareader the wrong shit. What can you guys do as passive observers and occasional interventionists on behalf of the internet community? Educate those who are ignorant of definitions and intentions.
Why do I even care? Because the word "troll" has a stigma attached to it that I do not appreciate being labeled with. I don't try to be a dick; I try to be funny. Anyone who actually trolls doesn't like being caught at it, and seems incredibly sincere in their statements, but is usually not obviously joking with other users. Basically, if you suspect a troll, they're probably not a troll. They're more likely a gadfly, or perhaps they're neither and they're someone just making a freaking joke. Yes, I've seen people accused of "trolling" when they just make a bloody joke.
Let's stop the spread of this epidemic and start accurately addressing trolls as trolls and anything not trolls as not trolls. I'm tired of being accused of this crap all the time. 
Someone accused me of trolling when I was trying to DEFEND the point he was making ...
So, what have we learned today?
that people do not respond to logic.
Thank you for giving this crucial information.
>Ecocat<
2435951
I will sometimes defend posts in a really obvious and sarcastic sense, like the example I gave above where I called a fic with about 95% downvotes on par with Past Sins, then the people who are hating on the fic will call me a troll. I don't defend unless it's super ironic, because I like having fun.
2435958
Hey, you can try! And most of the time, after I let the users know the proper terminology, they lay off and quit calling me things I'm not. I've found that telling people what a troll really is actually does help; the improper usage is just widespread enough that most don't actually know what it means anymore (at least on this site).
Of course, there was once or twice that I made a funny comment, was accused of trolling, said I wasn't trolling, and never got replied to.
I wonder if they were afraid of "feeding" me like I was an actual troll.
2435965
Glad I could help.
I try to do my part to make the Internet a better place... like by drawing the well-established line on trolling that most users on this site seem not to know yet.
2435958
2435970
Pretty much exactly that.
"And that's terrible." But weirdly, that is the attitude of a lot of people: if you're having fun, you're doing something wrong.
2435982
If I'm not smiling, why am I alive? It's not like I want to be miserable.
Well... I dunno. Jehovah's Witnesses seem to think smiling is a sin. Maybe all these sourpusses on FIMFiction should go join them.
(I was born one of those, by the way.)
2435970
Because you've made them feel embarrassed. Feel embarrassed.
2435982
#im14andthisisdeep
2435970
>thinking that correcting a few people will change anything
>in comparison to the tumbling, tumbling dickweeds that litter the intertwebs
there is a kek isle and mine is at the top :^)
2436046
Most of the time, I'm not called a troll out of malice; even a dickweed will identify me as a gadfly and not attach troll stigma to me when they understand there's a difference.
The three examples I gave weren't the best because they were provided by internet denizens, when, in fact, the majority of troll accusations have been done by 12-year-old girls who see my joke post and suspect me of trolling because I give them "glowing praise" and they fail to understand the humor in it.
... In retrospect, telling them the difference between a troll and a gadfly probably wouldn't make any kind difference to them. It's amazing that they even use a keyboard. You're probably right.
Well, that just brings up more questions. Who the hell throws candy about?
2436094
Pedophiles.
Anyone who misuses the term "troll" is a pedophile.
Spread the word.
2436073
I'm always right because people keep telling me I'm right. Right?
Anyway, the people who think that usually do need a little bit of a logical push, it usually will help... They'll stop posting period and realize how much they're wasting carbon, as humans and because keyboards use carbon, then promptly rethink their worldviews. That hardly ever happens though because too many people are unwilling to change.
Also, because it is sociological. These people with then soak themselves in the piss of their peers and accept it as reality.
2436104
I've been struggling for a decade to do exactly that. If it was easy, everyone would be doing it.
2436107
I don't think I even indirectly implied that it was easy.
It's usually because they build the foundations, the skeleton, etc. wrong. Usually how it will benefit them the most, not how they will make a physical difference.
>inb4 what's the point if it doesn't benefit you
Well, because personal benefit is just that and just as meaningless and easy to sate.
I kek'd
"......at ones demise my laughter will arise
......when a tryhard tries I will let out bountiful cries
......when a rager rages my joyous roar will adhere to the ages"
- Peoples guide to screwing with people
thus is part one
This site has nothing on Youtube commentors when it comes to trolling. Most trolls/gadflys here are just a nuisance. On youtube, nothing is sacred.
Feel free to be sarcastic or funny or whatever you like on any of my stuff. I know you're not a troll and I have actually laughed at quite a few comments of yours that I've seen on stories.
So few people truly understand sarcasm these days. Of course, they don't understand the difference between coincidence, Irony, and tragedy, either.
I thought trolls were like this lady.
cdn.webfail.com/upl/img/9628cf971e8/feat1.jpg
2436158
Stay tuned for the next exciting installment of...
2436204
Shit, a loophole.
2436288
At least I've got one supporter.
2436381
Well, that's ironic.
... Or is it tragic?
2437203
Wait, why did I look that up?
2437916 Indeed you do.
I feel... educated.
What have you done to me!?
2436011
Poor, poor Scoots. Being born a sourpuss is a really sad thing.
Sir, is dem best a trull
Want to troll, go to the Star Wars group and say the word Jar Jar. Funny for some while others complain.
PLEASE! TEACH ME HOW TO TROLL!!
2713891
I don't know how. I don't troll.
2713896
Oh well, sorry for bothering