The Dark Psychology of an Internet Troll
What motivates these anonymous cyber villains?
If you’ve ever braved that digital dystopia known as “the internet,” you’ve probably encountered a troll. They aren’t hard to find. They are as ubiquitous in cyberspace as “horny singles in your area” and before/after weight loss ads of the same fitness model poking out and then flexing their stomach. Similar to their mythical counterpart, the bridge troll, the internet troll lurks in the shadows of a “Comments” section, disorienting innocent passers-by with their malevolent riddles.
- You are dogshit and everyone hates you.
- This is the most garbage thing I’ve ever seen in my life.
- Please end yourself as soon as possible.
- Typical [insert any group of people], idiotic and subhuman.
Faced with the diabolical wordsmithing of an internet troll, we are momentarily stunned. What? What is this? Why is this person so hostile? Why would they be so angry/bitter/hateful about [insert any benign piece of content]? Are they unwell? Is this some kind of meta joke I’m too old and/or uncool to understand?
As internet neophytes — before a kind soul happens by to deliver that timeless, sage advice, “Don’t feed the troll” — we engage them. “What’s your…
