Trolls, I’m not talking about the mythical cave-dwelling being depicted in folklore as either giant or dwarf, typically having an ugly appearance. Nor am I writing about the cute, cuddly, sweet looking, creatures with brightly coloured hair, in the latest instalment from Dreamworks. I’m talking about Internet Trolls, and although not mythical, what they do share is the commonality of being ugly, from the inside out.

An Internet Troll according to Wikipedia; In Internet slang, a troll (/ˈtroʊl/, /ˈtrɒl/) is a person who sows discord on the Internet by starting quarrels or upsetting people, by posting inflammatory, extraneous, or off-topic messages in an online community (such as a newsgroup, forum, chat room, or blog) with the intent of provoking readers into an emotional response or of otherwise disrupting normal, on-topic discussion, often for the troll’s amusement.

Most of what I’ve written here, are, and pretty much will be my own thoughts and beliefs, drawn from personal experiences, and what I do know is it’s sentiment shared by many out there in cyber space.

For many folks, dealing with these trolls can be daunting, emotional, and time consuming, and that is the sole objective of these creatures; to disrupt the positive energy good people are busy putting out there by wasting your time. One wonders why these antagonists are so intent on being so negative towards others, perplexing enough to bring up a multitude of questions. However why give it thought, all a person need do is consider the source, and like water off a duck’s back the disruption should roll right off with it!

It’s true what is said about these keyboard gangsters, they are miserable, jealous, spurned attention seekers, just down right mean. Actively working to drag anyone and everyone down into their misery, because as we know, misery loves company, and love it they do.

Actively working spending a great deal of time and energy to spew forth the venom they do, but hold on a minute, (insert sound of a record screeching to a halt) “actively working”! Do these slime balls have jobs? Do these keyboard cowards actually work, because don’t real, good people have jobs? Last time I checked, it takes a great deal of time and energy to spew forth venom, time and energy I just don’t have nor want to waste.

Spewing venom; it’s actually vomit, because let’s face it, they aren’t as cool as they think they are to spew forth venom!

If you’re wondering what types of these soul suckers are out there, Tamar Love Grande has come up with 18 in her article The 18 Types of Internet Trolls over at Smosh I remember this article 7 years ago, it was as relevant then, as it is now. I’m sure you will find it absolutely fulfilling and give you some serious insight on the kind of gutter scum that’s hounding you .

Let me remind you that this sick compulsion is nothing but a form of control, plain and simple! The kind we see in movies with the villain feverishly plotting to drag everyone over to the dark side. Sorry to tell all you wet farts, bright shining lights are hard to dim.

Moving on, I particularly love the attacks on individuals these ogres inflict, individuals that they don’t even personally know. Attacks they feel they have license to commit because someone is in the public realm. Attacks we see all to often perpetrated against actors and actresses just because they are on film. People in general, types of employment, anything, anything that represents an ideology that is perceived as threatening to the hobgoblin.

Even better are the attacks dished out by pond scum that “say” they personally know the victim, deciding to dox all their private info for the world to see? Ooooooo such power and control, NOT! On that, I say own it, don’t let them get that upper hand!

Now how about asking personal questions in a public forum? This one always leaves me scratching my head in disbelief. The audacity to think its appropriate to ask for answers of some seriously questionable and personal natures that you wouldn’t ask your own mother? Then to get vitriolic when the reply, if your lucky enough to get one, is something the dirtbag didn’t like. Say what? Then to be offended by the smack down these dung heaps get for asking such idiocy, leaves me speechless.

Onward to the professions of undying love, affections expressed towards an idol, a love that quickly turns into the fury of hell when spurned. Firstly I ask did these obsessed nut jobs think that their coveted one true love would drop everything and run to them with open arms? Secondly, who is going to pay for the bus, train, or plane ticket, and then there are the bills, the rent, the mortgage and personal upkeep! Joking aside, they’re professions that are clearly based in a fantasy land. Don’t get me wrong, love does happen online, but usually after some time and communication has transpired.

Belittling or browbeating, now how’s that for motivation to do something you don’t want to do? Nothing beats being treated like garbage to inspire a person into doing something against their will or that they never intended to do. What a way to win friends and influence! Personally I love being told my make-up looks over done, my hair colour is all wrong, I’m to fat, to thin, and my clothes don’t t suit me at all, confidence building at it’s finest.

Identifying the tell take signs of a troll can be difficult, as they are good at manipulating an unsuspecting victim. However, Saikat Basu  has summed it up in his article, 5 Most Effective ways to Deal With Arrogant Internet Trolls at Make Use Of a 4 minute read to empower you further.

It’s hard to not get emotional, or caught up in the drama of the engagement these curmudgeons are trying to illicit from you, you wouldn’t be a caring human being if you didn’t. To sum it all up, here are a few of my own simple rules to live by when dealing with a troll.

1. Don’t feed the troll, feed them, they grow, starve them, they wither up and die.
2. Laugh it off, if you can.
3. Share that shit with your friends and supporters.
4. Don’t engage further, if it’s obvious they will keep at it.
5. Block, and delete.
6. Depending on the severity, document everything, screen shot it, and file it away.

So yeah, one could say I don’t much care for them.