The flip side of "it's the writers fault" is you as the reader have to know there is "not enough information" to base your assumptions on, in short some things you have to let go some things as not being fully understood if it was a joke or not. I have to let go things that I don't know if they were a friendly joke or a mean joke, or just a non-humorous flail. There is an awful lot of things that are said in jest here that I don't get. And there is other things I just don't find funny at all. But then again this isn't JokeBanter... it a music forum. :rolleyes:

If someone is posting things that is upsetting to you, I think you have to take a step back and think things through. While I understand someone being sarcastic or derisive would be upsetting of course, (and in a case of trolling, they are begging you to lash out) but you don't really have to blow up over it. That is not saying you shouldn't feel upset, just that you can make a choice not to lash out (as most trollish personalities expect you to do) and find other ways of dealing with the problem. But all of that is one of those things that is easily said than done.

I don't quite understand trolling. Is it someone faking a personality specifically to upset people? Or is it just anyone who's upsetting?

I have mastered the art of conveying sarcasm on the internet.

Maybe one day Wpnfire will be able to adequately follow in my steps

If you do it right it can very entertaining when bored

Forum trolling mainly consists of intentionally derailing a topic. There are many methods.

As far as I remember reading about it, "trolling" was a fishing term where you cast your line and it skips across the water "baiting" the fish.

An alleged troll is "baiting" another member to break a forum rule most likely the "no personal attack" rule. It is basically instigating arguments, sowing discord, creating hot topic threads with the intent of dividing a forum. When he is outed then he is a bona fide troll.

But how do you differentiate between someone discussing such things to start arguments, and someone that just has a genuinely unpopular opinion?

That's the question.

There is not always a way to prove whether or not a person of a troll or a legitimate contrarian/moron. Comes down to opinion, really, although there are times when it's blatantly obvious.

Speaking as a former internet forum moderator (so am super srs!!!!)

Well, that just sounds like something a mean popular kid would say. You know it was once acceptable to hate the gays and abhorrent to support them.