Why do we feed trolls?

[shredder]

Why do we do that? I admit that it is very tempting from time to time and that I am not immune to such temptations. That said, I am not clear on why I get tempted at all and, worse, why I sometimes succumb to such temptations, which, I readily admit, is a rather ungentlemanly act. Thoughts?

s

[Costi]

Out of naivety, probably, as far as I am concerned: what if they are not trolls? I am made such that I'd rather err on the side of good faith, most often to my disadvantage. If I had certainties about people, I'd probably lie down and die

[shredder]

True, it is not too often that it is a certainty. Most of the time, it is a judgement call, like many other things in life. I cannot comment on naïveté as I am referring to situations where one has already made the judgement about someone being a troll, i.e., not in cases where one unintentionally, and perhaps even with good intentions, feeds a troll.

I suppose one possible reason is that one might be seeking an argument for argument's sake, or, as the case may be, just being bitchy, condescending to the level of the troll. I have done it, confess to being amused by doing so at times, but not particularly proud of it.

s

[Costi]

I suppose one possible reason is that one might be seeking an argument for argument's sake, or, as the case may be, just being bitchy, condescending to the level of the troll. I have done it, confess to being amused by doing so at times, but not particularly proud of it.

s

To reward the effort if it's good, of course
But I don't think I do that. I guess I am more naive than you imagine...

[storeynicholas]

Dr Johnson said that it is "happier to be sometimes cheated than not to trust." However, I understand the point of the question. Maybe, though, the question might be "why do we feed some trolls, and not others?"
NJS

[shredder]

NJS, I agree with Dr Johnson in principle (otherwise I would have to become a hermit) but also acknowledge that the only ones who are capable of inflicting significant harm are those in positions of trust... Again, no room for certainty, just a judgement call.

I think your question is perhaps a better one. For me, it probably comes down to whether I decide to ignore them on the first discovery / encounter -- this, I believe, is largely dependent on how bored I am that particular moment. If I do, then I never feed them. If I do not, then the temptation to feed them seems to recur over time.

s