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To date, biologists have expended much effort in discovering, classifying, and studying terrestrial plant
and animal species. Few regions of Earth have gone unexplored. The Cybersphere, commonly called the Internet, however, is
a notable exception. Along with the many ordinary, apparently human, inhabitants, there is a less common, more interesting,
possibly indigenous, group of species known as trolls. While the ordinary human inhabitants seldom seem to differentiate among
trolls, and trolls do have a common habitat, being encountered almost exclusively on Internet discussion boards, it is clear,
from distinctive behavior patterns and different modes of habitation, that there are multiple species of trolls. As a minor
contribution toward, and encouragement of, further study, the following species classifications are proposed and described.
House Troll, Trollus domesticus - These trolls have usually taken up residence in a specific Internet discussion
board. The relationship between the troll and the human denizens of the board appears to be symbiotic, centering around a
mutual need for amusement.
Browse-By Troll, Trollus Nomadus - Browse-By Trolls seldom remain long on any discussion board, and may use
and discard aliases casually. This type of troll attempts to stir up reaction, and then moves on, seeking another discussion
board to bait. Wise discussion board regulars ignore browse-by trolls or use them for target practice.
Post-Only Trolls, Trollous Nonresponsivus - These trolls use discussion boards as podiums from which to make
pronouncements. They initiate threads to post their message, but generally decline to participate in discussions with people
who post responses. Since these trolls’ purpose is to propagate their message, they tend to be posting the same materials
to multiple discussion boards at any given time, and will continue posting that same material on other discussion boards even
when members of some one discussion board refute or show serious flaws in what they posted.
Disputatious Troll, Trollus Obstreperosus - These trolls hang out on discussion boards serially, staying on
each until they’ve worn out their welcome. This type of troll delights in posting ridiculous, preposterous claims, and
then argue their claims endlessly, even contradicting experts in the field being discussed.
Pretender Trolls, Trollus Disguisus - This type of troll tries to keep their troll nature and purposes concealed
by pretending to be something they are not - political philosophy, education, profession, national origin - to gain credibility
or or evade the cautions of other discussion forum denizens.
Baiter Trolls, Trollus Bigotus - Baiter Trolls delight in spewing hatred and contempt for some group of people.
Their targets vary widely according to their hatreds. Some single out a particular ethnic or national group - e.g. blacks,
Caucasians, Jews. Some attack particular religions - Catholics, Protestants, Pentecostals, other religions, belief in God
in general. Venom and attack are their method and purpose; reasoned discussion is typically absent and not possible.
I have observed trolls who exhibit the behavior patterns of more than one of the species proposed and described above.
The significance of this isn’t clear to me at this time. My observations and methods may be insufficiently rigorous.
It may be that my method of classifying, which is largely based on behavior, is flawed. Or it may be that some troll species
are inter-fertile, the procreative habits of Internet trolls are unknown at this time.
Discussion forum administrators deal with trolls according to the rules and purposes of their forums. Those rules should
take into account the existence of trolls, even if the rule is to do nothing. What is important for forum regulars to do is
to turn the tables on trolls. Whatever their species and habits, trolls’ purposes are to cause disruption and disputes.
Discussion forum denizens should, on detecting a troll, expose and mock the troll’s games and foolishness. This diminishes
the troll’s pleasure, while making it a source of amusement for other folks on the discussion board.
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