Internet trolls are not named after the mythological creatures. The term derives from the process of “trolling,” which is a kind of fishing wherein a hook and line are drawn through the water, often at considerable depths, to snag prey; the similarities to Internet trolling are obvious, hence the word’s origin and usage. Anyone who spends any amount of time online will unfortunately encounter one of these vile creatures. The best response when this happens is to ignore the troll completely, as they have no interest in those who refuse to play with them, who refuse to “take the bait.” I’m going to make a one-time exception to this rule, though, since this past week marked a monumental occurrence for me: I had a run-in with my first troll! Not my first literally; as in, I have met trolls before. What I mean is, this troll was uniquely mine; its attacks were directed at me specifically. Thus I will label it MY troll. My first!
I will not in any way do anything to acknowledge this creature’s existence, save in conceptual form. I will not refer to it as either “he” or “she.” I most certainly will not mention its name. Trolls love attention, after all, and I will not give it any here, save of the anonymous variety. I will lovingly refer to it as My Little Troll. What, exactly, earned me the scorn of My Little Troll? What presented for it the entrée into attacking me? What was the opportunity of which it took advantage? It was the following article, which was being circulated online.
Check out the second installment of this chronicle to find out more.