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New research suggests that internet trolls are sadists, albeit sub-clinical levels of sadism; not the more extreme forms that are seen in serial killers and criminals.
Buckels [one of the authors] said that the anonymity of the Internet can no doubt provide a dark corner from which to strike. For some users, trolling may also offer the same outlet as do violent video games or movies, providing a dose of vicarious sadism as an alternative to the actual thing.
"Our research suggests that trolls also want to be mean to people in real life," Buckels said. "Perhaps trolling online allows them to satisfy their appetites for cruelty without it creeping into real life."
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Conquering Russia should be done steppe by steppe.
(Score: 2) by Open4D on Friday April 11 2014, @06:13PM
No, they're just having a bad day! Well, that's according to this low-content article ...
Most Trolls Aren't Assholes, They're Just Having A Bad Day [kotaku.com]
N.B. I love how they've put up an Aussie version with a slightly different headline
Most Trolls Aren't Arseholes, They're Just Having A Bad Day [kotaku.com.au]
But it's probably not worth you clicking on either version.
(Score: 2) by Lagg on Friday April 11 2014, @07:15PM
Good to see that Kotaku is maintaining their stellar reputation and journalistic integrity.
http://lagg.me [lagg.me] 🗿