Chikachu 402 Share Posted June 6, 2014 As I have mentioned in a few threads now, I and a few others have been discussing and working together to create a definition of trolling, but since trolling is somewhat difficult to discuss, I am making this thread to ask everyone if they have any thoughts on things that may have been missed and need to be touched on in this definition. So here you are, tell me what you think. Trolling: Defined first and foremost when interacting over the internet it means to post inflammatory comments or remarks in an attempt to attack, belittle or otherwise gauge a reaction much like a local bully would. However, on LOTC, trolling has taken a slightly different term. Trolling In-Game:The act of acting out of the norm in a way that breaks the immersion of people around you, such as bringing OOC jokes into serious IC matters. Example: "4.0 BLAZE IT" being repeated over and over in full capitals at an important moment in the story. The act of preforming actions in order to annoy, upset and otherwise attack people out of character as well as in game. Such as following someone around and repeating the same actions over and over again directly to their character either vocally or physically with no real IC reason for it. Such as punching someone over and over again when they have clearly told you to stop both ic and oocly. The use of obvious pop culture in IC when it is not appropriate, such as shouting "FUS RO DAH" IC when a dragon turns up even though your character wouldn't know or understand the meaning ic nor would it do anything. Trolling on the Forums:The act of targeting a group of people with remarks to otherwise upset or belittle players or provoke reaction from them. The act of bringing ooc jokes into important IC situations, such as an important council meeting being held over the forums only for "Random peasant" to run in -somehow- and shout "chicken butt", adding nothing in regards to good rp to the situation. The act of preforming social taboos as an indirect attempt to upset others, such as indirectly quoting or using materials from hate references from groups such as the KKK or the Nazis who obviously display their views in public. Using this material otherwise in parody when in a public situation, whether with people directly involved might take it as a 'joke' or not. Posting IC threads that is essentially an ooc in-joke that only you and a couple of others will get that involve belittling or targeting others who do not take kindly to the joke in an attempt to upset them or gauge a reaction from them. These posts can be considered spam as well, and will fall under the spam rules when applicable. Trolling and its Relation to Harassment:Generally, trolling in some mediums depending on how often it is repeated can be justified and otherwise classified as Harassment, and thus falls under the rules of Harassment. When does the Rules of Trolling not Apply?:The rules of trolling do not apply when you are merely having a small joke between a select group in private which they are all in on. However this does not extend outside of a private sitting. Conducting these jokes and involving public participants who do not want to be involved or haven't given consent prior is classed as trolling. Note this is referring to when the joke involves other groups or people who are not apart of your circle in a way that is spiteful or to upset them. You can do whatever you want around your friends, so long as they consent and play along with the joke. Just don't try to bring others in or target others with such jokes, as they may not take it as well as any of your friends do. What you do in private is entirely up to you, we can't control that. However doing anything said above on LOTC mediums to the general public outside of your social circles counts as trolling. Note that the status bar is an LOTC medium, and thus all rules above apply. Addition:Doing something and then claiming that it was "merely a joke" is not a correct reason to do something, jokes can be offensive to others even when you yourself do not see it as being offensive. Be thoughtful of others when conducting your actions on the server, even if they are not a personal friend of yours or are apart of the same group as yours.We are a community of roleplayers in a game, there are no true "sides" to take. So long as you remember that the community will continue to flourish. What separates a joke from trolling?A joke is generally a light hearted en-devour that doesn't directly attempt to target certain people in an attempt to upset them or gauge a reaction that the joker would find pleasure in. Light hearted jokes could include running jokes which everyone is in on and enjoys.Trolling however is done directly to gauge a reaction that they would find pleasure in, usually out of spite due to certain events that happened in game that they did not like oocly, and thus started to target those involved for the sakes of personal enjoyment and not for the enjoyment of others. Note this is referring to the enjoyment of one personal clique or group. Examples of some things that are immediately regarded as trolling are as follows.Saying or shouting ooc things in the rp channel without marking it ooc.Saying or shouting anything with reference to modern technology or tools in the rp channels. ((Which includes shouting without marking it as ooc))Saying "so-in-so says this" in order to bring in ooc to an rp thread you would either: not logically know about,would not be involved in, where your post interrupts the rp, or with request from anyone participating in that thread, particularly the thread OP. Jumping into another channel on teamspeak to play loud music, scream, shout, or make any unusual sound, or use an audio file. Tl;Dr It is up to the moderators in charge of the report or who are reading it whether they see it as trolling as well as up to the one being trolled against. If they conflict another moderator should be called in. Ultimately, though, it is up to the one being trolled whether it is dismissed and it is up to the moderator if it is acknowledged. This also means if you do one of the automatic trolling things listed above and the one it is done against is fine with it it is considered a joke. (However, the first and second ones do NOT change due to who is around you. It is still considered trolling.)) So just make sure you have the right audience. 4 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jachnun 566 Share Posted June 6, 2014 Why did you remove fire's comment? 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
ToenailTickler 290 Share Posted June 6, 2014 The highlighting it BURNS <--- example of trolling. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Aislin 4354 Share Posted June 6, 2014 Instead of trying to arbitrarily define a word whose meaning has been totally altered to the point of non-recognition on this server, why don't we enforce the rules like no breaking character ingame, no flaming on the forums etc. and ignore "trolling"? The word "troll" is terrible for LotC, and this thread is perfect evidence of that. It's been used to promote over-sensitivity. a light hearted en-devour light hearted en-devour en-devour en-devour en-devour en-devour en-devour 5 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
VonAulus 2082 Share Posted June 6, 2014 I would like to refer to Boeindls guide to humorous roleplay. 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
dude 230 Share Posted June 6, 2014 Fire's comment was a valid and well said definition of trolling. I don't know why it was removed... Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Goldd 126 Share Posted June 6, 2014 Trolling: People excessively and without reason in L-OOC, jumping around, saying stupid stuff in rp, generally disruptive and annoying as hell. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chikachu 402 Author Share Posted June 6, 2014 Because his post was within a minute of my post and I wasn't asking for a definition I was clearly asking for an idea of what I might have missed. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jachnun 566 Share Posted June 6, 2014 Because he posted it within thirty seconds of my post and I wasn't asking for a definition I was clearly asking for an idea of what I might have missed. I am sorry but I wont even bother to comment now because of this agressive behaviour. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Ivory 4547 Share Posted June 6, 2014 Because he posted it within thirty seconds of my post and I wasn't asking for a definition I was clearly asking for an idea of what I might have missed. Seriously? It was a valid post. Come on. 8 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Aislin 4354 Share Posted June 6, 2014 We have an answer. Because he posted it within thirty seconds of my post and I wasn't asking for a definition I was clearly asking for an idea of what I might have missed. 8 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
VonAulus 2082 Share Posted June 6, 2014 Double posting is a form of spam trolling. you are learning well. 4 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chikachu 402 Author Share Posted June 6, 2014 I'm not going to make you post. Have a good day. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Major Dom 1297 Share Posted June 6, 2014 lotc bc report breaking news all non serious comments are now considered trolling and are bannable offenses Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
MediocreGamer 838 Share Posted June 6, 2014 Remember folks, trolling is great when done in a subtle comedic way and in such a way it doesn't end up like this: Modern Translation: 3 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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