Social Question

Kardamom's avatar

Do you think most trolls live in their parent's basement?

Asked by Kardamom (33296points) October 3rd, 2015

Or do you think that just like regular people, some of them live in town homes, or ranch style houses, or even 5 flight walk-ups in Brooklyn?

I guess I have a mental picture of some poor un-washed soul in a dank dark basement, sitting in front of his or her computer, a mouse in one hand, a Red Bull in the other, with the words Ask Fluther flickering in front of them as their labored mouth breathing becomes heavier, and their shiny bubble of spittle gets larger and smaller with every single breath. Like an embryonic cell starting to cleave.

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5 Answers

FireMadeFlesh's avatar

I think the general rule is that they are people who are emotionally immature, and therefore have achieved well below their potential in life. A large number probably do live with their parents, though maybe in a spare room rather than a basement. Many more probably work dead end jobs that pay just enough to get them a shitty apartment and an internet connection. I would be very surprised if any trolls were actually successful in their offline world.

Love_my_doggie's avatar

I think most internet trolls live in their parents’ homes, not in their parents’ basements. They’re kids, trying to cause trouble online and truly believing that they’re very witty.

There’s a prevailing image of a 50-year-old guy sitting in his underwear, surrounded by empty delivery-food containers, spending his non-life as a troll. That reality might certainly exist – the loser adult with a dead-end job, if any job at all – but I think it’s rare. The majority of trolls behave immaturely because they are immature, in the word’s most literal meaning.

Just consider the bad grammar and run-on sentences in most troll posts. Sure, adults can be semi-literate, too, but I usually picture someone age 12 as the author.

Coloma's avatar

It could be any number of ages and living scenarios. My daughters ex boyfriend was a super bright guy and loved to debate, he was gainfully employed, mid-20’s, college educated and once in awhile he’s go on debating jags on certain political forums just to exercise his sharp mind and get a rise out of people. I don’t think I’d call him a troll, but he did liked to stir things up now and then. Thing was he was smart enough to pull it off. haha

I think it has to do more with emotional maturity and personality, some personalities like to amuse themselves by debate and arguing.
I agree though, most are probably younger, emotionally immature and rather illiterate.

josie's avatar

To this day, I am not sure I fully understand what a troll is.

Berserker's avatar

@josie Someone on the internet who purposely flames users, dissrupts the peace or spams without any reason at all, except perhaps for the lols.
What that has to do with the mythological troll creature, I do not know.

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