How does one handle a troll? (In Internet slang, a troll (/ˈtroʊl/, /ˈtrɒl/) is a person who sows discord on the Internet by starting arguments or upsetting people,^[1] by posting inflammatory,^[2] extraneous, or off-topic messages in an online community (such as a newsgroup, forum, chat room, or blog) with the deliberate intent of provoking readers into an emotional response^[3] or of otherwise disrupting normal on-topic discussion)

I have been, on occasion, accused of being a troll. I do not endeavor to be a troll. It is simply my tightly held opinions on some matters which may seem caustic to some which may be the source of such misidentifications. This possibility is irrelevant. The purpose of this post is an exploration in how to refrain from, perhaps even frustrate a troll.

A troll, in my opinion, is simply a modern label given to an old entity: “button-pusher”. A button pusher is someone who says or does things in an effort to elicit a reaction. A button pusher is a sort of emotional bully. It is nearly impossible to have an intelligent conversation in the presence of such people.

The best way to thwart a troll, in my opinion, is not to react in an emotional way to such trolls. React as if you are an unemotional machine. Let them rant and rave if they will, but do not ride the wave with them. If all else fails, or if you simply tire of the conversation, just leave it.