Harry Potter and the Troll of the Internet

The looser definition of troll, increasingly popular because people are afraid to say “bully,” refers to people who are just shitty online—like ugly bridge trolls. Their “trolling” takes the form of harassment, threats, insults, or simply annoying behavior. Some of these trolls think they’re the trickster kind; others don’t even realize how aggravating or offensive they’re being. Either way, bully trolls are the best target for the trickster trolls. […]
Trickster trolling is like comedic acting. The beauty of the troll lies in the gap between the character and the actor. If your aim is to frustrate your target, you should present yourself as helpful and cooperative. This sometimes wins the troll over, which can leave everyone feeling happy. But often the troll just digs deeper, exposing themselves.¹

• The Art of Trolling: A Philosophical History of Rhetoric (Matt Sautman, 2017)