This is Why We Can’t Have Nice Things Summary

Why do internet trolls thrive, and what do their disruptive actions reveal about our society and culture?

1. What Defines Trolling? A Blend of Disruption and Provocation

Trolling can be tricky to pin down, but at its core, it involves posting intentionally provocative or offensive content online with the goal of eliciting reactions from others. Trolls stir the pot, thriving on the emotional responses their behavior incites. This can include anything from nonsensical comments to outright abusive remarks.

Distinct from general online misbehavior, trolling is characterized by stylized tactics aimed at creating “Lulz,” a form of aggressive humor where the troll’s entertainment stems from others’ discomfort or anger. A troll might mock personal tragedies, use insults, or share polarizing opinions solely to bait reactions. The joy they derive from Lulz often justifies their actions, no matter how insensitive they may appear.

The wide spectrum of trolling ranges from harmless pranks like “Rickrolling” (where users are tricked into opening a seemingly related link that redirects to the music video for Rick Astley’s “Never Gonna Give You Up”) to more problematic and malicious behavior that borders on harassment. This variance makes it hard to establish a single interpretation of trolling.

Examples

• Anonymous users posting inflammatory comments on YouTube to upset others.
• Trolls redirecting users to unrelated, humorous content such as the Rick Astley video.
• Highly personal attacks targeting individuals in online memorial pages.

2. The Evolution of Trolling from Problem to Subculture

In the early days of the internet, trolls were seen as obstacles to creating healthy, productive online spaces. In 1992's internet forums, such individuals were viewed as disruptors who could derail virtual communities with anonymity-driven mischief and hostility.

By the 2000s, trolling had grown into a subculture with its own rituals, language, and humor. Memes, for instance, emerged from troll communities as inside jokes that only the initiated could decode. Over time, memes became mainstream and lost their exclusive appeal, transforming into a universal mode of online expression.

Popular platforms like 4chan not only fueled the troll subculture but also introduced iconic creations like LOLcats. The rise of these websites allowed trolling to transition from a fringe activity to a mainstream phenomenon that influenced global online humor and communication styles.

Examples

• Early concerns about trolls running anonymously on Internet Relay Chat (IRC) channels.
• The creation and spread of internet memes on forums like 4chan.
• LOLcats’ absurd humor evolving into a major internet trend.

3. RIPtrolls and the Blurred Line Between Cruelty and Commentary

RIPtrolls are a chilling example of trolling. These individuals targeted online memorial pages for the recently deceased, posting offensive and mocking comments often deemed heartless by others.

However, RIPtrolls defended their actions as criticism of “grief tourists” – strangers who leave hollow condolences on public pages for individuals they didn’t know. They also argued that media obsession with dead white teens ignored other tragedies, highlighting racial and social disparities in reporting. In pointing out these uncomfortable truths, RIPtrolls revealed a deeper critique of society.

Still, such trolling leaves a bitter aftertaste for many. Comments mocking suicides illustrate how trolling’s pursuit of attention can appear vicious, even while exposing societal contradictions or biases.

Examples

• Trolls posting comments like “Hang in there!” on memorial pages for suicide victims.
• Calling out strangers for leaving performative messages like “I didn’t know you, but RIP.”
• Critiquing media’s focus on young white teens while ignoring tragedies involving minorities.

4. Trolling Mirrors Media Behavior in Crafting Spectacles

Mainstream media and trolls share a reliance on sensational issues to grab attention. While media outlets aim for profit through higher viewership and ad revenue, trolls seek Lulz in crafting shock-laden spectacles.

A striking case of this overlap occurred in 2007 when Fox News aired a segment calling 4chan users “domestic terrorists” and a “hate machine.” Instead of discouraging trolls, the attention inflated their sense of impact, making them more notorious and garnering further attention online. Ironically, trolls and news outlets alike benefited from the buzz this created.

This relationship highlights how shock, outrage, and spectacle drive both trolls and traditional media, albeit toward different end goals – money for the latter, chaotic amusement for the former.

Examples

• Fox News labeling 4chan’s Anonymous users as a “terrorist organization.”
• The trolls’ troll-like response by celebrating their increased media exposure.
• The widespread dissemination of the Fox News segment on YouTube with views in the millions.

5. The Stories Trolls Tell About Society

Troll actions often reveal unspoken societal dynamics or hypocrisies. For instance, RIPtrolls’ criticisms of memorial page “grief tourism” exposed the performative nature of public mourning in digital spaces. Similarly, their mocking media sensationalism showcased how clicks drive selective attention to tragedies.

Trolls challenge norms by disrupting polite discourse and exposing societal blind spots. While their methods are incendiary, they often hold a mirror to societal behaviors we may take for granted, spurring uncomfortable but meaningful reflection.

Whether it is highlighting racial biases in media or the hollow nature of performative activism, trolls’ antics show where cultural and systemic gaps lie.

Examples

• Calling out disparities in media coverage of tragedies based on race.
• Challenging societal tendencies for performative online condolence culture.
• Pointing to the cycles of sensationalism fueled by media outlets themselves.

6. Trolling Transforms Into Activism

Anonymous trolls have occasionally used their disruption skills to advocate for causes, blurring the boundary between chaos-making and activism. For instance, when the Church of Scientology attempted to censor an embarrassing leaked video of Tom Cruise, trolls organized protests under the banner of Project Chanology.

These actions combined internet tactics with real-world demonstrations. They showcased trolling’s capacity to criticize systems of power, bringing attention to issues like Scientology’s alleged abuses while expressing dedication to free speech.

Trolling in this form becomes a tool for amplifying marginalized voices or opposing censorship. Actions like these demonstrate a complex use of trolling for purposes beyond amusement.

Examples

• Project Chanology protests against the Church of Scientology in 2008.
• Use of trolling techniques to spread anti-censorship messages.
• Anonymous marrying digital and real-world advocacy during the campaign.

7. Using Humor to Fight Extremism

Governments have even adopted trolling techniques to counter extremist ideologies. For example, the US State Department implemented the Viral Peace program, utilizing humor, satire, and religious arguments to undermine violent extremism online.

These trolling-like tactics share parallels with online trolls’ ethos of addressing issues through disruption and provocation. By co-opting trolls’ humor-based methods, even institutions have recognized their efficiency in tackling real-world problems.

This signifies how trolling’s mechanics – when wielded skillfully – can transcend hostile origins and contribute positively in thoughtful, strategic applications.

Examples

• Viral Peace deploying humor to counteract extremist arguments.
• Trolling magnifying attention on issues that might otherwise be ignored.
• Governments borrowing trolling techniques to tackle societal threats.

8. Memes as a Modern Language of Ideas

Trolling influenced the rise of memes as a cultural and communication phenomenon. Originating in troll circles, memes quickly became universal carriers of humor, information, and critique that transcend language barriers.

As people use and remix memes, they participate in a lineage shaped by troll subculture. This creates a shared visual vocabulary that can entertain, inform, or politically mobilize.

Trolls spawned this cultural artifact, proving their role as creators in internet history regardless of their darker side.

Examples

• LOLcats introducing accessible absurdist humor via memes.
• Memes used in social justice movements to convey calls for equality.
• Tools like Meme Generators empowering individuals to participate in this cultural format.

9. The Power and Influence of Trolling

Though controversial, trolling’s influence on society spans far beyond its origins. It has shaped internet language, memes, activism, and even media practices. Its ability to expose various societal faults – whether regarding race, grief culture, or censorship – ensures it remains relevant.

Trolling also warns us of the dark side of digital anonymity, where unchecked behavior can harm individuals. Yet, its evolution into areas like activism and humor as tools for politics shows potential for constructive application when purposefully directed.

Trolling illustrates both society’s lows and its capacity for creativity, innovation, and change.

Examples

• Trolling’s role in sparking online activism, such as Anonymous-led campaigns.
• Factory-like production of memes as cultural and political tools.
• Both harmful and helpful influences on discourse around topics from grief to censorship.

Takeaways

1. Reflect on your responses online and discern if a provocative comment could be trolling rather than a legitimate statement.
2. Explore the history behind memes you use or share—doing so can add extra meaning to your digital communication.
3. Consider how internet culture exposes societal challenges, like race or performative behavior, and seek constructive conversations on these topics.