Learning to roll with the trolls

We live in the golden age of trolls and trolling. These cretins of the online universe skulk in comment sections, their malevolence tended by anonymity and an endless supply of snark. But before we sound predictably hifalutin, consider this: could trolls have a purpose beyond raising our BP? Yet another herd of the most virulent form of the commentariat shrieks, threatens, abuses you for some opinion you’ve shared – or even a fact they think is complete rubbish. Annoying? Absolutely. But let’s now admit this: their relentless sniping and pouncing on opinion-holders not holding their views have sharpened our skills. Suddenly, online people are triple-checking their facts, sweating over a turn of phrase lest it be misconstrued. Let’s face it, feeling the sting of a troll’s barbed comment is a crash course in empathy. You start to understand demented minds better. Maybe this will give rise again to that defunct form of communication – irony – where trolls will think they have succeeded in cowing an opinionator down by sheer loudmouthery. Like mosquitoes that can’t be eradicated, we must learn to coexist with trolls. They’re the bitter meds that strengthen our immune system against criticism.

Disclaimer: This column is not an endorsement of trolling. Please refrain from creating your own troll persona. We have enough of those already.