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Some of you are probably asking yourself, "WHAT THE HELL IS A  ;TROLL?"

Well, the best way to explain  what a troll is this: If they do anything or post comments to gain attention(shock and awe)  or are trying to create havoc, then they are a troll or have trolling tendencies.

Yes, we ALL crave attention otherwise we wouldn't be posting right? 

But a TROLL is a little bit different. Attention is THE thing that trolls crave. While most of us crave human interaction and good conversation, trolls get their attention NO MATTER WHAT THE COST. This is their sole reason for existing on the web. They feed off your insecurities. They feed off your weaknesses. They feed off of whatever you give them.

Some want to feel like they achieved something, such as "putting a blogger/poster" in their place if they feel they have been out of line.

Some just want to accomplish mayhem and destruction. I don't believe we have any of those types of trolls here on bakotopia.com but it's still important to know that they are out there.

One very important thing to remember: Without attention, Trolls are nothing. They have no audience, and no victim. If you build it, they will come. If you ignore them, they will get bored and go away.

Of course it's hard to ignore them. I get that. But what happens when we try to "teach them the way?" They feed off that and grow.

They are not trying to hold intelligent conversations. They are NOT trying to expand their minds. They are out for one thing only! And that is for a good laugh. At YOUR expense.

Once they see that they've hit a nerve, they feed off of it.

But how do you recognize a troll? 

That is usually very simple. Here on bakotopia it's not.

A good rule of thumb is, if a comment has made you upset (ie all the political slugging that's been going on lately) then walk away from the conversation.

These political threads bring out the "trolls" in all of us so it's best just to walk away. Unless you enjoy it. In which case, then go at it.

Otherwise.. find something else to comment on. Or write your own blog about something else.

Another thing to remember about your own blogs is that if you see the conversation getting out of control you have the power to delete those comments. You also have the power to BLOCK those people from leaving any comments on your blogs.

I've been blocked, believe it or not. And that's OK. It's that person's blog and it's their prerogative.

What you DON'T want to do is get mad and strike bad. Under no circumstances should you allow yourself to get upset. It's just not worth it.

Unless you're having fun being upset. In that case.. then go at it.

I'm not trying to change the way YOU post or leave comments. So don't get YOUR panties all up in a bunch.

This article isn't written for YOU specifically so don't take it personal. OR do. If you want.

It's mostly meant for those of you who don't understand the mentality some people have. You know, those people that enjoy getting others all pissed off and wound up? And then you (not YOU but a "you" in general) take it upon yourself to try reasoning with said people then get upset when they don't see how wrong THEY are.

Save your breath. It doesn't work that way.

Trolls enjoy the mayhem. Trolls enjoy antagonizing. Trolls enjoy when others try to get them to "see" the error of their ways. This is what makes trolling fun. So don't let them have fun. Bore them to death by ignoring them.

OK, well, hope this helps some of you. For those of you that it hasn't helped? It's probably because YOU are a troll! LOL Just kidding. Sorta.