You know that moment when somebody has you so riled that you're getting ready to cross the rubicon and strike back? Danny O'Brien explains that it's almost certainly best to just write it out and press delete - since you're probably closer to being a troll than you think.

People think trolls are other people: He/she is a troll, you are a feisty opponent, while I merely have strong opinions. And it's true that some people do turn into trolls full-time, presumably while growing hair out of their ears and developing a head-under-shoulders look (or is that gonks?). But really, we're all just one "submit" button away from being a troll.

I always enjoy that moment of self-restraint when, instead of launching into a flame, I sit back, press delete and feel the warm glow of smugness envelop me. And the best part? If you never actually make your flames public, nobody can ever shatter the illusion that your weak comeback was not a piece of genius.


(Comic from xkcd)



Bobbie Johnson
Monday September 29 2008 07:38 BST
guardian.co.uk © Guardian News and Media Limited 2008

Some very good advise there.

My post count would be double what it is at the moment if I hadn't sat back to reflect on what I'd written

mines would be half lol

Nah! Publish and be damned!

Hamba, you are so wrong, for the following reasons...

Nah, top piccy that m8.

Gave me a chuckle.

Arguing on the internet is fun, though.

Like the pub, but much cheaper, having the capability to smoke, you can do it your y-fronts, without the undercurrent of impending physical violence!

Troll FTW!

Nothing wrong with a good argument, but I have to admit when I am at work I have had to stop a few times before I have sent a snotty email to a few people.

THis week I have been mainly a troll. in the interests of science, of course

I have been a troll purley in the intersest of making myself look far more interesting than I actually am.

Next week I plan on being a bridesmaid untill thursday.

My wife tells me that the cartoon is definitely me.