Trollspotting

[evile]

Am I a Troll?

Now, some of the descriptions above may be a bit unnerving. We all have some tendencies in these directions. Especially as Pagans and as members of an admittedly dysfunctional modern Western society, we all have echoes of all these traits. Have we not all had moments of insecurity, of competitiveness, of rigidity or paranoia? Are there not things which make us fearful, or angry? Of course there are. Does this mean we are all trolls? No. There are very real differences between these everyday reactions and the excessiveness of trolls. The main keys to recognizing trolls are: 1) the inappropriateness of their actions and reactions, and 2) their inability to concern themselves with the rights or needs of others.



All of the features and traits of trolls also exist in healthy people. But there are differences. Observe some of them:



Healthy people have occasionally been the targets of unpleasant or malicious actions on the part of others. Trolls seem always to be the victims – their problems are always someone else’s fault. They constantly blame others for their own problems and difficulties. If you can see and admit your own part in your mishaps, you’re not a troll.

Healthy people do get into arguments and disagreements. But they eventually find solutions to most of those disagreements, and once a problem is solved, it’s over. Trolls avoid confronting their disagreements, never seem to settle their disputes, and constantly find more to complain about. Though they crave conflict, they often avoid confrontation, because confronting a problem carries with it the possibility of resolution. If you can actually settle problems, you’re not a troll.

Healthy people do occasionally have personal problems, or misremember something, or arrive late for a Circle or other appointment. Trolls do this constantly; it gives them a way to control others. They find ways to excuse disruptive behavior, and use those ways to avoid responsibility for themselves. If you can keep your promises on a regular basis – and if you accept responsibility for it when you don’t – you’re not a troll.

So the traits and warning signs of trolls may sound familiar. You may well recognize many of these traits within your closest friends – or even within yourself. That’s because all humans – just like all other things in Nature! – are a mixture of light and dark, creation and dissolution, positive and negative.



In general: Healthy people can find solutions to problems. They are able to identify where problems actually reside, and can admit when they themselves are at fault. They can change, when change is necessary and appropriate. They make mistakes – and then accept responsibility for having made those mistakes. They can take the feelings and concerns of other people into account. They can forego personal advantage for the sake of another person.



Trolls can do none of these things. That’s what makes them trolls.