After reading some threads on this group (among others on other groups)
and listening to radio for years there was a simarlarity to "trolls' on NG's
and people you hear on the radio. (CB, Ham etc..)
I think we have all read their posts or heard them on the CB radio.
On the CB or ham radio, we have all heard the person who makes outragous
statements or even profanity to get a response.
On newgroups, we have all read the same type of person who uses a
keyboard instead of a microphone to do the same.
People who for some reason has to have a response by either writing or
transmitting.
It occured to me that these people are exhibiting the same behavior
except through different mediums.
I talked to a Psycologist at the school where I attend to get some
insight on the reason. One of the observations after reading some responses
by the same people was OCB (Obscessive Compulsiuve Behavior). Some of the
symtoms are (There are many more I have found..)

1. repetitive behaviors (e.g., hand washing, ordering, checking) or mental
acts (e.g., praying, counting, repeating words silently) that the person
feels driven to perform in response to an obsession, or according to rules
that must be applied rigidly
2.the behaviors or mental acts are aimed at preventing or reducing distress
or preventing some dreaded event or situation; however, these behaviors or
mental acts either are not connected in a realistic way with what they are
designed to neutralize or prevent or are clearly excessive.

Another symptom was anger. Suppressed anger that can only be expressed
in the 'safety' of radio or the internet.

The term 'troll' as we know it, is a person on the internet. However, we
have had trolls for decades on radio too.

As technology increased and mediums changed the 'trolls' or emotionally
disturbed followed.

"Jos" wrote in message ...
After reading some threads on this group (among others on other groups)
and listening to radio for years there was a simarlarity to "trolls' on NG's
and people you hear on the radio. (CB, Ham etc..)
I think we have all read their posts or heard them on the CB radio.
On the CB or ham radio, we have all heard the person who makes outragous
statements or even profanity to get a response.
On newgroups, we have all read the same type of person who uses a
keyboard instead of a microphone to do the same.
People who for some reason has to have a response by either writing or
transmitting.
It occured to me that these people are exhibiting the same behavior
except through different mediums.
I talked to a Psycologist at the school where I attend to get some
insight on the reason. One of the observations after reading some responses
by the same people was OCB (Obscessive Compulsiuve Behavior). Some of the
symtoms are (There are many more I have found..)

1. repetitive behaviors (e.g., hand washing, ordering, checking) or mental
acts (e.g., praying, counting, repeating words silently) that the person
feels driven to perform in response to an obsession, or according to rules
that must be applied rigidly
2.the behaviors or mental acts are aimed at preventing or reducing distress
or preventing some dreaded event or situation; however, these behaviors or
mental acts either are not connected in a realistic way with what they are
designed to neutralize or prevent or are clearly excessive.

Another symptom was anger. Suppressed anger that can only be expressed
in the 'safety' of radio or the internet.

The term 'troll' as we know it, is a person on the internet. However, we
have had trolls for decades on radio too.

As technology increased and mediums changed the 'trolls' or emotionally
disturbed followed.

your theoretical constructs are noted on wise
one......however,.......do to its content, i will have to file this
post in the same file as frankenstein's............