Since this has come up recently in comment threads (roughly, “what constitutes or defines a ‘troll’?”).
My definition:
Trolls DON’T:
-show up in comment threads seeking in good faith to: 1) learn; 2) honestly engage/debate with mind open to persuade/be persuaded by facts and reason combined into valid argumentation.
Trolls DO:
-show up with minds closed, seeking above all else to provoke; insults, ridicule, extreme positions taken primarily for their provocative effect, imputation of bad faith to perceived adversaries (not an exhaustive list of indicators, I’m sure) may all at various times be employed in service to the trolling cause.
Glad I could help.