[transient5648]

> Trolling, to me, just aggravates the actual problem: deep socioeconomic/racial/sexual inequities.

Do have to bring that into everything? Online trolling is hardly about inequalities if you can manage minimal information hygiene. The authors analyzed CNN comments which I assume have no realname requirement [I don't actually see any comment section on their page]. Which means you can act with out much identity-signalling at all.

Only when people choose to bring their real-life identity to the table others can bring discrimination into the game. If they don't then "trolling" is just a range of non-constructive or self-serving behaviors that may serve as amusement to some parties while bothering others. It's not like it is unfairly targeting any particular group, because anyone can be a troll and anyone can be a victim.

> anyone here willing to argue that trolling has possibly positive transformative benefits, similar to political satire?

Trolling and satire seem closely related to me. If the target does take it seriously and is mislead by the satire performer then it is both at the same time. https://i.imgur.com/eivlSBa.jpg