I noticed I had three different ideas for "troll" related articles laying around. That would be a bit excessive. Instead I'll just briefly comment on them in a single article. (Thus denying myself three times the points. Maybe I'm not such a point ho after all.)

Finally a Use for the Troll Feature!

        Yes, I have started "troll buttoning" people. Some people just deserve it. When a person's entire "contribution" to a conversation consists of insulting everyone else at the table, something needs done. So while in my original article about the troll feature on JU I stated "I see no real use for this feature" I have finally found a purpose for it. If nothing else the ability to brand someone a troll gives us a sense we can do something about a bad situation. We regular users don't have any real power here. This gives us some. When a person is being an absolute orifice, we can do something to them. (Despite that, I'd still rather see it go.)

The Definition of a Troll

        I think the definition of "troll" has become far too relaxed. It's reached the point here where anyone can be called a troll for anything. To me a troll was someone who came in making insulting and abusive remarks for the sole purpose of inciting contentious response. (See, I can do "overwrought" too.) Basically they made inflammatory remarks so they could get off on upsetting people.
        People are too quick to jump on the troll button. Lately I see people accusing people of trolling just because they were disagreed with. Sincere disagreement -- even strongly stated sincere disagreement -- does not qualify as trolling. Some people are yelling troll at anything less than "You are just the most brilliant writer who ever lived." A person misunderstanding or misreading what you said does not qualify as trolling. A humorous aside (even if it misses the target) is not necessarily trolling. Failing to meet your definition of advancing the conversation -- including asking for clarification, or wishing to elaborate on a point already made in the article -- should not qualify as trolling. I've seen people leave poorly worded responses that show no intent of inflaming passions that erupt into brawls. Other times some imagined failure to jump through all a bloggers etiquette hoops results in scathing rebuke. We can't read your minds, people! You're mixing with many different societies and cultures here. Show a little understanding and restraint!
        Please, people, let's give everyone the benefit of the doubt. Give people a pass on the first comment. Try to understand them. Only if they continue making seemingly offensive remarks or "up the ante" go to the trolling accusation. Twice is enough to establish an accusation of troll, but first comments are too easily misunderstood. Unless of course the first comment is "You are the stupidest &%$#* on the ^&%@#@ planet, you pathetic moronic lump of infected camel puss." I think that could safely be defined as trolling.
        Personal insults are trolling and are never acceptable. Stick to ideas. Unfortunately there can be a gray area on what is a personal insult/attack. Sometimes what is mere analysis on what was said can be construed as a personal attack. Some people see "Hello" as a personal attack. Not a lot you can do there but make a very wide circle when you see them coming. In this case, blacklist them and don't read their blogs. Simple.
        Frankly some of the accusations of trolling rise to trolling themselves. They are more trolls than the people they accuse.

Some People Deserve to be Trolled

        Just as some people deserve to be troll buttoned, others deserve to be trolled. Some pompous, egotistical, "superior," I'm-God's-gift-to-the-world jerks' blogs serve no other purpose than self aggrandizement and proclamation to the world of how fantastic they are and inferior you are. Since their ideas are about themselves any comment would be as well. Instant getting personal. It qualifies as trolling.
        I've been troll buttoned. Since I've never intentionally set out to insult or inflame anyone I don't get why. Sometimes I ponder what I could have written to incite such harsh judgment. Other times who did it and what set them off is more obvious than lip stick on a dog. Especially when they decide to "insult you back" even though you never said anything derogatory about them in the first place. They can start a troll cascade. They just invite retaliation. Since they launched the first insult, they make return volley justified. Trolling by troll accusation. Maybe we should call it "the Reverse Troll." This is where the "I know I shouldn't but what the hell" taking a whack comes in. If I'm going to be accused of it, I may as well do it!
        That's about the only time trolling is accepted by the community. It can even become a group activity. If they happen to take on one of the regulars, or a top tener they are assured of getting many troll ratings against them from their victims' supporters and regular readers. There's a reason some people on this site exist in a state of perpetual negative points. But of course a troll deserves to be trolled. That's their whole philosophy. That's what they want. To give in to the temptation, no matter how satisfying, is probably to lose. It's best to just hit the troll button and stay above the fray.