Paid Internet Trolls

[Shemaya]

Beyond that, I think garden variety personality distortions and miscommunications are far more common than decided attempts at trolling, at least here. It's much harder to convey one's true intentions via computer screen than it is talking face-to-face. It's super easy for someone who genuinely means well to come off as a dick, or for a comment to take on hurtful undertones that weren't intended. It's harder to achieve the sense of natural empathy that tends to knit differences in personality together in person. 

I agree with you.  On the other hand, the situation on-line creates an energetic space that is useful to recognize your own personal triggers and catalysts.  Because there is less intensity than personal interactions in real life, there is opportunity for real self- examination, asking questions like why does that bother me, what am I feeling, how do I choose to respond.   Then again it can be an escape from dealing with these questions in real life. And it is definitely less risky  than some situations in real life.

I do think there is a fairly frequent appearance of paid trolls though.  Making a living sitting at the computer and messing with people is an easy way to earn money, and allows expression of those infantile behaviors you referred to.  And there are definitely people interested in paying people to do that, there are people highly invested in keeping humanity in spiritual chains. (Archetype 15)