Trolling is bad for the community.

As my opponent has laid down no regulations as to the confines and rules of this debate, I will do so myself. The BoP lies on myself as Con, where I must prove that generalized trolling is not harmful to individuals of the "community. " My opponent has left this undefined, so I will assume he means the internet community as a whole. Because he has not specified what type of trolls, or what type of trolling, we must assume it is the kind I exemplified in the previous round: mindless banter used to get a humorous reaction out of another party. The intent was, from the beginning, to type something pointless to receive a humorous reaction. As evidenced by the comments, I achieved my goal. However, no one was harmed when I did so. I simply wrote something meaningless and received the reaction I set out to receive. No offensive comments were made, and no stipulations were set forth at the beginning of the round, so I have effectively proven that trolling is NOT bad for the community, and can even be considered good. Thus, I sufficiently fulfilled the resolution on the negative/con side. However, let's tie back to how trolling can actually benefit others. If the humorous intent is achieved, trolling can be healthy for individuals. Making an individual laugh by achieving that humorous intent can only be beneficial to others. In fact, evidence shows that laughter is good for humans as well. In an article titled "Give Your Body a Boost--With Laughter" by R. Morgan Griffin, he explains how laughter is beneficial. "I believe that if people can get more laughter in their lives, they are a lot better off," says Steve Wilson, MA, CSP, a pyschologist and laugh therapist. "They might be healthier too. " "The effects of laughter and exercise are very similar," says Wilson. "Combining laughter and movement, like waving your arms, is a great way to boost your heart rate. " And laughter appears to burn calories, too. Maciej Buchowski, a researcher from Vanderbilt University, conducted a small study in which he measured the amount of calories expended in laughing. It turned out that 10-15 minutes of laughter burned 50 calories. " [1]In reality, trolling is generally (as stipulated by the resolution confines) done in an effort to get a humorous reaction. When achieved, the obvious follow-up is laughter. That laughter benefits the body as evidenced by the source provided above. Thus, trolling can actually have health benefits for humans. Besides health factors, trolling can also result in laughter that relieves stress. Mayo Clinic released a publication titled "Stress Relief from Laughter? It's No Joke" that explained the stress-relieving ability of laughter. "A good sense of humor can't cure all ailments, but data are mounting about the positive things laughter can do. A good laugh has great short-term effects. When you start to laugh, it doesn't just lighten your load mentally, it actually induces physical changes in your body. Laughter can: stimulate organs, activate and relieve your stress response, [and] sooth tension. Laughter isn't just a quick pick-me-up, though. It's also good for you over the long haul. Laughter may: improve your immune system, relieve pain, increase personal satisfaction, and improve your mood. [Furthermore] many people experience depression, sometimes due to chronic illnesses. Laughter can help lessen your depression and anxiety and make you feel happier. " [2]Besides health benefits coming from laughter that can stem from trolling, the effects of trolling can actually relieve stress and lessen depression. Because trolling causes laughter, people affected by trolling can receive the benefits from laughter. All of these things provided only prove that trolling has no harmful effects and is conversely beneficial to the community. To discuss my opponent's last round, I would like to begin by attacking what my opponent has said. He blatantly stereotypes trolling by saying that it's harmful and people just troll because they don't want hate on trolls. However, we need to understand that not all trolling is the same, and the resolution did not specify. Trolling for the simple intent of a humorous reaction has no harms and is simply that; a lure for humorous reaction. He also claims that trolls don't argue properly and just try to make a joke to keep *their love of trolling. Not so. As I have explained multiple times, trolling is done for the humorous reaction that follows, not just because they don't know how to argue. I believe I have proven that in this rebuttal. Lastly, my opponent says he wins because I went "off topic" and didn't argue correctly. I have two things to say about this. First, how is trolling on a troll topic off topic? If the topic is ALL about trolling, how does trolling NOT pertain to the topic? Secondly, I did argue correcly. I was exemplifying what my opponent thinks is "bad" or "wrong" or "harmful. " In reality, it was only an example to prove that trolling is not harmful. Further, I have now effectively explained my side, and fulfilled the resolution in proving that trolling is not harmful. Thank you. Sources:. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. . [1] . http://www.webmd.com...[2] . http://www.mayoclinic.org...