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 | This page in a nutshell: If you witness a troll in action against another user, do not engage. |
A common method of provocation utilized bytrolls is to write an unsavory message on a target user's talk page, or somewhere similar where said user is destined to see it. The best response to this would be torevert, block, ignore, but less experienced users may instead engage with the troll, giving them the emotional response and the recognition which they so desire. This is commonly referred to asfeeding the troll.
It might be tempting to join forces with the user and take on the troll together, but "troll food" is for trolls, not Wikipedians. The troll might try to eatyou if you attempt to eat their meal. Instead,deny recognition anddo not insult the vandal; let them pound sand—an act of futility, with sand being impervious to change.[1] Give the user a gentle push towardsWikipedia:Requests for administrator attention, or file an appropriate request yourself on their behalf.
To quote American juristAlex Kozinski, in a judicial opinion castigating two parties for trumping up allegations ofdefamation against each other when their underlying conflict was a simple trademark dispute, "the parties are advised to chill".