Flaming, also known as
bashing, is
hostile and
insulting interaction between
Internet users, often involving the use of
profanity. Flaming usually occurs in the social context of an
Internet forum,
Internet Relay Chat (IRC),
Usenet, by
e-mail, game servers such as
Xbox Live or
Playstation Network, and on
video-sharing websites. It is frequently the result of the discussion of heated real-world issues such as
politics,
religion, and
philosophy, or of issues that polarise subpopulations, but can also be provoked by seemingly trivial differences.
Deliberate flaming, as opposed to flaming as a result of emotional discussions, is carried out by individuals known as
flamers, who are specifically motivated to incite flaming. These users specialize in flaming and target specific aspects of a controversial conversation, and are usually more subtle than their counterparts. Their counterparts are known as
trolls who are less "professional" and write obvious and blunt remarks to incite a flame war, as opposed to the more subtle, yet precise flamers.
[1] Some websites even cater to flamers and trolls, by allowing them a free environment, such as Flame-Wars forum.
[2]
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