“Could ‘trolling’ be considered improv?”

This question was recently asked of me on Quora. Click HERE to see the article on Quora.

Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference.

Absolutely not.

“Ad-Libbing” is often interpreted or defined as “Improv”, but this would be an incorrect description of Improv, as would be the interchangeability of terms like “riffing”, “free-styling”, or “impromptu”.

Improv in its purest form is a team sport, or activity, where performance art lies at the heart. It involves active listening, collaboration, reacting, and contributing in a meaning way that is in line with what has already been established. Its nature is to build everyone up around you in a positive and supportive manner. The end goal is to edify everyone in the room, as opposed to making one party more self-righteous than the other.

Trolling is a selfish act - one that involves gaslighting, agitation, and sarcasm. It provokes the recipient into engaging earnestly, and exploits their weaknesses in humanity. Though not a performance art, it is “performed” for an audience of one (or a small few), and its goal is to make the recipient seem foolish, while the aggressor(s) become the victor(s).

Trolling is completely opposite from improv in every way except for adapting to one’s immediate situations or surroundings, but with the ultimate goal of making the opposite party feel taken advantage of or violated.

So no. I do not consider “Trolling” to be a form of “Improv”.