It's a slow trickle. It's like the research that was done into gambling addicts. The majority of dopamine doesn't come from winning. The majority of it comes from the anticipation. Or in our case. Writing out a long comment that no one else will read.

[–] baldingpudenda@lemmy.world 3 points 6 hours ago (1 children)

Is THAT why I write a long response and then just delete instead of sending my reply?

[–] cazssiew@lemmy.world 1 points 2 hours ago

Correct me if I'm wrong, but I think that means you're unlikely to become addicted. You've course-corrected mid-post and now you're anticipating that the argument will be futile. A dopamine fiend would forge ahead hoping for some great win.

[–] Blue_Morpho@lemmy.world 11 points 9 hours ago (1 children)

It doesn't mean you feel euphoric. It's more like a reinforcement. -an addiction.

[–] oddlyqueer@lemmy.ml 4 points 7 hours ago (1 children)

I know I was being flippant. What I mean is, the few (several...) times I've gotten into internet arguments I am always drained and unhappy and profoundly do not want to do it anymore, even if I am arguing over sincerely held beliefs. I guess I can see why trolling can be addictive, eliciting engagement is a kind of power over people, and power is addictive. And arguing over things I don't care about probably takes a lot less emotional investment than things I do care about... I feel like I'm talking myself into being an internet troll. Still though, seems like a miserable way to get your rocks off :/

[–] bizarroland@lemmy.world 2 points 5 hours ago

Yeah, typically when someone is trolling, they're doing it just to piss off the other person. Like, Bugs Bunny doesn't get worn out from torturing Elmer Fudd.

He stays bright and chipper and sassy the whole time while Elmer Fudd edges closer and closer to the aneurysm that will finally send him to hell.

It's because the only dog he has in the fight is you