The problem is that the "trolls" are quite often not, in fact, kicked off. Their death and rape threats are called "humor" and people often protest the kicking-

The problem is that the "trolls" are quite often not, in fact, kicked off. Their death and rape threats are called "humor" and people often protest the kicking-off as censorship. And that's not even mentioning the effect on the victims. Have you ever had to deal with a constant stream of people describing how they're going to torture and kill you in graphic detail? They are VERY MUCH poisoning the discussion, and we often let them. And I really, really don't see any difference whatsoever between the two things you mention in your last paragraph. Definitely none.