Interesting that you should say that as I have been wondering about the same thing here and heard bits and pieces that make me think that others are asking as well. Drama seems to get promoted over content more and more often. What's the solution?

The best response against trolls is the hardest: ignore them, and they wither. But that relies on *everyone* to resist responding.

The second best is to call them out on their crap in a calm reasoned manner. This can be hard because a troll will often latch onto *anything* to respond. And well, some trolls will take *any* attention. So the main point is to show their fallacies for what they are, and kill their reputation if any.

It can also depend on the type of troll. The kind that uses sockpuppets can typically be silenced if you figure out their real identity. But that's usually more work than I care to do. And often they'll just make more.

I've trolled a bit myself in places, but I'm bad at it, and my heart's not really in it. Seeing the kind of depths people will sink to is sad.

Strangely, I think the number of people who have done this is less than at many sites. Remember that the poster has the option to delete comments they don't like. Many of us avoid doing that except in extreme cases.

I certainly think at some point they'll have to also have a list for each blogger of people that person doesn't want to permit to post, etc. Or else, as I've suggested, the ability to have a post where only one's own friends can post or where the posts require approval before they appear. There are various ways of managing it. But so far, the level of discourse here has been much higher than at many sites, in spite of the passion involved. Nothing like a literate forum to scare away many trolls.

The question isn't whether it happens, but whether it's worse here than elsewhere, and I think the answer there is a definite no (so far).

I think some of the paranoia comes from how bloggers and trolls both feed off attention (Generally).

Also, a troll doesn't have to be obvious. Though most trolls are bad at it, so they are.

I respect passion. Debating issues, no matter the motivation in bringing them to the table, is healthy.

I never understood trolls or why they seemed to thrive on flamewars and stirring things up. Is it just the fact that they can be anonymous? Do they crave anarchy?

I invited my friend to blog here. It took "them" weeks to do it. "They" (I don't want to reveal gender) got an EP and cover and...trolls. I'm seeing my friend for dinner tomorrow, and we'll probably talk about their first, confusing, dramatic and sort of horrible experience on OS.
On the bright side, many great OS'ers have left great and welcoming comments.