Provrutor

Provrutor is a term that emerged from online communities, particularly on platforms like Reddit, to describe an individual who consistently attempts to provoke or antagonize others through their online posts or comments. The word itself is a portmanteau, combining "prove" and "provocateur," suggesting a deliberate effort to elicit a reaction or argument.

Individuals acting as provrutors often engage in controversial opinions, intentionally inflammatory statements, or bad-faith arguments designed to upset or anger other users. Their motivations can vary widely, ranging from a desire for attention and validation to a more malicious intent to disrupt online discourse or simply to derive amusement from the ensuing conflict. The term is not a formal psychological or sociological classification but rather a descriptive label used within internet subcultures.

Identifying a provrutor typically involves observing a pattern of behavior rather than a single instance. Common tactics include strawman arguments, personal attacks, trolling, and the deliberate misinterpretation of others' viewpoints. Online communities often develop strategies to deal with provrutors, such as ignoring their posts, banning them from forums, or engaging in a calm and rational manner to de-escalate the situation. The effectiveness of these strategies can depend on the specific community and the persistence of the provrutor.