Originally the term "troll" was just a mindless derogatory cliche for someone you don't like, like the term "witch" in the middle ages. Then I started to use the word in a humorous self-deprecating manner, because I spend a lot of time arguing on socialist forums, where they obviously call all libertarians "trolls", and because I look like a mythological troll-like creature in real life. (Really, I do. Most pictures of trolls you see are drawn from my likeness.) The concept then evolved further and melded with my concept of a heroic "Truther" who seeks to fill all gaps of knowledge, particularly the ones that are the most politically inconvenient. Also similar is the concept of a
social "gadfly" exemplified by Socrates - another derogatory term turned on its head.
And for the purposes of this thread, it's whoever is nominated and then gets the most votes.