Colloquially, something desirable meant to lure targets into a
trap, e.g. food on a
fish-hook.
In the context of
online discussion, it refers to poorly articulated and inflammatory opinions posted for the sole purpose of angering and provoking a response. The actual validity of the arguments exchanged is completely irrelevant, though baiters will often open with very
poor arguments to tempt targets into an obvious rebuttal.
It's a powerful form of double bind, because:
1) Ignoring the bait makes you look like you're capitulating and "have no good response".
2) Answering aggressively opens you up to mockery about being
butthurt or defensive.
3) Any
calm, coherent response will be ignored, and might lead the baiter to escalate their provocation.
Regardless of how you react, these discussions are deliberately meant to waste your time and energy.
- "I can't believe how stupid this
guy is, he's completely misrepresenting my position and-"
- "
Dude, it's clearly bait. Let it
go."