# A Couple Of (Innocent) SDMB Questions **URL:** \ **Category:** About This Message Board\ **Created:** [January 24, 2013, 2:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-couple-of-innocent-sdmb-questions/648176 "2013-01-24T02:50:02Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Quasimodem](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/e274bd/32.png) [@Quasimodem](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Quasimodem)\ **Post date:** [January 24, 2013, 2:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-couple-of-innocent-sdmb-questions/648176/1 "2013-01-24T02:50:02Z")
_Maybe_ you can consider them sarcastic, but they aren’t intended that way. 1. What is required from a 1st time poster to not be referred to as a “troll”? 2. Once you rip someone (or someone rips _you_) a new one in the Pit, do you then keep a list to remind you not to be nice to them in the future, or do you just put them on total “ignore”? Thanks Q ---
**Author:** ![Sevencl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/d9b06d/32.png) [@Sevencl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sevencl)\ **Post date:** [January 24, 2013, 3:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-couple-of-innocent-sdmb-questions/648176/2 "2013-01-24T03:05:52Z")
First question - don’t disagree with consensus (this goes for everyone forever, not just first time posters). You are a troll if you disagree with popular beliefs. ---
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [January 24, 2013, 3:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-couple-of-innocent-sdmb-questions/648176/3 "2013-01-24T03:15:27Z")
> [@Sevencl](#): > > First question - don’t disagree with consensus (this goes for everyone forever, not just first time posters). You are a troll if you disagree with popular beliefs. Not at all. Got a cite for being labeled a troll _just_ for disagreeing? ---
**Author:** ![Marley23](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@Marley23](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marley23)\ **Post date:** [January 24, 2013, 3:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-couple-of-innocent-sdmb-questions/648176/4 "2013-01-24T03:17:13Z")
> [@Quasimodem](#): > > 1. What is required from a 1st time poster to not be referred to as a “troll”? The word does get thrown around a lot, but someone who makes a bad first impression is likely to be accused of trolling. A poster who joins the board and almost immediately gets into a fight about some controversial issue (or a bunch of them) or is seen to be taking extreme positions, there’s a decent chance someone will say you’re a troll. A new poster who eases in, makes an effort to get to know the board and comes off as reasonable is less likely to be accused of trolling. ---
**Author:** ![Sevencl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/d9b06d/32.png) [@Sevencl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sevencl)\ **Post date:** [January 24, 2013, 3:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-couple-of-innocent-sdmb-questions/648176/5 "2013-01-24T03:22:22Z")
> [@Czarcasm](#): > > Not at all. Got a cite for being labeled a troll _just_ for disagreeing? You’ve seen it happen and you know it, so I’m not going to bother digging up examples. If you’re going to pretend it doesn’t happen I’m going to think **you’re** trolling. ---
**Author:** ![Sevencl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/d9b06d/32.png) [@Sevencl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sevencl)\ **Post date:** [January 24, 2013, 3:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-couple-of-innocent-sdmb-questions/648176/6 "2013-01-24T03:27:43Z")
> [@Marley23](#): > > makes an effort to get to know the board and comes off as reasonable is less likely to be accused of trolling. In practical terms, “get to know the board” and “come off as reasonable” mean “learn and profess to agree with consensus, or keep your mouth shut if you disagree” to many people here. ---
**Author:** ![Marley23](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@Marley23](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marley23)\ **Post date:** [January 24, 2013, 3:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-couple-of-innocent-sdmb-questions/648176/7 "2013-01-24T03:33:01Z")
> [@Sevencl](#): > > In practical terms, “get to know the board” and “come off as reasonable” mean “learn and profess to agree with consensus, or keep your mouth shut if you disagree” to many people here. To a few, maybe. But not to most. For most posters it’s not about agreeing and disagreeing so much as it is about picking fights and being strident. ---
**Author:** ![Gary\_Robson](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gary_robson/32/3448_2.png) [@Gary\_Robson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gary_Robson)\ **Post date:** [January 24, 2013, 3:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-couple-of-innocent-sdmb-questions/648176/8 "2013-01-24T03:34:28Z")
> [@Quasimodem](#): > > 1. Once you rip someone (or someone rips _you_) a new one in the Pit, do you then keep a list to remind you not to be nice to them in the future, or do you just put them on total “ignore”? Personally, I’d just ignore that thread. Eventually, I’ll forget who that was I got into it with, and we’ll probably find some other situation where we get along fine. Either that or we’ll get into it again and _then_ I’ll remember them. Disclaimer: As a mod, I’m not allowed to put people on ignore, so your results may vary. ---
**Author:** ![Inner\_Stickler](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/inner_stickler/32/318_2.png) [@Inner\_Stickler](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Inner_Stickler)\ **Post date:** [January 24, 2013, 3:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-couple-of-innocent-sdmb-questions/648176/9 "2013-01-24T03:37:32Z")
Every thread’s a new opportunity and I have no problems arguing with someone in the Pit and sharing cuddly stories or whatever with them in MPSIMs an hour later. ---
**Author:** ![Gary\_Robson](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gary_robson/32/3448_2.png) [@Gary\_Robson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gary_Robson)\ **Post date:** [January 24, 2013, 3:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-couple-of-innocent-sdmb-questions/648176/10 "2013-01-24T03:47:57Z")
> [@Inner\_Stickler](#): > > Every thread’s a new opportunity and I have no problems arguing with someone in the Pit and sharing cuddly stories or whatever with them in MPSIMs an hour later. Well said. ---
**Author:** ![zoid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/zoid/32/336_2.png) [@zoid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/zoid)\ **Post date:** [January 24, 2013, 3:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-couple-of-innocent-sdmb-questions/648176/11 "2013-01-24T03:58:20Z")
> [@Sevencl](#): > > First question - don’t disagree with consensus (this goes for everyone forever, not just first time posters). You are a troll if you disagree with popular beliefs. Or if you’re overtly argumentative in every single thread you post to and then accuse the entire board of groupthink. That would do it. ---
**Author:** ![Sevencl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/d9b06d/32.png) [@Sevencl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sevencl)\ **Post date:** [January 24, 2013, 4:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-couple-of-innocent-sdmb-questions/648176/12 "2013-01-24T04:00:47Z")
> [@zoid](#): > > Or if you’re overtly argumentative in every single thread you post to and then accuse the entire board of groupthink. That would do it. Well, disagreeing tends to lead to arguments, so yeah, someone who disagrees is probably going to be seen as “overtly argumentative” and therefore trolling. Hence, never disagree with consensus. ---
**Author:** ![Colibri](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/colibri/32/1841_2.png) [@Colibri](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Colibri)\ **Post date:** [January 24, 2013, 4:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-couple-of-innocent-sdmb-questions/648176/13 "2013-01-24T04:06:21Z")
> [@Sevencl](#): > > Well, disagreeing tends to lead to arguments, so yeah, someone who disagrees is probably going to be seen as “overtly argumentative” and therefore trolling. Hence, never disagree with consensus. There are plenty of people here who don’t agree with the consensus and who aren’t considered to be trolls. Just disagreeing does not get you labelled a troll; it’s how you go about it. ---
**Author:** ![Sevencl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/d9b06d/32.png) [@Sevencl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sevencl)\ **Post date:** [January 24, 2013, 4:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-couple-of-innocent-sdmb-questions/648176/14 "2013-01-24T04:12:26Z")
> [@Colibri](#): > > There are plenty of people here who don’t agree with the consensus and who aren’t considered to be trolls. Just disagreeing does not get you labelled a troll; it’s how you go about it. Hasn’t been my experience, nor my observation. ---
**Author:** ![Rhythmdvl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/85f322/32.png) [@Rhythmdvl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rhythmdvl)\ **Post date:** [January 24, 2013, 4:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-couple-of-innocent-sdmb-questions/648176/15 "2013-01-24T04:30:29Z")
Your experience in general or your experience of the past 20+ days on this Board in particular? ---
**Author:** ![Colibri](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/colibri/32/1841_2.png) [@Colibri](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Colibri)\ **Post date:** [January 24, 2013, 4:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-couple-of-innocent-sdmb-questions/648176/16 "2013-01-24T04:40:58Z")
> [@Sevencl](#): > > Hasn’t been my experience, nor my observation. How you’ve been received here has not been based solely on the fact that you have disagreed with people. If you are unaware of that, then your observational skills are evidently at fault. ---
**Author:** ![Sevencl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/d9b06d/32.png) [@Sevencl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sevencl)\ **Post date:** [January 24, 2013, 4:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-couple-of-innocent-sdmb-questions/648176/17 "2013-01-24T04:47:36Z")
So I’ve noticed a lot of people here will accuse me of trolling if I disagree with the consensus. I’ll post my disagreement and why I disagree, people respond and an argument ensues. I just got a warning for “trolling” and “hijacking” because of this . So I want to be clear on what the rule is. Are you allowed to disagree, but not respond when people argue with your disagreement? Are you not allowed to disagree at all? Are you allowed to disagree until someone accuses you of trolling, at which point you’re meant to go “you caught me, I never really believed my opinion, I only posted it and a long explanation of my rationale to piss you off, because I derive enjoyment from that”? So what is the rule? If you ARE allowed to disagree AND then engage in an argument/debate, at what point does it become trolling? ---
**Author:** ![Lucas\_Jackson](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lucas_jackson/32/303_2.png) [@Lucas\_Jackson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lucas_Jackson)\ **Post date:** [January 24, 2013, 4:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-couple-of-innocent-sdmb-questions/648176/18 "2013-01-24T04:48:44Z")
> [@Sevencl](#): > > Hasn’t been my experience, nor my observation. I disagree. 😉 Seriously though, I’ve lurked a bit but I’m a new poster here. I’ve posted in several forums and even disagreed with a moderator in the pit and I didn’t get called a troll nor did I notice anyone getting upset during the conversation. ---
**Author:** ![Sevencl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/d9b06d/32.png) [@Sevencl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sevencl)\ **Post date:** [January 24, 2013, 4:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-couple-of-innocent-sdmb-questions/648176/19 "2013-01-24T04:50:50Z")
Seems like it to me. I’m pretty damn polite by the standards of this board (until someone else gets abusive or condescending anyway), so it’s not like I provoke people. All I do is disagree and get accused of trolling and/or hijacking. Also, this is an example of the catch 22 that seems to exist on this site. I’m aware that we’re moving away from the original topic, but it’s not my fault that people are addressing things like this to me, so I can either ignore those posts and look like I agree, or respond and look like I’m trying to hijack. So what the fuck do I do? And this is a **mod** creating a hijack, but I’m pretty sure I’ll be the one to get the blame for it. ---
**Author:** ![splatterpunk](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/3be4f8/32.png) [@splatterpunk](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/splatterpunk)\ **Post date:** [January 24, 2013, 5:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-couple-of-innocent-sdmb-questions/648176/20 "2013-01-24T05:02:00Z")
**Disagreeing = trolling?** No. Anything else? [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-couple-of-innocent-sdmb-questions/648176.md?page=2)