# 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:** 2
**Author:** ![Guinastasia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guinastasia/32/5751_2.png) [@Guinastasia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Guinastasia)\ **Post date:** [January 24, 2013, 5:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-couple-of-innocent-sdmb-questions/648176/21 "2013-01-24T05:09:02Z")
It’s not disagreeing. It’s the way you express your disagreement. ---
**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, 5:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-couple-of-innocent-sdmb-questions/648176/22 "2013-01-24T05:16:48Z")
> [@Guinastasia](#): > > It’s not disagreeing. It’s the way you express your disagreement. I think I’m polite, relatively speaking. Yes I’ve become rude and/or condescending, but only in response to receiving that treatment myself. In one thread when I asked the admin via PM about a warning, I was told my tone was the issue. In that thread someone referred to me as a retard multiple times (just for posting the initial disagreeing post) and other posters had similar attitudes, yet I got the warning. There are definitely posters less polite than I am. I’ve put people on ignore and/or unsubscribed from threads when they’ve become too upsetting, but I don’t like to do that every time because it DOES look troll-like to create an argument then leave the thread. ---
**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, 5:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-couple-of-innocent-sdmb-questions/648176/23 "2013-01-24T05:18:08Z")
> [@Guinastasia](#): > > It’s not disagreeing. It’s the way you express your disagreement. To be perfectly candid, I don’t for one nanosecond believe that this is unclear to the OP. ---
**Author:** ![Giraffe](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/giraffe/32/129_2.png) [@Giraffe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Giraffe)\ **Post date:** [January 24, 2013, 5:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-couple-of-innocent-sdmb-questions/648176/24 "2013-01-24T05:20:23Z")
> [@Sevencl](#): > > 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? You are allowed to disagree. I hope this clears everything up for you. ---
**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, 5:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-couple-of-innocent-sdmb-questions/648176/25 "2013-01-24T05:24:34Z")
> [@splatterpunk](#): > > To be perfectly candid, I don’t for one nanosecond believe that this is unclear to the OP. Well it is. I think I express myself reasonably, better than some and worse than others. I don’t think I’m particularly unusual in how I post, and people are much ruder than me with no provocation on a regular basis. And if I really was just out to piss people off, I’d be having the time of my life in the pit. ---
**Author:** ![Guinastasia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guinastasia/32/5751_2.png) [@Guinastasia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Guinastasia)\ **Post date:** [January 24, 2013, 5:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-couple-of-innocent-sdmb-questions/648176/26 "2013-01-24T05:49:08Z")
The problem is, you have an “I’m right, everyone else is wrong, that’s that” attitude, which quite frankly, pisses people off. **splatterpunk** – obviously. ---
**Author:** ![tomndebb](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/b9e5f3/32.png) [@tomndebb](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tomndebb)\ **Post date:** [January 24, 2013, 5:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-couple-of-innocent-sdmb-questions/648176/27 "2013-01-24T05:50:44Z")
> [@Sevencl](#): > > I In one thread when I asked the admin via PM about a warning, I was told my tone was the issue. In that thread someone referred to me as a retard multiple times (just for posting the initial disagreeing post) and other posters had similar attitudes, yet I got the warning. The [only other Warning](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showpost.php?p=15916773&postcount=65) you have received, occurred in a thread where the word “retard” does not even appear. (You might want to pay more attention to your assertions before you post them.) On the other hand, in that thread, a number of people took both sides of the issue, but you were the only one who insisted on describing the issue in the most repulsive terms while stating that anyone who favored the idea that you opposed should die a horrible death, [the statement for which you were actually Warned](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showpost.php?p=15916866&postcount=67). (And you managed to avoid the other Warning you should have incurred for name-calling because we generally go for the more important infraction when several occur close together.) Lots of people have disagreed in threads–that is pretty much what happens in Great Debates–but your posts have been strikingly nasty. ---
**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, 5:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-couple-of-innocent-sdmb-questions/648176/28 "2013-01-24T05:54:36Z")
> [@tomndebb](#): > > The only other Warning you have received, occurred in a thread where the word “retard” does not even appear. (You might want to pay more attention to your assertions before you post them.) I’m talking about this thread: [Bad tipping AND conservative nonsense? Straight Dopers, assemble! - Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share - Straight Dope Message Board](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=678135) Assuming you mean the organ “donation” thread, I’m perfectly entitled to talk about it in the vile terms people complained about. I’m entitled to my opinion that switching to opt out is all the strong terms I used about it, and I’m entitled to express that opinion. The fact you think that opinion is too strong doesn’t make that opinion 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, 5:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-couple-of-innocent-sdmb-questions/648176/29 "2013-01-24T05:55:45Z")
> [@Guinastasia](#): > > The problem is, you have an “I’m right, everyone else is wrong, that’s that” attitude, which quite frankly, pisses people off. That’s not unusual for this board. ---
**Author:** ![Giraffe](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/giraffe/32/129_2.png) [@Giraffe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Giraffe)\ **Post date:** [January 24, 2013, 6:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-couple-of-innocent-sdmb-questions/648176/30 "2013-01-24T06:53:45Z")
> [@Sevencl](#): > > That’s not unusual for this board. Based on your long experience with it? :dubious: ---
**Author:** ![zweisamkeit](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/zweisamkeit/32/4360_2.png) [@zweisamkeit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/zweisamkeit)\ **Post date:** [January 24, 2013, 7:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-couple-of-innocent-sdmb-questions/648176/31 "2013-01-24T07:05:36Z")
> [@Giraffe](#): > > Based on your long experience with it? :dubious: SHE LURKED FOR YEARS, OK??? Gosh!! ---
**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, 7:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-couple-of-innocent-sdmb-questions/648176/32 "2013-01-24T07:42:55Z")
> [@Sevencl](#): > > I’m talking about this thread: [Bad tipping AND conservative nonsense? Straight Dopers, assemble! - Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share - Straight Dope Message Board](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=678135) > > Assuming you mean the organ “donation” thread, **I’m perfectly entitled to talk about it in the vile terms people complained about.** I’m entitled to my opinion that switching to opt out is all the strong terms I used about it, and I’m entitled to express that opinion. The fact you think that opinion is too strong doesn’t make that opinion trolling. Not here your not. We all have to follow the registration agreement. LOTS of people get warned for breaking the agreement, it’s not just you. ---
**Author:** ![gracer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/8e7dd6/32.png) [@gracer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gracer)\ **Post date:** [January 24, 2013, 11:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-couple-of-innocent-sdmb-questions/648176/33 "2013-01-24T11:05:11Z")
Personally I don’t mind a bit when you express your opinion in strong terms. I’ve never seen you swear, or go ad hominem. Maybe you have, but I haven’t seen it. And the board is pretty much about sharing all our crazy opinions, I appreciate some of your whackier contributions 🙂 The only thing that can sometimes be a little problematic, and I’ve seen you do this a few times I think, though not many, is that you can take a discussion and turn it one particular direction. That derails the thread. People come in hoping to discuss what they read in the title, and it turns out it’s a different discussion of you against the others. This is absolutely not _purely_ your fault, obviously the others are accommodating. And I understand you read a response, then you have to respond back (not doing so is equally rude). But sometimes it just isn’t conducive to the discussion. ---
**Author:** ![WhyNot](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/c77e96/32.png) [@WhyNot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WhyNot)\ **Post date:** [January 24, 2013, 11:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-couple-of-innocent-sdmb-questions/648176/34 "2013-01-24T11:42:34Z")
Disagreeing is not trolling. Trolling, like porn, is something we each know when we see it, although, again like porn, we may disagree that any individual example is that. If you want to get a feel for what trolling feels like on this board, lurk more. Then try posting. If you’re still accused of trolling, stop posting and lurk more. Then try posting again. Lather, rinse, repeat. Trolling is not something we can give a clear identification or prevention rubric for. I used to think we could, and that unlabeled insincerity to create an emotional reaction was that rubric, but that’s clearly not adequate. One can troll without being insincere\*, I now believe. It’s just something you have to grok through exposure, and it means different things on different boards. \*For example: I sincerely believe that infant formula should be available by prescription only for a documented medical need and thought of and paid for by insurance as a medical intervention, in exactly the same way insulin is for a diabetic: a lifesaving but inferior substitute for the natural process. I can sometimes, depending on the thread, say that here and it’s not trolling. On a support board of new mothers, it’s probably going to be trolling in any thread. ---
**Author:** ![AClockworkMelon](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aclockworkmelon/32/10803_2.png) [@AClockworkMelon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AClockworkMelon)\ **Post date:** [January 24, 2013, 12:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-couple-of-innocent-sdmb-questions/648176/35 "2013-01-24T12:08:40Z")
> [@WhyNot](#): > > Disagreeing is not trolling. Trolling, like porn, is something we each know when we see it, although, again like porn, we may disagree that any individual example is that. I don’t think the OP is a troll. To slightly alter a quote by Jon Lovitz: “The OP’s not a troll. And the sky isn’t blue. Grass isn’t green, And I’m not a Jew.” ---
**Author:** ![John\_Mace](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/john_mace/32/185_2.png) [@John\_Mace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_Mace)\ **Post date:** [January 24, 2013, 2:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-couple-of-innocent-sdmb-questions/648176/36 "2013-01-24T14:37:59Z")
> [@White SIFL](#): > > 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. Just wait, My Pretty. You’re time will come!! 😉 ---
**Author:** ![John\_Mace](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/john_mace/32/185_2.png) [@John\_Mace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_Mace)\ **Post date:** [January 24, 2013, 2:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-couple-of-innocent-sdmb-questions/648176/37 "2013-01-24T14:48:07Z")
People throw around the term “troll” too much here. Lots of people actually do believe really stupid stuff. ---
**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, 3:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-couple-of-innocent-sdmb-questions/648176/38 "2013-01-24T15:10:01Z")
Merged threads. ---
**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, 3:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-couple-of-innocent-sdmb-questions/648176/39 "2013-01-24T15:14:00Z")
> [@John\_Mace](#): > > Just wait, My Pretty. You’re time will come!! 😉 Darn! I knew I should have kept a lower profile. Now it seems I’ve made “The List”. ---
**Author:** ![VinylTurnip](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/b2d939/32.png) [@VinylTurnip](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/VinylTurnip)\ **Post date:** [January 24, 2013, 3:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-couple-of-innocent-sdmb-questions/648176/40 "2013-01-24T15:17:17Z")
> [@Rhythmdvl](#): > > Your experience in general or your experience of the past 20+ days on this Board in particular? Hey, some new posters really hit the ground running. Adapt and learn with remarkable speed, instinctively know which topics will spark vigorous debate, and generally demonstrate a familiarity that at first blush suggests a much longer history with the board than their join date would indicate. Savants, we should be calling them, rather than trolls. We have much… well, it’s just impressive, is all. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-couple-of-innocent-sdmb-questions/648176.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-couple-of-innocent-sdmb-questions/648176.md?page=3)