# An open letter to the current infestation of trolls and socks **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [September 16, 2001, 7:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/an-open-letter-to-the-current-infestation-of-trolls-and-socks/82005 "2001-09-16T19:38:21Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Smeghead](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/f1d935/32.png) [@Smeghead](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Smeghead)\ **Post date:** [September 16, 2001, 7:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/an-open-letter-to-the-current-infestation-of-trolls-and-socks/82005/1 "2001-09-16T19:38:21Z")
Do you have any idea how tiresome you are? We’re all fully aware that it is possible to register mulitple screen names. We just don’t give a flying shit. We’re not impressed with your rebelliousness. We don’t feel sorry for you. We aren’t outraged at how you’ve been oppressed. We just don’t give a shit about you. Please get over your delusion that you are some sort of noble freedom fighters daring to be the voice of warning in the face of an oppressive regime. You’re not. You’re irritating. Nothing more. I know the best policy is ignoring them, but I’m in a really rotten mood right now and need to vent. Mods, if this thread shows any signs of making the problem worse, please lock it. Thank you. I’m feeling better already. ---
**Author:** ![dropzone](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dropzone/32/7515_2.png) [@dropzone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dropzone)\ **Post date:** [September 16, 2001, 7:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/an-open-letter-to-the-current-infestation-of-trolls-and-socks/82005/2 "2001-09-16T19:40:31Z")
I’d be agreeing with you except these kids are so tiresome and so far beneath my contempt that it isn’t worth the trouble. They bore me. ---
**Author:** ![Arden\_Ranger](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/b487fb/32.png) [@Arden\_Ranger](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Arden_Ranger)\ **Post date:** [September 16, 2001, 7:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/an-open-letter-to-the-current-infestation-of-trolls-and-socks/82005/3 "2001-09-16T19:58:01Z")
> [@](#): > > Please get over your delusion that you are some sort of noble freedom fighters daring to be the voice of warning in the face of an oppressive regime. You’re not. You’re irritating. Nothing more. Very much so. ---
**Author:** ![Fenris](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fenris/32/498_2.png) [@Fenris](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fenris)\ **Post date:** [September 16, 2001, 8:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/an-open-letter-to-the-current-infestation-of-trolls-and-socks/82005/4 "2001-09-16T20:02:40Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Arden Ranger \* > \*\* > > > [@](#): > > > > Please get over your delusion that you are some sort of noble freedom fighters daring to be the voice of warning in the face of an oppressive regime. You’re not. You’re irritating. Nothing more. > > Very much so. \*\* I disagree. Irritating is way too strong of a word. For me, dull would be far more accurate. Tedious. Tiresome. Oh well. If I had any doubts that this person or persons were pathetic losers, the fact that they’re doing it right now has confirmed it for me. Anyway, great message **Smeg**! Fenris ---
**Author:** ![TV\_time](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/f17d59/32.png) [@TV\_time](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TV_time)\ **Post date:** [September 16, 2001, 9:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/an-open-letter-to-the-current-infestation-of-trolls-and-socks/82005/5 "2001-09-16T21:14:10Z")
I echo the sentiment. ---
**Author:** ![iampunha](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/74df32/32.png) [@iampunha](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/iampunha)\ **Post date:** [September 16, 2001, 10:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/an-open-letter-to-the-current-infestation-of-trolls-and-socks/82005/6 "2001-09-16T22:34:36Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Fenris \* > I disagree. Irritating is way too strong of a word. For me, dull would be far more accurate. Tedious. Tiresome. If I may be permitted to quote myself: > [@](#): > > ignorable annoyance. That pretty much sums up my position on the SDMB equivalent of Fallens. Now, to go find that Shaman . . . ---
**Author:** ![Stoid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/stoid/32/272_2.png) [@Stoid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stoid)\ **Post date:** [September 17, 2001, 6:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/an-open-letter-to-the-current-infestation-of-trolls-and-socks/82005/7 "2001-09-17T06:21:09Z")
Tedious is the perfect word. The minute I realize it’s a troll, my eyes glaze over and I move on, never to note their existance again. stoid ---
**Author:** ![Kyomara](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/8edcca/32.png) [@Kyomara](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kyomara)\ **Post date:** [September 17, 2001, 7:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/an-open-letter-to-the-current-infestation-of-trolls-and-socks/82005/8 "2001-09-17T07:19:05Z")
It seems to me that most of the people being accused of being “trolls” haven’t really done anything wrong except stated opinions that piss off a bunch of really heated up individuals. The U.S. is in a state of crisis. Suddenly people aren’t allowed to speak freely anymore? I haven’t seen any trolls so far. Just a lot of dumb chest beating and jingoistic bullshit in response to a few people whose opinions don’t mesh with the majority. ---
**Author:** ![aegypt](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/76d3ee/32.png) [@aegypt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aegypt)\ **Post date:** [September 17, 2001, 8:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/an-open-letter-to-the-current-infestation-of-trolls-and-socks/82005/9 "2001-09-17T08:29:45Z")
I think we need to distinguish between genuine trolls (and yes, there have been a few of these lately) and people who just have an opinion somebody disagrees with. Does anybody disagree with the following definition of a troll? **Troll**._v.,n. To utter a posting on Usenet designed to attract predictable responses or flames; or, the post itself. Derives from the phrase “trolling for newbies” which in turn comes from mainstream “trolling”, a style of fishing in which one trails bait through a likely spot hoping for a bite. The well-constructed troll is a post that induces lots of newbies and flamers to make themselves look even more clueless than they already do, while subtly conveying to the more savvy and experienced that it is in fact a deliberate troll. If you don’t fall for the joke, you get to be in on it._ ---
**Author:** ![Francesca](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/9fc348/32.png) [@Francesca](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Francesca)\ **Post date:** [September 17, 2001, 10:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/an-open-letter-to-the-current-infestation-of-trolls-and-socks/82005/10 "2001-09-17T10:37:49Z")
I think that definition gives them too much credit. Subtle? Savvy? I don’t think I’ve ever seen a troll that was either of those things. Trolls always make me think of 14-year-olds, stuck in their room and whining about their oppressive fascist parents who just won’t let them do _anything_ man and it’s, like, so unfair and oppressive and no-one understands. Trolling is like messing up the room just to piss off the parents - it’s childish and obvious and laughable to everyone else. ---
**Author:** ![TwistofFate](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/cdc98d/32.png) [@TwistofFate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TwistofFate)\ **Post date:** [September 17, 2001, 11:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/an-open-letter-to-the-current-infestation-of-trolls-and-socks/82005/11 "2001-09-17T11:15:37Z")
They’re the messageboard ( and intellectual ) equivalent of toe cheese. ---
**Author:** ![Jonathan\_Chance](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jonathan_chance/32/701_2.png) [@Jonathan\_Chance](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jonathan_Chance)\ **Post date:** [September 17, 2001, 12:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/an-open-letter-to-the-current-infestation-of-trolls-and-socks/82005/12 "2001-09-17T12:45:21Z")
Hmm Spend the weekend cleaning your mother-in-laws house and apparently you miss everything. Huh? ---
**Author:** ![Damhna](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/3bc359/32.png) [@Damhna](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Damhna)\ **Post date:** [September 17, 2001, 1:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/an-open-letter-to-the-current-infestation-of-trolls-and-socks/82005/13 "2001-09-17T13:15:09Z")
**Smeeeeg…smoooggg…smmmmeeeeg…hiiid** [/protocol module disengaged] **Smeghead** The only thing more predictable than the occasional occurance of trolls and puppets is the fact that they will eventually get someone vexed enough to start a thread like this. Let it go … …and they will. ---
**Author:** ![naughty\_wicked\_zoot](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/ecd19e/32.png) [@naughty\_wicked\_zoot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/naughty_wicked_zoot)\ **Post date:** [September 17, 2001, 8:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/an-open-letter-to-the-current-infestation-of-trolls-and-socks/82005/14 "2001-09-17T20:11:42Z")
ok, i’m a little confused. the definition that aegypt gave seemed to sound like trolls were “regulars” who decided to post inflammatory opinions in order to rile up the newbies. i could have misunderstood. and what are socks? i’ve never heard that one before.😕 ---
**Author:** ![Syzygy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/bc79bd/32.png) [@Syzygy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Syzygy)\ **Post date:** [September 17, 2001, 8:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/an-open-letter-to-the-current-infestation-of-trolls-and-socks/82005/15 "2001-09-17T20:19:11Z")
“Socks”, or “Sock Puppets”, are extra screen names that losers use to support their own (usually incorrect or misguided) posts. ---
**Author:** ![Cleophus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/a88e57/32.png) [@Cleophus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cleophus)\ **Post date:** [September 17, 2001, 8:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/an-open-letter-to-the-current-infestation-of-trolls-and-socks/82005/16 "2001-09-17T20:23:02Z")
**aegypt** ’s definition is accurate on USENET, where there have been several famous trolls. Also, USENET culture is somewhat different from the SDMB. A “sock” is one who registers under another name and uses that to bolster their own opinion in a debate, or to stir up trouble. Think of two sock puppets, one on each hand, talking to the other. Make no mistake: socks are **bad** and will get you banned. ---
**Author:** ![Esprix](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/esprix/32/7899_2.png) [@Esprix](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Esprix)\ **Post date:** [September 17, 2001, 9:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/an-open-letter-to-the-current-infestation-of-trolls-and-socks/82005/17 "2001-09-17T21:18:16Z")
Could someone point **AM/PM** to this thread? I think he needs to read the OP and then take a quiz on it. Esprix ---
**Author:** ![DrewG27](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e68b1a/32.png) [@DrewG27](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrewG27)\ **Post date:** [September 17, 2001, 9:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/an-open-letter-to-the-current-infestation-of-trolls-and-socks/82005/18 "2001-09-17T21:22:22Z")
How the heck can you people tell?! I can never tell whether or not its someone trying to stir something up or somebody with different opinions than the norm. Also, I think the term gets thrown around too much: whenever somebody say’s something that someone else doesnt like, your immediatley a “troll” or “sockpuppet”. Argh, I just dont understand these things. ---
**Author:** ![Oblong](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/c0e974/32.png) [@Oblong](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Oblong)\ **Post date:** [September 17, 2001, 9:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/an-open-letter-to-the-current-infestation-of-trolls-and-socks/82005/19 "2001-09-17T21:30:18Z")
> [@](#): > > Trolls always make me think of 14-year-olds, stuck in their room and whining about their oppressive fascist parents who just won’t let them do anything man and it’s, like, so unfair and oppressive and no-one understands. Trolling is like messing up the room just to piss off the parents - it’s childish and obvious and laughable to everyone else. You nailed it! You need to add that they are sitting in their underwear, frustrated that they haven’t yet learned to masturbate, eating BBQ potato chips that stick in their braces and leaving little floaties in their 2 liter bottle of pepsi that they are drinking. I just ignore them. They want attention. If you pretend like they are not there, then they go away. What fun is it to troll if no one listens. ---
**Author:** ![imthjckaz](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/imthjckaz/32/3223_2.png) [@imthjckaz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/imthjckaz)\ **Post date:** [September 17, 2001, 10:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/an-open-letter-to-the-current-infestation-of-trolls-and-socks/82005/20 "2001-09-17T22:01:53Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Smeghead \* > \*\*We just don’t give a flying shit. We’re not impressed with your rebelliousness. We don’t feel sorry for you. We aren’t outraged at how you’ve been oppressed. We just don’t give a shit about you. > > Please get over your delusion that you are some sort of noble freedom fighters daring to be the voice of warning in the face of an oppressive regime. You’re not. You’re irritating. Nothing more.\*\* This is so true. Trolls almost always end up getting into a pissing contest with a Mod, and eventually Lynn or Tuba. This eventually leads to a banning. The Admins don’t ban them, they [ban themselves](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?postid=1615031#post1615031). [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/an-open-letter-to-the-current-infestation-of-trolls-and-socks/82005.md?page=2)