# Can we please stop feeding the trolls? **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [June 3, 2007, 10:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-we-please-stop-feeding-the-trolls/406617 "2007-06-03T22:27:56Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Rilchiam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/2bfe46/32.png) [@Rilchiam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rilchiam)\ **Post date:** [June 4, 2007, 1:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-we-please-stop-feeding-the-trolls/406617/21 "2007-06-04T01:45:59Z")
Actually, **Dudley** , I was talking about the people who discover, shortly after delurking, that they’re too smart for this board. They find SDMB very irritating, and say so repeatedly. I just don’t want to make them uncomfortable. And **hypothetical** , I didn’t name anyone. ---
**Author:** ![Frank](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/3d9bf3/32.png) [@Frank](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Frank)\ **Post date:** [June 4, 2007, 1:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-we-please-stop-feeding-the-trolls/406617/22 "2007-06-04T01:48:24Z")
If we stop feeding the trolls, they will break into our garbage cans at night. ---
**Author:** ![tomndebb](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/b9e5f3/32.png) [@tomndebb](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tomndebb)\ **Post date:** [June 4, 2007, 1:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-we-please-stop-feeding-the-trolls/406617/23 "2007-06-04T01:48:33Z")
**Rilch** , you go back to the AOL days. Did we refrain from feeding Cyberian54? SSChevy55? Lockean? PerkyDan? Do you seriously think that with ten times the active members we’re better able to control ourselves, now? Can I get the name of your “distrributor”? ---
**Author:** ![Q.E.D](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/51bf81/32.png) [@Q.E.D](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Q.E.D)\ **Post date:** [June 4, 2007, 1:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-we-please-stop-feeding-the-trolls/406617/24 "2007-06-04T01:51:37Z")
[QUOTE=tomndebb] Wait a minute! **Q.E.D.** was the first thing that **Autolycus** stuck up his ass? How did I miss that? [/QUOTE] Never mind _you_. How did _I_ miss it??? ---
**Author:** ![Q.E.D](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/51bf81/32.png) [@Q.E.D](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Q.E.D)\ **Post date:** [June 4, 2007, 1:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-we-please-stop-feeding-the-trolls/406617/25 "2007-06-04T01:52:48Z")
[QUOTE=Frank] If we stop feeding the trolls, they will break into our garbage cans at night. [/QUOTE] Ok, but how do I get you to stop doing that? ---
**Author:** ![Beware\_of\_Doug](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/278dde/32.png) [@Beware\_of\_Doug](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beware_of_Doug)\ **Post date:** [June 4, 2007, 1:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-we-please-stop-feeding-the-trolls/406617/26 "2007-06-04T01:53:56Z")
[QUOTE=tomndebb] Wait a minute! **Q.E.D.** was the first thing that **Autolycus** stuck up his ass? How did I miss that? [/QUOTE] How did _everybody_ miss that one of the things was a “tootbrush” _(sic)_? ---
**Author:** ![Frank](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/3d9bf3/32.png) [@Frank](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Frank)\ **Post date:** [June 4, 2007, 1:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-we-please-stop-feeding-the-trolls/406617/27 "2007-06-04T01:59:12Z")
[QUOTE=Q.E.D.] Ok, but how do I get you to stop doing that? [/QUOTE] I could probably be distracted by a bottle of tequila left on your back porch. If you also leave some leather, I might even make you some shoes. ---
**Author:** ![Revenant\_Threshold](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/f1d935/32.png) [@Revenant\_Threshold](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Revenant_Threshold)\ **Post date:** [June 4, 2007, 2:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-we-please-stop-feeding-the-trolls/406617/28 "2007-06-04T02:00:23Z")
I think “ignoring the troll” ideas tend to go too far. Sometimes even the knowledge that they are able to say whatever and force others not to react is as much a delight as forcing them to react. I say just enjoy yourself. Poke fun, if you want. Argue, if you want. Then when they get banned at least you can say you had fun. ---
**Author:** ![Don\_t\_fight\_the\_hypothetical](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/59ef9b/32.png) [@Don\_t\_fight\_the\_hypothetical](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Don_t_fight_the_hypothetical)\ **Post date:** [June 4, 2007, 2:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-we-please-stop-feeding-the-trolls/406617/29 "2007-06-04T02:11:35Z")
[QUOTE=Rilchiam] And **hypothetical** , I didn’t name anyone. [/QUOTE] As I pointed out, you named the trolls as a group. I’m sure they know who they are. I notice you chose to ignore my point that letting them know just how bothered you are by their actions, you yourself are feeding them. ---
**Author:** ![Q.E.D](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/51bf81/32.png) [@Q.E.D](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Q.E.D)\ **Post date:** [June 4, 2007, 2:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-we-please-stop-feeding-the-trolls/406617/30 "2007-06-04T02:15:01Z")
[QUOTE=Frank] If you also leave some leather, I might even make you some shoes. [/QUOTE] Wait, I thought that was elves? ---
**Author:** ![What\_Exit](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/what_exit/32/10652_2.png) [@What\_Exit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/What_Exit)\ **Post date:** [June 4, 2007, 2:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-we-please-stop-feeding-the-trolls/406617/31 "2007-06-04T02:18:51Z")
[QUOTE=Q.E.D.] Wait, I thought that was elves? [/QUOTE] You know, those were really brownies, not elves. Elves don’t do shoes, brownies make shoes. If you kept your head out of Auto’s rectum, you would know these things. 😉 Jim ---
**Author:** ![Q.E.D](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/51bf81/32.png) [@Q.E.D](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Q.E.D)\ **Post date:** [June 4, 2007, 2:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-we-please-stop-feeding-the-trolls/406617/32 "2007-06-04T02:24:41Z")
[QUOTE=What Exit?] You know, those were really brownies, not elves. Elves don’t do shoes, brownies make shoes. [/QUOTE] Better inform the [Grimms](http://www.authorama.com/grimms-fairy-tales-39.html). ---
**Author:** ![What\_Exit](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/what_exit/32/10652_2.png) [@What\_Exit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/What_Exit)\ **Post date:** [June 4, 2007, 2:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-we-please-stop-feeding-the-trolls/406617/33 "2007-06-04T02:34:33Z")
[QUOTE=Q.E.D.] Better inform the [Grimms](http://www.authorama.com/grimms-fairy-tales-39.html). [/QUOTE] They’re dead **Q.E.D.**. They made a simple mistake in the folktales is all. Happens to the best writers. Jim ---
**Author:** ![gonzomax](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e8c25b/32.png) [@gonzomax](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gonzomax)\ **Post date:** [June 4, 2007, 2:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-we-please-stop-feeding-the-trolls/406617/34 "2007-06-04T02:39:19Z")
I Michigan the Mackinac Bridge connects the upper and Lower peninsulas. They call all the people who live under the bridge (lower P. ) trolls. So we are trolls by an obscure definition. ---
**Author:** ![Zoe](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/a4c791/32.png) [@Zoe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zoe)\ **Post date:** [June 4, 2007, 2:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-we-please-stop-feeding-the-trolls/406617/35 "2007-06-04T02:52:02Z")
A question for the Wise Ones: How are we to determine the difference between a Troll and your Basic Ignorant Person? Are there clues (besides inappropriate use of capitalization)? ---
**Author:** ![What\_Exit](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/what_exit/32/10652_2.png) [@What\_Exit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/What_Exit)\ **Post date:** [June 4, 2007, 3:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-we-please-stop-feeding-the-trolls/406617/36 "2007-06-04T03:07:26Z")
[QUOTE=Zoe] A question for the Wise Ones: How are we to determine the difference between a Troll and your Basic Ignorant Person? [/QUOTE] Good question. > [@](#): > > Are there clues (besides inappropriate use of capitalization)? Hey, wait a minute? Does the inappropriate use of capitalization make one a troll or Basic Ignorant Person? ---
**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:** [June 4, 2007, 3:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-we-please-stop-feeding-the-trolls/406617/37 "2007-06-04T03:16:45Z")
_whine_ But it’s so much FUN!!! [QUOTE=Johnny Hildo] …that’s been in Autolycus’ ass. Thank you and goodnight! [/QUOTE] _points to sig_ ---
**Author:** ![Q.E.D](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/51bf81/32.png) [@Q.E.D](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Q.E.D)\ **Post date:** [June 4, 2007, 3:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-we-please-stop-feeding-the-trolls/406617/38 "2007-06-04T03:18:39Z")
What’s a “ladel?” ---
**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:** [June 4, 2007, 3:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-we-please-stop-feeding-the-trolls/406617/39 "2007-06-04T03:39:57Z")
[QUOTE=Q.E.D.] What’s a “ladel?” [/QUOTE] It’s a dreidel that’s been stuck up someone’s ass. ---
**Author:** ![Zabali\_Clawbane](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/ecd19e/32.png) [@Zabali\_Clawbane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zabali_Clawbane)\ **Post date:** [June 4, 2007, 3:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-we-please-stop-feeding-the-trolls/406617/40 "2007-06-04T03:52:45Z")
[QUOTE=Q.E.D.] What’s a “ladel?” [/QUOTE] The old spelling for [ladle](http://www.m-w.com/cgi-bin/dictionary?book=Dictionary&va=ladle). 😉 [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-we-please-stop-feeding-the-trolls/406617.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-we-please-stop-feeding-the-trolls/406617.md?page=3)