# 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:** 5
**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, 9:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-we-please-stop-feeding-the-trolls/406617/81 "2007-06-04T21:06:19Z")
**Purina Troll Chow** , made from the choicest bits of Goats, Dwarves and BurraHobbits. Guaranteed to keep your pet troll healthy and good for his coat. Also try **Troll3000** , our special Troll creme with UV-3000 protection. Very good for those trolls a little sensitive to the Sun. ---
**Author:** ![Omegaman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/e480ec/32.png) [@Omegaman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Omegaman)\ **Post date:** [June 4, 2007, 9:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-we-please-stop-feeding-the-trolls/406617/82 "2007-06-04T21:09:08Z")
[QUOTE=MrDibble] I thought of that exact quote! I’m afraid all the _Sir_s and _friend_s, combined with the lack of punctuation, make **Ω♂** come across like a 419 scammer. Either that or a drunk. At least, in my experience, the only people who call you “my friend” to your face are going to try to defraud you or try to pick a fight with you. I leave **Ω♂**'s motives as an exercise for the reader, but it looks like he’s trying for SBM to me. [/QUOTE] Well as you’ve never laid eyes on me I’ll let your little bullshit judgement slide. I doubt you would know a real man if you saw one in any case so thats fine. Mr. Dibble. I hope that salutation suits you all right . Would you be so kind as to clarify what SBM stands for ? If its an insult I’d like to know what it means if you would be so kind as to share . ---
**Author:** ![MrDibble](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mrdibble/32/114_2.png) [@MrDibble](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MrDibble)\ **Post date:** [June 4, 2007, 9:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-we-please-stop-feeding-the-trolls/406617/83 "2007-06-04T21:10:57Z")
Suicide By Mod, you dumb hayseed. ---
**Author:** ![Omegaman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/e480ec/32.png) [@Omegaman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Omegaman)\ **Post date:** [June 4, 2007, 10:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-we-please-stop-feeding-the-trolls/406617/84 "2007-06-04T22:27:24Z")
[QUOTE=MrDibble] Suicide By Mod, you dumb hayseed. [/QUOTE] Well coming from you Mr. Dibble I’ll take that as a compliment as well .How did you care for that salutation? As it was the same as the other I hope it doesn’t cause you to get the hives or anything of that nature. I have yet to recieve any messages from any mods but you’ll be the first to know I assure you. Once you leave the lofty heights of your high horse feel free to attempt to converse with me as a man assuming you consider yourself to be such. And if you feel that you have anything worthy of sharing with someone of my somewhat lowly stature. ---
**Author:** ![MrDibble](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mrdibble/32/114_2.png) [@MrDibble](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MrDibble)\ **Post date:** [June 4, 2007, 10:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-we-please-stop-feeding-the-trolls/406617/85 "2007-06-04T22:40:51Z")
[QUOTE=Omegaman] Once you leave the lofty heights of your high horse feel free to attempt to converse with me as a man assuming you consider yourself to be such. [/QUOTE] Oh, I do, it’s you who I have my doubts about. Your buddy Jesus must be real proud of you, the mouth you have on you. [QUOTE=Omegaman] And if you feel that you have anything worthy of sharing with someone of my somewhat lowly stature. [/QUOTE] If I can leave you with one bit of advice - wear sunscreen! ---
**Author:** ![Monstre](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/e274bd/32.png) [@Monstre](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Monstre)\ **Post date:** [June 4, 2007, 11:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-we-please-stop-feeding-the-trolls/406617/86 "2007-06-04T23:04:45Z")
Up next we have the Award for Most Boring Stream-of-Consciousness Re-Hijack of a Previously-Hijacked-By-Silliness Pit Thread. And the nominees are… ---
**Author:** ![Omegaman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/e480ec/32.png) [@Omegaman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Omegaman)\ **Post date:** [June 4, 2007, 11:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-we-please-stop-feeding-the-trolls/406617/87 "2007-06-04T23:05:21Z")
[QUOTE=MrDibble] Oh, I do, it’s you who I have my doubts about. Your buddy Jesus must be real proud of you, the mouth you have on you. If I can leave you with one bit of advice - wear sunscreen! [/QUOTE] Well I’m not going to let you pass anymore judgments on me my friend. My pal Jesus \*will \* be the only one judging me. I can only hope you make up in deeds what you lack in your words ,because your words are those of a child , Mr. Dibble , right down to your high and mighty demeanor. O, and Mr. Dibble , I don’t need sunscreen as my skin , as you might have imagined , my skin is very tanned and getting quite leathery in my old age but thanks for your concern . It’s quite touching . ---
**Author:** ![Omegaman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/e480ec/32.png) [@Omegaman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Omegaman)\ **Post date:** [June 4, 2007, 11:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-we-please-stop-feeding-the-trolls/406617/88 "2007-06-04T23:10:04Z")
[QUOTE=Monstre] Up next we have the Award for Most Boring Stream-of-Consciousness Re-Hijack of a Previously-Hijacked-By-Silliness Pit Thread. And the nominees are… [/QUOTE] Don’t get all frisky . I’m done now. I’ll take your silliness comment with a grain of salt as I’ve seen your words here and they strike me as fair and true . ---
**Author:** ![Wile\_E](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/c37758/32.png) [@Wile\_E](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wile_E)\ **Post date:** [June 4, 2007, 11:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-we-please-stop-feeding-the-trolls/406617/89 "2007-06-04T23:13:12Z")
[QUOTE=Autolycus] How in holy fuck did half of this thread become about me? Seriously, at least with **Hal** there has to be some kind of loose ovine reference. I dont mind joking around, and I am somewhat flattered by the attention, but I get ogrish when I’m associated with the T word. Dont make me ladle out some justice! [/QUOTE] I’d rather have the justice than the soup. I thank Sapo for asking about the ladle references, I too was getting curious. My better judgment initially kept me out of that thread. ---
**Author:** ![Sapo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ec9cab/32.png) [@Sapo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sapo)\ **Post date:** [June 4, 2007, 11:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-we-please-stop-feeding-the-trolls/406617/90 "2007-06-04T23:52:43Z")
I need a rules clarification. If three people are sharing an account, will their membership expire after 4 months? This might be our lucky chance to lose a troublesome member without resorting to them ugly bannings. (posts 72, 73 and 76) ---
**Author:** ![Sapo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ec9cab/32.png) [@Sapo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sapo)\ **Post date:** [June 4, 2007, 11:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-we-please-stop-feeding-the-trolls/406617/91 "2007-06-04T23:53:58Z")
[QUOTE=Wile E] I thank Sapo for asking about the ladle references, I too was getting curious. My better judgment initially kept me out of that thread. [/QUOTE] nice try to pin this one on me, buster. ---
**Author:** ![Chimera](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/8e8cbc/32.png) [@Chimera](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chimera)\ **Post date:** [June 5, 2007, 12:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-we-please-stop-feeding-the-trolls/406617/92 "2007-06-05T00:12:04Z")
[QUOTE=Omegaman] As far as posting 3 times in a row that is how I conduct myself if real life . I speak until I have nothing further to say adressing each issue as it comes to me. \ Please don’t mistake my forthright tone for hostility. I have learned that this message is board is not the time nor place for things such as that . [/QUOTE] Then let me give you a small piece of advice, learned at great price; You don’t have to defend yourself. You aren’t required to explain yourself. In many instances, it is absolutely best NOT TO. Doing so repetitiously is surrendering your power and self-esteem and giving power to the person who is questioning your right to be. It often seems like it is a good idea to explain yourself, thinking that the other person is reasonable and thus, once explained, they will accept your answer and give you no further issue. However, that is not the way it works in real life, where many people feel threatened by that which is different from their way of doing or thinking and are hellbent on questioning, fighting or just plain pissing upon anything that doesn’t match **Their Way**. Don’t feed them your time, your energy, your self-esteem. ---
**Author:** ![DudleyGarrett](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/d9b06d/32.png) [@DudleyGarrett](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DudleyGarrett)\ **Post date:** [June 5, 2007, 1:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-we-please-stop-feeding-the-trolls/406617/93 "2007-06-05T01:14:38Z")
[QUOTE=Chimera] Then let me give you a small piece of advice, learned at great price; You don’t have to defend yourself. You aren’t required to explain yourself. In many instances, it is absolutely best NOT TO. Doing so repetitiously is surrendering your power and self-esteem and giving power to the person who is questioning your right to be. It often seems like it is a good idea to explain yourself, thinking that the other person is reasonable and thus, once explained, they will accept your answer and give you no further issue. However, that is not the way it works in real life, where many people feel threatened by that which is different from their way of doing or thinking and are hellbent on questioning, fighting or just plain pissing upon anything that doesn’t match **Their Way**. Don’t feed them your time, your energy, your self-esteem. [/QUOTE] What a cynical outlook. I like it. ---
**Author:** ![Wile\_E](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/c37758/32.png) [@Wile\_E](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wile_E)\ **Post date:** [June 5, 2007, 1:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-we-please-stop-feeding-the-trolls/406617/94 "2007-06-05T01:23:51Z")
[QUOTE=Sapo] nice try to pin this one on me, buster. [/QUOTE] I was only thanking you for asking about it so I didn’t have to ask. Unfortunately, I still had to read that thread to understand the reference. ---
**Author:** ![Omegaman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/e480ec/32.png) [@Omegaman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Omegaman)\ **Post date:** [June 5, 2007, 1:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-we-please-stop-feeding-the-trolls/406617/95 "2007-06-05T01:37:16Z")
[QUOTE=DudleyGarrett] What a cynical outlook. I like it. [/QUOTE] Me too, Dudley , Me too. ---
**Author:** ![Heffalump\_and\_Roo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/heffalump_and_roo/32/7691_2.png) [@Heffalump\_and\_Roo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Heffalump_and_Roo)\ **Post date:** [June 5, 2007, 5:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-we-please-stop-feeding-the-trolls/406617/96 "2007-06-05T05:32:03Z")
[QUOTE=Rilchiam] It makes them uncomfortable when people talk back. [/QUOTE] 😕 Are you saying that trolls are uncomfortable when people talk back to them? I thought that the whole purpose of being a troll was so that people did talk back to them. > [@Chimera](#): > > > [@Heffalump and Roo](#): > > > > To me, the OP was saying, do this (ignore trolls). What are the on-topic responses besides yes, sire? Wouldn’t one of the on-topic responses be no, sire, I will not do it? > > Yes, that would be a valid response, assuming you aren’t being a troll yourself. But that’s the point. We can’t tell a troll just by the fact that they agree or disagree with the OP. So being on-topic or off-topic are not determining factors. An interesting thing about recreational outrage to me is that is generally involves a media link and an OP that essentially says, well aren’t you outraged about this?! But if anyone says, no, they’re not outraged and it’s nothing to get excited about, people are quick to say that the person is just trolling because they’re off-topic. But that would make the only on-topic response–yes, I’m outraged! > [@Chimera](#): > > Another response might be “But I enjoy winding up the Trolls and watching them go berzerk! It’s so much fun!” > > Or even “Aw gee, my only real enjoyment from this board comes from counter-trolling the trolls. What do you expect me to do with my freetime now?” These are “yeahbut” responses. Just weaselly acquiescence. If you don’t believe me, try it with your boss. Your boss says, do this. And you say, “but we don’t have the resources” or “gee, I really don’t feel like it.” The only difference is that the person saying “do this” in the OP doesn’t have the authority, so people can say “yeahbut” and actually not follow. > [@Chimera](#): > > You don’t have to defend yourself. You aren’t required to explain yourself. In many instances, it is absolutely best NOT TO. Doing so repetitiously is surrendering your power and self-esteem and giving power to the person who is questioning your right to be. I’m not a Christian, but isn’t this in the Bible? [Matthew 7:6](http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=matthew%207:6&version=31) > [@](#): > > 6"Do not give dogs what is sacred; do not throw your pearls to pigs. If you do, they may trample them under their feet, and then turn and tear you to pieces. ---
**Author:** ![Rilchiam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/2bfe46/32.png) [@Rilchiam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rilchiam)\ **Post date:** [June 5, 2007, 6:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-we-please-stop-feeding-the-trolls/406617/97 "2007-06-05T06:17:37Z")
[QUOTE=Heffalump and Roo] 😕 Are you saying that trolls are uncomfortable when people talk back to them? I thought that the whole purpose of being a troll was so that people did talk back to them. [/QUOTE] Right. I’m tired of that endless loop. ---
**Author:** ![MrDibble](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mrdibble/32/114_2.png) [@MrDibble](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MrDibble)\ **Post date:** [June 5, 2007, 6:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-we-please-stop-feeding-the-trolls/406617/98 "2007-06-05T06:26:38Z")
[QUOTE=Omegaman] Well I’m not going to let you pass anymore judgments on me my friend. [/QUOTE] How, exactly, are you going to stop me, my unfriend? [QUOTE=Omegaman] My pal Jesus \*will \* be the only one judging me. [/QUOTE] “Jesus, he knows me, and he knows I’m right!!!”, huh? [QUOTE=Omegaman] I can only hope you make up in deeds what you lack in your words ,because your words are those of a child , Mr. Dibble , right down to your high and mighty demeanor. [/QUOTE] Did this make sense when you posted it? This is a message board, all you can have are words. I understand that puts you at a disadvantage from the get-go, pilgrim, but we all have to play the hand we were dealt. [QUOTE=Omegaman] O, and Mr. Dibble , I don’t need sunscreen as my skin , as you might have imagined , my skin is very tanned and getting quite leathery in my old age but thanks for your concern . It’s quite touching . [/QUOTE] Oh, the whooshing, it is a beautiful noise. ---
**Author:** ![Quiddity\_Glomfuster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/c4cdca/32.png) [@Quiddity\_Glomfuster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Quiddity_Glomfuster)\ **Post date:** [June 5, 2007, 6:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-we-please-stop-feeding-the-trolls/406617/99 "2007-06-05T06:37:06Z")
[QUOTE=Heffalump and Roo] An interesting thing about recreational outrage to me is that is generally involves a media link and an OP that essentially says, well aren’t you outraged about this?! But if anyone says, no, they’re not outraged and it’s nothing to get excited about, people are quick to say that the person is just trolling because they’re off-topic. But that would make the only on-topic response–yes, I’m outraged! [/quote] Exactly. It should be posted as a rule before people sign up: ‘Thou shalt only agree with the outraged, for to do otherwise is blasphemous and wicked in the Borg’. ---
**Author:** ![crowmanyclouds](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/crowmanyclouds/32/19884_2.png) [@crowmanyclouds](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/crowmanyclouds)\ **Post date:** [June 5, 2007, 8:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-we-please-stop-feeding-the-trolls/406617/100 "2007-06-05T08:12:21Z")
[QUOTE=Omegaman] … I’m a man , like a cowboy you would see in the movies. I’m not shiiting you in the least . I’ll give you an example. The movie City Slickers when Billy Crystal smarts off To that Curly character and Curly tells him "I crap bigger than you " it was a movie but that shit isn’t made up . That’s how cowboys behave . … [/QUOTE] Wait, that whole fast draw gunfight in the town square at high noon wasn’t real? Cowboys had shitting contests? Biggest turd wins? I’ve wasted all this time perfecting my draw and learning to shoot from the hip, when all I needed to do was eat more fiber :smack:. CMC fnord! So does that mean saying someone is “full of shit” is really compliment??? [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-we-please-stop-feeding-the-trolls/406617.md?page=4) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-we-please-stop-feeding-the-trolls/406617.md?page=6)