# Do NOT Feed The Troll **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [February 19, 2013, 10:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-not-feed-the-troll/650838 "2013-02-19T22:34:12Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 17
**Author:** ![deltasigma](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e5b9ba/32.png) [@deltasigma](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/deltasigma)\ **Post date:** [February 24, 2013, 5:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-not-feed-the-troll/650838/321 "2013-02-24T05:28:10Z")
> [@Monty](#): > > Good grief. Is there a single point anyone has tried to make to you in your posting history on this site that you’ve managed to actually get? She can’t ever “get” any argument you make since that would mean following the logic and if she does that, she’s screwed since there’s no logic to anything she says. So either she’s too simpleminded to understand or she has to pretend to be so she can keep on typing responses. Frankly I find it most convenient to assume the former and treat her accordingly. It’s also a lot more entertaining. ---
**Author:** ![running\_coach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/running_coach/32/15836_2.png) [@running\_coach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/running_coach)\ **Post date:** [February 24, 2013, 5:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-not-feed-the-troll/650838/322 "2013-02-24T05:31:14Z")
> [@James\_Otto\_Sweet\_Heart](#): > > ^^^ Sharing a belief is not harassment, but to me what that man did is because he knew that he was going to offend the people there with what he had to say. I did not know that people were going to get so worked up over the belief that I shared especially when so many different people are here instead of that church group which consisted of people with the same belief. Which proves what I said earlier that you’re numb to the feelings of others. Adding that you’re deficient in understanding social conventions. ---
**Author:** ![James\_Otto\_Sweet\_Heart](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/ac8455/32.png) [@James\_Otto\_Sweet\_Heart](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/James_Otto_Sweet_Heart)\ **Post date:** [February 24, 2013, 5:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-not-feed-the-troll/650838/323 "2013-02-24T05:31:37Z")
^^^ I am not numb. I am just saying that a person can never know how others are going to feel about what they say until they actually say it whether what they say is good or bad. How can a person know what everyone else in the world stands for and what they hate until the subjects are actually brought up and addressed? They can’t. > [@living\_in\_hell](#): > > Then you understand where they are coming from about you, as well. > > I actually agree with a lot of what you are saying regarding free speech. I also think what may be “jerk” to one person may not be to another…and that in itself seems like a set up. > > That said, I think that it would be interesting to know what your purpose is for joining this message board. Saying “because I have a right to” doesn’t really answer that question. What are you hoping to gain by being here? I say this not to be snarky, I am genuinely curious. I agree that free speech means free speech for all, but it’s also important to consider the function, audience, and setting of said free speech. > > You have chosen to enter a community with norms and a general zeitgeist–and you are the minority. That’s ok, but remember that in the eyes of most people here you are showing up to their house, knocking on their door, throwing a bag of dog poop at them and saying, “oh well not my problem! Clean it up! Love you!” and skipping away. > > I agree that dialogue is important. I think that it’s boring to hear the same thing over and over. But you seem to be talking AT everyone and not listening enough. And despite your intentions, the signature and smilies come across as dismissive to others and an excuse for you to behave however you want. > > I didn’t read the suicide thread. And don’t want to. But think how differently it would have been if you had said “even though in my religion suicide is considered a sin that results in hell, I wish peace for her family and will keep them in my thoughts.” See how different that is? I am pretty sure that you would disagree with about 100% of my beliefs, but I would never barge into your home/church/community and tell them you are lesser a person because we think differently. And before you highlight that last sentence and reply to it, re-read that paragraph (before this one) that I just wrote. > > 🙂 I am sorry if I don’t have the best approach when sharing my beliefs. I do try to be respectful though when sharing no matter what other thinks. Why did I come here in the first place? I wanted to spread the word about my most favorite singer, but after the chat that I started about him was closed up, I decided to stick around still because of the good chats that other people here started. God bless you two and James always!!! 🙂 🙂 🙂 Holly ---
**Author:** ![running\_coach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/running_coach/32/15836_2.png) [@running\_coach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/running_coach)\ **Post date:** [February 24, 2013, 5:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-not-feed-the-troll/650838/324 "2013-02-24T05:33:55Z")
> [@James\_Otto\_Sweet\_Heart](#): > > I am sorry if I don’t have the best approach when sharing my beliefs. \*\*I do try to be respectful though when sharing no matter what other thinks. \*\* > > Why did I come here in the first place? I wanted to spread the word about my most favorite singer, but after the chat that I started about him was closed up, I decided to stick around still because of the good chats that other people here started. > > God bless you and James always!!! 🙂 🙂 🙂 > > Holly That is a complete contradiction. ---
**Author:** ![The\_Dord](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/3be4f8/32.png) [@The\_Dord](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Dord)\ **Post date:** [February 24, 2013, 5:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-not-feed-the-troll/650838/325 "2013-02-24T05:36:25Z")
Does anyone get the vibe that she might be actually his publicist or something like that? I even did a google search and hot damn! 😮 ---
**Author:** ![Monty](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/monty/32/47_2.png) [@Monty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Monty)\ **Post date:** [February 24, 2013, 5:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-not-feed-the-troll/650838/326 "2013-02-24T05:36:47Z")
> [@James\_Otto\_Sweet\_Heart](#): > > ^^^ Sharing a belief is not harassment, but to me what that man did is because he knew that he was going to offend the people there with what he had to say. So, the answer is: No, you haven’t grokked any point yet. > [@](#): > > I did not know that people were going to get so worked up over the belief that I shared especially when so many different people are here Oh, no. It’s completely inconceivable that anyone at all would be upset when told that their loved one is buring in Hell. Nah, nobody would ever take umbrage to such “information” as that. :rolleyes: > [@](#): > > instead of that church group which consisted of people with the same belief. Dang. I hit the nail on the head again. It’s not them, it’s not their actions; it’s _your actions and words_. > [@](#): > > I can’t make any promises when I don’t know what offends who and that right there is just it. No one knows if something is going to be said in return whenever a person says anything good or bad. Here’s the short course: Offensive words are offensive. Doesn’t matter who is there. [/QUOTE] And, of course, the smiliefall. ---
**Author:** ![James\_Otto\_Sweet\_Heart](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/ac8455/32.png) [@James\_Otto\_Sweet\_Heart](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/James_Otto_Sweet_Heart)\ **Post date:** [February 24, 2013, 5:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-not-feed-the-troll/650838/327 "2013-02-24T05:37:38Z")
> [@runner pat](#): > > That is a complete contradiction. No it isn’t. I wasn’t trying to be offending in the message that got y’all so mad at me. I was just sharing a belief that I have as nice as I could. > [@The\_Dord](#): > > Does anyone get the vibe that she might be actually his publicist or something like that? I even did a google search and hot damn! 😮 I’m not his publicist. I am just a fan of him who thinks that he is worth going the extra mile for. 🙂 🙂 🙂 God bless you and James always!!! 🙂 🙂 🙂 Holly ---
**Author:** ![James\_Otto\_Sweet\_Heart](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/ac8455/32.png) [@James\_Otto\_Sweet\_Heart](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/James_Otto_Sweet_Heart)\ **Post date:** [February 24, 2013, 5:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-not-feed-the-troll/650838/328 "2013-02-24T05:44:38Z")
> [@Monty](#): > > Oh, no. It’s completely inconceivable that anyone at all would be upset when told that their loved one is buring in Hell. Nah, nobody would ever take umbrage to such “information” as that. :rolleyes: None of y’all here are related to Mindy or her family though. I was not talking about a family member of anyone here. If the chat had been about the family member or friend of a person who comes here, no I would not have said what I said about Mindy God bless you and her family always!!! 🙂 🙂 🙂 Holly P.S. But if someone were to ask me about what I believe of this subject or any subject for that matter, I will not lie to them. ---
**Author:** ![Marley23](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@Marley23](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marley23)\ **Post date:** [February 24, 2013, 5:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-not-feed-the-troll/650838/329 "2013-02-24T05:49:59Z")
> [@James\_Otto\_Sweet\_Heart](#): > > I can’t make any promises when I don’t know what offends who and that right there is just it. No one knows if something is going to be said in return whenever a person says anything good or bad. So take responsibility for your own conduct and don’t say obnoxious and inappropriate things. If you do that, you probably won’t have to worry about people taking offense. ---
**Author:** ![James\_Otto\_Sweet\_Heart](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/ac8455/32.png) [@James\_Otto\_Sweet\_Heart](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/James_Otto_Sweet_Heart)\ **Post date:** [February 24, 2013, 5:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-not-feed-the-troll/650838/330 "2013-02-24T05:55:43Z")
^^^ How do I know who is going to find what obnoxious and inappropriate when people have different definitions for lots of things? Some people think that smoking is the greatest thing in the world for example when others think that it is the worst. Do you get what I am trying to say there? We are all different. No one is exactly the same. God bless you always!!! 🙂 🙂 🙂 Holly ---
**Author:** ![living\_in\_hell](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/3d9bf3/32.png) [@living\_in\_hell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/living_in_hell)\ **Post date:** [February 24, 2013, 5:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-not-feed-the-troll/650838/331 "2013-02-24T05:57:54Z")
> [@James\_Otto\_Sweet\_Heart](#): > > ^^^ Sharing a belief is not harassment, but to me what that man did is because he knew that he was going to offend the people there with what he had to say. I did not know that people were going to get so worked up over the belief that I shared especially when so many different people are here instead of that church group which consisted of people with the same belief. > I can’t make any promises when I don’t know what offends who and that right there is just it. No one knows if something is going to be said in return whenever a person says anything good or bad. > > God bless you two always!!! 🙂 🙂 🙂 > > Holly Can you please answer me? I am really curious your purpose for posting here. ---
**Author:** ![James\_Otto\_Sweet\_Heart](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/ac8455/32.png) [@James\_Otto\_Sweet\_Heart](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/James_Otto_Sweet_Heart)\ **Post date:** [February 24, 2013, 5:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-not-feed-the-troll/650838/332 "2013-02-24T05:59:50Z")
^^^ I did. Look at message #323. 🙂 🙂 🙂 God bless you always!!! 🙂 🙂 🙂 Holly ---
**Author:** ![living\_in\_hell](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/3d9bf3/32.png) [@living\_in\_hell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/living_in_hell)\ **Post date:** [February 24, 2013, 6:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-not-feed-the-troll/650838/333 "2013-02-24T06:07:50Z")
> [@James\_Otto\_Sweet\_Heart](#): > > ^^^ I did. Look at message #323. 🙂 🙂 🙂 > > God bless you always!!! 🙂 🙂 🙂 > > Holly Ahhhh. I only saw the arrows up to runnerpat and didn’t read past that. I apologize. I appreciate the reply and the honesty. It’s cool to be passionate about something, but I’m guessing you’re “spreading the word” is because you hope others will enjoy his music as well? I wonder if that backfires when people feel they’re being aggressively forced? I don’t think your way of interacting is wrong, I think that if you genuinely want to engage in discussion here, you may want to talk less and listen more. Right now most of your replies appear rigid and defensive. And despite the jerks here (and there are many), some of them are making an effort to listen to and understand you. What if you asked people about themselves without circling back to yourself in your reply? Just an idea. ---
**Author:** ![running\_coach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/running_coach/32/15836_2.png) [@running\_coach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/running_coach)\ **Post date:** [February 24, 2013, 6:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-not-feed-the-troll/650838/334 "2013-02-24T06:08:45Z")
> [@James\_Otto\_Sweet\_Heart](#): > > ^^^ **How do I know who is going to find what obnoxious and inappropriate when people have different definitions for lots of things?** Some people think that smoking is the greatest thing in the world for example when others think that it is the worst. Do you get what I am trying to say there? We are all different. No one is exactly the same. > > God bless you always!!! 🙂 🙂 🙂 > > Holly There are a variety of different situations that require a different way of dealing with other people. Maybe by living in the real world, you’ll learn how it works. Or you can pretend you’re totally clueless about basic human interactions. ---
**Author:** ![James\_Otto\_Sweet\_Heart](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/ac8455/32.png) [@James\_Otto\_Sweet\_Heart](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/James_Otto_Sweet_Heart)\ **Post date:** [February 24, 2013, 6:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-not-feed-the-troll/650838/335 "2013-02-24T06:12:58Z")
^^^ How do you know that I am not living in the real world already when there is still plenty that you do not know about me? God bless you always!!! Holly ---
**Author:** ![running\_coach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/running_coach/32/15836_2.png) [@running\_coach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/running_coach)\ **Post date:** [February 24, 2013, 6:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-not-feed-the-troll/650838/336 "2013-02-24T06:19:50Z")
> [@James\_Otto\_Sweet\_Heart](#): > > ^^^ How do you know that I am not living in the real world already when there is still plenty that you do not know about me? > > God bless you always!!! > > Holly We know you’re not housebroken. ---
**Author:** ![deltasigma](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e5b9ba/32.png) [@deltasigma](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/deltasigma)\ **Post date:** [February 24, 2013, 6:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-not-feed-the-troll/650838/337 "2013-02-24T06:20:17Z")
> [@James\_Otto\_Sweet\_Heart](#): > > ^^^ How do you know that I am not living in the real world already when there is still plenty that you do not know about me? > > God bless you always!!! > > Holly Because you’re obviously an idiot. ---
**Author:** ![James\_Otto\_Sweet\_Heart](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/ac8455/32.png) [@James\_Otto\_Sweet\_Heart](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/James_Otto_Sweet_Heart)\ **Post date:** [February 24, 2013, 6:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-not-feed-the-troll/650838/338 "2013-02-24T06:21:41Z")
^^^ Like I said, there is still plenty that you do not know about me. 🙂 🙂 🙂 > [@runner pat](#): > > We know you’re not housebroken. How do you know that I am not when there is still plenty that you do not know about me? 🙂 🙂 🙂 > [@living\_in\_hell](#): > > I appreciate the reply and the honesty. It’s cool to be passionate about something, but I’m guessing you’re “spreading the word” is because you hope others will enjoy his music as well? I wonder if that backfires when people feel they’re being aggressively forced? > > I don’t think your way of interacting is wrong, I think that if you genuinely want to engage in discussion here, you may want to talk less and listen more. Right now most of your replies appear rigid and defensive. And despite the jerks here (and there are many), some of them are making an effort to listen to and understand you. What if you asked people about themselves without circling back to yourself in your reply? > > Just an idea. The reason why I don’t ask people about themselves is because I don’t want to come across as nosy and I don’t want people to feel like they have to tell me anything at all. And even if I did ask about people, how do I know that I am not being lied to? And can you blame me for being defensive? Wouldn’t you be if you were in my spot? Also about James. I never mean to sound aggressive when I spread the word and people do not have to pay any attention to what I say about anything anyways. Who or what they choose to pay any attention to is just that right there, their choice. 🙂 🙂 🙂 God bless you three and James always!!! 🙂 🙂 🙂 Holly ---
**Author:** ![living\_in\_hell](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/3d9bf3/32.png) [@living\_in\_hell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/living_in_hell)\ **Post date:** [February 24, 2013, 6:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-not-feed-the-troll/650838/339 "2013-02-24T06:30:06Z")
> [@James\_Otto\_Sweet\_Heart](#): > > ^^^ Like I said, there is still plenty that you do not know about me. 🙂 🙂 🙂 > How do you know that I am not when there is still plenty that you do not know about me? 🙂 🙂 🙂 > The reason why I don’t ask people about themselves is because I don’t want to come across as nosy and I don’t want people to feel like they have to tell me anything at all. And even if I did ask about people, how do I know that I am not being lied to? And can you blame me for being defensive? Wouldn’t you be if you were in my spot? > > Also about James. I never mean to sound aggressive when I spread the word and people do not have to pay any attention to what I say about anything anyways. Who or what they choose to pay any attention to is just that right there, their choice. 🙂 🙂 🙂 > > God bless you three and James always!!! 🙂 🙂 🙂 > > Holly People may lie, they may not…whether on line or in the real world…it’s a risk we all take when we interact with others, everywhere. It doesn’t seem nosy when it’s sincere. It seems like you (general “you”) are wanting to relate to others in a give-and-take manner. That’s how healthy relationships work. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![raventhief](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/raventhief/32/4_2.png) [@raventhief](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/raventhief)\ **Post date:** [February 24, 2013, 6:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-not-feed-the-troll/650838/340 "2013-02-24T06:37:03Z")
> [@James\_Otto\_Sweet\_Heart](#): > > ^^^ No it isn’t simple because I don’t know what people are going to find offensive. If I say that my favorite color is blue for example, how am I to know that saying that my favorite color is blue is going to offend someone if they don’t say anything? I don’t know what a person is going to think when I already do not know the person. > > God bless you two always!!! 🙂 🙂 🙂 > > Holly Do you seriously not see a difference between “my favorite color is blue” and “your loved one/family member/person you admire is burning in hellfire for all eternity but bless you (not her)”? And you are so certain none of us and no one who may read this google-searchable board in the future has any real life connection to the deceased. Why do you think that? You keep calling these threads “chats.” Do you not realize her children may one day search and find your words? Yes it is unlikely but it can happen. I was curious about a relative recently and googled his name. I found a shocking graphic account of his suicide. Before the search I honestly didn’t know he had committed suicide. I was very young when it happened and my family didn’t speak about it. Now I know. I’m just glad I also didn’t read sentiments like yours at the time. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-not-feed-the-troll/650838.md?page=16) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-not-feed-the-troll/650838.md?page=18)