# If trolling is against the rules... **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [November 7, 2004, 8:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-trolling-is-against-the-rules/273521 "2004-11-07T20:19:55Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![TellMeI\_mNotCrazy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tellmei_mnotcrazy/32/3419_2.png) [@TellMeI\_mNotCrazy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TellMeI_mNotCrazy)\ **Post date:** [November 7, 2004, 8:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-trolling-is-against-the-rules/273521/1 "2004-11-07T20:19:55Z")
And a user is told twice that he’s trolling, why doesn’t that user get banned? So that I don’t put myself in jeopardy of breaking a rule myself, I’ll just clarify: Blackacre has been told twice by mods that he’s trolling. Neither admonition states that it’s a formal warning (not that that means it wasn’t) and he’s still a Charter Member so I’m simply confused. This was also addressed in this thread: [http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=285292](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=285292) but I am really just seeking clarification on this point alone. So: if he’s trolling, why hasn’t he been banned? The only thing I can come up with is that there might be a small difference between “trolling” and “being a troll”…? As in, a user could troll in a post or two, but in general, have other threads that don’t qualify as trolling… Therefore, while they exhibit the behavior, they don’t qualify as an actual troll. (Does that make any sense?) Is that the distinction here? Does a troll make trolling his only activity? ---
**Author:** ![tomndebb](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/b9e5f3/32.png) [@tomndebb](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tomndebb)\ **Post date:** [November 7, 2004, 8:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-trolling-is-against-the-rules/273521/2 "2004-11-07T20:49:08Z")
Basicaly, this sort of action by the Mods gives us all something to wrangle over, distracting us from the real issues regarding whether Coldfire is spending too much time with his wife instead of patrolling the boards and whether Lynn really likes all that chocolate, or whether she is simply harvesting the results of her bribes for resale. (You might also note that the administration not only prefers that cries of "Troll!’ be suppressed, but that questions regarding trolls be addressed to them via e-mail. However, I am sure that this thread will have a long and useful life–like the many before it.) 😉 ---
**Author:** ![Shadez](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/90ced4/32.png) [@Shadez](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shadez)\ **Post date:** [November 7, 2004, 8:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-trolling-is-against-the-rules/273521/3 "2004-11-07T20:55:27Z")
Yeah. I really think you should just ask the mods to close this thread and email them, which is the proper course of action for any inquires regarding trolling and the like. ---
**Author:** ![Miller](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/miller/32/481_2.png) [@Miller](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Miller)\ **Post date:** [November 7, 2004, 9:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-trolling-is-against-the-rules/273521/4 "2004-11-07T21:59:35Z")
> [@TellMeI'mNotCrazy](#): > > The only thing I can come up with is that there might be a small difference between “trolling” and “being a troll”…? As in, a user could troll in a post or two, but in general, have other threads that don’t qualify as trolling… Therefore, while they exhibit the behavior, they don’t qualify as an actual troll. (Does that make any sense?) Is that the distinction here? Does a troll make trolling his only activity? That’s my guess, as well. Not everyone who joins here knows what trolling is and what constitues it right out of the gate. While **Blackacre** is probably a hopeless cause, I think it’s a good idea to give new posters a couple of chances to figure out the board culture and how to fit in with it before busting out the Ban Stick. ---
**Author:** ![TellMeI\_mNotCrazy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tellmei_mnotcrazy/32/3419_2.png) [@TellMeI\_mNotCrazy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TellMeI_mNotCrazy)\ **Post date:** [November 7, 2004, 10:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-trolling-is-against-the-rules/273521/5 "2004-11-07T22:42:13Z")
If the mods see fit to close this thread, I will certainly understand, but I am not accusing anyone of being a troll. I am only asking what the difference between a troll, and trolling is, and citing statements by the mods themselves. ---
**Author:** ![cheddarsnax](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/a587f6/32.png) [@cheddarsnax](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cheddarsnax)\ **Post date:** [November 7, 2004, 10:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-trolling-is-against-the-rules/273521/6 "2004-11-07T22:53:45Z")
> [@Shadez](#): > > Yeah. I really think you should just ask the mods to close this thread and email them, which is the proper course of action for any inquires regarding trolling and the like. Well, y’know, people say that alot, but it doesn’t stop these threads from going on for pages and pages without being closed. ---
**Author:** ![bluecanary](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bluecanary/32/3614_2.png) [@bluecanary](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bluecanary)\ **Post date:** [November 7, 2004, 10:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-trolling-is-against-the-rules/273521/7 "2004-11-07T22:57:42Z")
Maybe because at present **Blackacre** is, in his own way, uniting the board… (against him) ---
**Author:** ![Smeghead](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/f1d935/32.png) [@Smeghead](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Smeghead)\ **Post date:** [November 8, 2004, 5:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-trolling-is-against-the-rules/273521/8 "2004-11-08T05:17:20Z")
Could be just as simple as the mods are still arguing amongst themselves about what to do with him. ---
**Author:** ![danceswithcats](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/9e8a1a/32.png) [@danceswithcats](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/danceswithcats)\ **Post date:** [November 8, 2004, 5:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-trolling-is-against-the-rules/273521/9 "2004-11-08T05:57:15Z")
> [@Shadez](#): > > Yeah. I really think you should just ask the mods to close this thread and email them, which is the proper course of action for any inquires regarding trolling and the like. Rather than burden the mods, it’s so much more fun to either (a) ignore the offending SOB, or (b) have a good old fashioned dogpile as was done with Beaver Cleaver about a month ago. ---
**Author:** ![AncientHumanoid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ancienthumanoid/32/278_2.png) [@AncientHumanoid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AncientHumanoid)\ **Post date:** [November 8, 2004, 2:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-trolling-is-against-the-rules/273521/10 "2004-11-08T14:03:25Z")
> [@danceswithcats](#): > > Rather than burden the mods, it’s so much more fun to either (a) ignore the offending SOB, or (b) have a good old fashioned dogpile as was done with Beaver Cleaver about a month ago. And another thing, the offending or questioned posts are public, the admonitions or warnings are public (the ones in the threads anyways), so why shouldn’t any questions or comments about it all also be public? That phrase (you should’ve e-mailed a mod) is stupid, imho, when everything else about a situation is public. I for one would like to see _those_ fucking posts stop. Oh yeah, GO BRONCOS! ---
**Author:** ![EddyTeddyFreddy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/eddyteddyfreddy/32/18796_2.png) [@EddyTeddyFreddy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/EddyTeddyFreddy)\ **Post date:** [November 8, 2004, 2:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-trolling-is-against-the-rules/273521/11 "2004-11-08T14:08:02Z")
> [@danceswithcats](#): > > Rather than burden the mods, it’s so much more fun to either (a) ignore the offending SOB, or (b) have a good old fashioned dogpile as was done with Beaver Cleaver about a month ago. Beaver Cleaver? I don’t recall that one. Did I miss a dogpile? DAMN. :: pouts :: ---
**Author:** ![pencilpusher](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/d6d6ee/32.png) [@pencilpusher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pencilpusher)\ **Post date:** [November 9, 2004, 4:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-trolling-is-against-the-rules/273521/12 "2004-11-09T04:29:21Z")
> [@EddyTeddyFreddy](#): > > Beaver Cleaver? I don’t recall that one. Did I miss a dogpile? DAMN. > > :: pouts :: Don’t feel too bad… I missed it too. _Pulls up a mat and sits beside you pouting_😛 ---
**Author:** ![roger\_thornhill](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/d9b06d/32.png) [@roger\_thornhill](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/roger_thornhill)\ **Post date:** [November 9, 2004, 4:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-trolling-is-against-the-rules/273521/13 "2004-11-09T04:39:42Z")
> [@EddyTeddyFreddy](#): > > Beaver Cleaver? I don’t recall that one. Did I miss a dogpile? DAMN. I took this to refer to your erstwhile nemesis, the [Penis King](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=274054&highlight). ---
**Author:** ![Futile\_Gesture](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/f05b48/32.png) [@Futile\_Gesture](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Futile_Gesture)\ **Post date:** [November 9, 2004, 10:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-trolling-is-against-the-rules/273521/14 "2004-11-09T10:35:05Z")
Cool. Yet another thread about trolling. This will really put a stop to trolling. Trolls are shy creatures and really hate getting talked about and all the attention. It makes them sad and then they go away. :rolleyes: ---
**Author:** ![TellMeI\_mNotCrazy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tellmei_mnotcrazy/32/3419_2.png) [@TellMeI\_mNotCrazy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TellMeI_mNotCrazy)\ **Post date:** [November 9, 2004, 11:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-trolling-is-against-the-rules/273521/15 "2004-11-09T11:00:26Z")
> [@Futile Gesture](#): > > Cool. Yet another thread about trolling. This will really put a stop to trolling. Trolls are shy creatures and really hate getting talked about and all the attention. It makes them sad and then they go away. > > :rolleyes: ANd yet, you can’t resist posting in it yourself. I invite anyone who has a problem with the existence of this thread to report this post to a mod. ---
**Author:** ![duffer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/duffer/32/1026_2.png) [@duffer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/duffer)\ **Post date:** [November 9, 2004, 12:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-trolling-is-against-the-rules/273521/16 "2004-11-09T12:42:20Z")
> [@TellMeI'mNotCrazy](#): > > ANd yet, you can’t resist posting in it yourself. > > I invite anyone who has a problem with the existence of this thread to report this post to a mod. Reported. Nah, just kidding. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Blackacre](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/7c8e57/32.png) [@Blackacre](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Blackacre)\ **Post date:** [November 9, 2004, 6:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-trolling-is-against-the-rules/273521/17 "2004-11-09T18:21:10Z")
Cripes, what’s a gal got to do to get [two threads](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=285292) of her own around here? =D Cheers! BA ---
**Author:** ![Hamlet](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hamlet/32/2818_2.png) [@Hamlet](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hamlet)\ **Post date:** [November 9, 2004, 6:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-trolling-is-against-the-rules/273521/18 "2004-11-09T18:29:17Z")
> [@Blackacre](#): > > Cripes, what’s a gal got to do to get [two threads](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=285292) of her own around here? =D > > Cheers! > BA Be an annoying, blithering idiot. Trust me, you got it nailed! ---
**Author:** ![Blackacre](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/7c8e57/32.png) [@Blackacre](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Blackacre)\ **Post date:** [November 9, 2004, 6:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-trolling-is-against-the-rules/273521/19 "2004-11-09T18:54:13Z")
> [@Hamlet](#): > > Be an annoying, blithering idiot. Trust me, you got it nailed! “Alas, poor Yorick! I knew him, Horatio; a fellow of infinite jest, of most excellent fancy.” –From Hamlet (V, i, 203-204) For the **Hamlet** lovers out there. Think I will change my name to Jesus, accordingly. Cheers! BA ---
**Author:** ![Ponder\_Stibbons](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ponder_stibbons/32/343_2.png) [@Ponder\_Stibbons](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ponder_Stibbons)\ **Post date:** [November 9, 2004, 7:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-trolling-is-against-the-rules/273521/20 "2004-11-09T19:00:43Z")
Just how droll could bold troll roll if a bold troll could roll droll? [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-trolling-is-against-the-rules/273521.md?page=2)