There are many stupid rules on this board, but the most irritating is that you can’t call someone who’s obviously trolling out. Who makes up these rules? Do mods just make this shit up as they go along? From what I’ve seen, yes. Don’t tell me “don’t be a jerk” is the central rule, because a lot of jerkish behavior is permitted. It’s more like, “random things the mods decided in one case was wrong is wrong, and what the Mods say is Gospel.”
I’m not renewing anyway and don’t give that much of a shit, but for christ’s sake. Let go of all the niggling little rules. Let people identify the elephants in the room.
…and for the record, I didn’t call graham a troll. I said a non-troll sane person wouldn’t act like him. I don’t think he’s a troll, I just hold that out as a possibility. I actually think he’s insane. I asked him to tell me which he is.
you misunderstand. I’d care more about your opinion had you not just broken the rule. as it is, it seems more like sour grapes than any thing else, hence my lack of caring.
“Sour grapes” is a bad allusion. It’s said when you denigrate something you actually covet. I don’t secretly aspire to possess the rule, and only denigrate it because I can’t have it. Read the story, man.
Anyway, nobody’s saying this is remotely an issue of any consequence, but as a general rule, do you ignore anyone who’s complained about something that affects them personally?
We have the rule for good cause: People don’t fling “troll” around like it’s a compliment, because it isn’t.
Sometimes the accusations are spot on, but not always.
To tag someone with that label, deserved or not, does nothing positive to encourage discourse and just takes people to Fist City. We try to discourage this kind of behavior whenever possible.
You’re entitled to disagree with our thinking on the matter. But you’re not entitled to be an ass about it.
Finally, if you’re that determined to set yourself on fire in the Straight Dope intersection, we can accommodate your “suicide by mod.” I just want to know why you need to light yourself up, that’s all.
I understand there was a point when accusations of trollery were being overused, mostly for stupid reasons.
I get that a disagreement isn’t a valid reason to call someone a troll, but DAMN! We shouldn’t have to run to teacher when there legitimately is a troll. And Being able to call them on it is usually enough to shut them up. Allowing some moron to run wild in threads without allowing anyone to say that we recognize what they’re doing and don’t appreciate their bullshit far outstrips the occasional incorrect accusation of trolling, IMO.
I said I’d care more. I believe that if you had really been afronted about the rule involved, you’d have pitted the rule prior to being called on it. SOunds more to me like you’re pissed off that you got called on it, that in your head it was an oblique reference, therefore not really bad (which indicates to me you were aware of the rule).
RE: the rule itself. I think it’s appropriate for real trolls, those who thrive on attention.
and I reserve the right to dis posters who only choose to bitch about some rule ** after** they were warned about it.
Its an actual reference to a politician (city councilman?) a number of years back who was told he should resign because he used the word “niggardly” in reference to some government policy. Many people seemed to think that was a racist term, even though it is not. At all.
I don’t think condescending mods encourage discourse, but that’s me. I also think mods gotta try less to be “discourage” people chatting on a chat board. I see a lot of mods being a little condescending now and then, and at least once saw one try deliberately to ruin a guy’s life. Maybe he had it coming, and maybe he didn’t, but let he who is without sin call anyone an “ass” and all that.