What Tengu said.
Feeding trolls is the best way to ensure they’ll stick around. Masterson, Connie, John, JDT, Phaedy . . . all of them kept their shit going just for the attention they got–primarily in the Pit, and primarily from the “XXXX is a troll” threads.
Fine rule, necessary, and not in the slightest onerous.
Why? For the love of all that is holy, WHY is it okay (in this place) to call someone a scum sucking racist sexist troglodytic pedophile, but calling them a troll is simply unacceptable? It makes no sense whatsoever.
Because calling them names doesn’t attract the same attention that “troll” does
That is the stupidest justification I’ve ever heard. If you agree that giving them attention is what feeds them, what does it matter what you call them?
Just because you don’t understand it doesn’t make it stupid. Fuck right off.
No, what makes it stupid is that it’s flatly contradictory. First you tell me that These people feed off of any attention, and then you say that calling them names doesn’t attract attention like calling them troll does. It’s either one or the other. If you feel I’m missing some fundamental part of your argument, then climb down off whatever projectile you have stuffed up your rear and explain it. No need to get all huffy.
“t-words”? “tiggers”? “tics”? “tagos”? “tags”? “tikes”? Are these acceptable substitutes?
Huffy? You started the bitchiness, dear heart.
Alls I said, as I thought I made clear, is that accusations of trolling, and threads to that effect, provide a different amount and quality of attention than stupid names.
You’re welcome to disagree. I admit, it’s my opinion, based on nothing more than my 15 years of online community experience.
The problem with the troll rule is it means that when someone is trolling, we’re required to all pretend that they’re speaking seriously. In the hypothetical seal-clubbing example, the only responses that are permitted under the rules are rational debate over whether clubbing baby seals is a legitimate form of recreation. Why should we have to dignify that sort of thing with rational argument when it wasn’t begun out of any desire to argue rationally?
or ignore the thread.
or report the post and not respond.
or report the post and respond “no, it’s not”.
or report the post and respond “I disagree”
etc.
Because being a “troll” is a violation of board rules and should then be handled by the mods since that sort of thing is their job and all. Calling someone a scum sucking racist sexist troglodytic pedophile is simply your take on their personality and how they spend their free time.
Hmmm, you might be on to something . . .
I just said it was a stupid justification for enforcement of a rule that is purportedly for the benefit of the entire board but really, doesn’t seem to help. I still don’t see the difference. If any attention at all is bad (per Tengu’s post and your support of that post), then calling them a troll as opposed to calling them a knuckle dragging ass munch isn’t really going to make much difference, is it? The point is, I think we should be able to call these people on their behavior if the occasion warrants it. And I don’t think we should have to tap dance around calling a troll a troll.
Thank you. THAT actually makes sense. I still disagree with it, but at least it makes sense.
I’ve been doing my best to ignore Graham, but it’s irritating to run into threads on him and see all the folks who honestly believe he’s serious able to talk, and the other opinion not permitted.
When I reflect on this board, and the many reasons I won’t give it a cent more, it’s only partly the so-many-stupid-posting-rules we’re supposed to keep track of and the self-important-mildly-condescending mods whose credentials are anyone’s guess. It’s also the indignant, defensive, sycophantic mod pets who can’t wait to tell you how wrong you are to question authority.
Honestly, then . . . why bother? You’ve already made sure everyone knows that you’re not renewing. You think there are stupid rules and horrible moderation, so why would you even waste your time posting here?
Good question. Because I’m bored?
Fair 'nuff.
No problem. That’s why they pay me the big bucks. 