# Trolls R Us redux \[Now the argument clinic\] **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [June 27, 2020, 6:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trolls-r-us-redux-now-the-argument-clinic/913349 "2020-06-27T06:30:28Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 60
**Author:** ![QuickSilver](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/quicksilver/32/7832_2.png) [@QuickSilver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/QuickSilver)\ **Post date:** [October 3, 2020, 10:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trolls-r-us-redux-now-the-argument-clinic/913349/1187 "2020-10-03T22:32:58Z")
> [@k9bfriender](#): > > Kinda sad, a few people actually put some work into that thread, trainwreck as it was. Thanks. I was afraid my Fairytale Kingdom suggestion would go unappreciated. ---
**Author:** ![Red\_Wiggler](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/red_wiggler/32/13190_2.png) [@Red\_Wiggler](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Red_Wiggler)\ **Post date:** [October 3, 2020, 10:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trolls-r-us-redux-now-the-argument-clinic/913349/1188 "2020-10-03T22:55:35Z")
> [@k9bfriender](#): > > Actually, all good. I suppose it got him to show his true colors a bit faster, gettin the boot. > > Kinda sad, a few people actually put some work into that thread, trainwreck as it was. New thread started in Great Debates. I thought it was a fun topic, too. ---
**Author:** ![Kron](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kron/32/12444_2.png) [@Kron](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kron)\ **Post date:** [October 3, 2020, 11:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trolls-r-us-redux-now-the-argument-clinic/913349/1189 "2020-10-03T23:50:04Z")
> [@"fortyv" Banned](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fortyv-banned/922158/1): > > Aw- I sent “ **forfyv** ” over here and he got banned within hours. > > He started a thread in “Politics and Elections” called " [New form of government?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-form-of-government/922139/62). > > I was sad to see he didn’t survive long. He’s an older guy who seems kinda lonely and always wants to talk about his pet topic on another website we visit but is not often engaged by others, and I though he could find some folks to talk with here. > > I’m quite sure he didn’t read the rules- he signed up almost as soon as I referred him. > > Any chance of giving him a second opportunity? > > ca3799 Interesting… ---
**Author:** ![Ca3799](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/9f8e36/32.png) [@Ca3799](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ca3799)\ **Post date:** [October 4, 2020, 1:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trolls-r-us-redux-now-the-argument-clinic/913349/1190 "2020-10-04T01:58:50Z")
Not so much. I’m a 20 year member although I don’t post much anymore. I was just feeling kindly toward a guy that I know from another message board who posts a lot about his pet political interest but never gets much, if any, response to his posts. I pointed out that I hear his complaints about governance a lot but that I don’t see him talk much about the alternative(s) he is promoting and encouraged him to bring that discussion here where I knew he would likely find an interested audience and conversation. The guy is older, seems kind of lonely, is not unintelligent, and seemed to be someone who would enjoy a good discussion. He likes photography too and is a very amateur photographer. Anyway, I referred him here and did let him know there were some rules. I’m pretty sure he didn’t read them as he signed up, started posting right away, and then was quickly banned for “trolling”. He doesn’t “troll” at the other place I see him. Another poster pointed out that he may not be aware of the implications of “trolling”. From what I know of him, this seems likely to me. Was his argument good? No. Absolutely not. But I thought the SDMB could help him define are refine his thoughts- like it did for me since long ago. The thread he started was exactly what I’d hoped he would find: interested, intelligent folks defining and/or helping him to define the words, definitions, and parameters of the discussion, then other interesting references, and also supports and challenges to his proposal (weak as it was). I told him I would see if I could get him un-banned. I tried. If SDMB doesn’t want him back, that cool with me. I personally think he got off on a bad foot by not familiarizing himself with the culture and rules here before diving in head-first. That’s entirely on him. I do think he would be a good fit here- IF he would familiarize himself with the culture and rules of the SDMB. ---
**Author:** ![snfaulkner](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/snfaulkner/32/433_2.png) [@snfaulkner](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/snfaulkner)\ **Post date:** [October 4, 2020, 2:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trolls-r-us-redux-now-the-argument-clinic/913349/1191 "2020-10-04T02:02:17Z")
His problem was spewing his schtick in this thread. Had he just kept it over in the other thread, he probably would have been fine. At least for another day or two. ---
**Author:** ![Ca3799](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/9f8e36/32.png) [@Ca3799](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ca3799)\ **Post date:** [October 4, 2020, 2:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trolls-r-us-redux-now-the-argument-clinic/913349/1192 "2020-10-04T02:13:25Z")
I don’t disagree. ---
**Author:** ![Kron](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kron/32/12444_2.png) [@Kron](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kron)\ **Post date:** [October 4, 2020, 2:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trolls-r-us-redux-now-the-argument-clinic/913349/1193 "2020-10-04T02:47:31Z")
> [@Ca3799](#): > > Not so much. I’m a 20 year member although I don’t post much anymore. > > I was just … Nothing meant by my comment other than that it was an interesting development in the saga of the new poster, especially in light of the accusations of trocking. ---
**Author:** ![Locrian](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/locrian/32/14146_2.png) [@Locrian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Locrian)\ **Post date:** [October 4, 2020, 3:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trolls-r-us-redux-now-the-argument-clinic/913349/1194 "2020-10-04T03:01:48Z")
I feel that there are many times on this board where we “want” to have posters who disagree, but at the same time, new posters who may disagree or be from another background are baited, baited, baited until they go nuts, resulting in a ban. It’s not uncommon here. ---
**Author:** ![Great\_Antibob](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e47c2d/32.png) [@Great\_Antibob](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Great_Antibob)\ **Post date:** [October 4, 2020, 3:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trolls-r-us-redux-now-the-argument-clinic/913349/1195 "2020-10-04T03:34:33Z")
> [@Locrian](#): > > new posters who may disagree or be from another background are baited, baited, baited until they go nuts, resulting in a ban. It’s not uncommon here. Be honest. It doesn’t take a lot of bait. The real problem is that online discourse in general is a fucking wasteland. Few and far between are places where you can actually engage in reasonable, reasoned debate because people have learned they can usually unleash their inner asshole online with no consequences. And, despite being slightly better than the norm, this is true here as well for many posters. And for the worst offenders, they don’t even care. They deliberately engage in that sort of behavior because they actually don’t care and don’t have to worry about anybody knowing their “real” identity. So, the default behavior for nearly everybody is to act like a dillweed, i.e. the [Greater Internet Fuckwad Theory](https://www.penny-arcade.com/comic/2004/03/19). And who was the fucking patience to teach people better, when they should already know it themselves but have been conditioned to believe they don’t have to follow even the barest essentials of civil human discourse when online? ---
**Author:** ![Skywatcher](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/skywatcher/32/254_2.png) [@Skywatcher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skywatcher)\ **Post date:** [October 4, 2020, 3:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trolls-r-us-redux-now-the-argument-clinic/913349/1196 "2020-10-04T03:41:18Z")
> [@Great\_Antibob](#): > > Be honest. It doesn’t take a lot of bait. Especially for those who are nutty to begin with. ---
**Author:** ![Gyrate](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gyrate/32/3588_2.png) [@Gyrate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gyrate)\ **Post date:** [October 5, 2020, 8:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trolls-r-us-redux-now-the-argument-clinic/913349/1197 "2020-10-05T08:58:46Z")
And the Dope does contain a lot of master baiters. ---
**Author:** ![mikecurtis](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mikecurtis/32/3284_2.png) [@mikecurtis](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mikecurtis)\ **Post date:** [October 5, 2020, 6:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trolls-r-us-redux-now-the-argument-clinic/913349/1198 "2020-10-05T18:20:01Z")
Ooo, almost forgot. Thanks for reminding me. brb … ---
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [October 5, 2020, 6:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trolls-r-us-redux-now-the-argument-clinic/913349/1199 "2020-10-05T18:22:06Z")
Please, take your time. And please, wash your hands. ---
**Author:** ![Gyrate](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gyrate/32/3588_2.png) [@Gyrate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gyrate)\ **Post date:** [October 5, 2020, 9:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trolls-r-us-redux-now-the-argument-clinic/913349/1200 "2020-10-05T21:56:35Z")
Best not mention this on your application for the Proud Boys. ---
**Author:** ![ASL\_v2.0](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/asl_v2.0/32/3525_2.png) [@ASL\_v2.0](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ASL_v2.0)\ **Post date:** [October 6, 2020, 11:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trolls-r-us-redux-now-the-argument-clinic/913349/1201 "2020-10-06T23:49:01Z")
Props to troll of the hour Velocity, who’s got atheists arguing over the preferred nature of a god and an afterlife (if any—of course we have to assume the former if we want to comment at all, lest we get accused of threadshitting) that none of us believe in: > [@Atheists: If there had to be a god, what would you want it to be like?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/atheists-if-there-had-to-be-a-god-what-would-you-want-it-to-be-like/922280): > > In the past, when there were such threads, some Dopers dodged the hypothetical by replying, “I don’t want there to be a god, period.” So - suppose we bypass that for a moment - if there had to be a god - no dodging this - what would you want it to be like? You get to choose the attributes of such a god. Would you prefer it be a god who creates the Universe but then leaves it to its own devices and does not do anything more? (the analogy of the “creator who winds up a watch and lets it tick”) W… ---
**Author:** ![EinsteinsHund](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/einsteinshund/32/8400_2.png) [@EinsteinsHund](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/EinsteinsHund)\ **Post date:** [October 6, 2020, 11:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trolls-r-us-redux-now-the-argument-clinic/913349/1202 "2020-10-06T23:56:55Z")
Well, I don’t know, I concede that Velocity is one of the masters of JAQing off at this board, always closely skirting around trolling, but this is one of his subjects that maybe presents an interesting hypothetical that could make for a worthwhile thread. He’s done much worth. But I haven’t read the whole thread and only his OP, maybe he got worse later in the thread. But then, mostly he doesn’t even return to his JAQing threads. ---
**Author:** ![EinsteinsHund](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/einsteinshund/32/8400_2.png) [@EinsteinsHund](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/EinsteinsHund)\ **Post date:** [October 7, 2020, 12:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trolls-r-us-redux-now-the-argument-clinic/913349/1203 "2020-10-07T00:06:42Z")
> [@EinsteinsHund](#): > > He’s done much worth. Correction: He’s done much _worse_. A small typo, but a decisive distinction. ---
**Author:** ![wolfpup](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wolfpup/32/10618_2.png) [@wolfpup](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wolfpup)\ **Post date:** [October 7, 2020, 12:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trolls-r-us-redux-now-the-argument-clinic/913349/1204 "2020-10-07T00:14:06Z")
Alternatively, I could have gone along with “he’s done much that is worthless”. ---
**Author:** ![ASL\_v2.0](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/asl_v2.0/32/3525_2.png) [@ASL\_v2.0](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ASL_v2.0)\ **Post date:** [October 7, 2020, 1:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trolls-r-us-redux-now-the-argument-clinic/913349/1205 "2020-10-07T01:05:03Z")
I just really, really hate threads where the OP is a clear effort to abuse the “no threadshitting” rule to force people who would tend to take issue with the OP in some respect if they could discuss it openly to either (a) stay out, (b) accept a ridiculous proposition at face value and just roll with it, or `(c)` invite a warning. Bonus points when it gets people who hold a view distinct from the OP’s to argue amongst themselves, rather than focus on debunking bullshit claims elsewhere. @Velocity really is this forum’s apex troll in my book. I’m even willing to risk him seeing this and taking that as a compliment. ---
**Author:** ![BippityBoppityBoo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bippityboppityboo/32/5745_2.png) [@BippityBoppityBoo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BippityBoppityBoo)\ **Post date:** [October 7, 2020, 1:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trolls-r-us-redux-now-the-argument-clinic/913349/1206 "2020-10-07T01:09:55Z")
> [@ASL\_v2.0](#): > > really is this forum’s apex troll in my book. I’m even willing to risk him seeing this and taking that as a compliment There are 2 or 3 others sharing the medal platform with @velocity. I’d name names but don’t want to give them the satisfaction. Sure do hate the highjacking and dragging every topic around to their narrow self serving indignant pet peeves though. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trolls-r-us-redux-now-the-argument-clinic/913349.md?page=59) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trolls-r-us-redux-now-the-argument-clinic/913349.md?page=61)