# 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:** 89
**Author:** ![Kimstu](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/ecd19e/32.png) [@Kimstu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kimstu)\ **Post date:** [December 1, 2020, 9:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trolls-r-us-redux-now-the-argument-clinic/913349/1767 "2020-12-01T21:21:19Z")
> [@Roderick\_Femm](#): > > You could have been sensible and avoided the thread completely, based on the obvious troll-like nature of the title. The thing is, though, that when other posters don’t push back against troll-like tactics, the tacticians then try to invoke that as evidence that disciplinary action against them is unwarranted and unfair. Witness the recently closed [ATMB thread](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/transgender-topics/926758/81) regarding one of the other recently closed threads, where one of the posters is arguing that the criticized behavior can’t really have been so bad because it hadn’t already provoked a Pitting. I give jerkish or trollish behavior a pass around here all the time because it’s not worth it to me to be jumping on every single instance that I see. But I recognize that giving such behavior a pass is to some extent passively enabling it. There’s no magic cure for jerkish/trollish behavior, not even by ignoring or avoiding it. ---
**Author:** ![Spice\_Weasel](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spice_weasel/32/5435_2.png) [@Spice\_Weasel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spice_Weasel)\ **Post date:** [December 1, 2020, 9:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trolls-r-us-redux-now-the-argument-clinic/913349/1768 "2020-12-01T21:33:03Z")
> [@Kimstu](#): > > Witness the recently closed [ATMB thread](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/transgender-topics/926758/81) regarding one of the other recently closed threads, where one of the posters is arguing that the criticized behavior can’t really have been so bad because it hadn’t already provoked a Pitting. Yes, and I will respond to that here because I’m not about to start a Pit thread about it (at least not now.) The reason nobody’s ever pitted that poster is because the people who get the brunt of her ire are not the kind of people who start Pit threads. I think I’ve started two in my entire time here. But I did express my upset in one of those threads before I bailed, so it’s not like it’s hard to figure out when a poster is upset with something you said. A lot of people got upset in those threads. A lot were so upset they left the thread. They just aren’t the pitting kind. I’ve thought about starting a Pit thread not to call anyone out in a mean way but just to discuss the… er, communication issues that keep coming up around this issue. But now is definitely not the time. With a few exceptions, I really do try to refrain from personal attacks, even in the Pit. ---
**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:** [December 1, 2020, 9:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trolls-r-us-redux-now-the-argument-clinic/913349/1769 "2020-12-01T21:38:46Z")
> [@Kimstu](#): > > Witness the recently closed [ATMB thread](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/transgender-topics/926758/81) regarding one of the other recently closed threads, where one of the posters is arguing that the criticized behavior can’t really have been so bad because it hadn’t already provoked a Pitting. Even if we assume the least charitable interpretation of the posters behavior as being trollish - which I do not - there is also the matter of greater context and the entirety of contributions made on other subjects that needs to be considered before accusing someone of being a troll. Find it, show it and make the case, in the pit if you must. Else, grow a thicker skin and consider the possibility that strong disagreement should not lead to accusations of questionable motives. ---
**Author:** ![Spice\_Weasel](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spice_weasel/32/5435_2.png) [@Spice\_Weasel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spice_Weasel)\ **Post date:** [December 1, 2020, 9:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trolls-r-us-redux-now-the-argument-clinic/913349/1770 "2020-12-01T21:49:46Z")
> [@QuickSilver](#): > > Even if we assume the least charitable interpretation of the posters behavior as being trollish - which I do not - For the record, I do _not_ take the position that said poster was trolling. I don’t think that’s the case at all. ---
**Author:** ![Boudicca90](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/boudicca90/32/16818_2.png) [@Boudicca90](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Boudicca90)\ **Post date:** [December 1, 2020, 9:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trolls-r-us-redux-now-the-argument-clinic/913349/1771 "2020-12-01T21:51:11Z")
> [@Spice\_Weasel](#): > > Yes, and I will respond to that here because I’m not about to start a Pit thread about it (at least not now.) The reason nobody’s ever pitted that poster is because the people who get the brunt of her ire are not the kind of people who start Pit threads. I think I’ve started two in my entire time here. But I did express my upset in one of those threads before I bailed, so it’s not like it’s hard to figure out when a poster is upset with something you said. A lot of people got upset in those threads. A lot were so upset they left the thread. They just aren’t the pitting kind. I’ve thought about starting a Pit thread not to call anyone out in a mean way but just to discuss the… er, communication issues that keep coming up around this issue. But now is definitely not the time. > > With a few exceptions, I really do try to refrain from personal attacks, even in the Pit. As someone who has gotten the brunt of her ire many times already, I’m certainly not pitting her. And I just don’t think it’s productive and not really in my nature. I was advised in a PM to maybe take it to the Pit but I said no way! I don’t want to deal with her saying whatever she wants to about us without any kind of moderation. > [@QuickSilver](#): > > Even if we assume the least charitable interpretation of the posters behavior as being trollish - which I do not - there is also the matter of greater context and the entirety of contributions made on other subjects that needs to be considered before accusing someone of being a troll. Find it, show it and make the case, in the pit if you must. Else, grow a thicker skin and consider the possibility that strong disagreement should not lead to accusations of questionable motives. Yes, people who deal with discrimination and bigotry against them should just “grow a thicker skin”… 🙄 ---
**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:** [December 1, 2020, 10:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trolls-r-us-redux-now-the-argument-clinic/913349/1772 "2020-12-01T22:01:22Z")
> [@Boudicca90](#): > > Yes, people who deal with discrimination and bigotry against them should just “grow a thicker skin”… 🙄 No. But neither should they always assume disagreement = discrimination. ---
**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:** [December 1, 2020, 10:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trolls-r-us-redux-now-the-argument-clinic/913349/1773 "2020-12-01T22:03:12Z")
> [@Spice\_Weasel](#): > > For the record, I do _not_ take the position that said poster was trolling. I don’t think that’s the case at all. So recorded. ---
**Author:** ![Boudicca90](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/boudicca90/32/16818_2.png) [@Boudicca90](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Boudicca90)\ **Post date:** [December 1, 2020, 10:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trolls-r-us-redux-now-the-argument-clinic/913349/1774 "2020-12-01T22:13:13Z")
> [@QuickSilver](#): > > No. But neither should they always assume disagreement = discrimination. Disagreement is fine for some things, like should we raise taxes, or should we have Medicare For All. Not for someone’s gender. Not being told you aren’t the gender that you actually are. ---
**Author:** ![DemonTree](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/demontree/32/8646_2.png) [@DemonTree](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DemonTree)\ **Post date:** [December 1, 2020, 10:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trolls-r-us-redux-now-the-argument-clinic/913349/1775 "2020-12-01T22:15:44Z")
> [@Spice\_Weasel](#): > > Yes!! ROFL. That’s exactly what I was thinking before I scrolled down and saw your reply. FTR, I was sorry you left the JKR thread, because I think you have valuable insight, but I understand why you did. ---
**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:** [December 1, 2020, 10:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trolls-r-us-redux-now-the-argument-clinic/913349/1776 "2020-12-01T22:17:24Z")
> [@Boudicca90](#): > > Disagreement is fine for some things, like should we raise taxes, or should we have Medicare For All. Not for someone’s gender. Not being told you aren’t the gender that you actually are. I think that’s a very poor characterization of the arguments made. We can get into detail about it but I don’t think it would be productive at this stage. I think you’re past listening and I don’t know how much more convincing I have left in me on this subject. I think we could probably all use a break. ---
**Author:** ![Spice\_Weasel](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spice_weasel/32/5435_2.png) [@Spice\_Weasel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spice_Weasel)\ **Post date:** [December 1, 2020, 10:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trolls-r-us-redux-now-the-argument-clinic/913349/1777 "2020-12-01T22:29:23Z")
> [@QuickSilver](#): > > Else, grow a thicker skin and consider the possibility that strong disagreement should not lead to accusations of questionable motives. Just because it’s not trolling, there’s a lot of Pit material there, nonetheless. The breaking point for me was when I was compared to a goddamn anti-suffragist and one of the villains of A Handmaid’s Tale. I’m sparing you the full rant. But believe me, I have a _lot_ to say. > [@DemonTree](#): > > FTR, I was sorry you left the JKR thread, because I think you have valuable insight, but I understand why you did. Thank you. I’ll probably try again another time. ---
**Author:** ![octopus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/octopus/32/3716_2.png) [@octopus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/octopus)\ **Post date:** [December 2, 2020, 4:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trolls-r-us-redux-now-the-argument-clinic/913349/1778 "2020-12-02T04:59:02Z")
Righting every wrong on the Internet must be exhausting. ---
**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:** [December 2, 2020, 5:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trolls-r-us-redux-now-the-argument-clinic/913349/1779 "2020-12-02T05:02:35Z")
Whereas being a total dick 24/7/365 is a breeze for you, right? ---
**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:** [December 2, 2020, 5:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trolls-r-us-redux-now-the-argument-clinic/913349/1780 "2020-12-02T05:04:08Z")
While respawning garbage you heard on fox is easy peasy. Don’t strain yourself with any sort of thought. ---
**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:** [December 2, 2020, 5:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trolls-r-us-redux-now-the-argument-clinic/913349/1781 "2020-12-02T05:06:41Z")
> [@snfaulkner](#): > > Don’t strain yourself with any sort of thought. That is about as likely as Trump winning a biathlon at the Olympics. ---
**Author:** ![octopus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/octopus/32/3716_2.png) [@octopus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/octopus)\ **Post date:** [December 2, 2020, 6:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trolls-r-us-redux-now-the-argument-clinic/913349/1782 "2020-12-02T06:20:38Z")
You folks really lack self awareness. ---
**Author:** ![crowmanyclouds](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/crowmanyclouds/32/19884_2.png) [@crowmanyclouds](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/crowmanyclouds)\ **Post date:** [December 2, 2020, 6:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trolls-r-us-redux-now-the-argument-clinic/913349/1783 "2020-12-02T06:36:26Z")
You forgot, ‘And you all have potty mouths!’ ---
**Author:** ![MrDibble](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mrdibble/32/114_2.png) [@MrDibble](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MrDibble)\ **Post date:** [December 2, 2020, 7:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trolls-r-us-redux-now-the-argument-clinic/913349/1784 "2020-12-02T07:31:49Z")
> [@QuickSilver](#): > > I don’t know how much more convincing I have left in me on this subject. I think we could probably all use a break. Eh, grow a thicker skin. See, _real_ helpful advice, isn’t it? ---
**Author:** ![crowmanyclouds](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/crowmanyclouds/32/19884_2.png) [@crowmanyclouds](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/crowmanyclouds)\ **Post date:** [December 2, 2020, 7:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trolls-r-us-redux-now-the-argument-clinic/913349/1785 "2020-12-02T07:37:18Z")
> [@MrDibble](#): > > Eh, grow a thicker skin. {…} Trollhide? (An inside, SCAdianesque joke . . . mostly.) ---
**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:** [December 2, 2020, 7:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trolls-r-us-redux-now-the-argument-clinic/913349/1786 "2020-12-02T07:41:16Z")
Certainly some one does. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trolls-r-us-redux-now-the-argument-clinic/913349.md?page=88) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trolls-r-us-redux-now-the-argument-clinic/913349.md?page=90)