# What is trolling? **URL:** \ **Category:** About This Message Board\ **Created:** [June 24, 2010, 1:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-trolling/544298 "2010-06-24T01:25:32Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 12
**Author:** ![Rand\_Rover](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/db5fbb/32.png) [@Rand\_Rover](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rand_Rover)\ **Post date:** [July 7, 2010, 1:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-trolling/544298/221 "2010-07-07T13:50:45Z")
> [@samclem](#): > > I think you are masterful at taking it right up to the edge, whether it be merely starting a hot-button topic or by making carefully worded responses to other poster’s reactions. Aw, shucks . . . [looks at feet, kicks dirt] ---
**Author:** ![SeaCanary](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e274bd/32.png) [@SeaCanary](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SeaCanary)\ **Post date:** [July 7, 2010, 7:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-trolling/544298/222 "2010-07-07T19:28:32Z")
Have you, Rand Rover, considered the possibility that you are wrong or, perhaps, incapable of understanding what the mods are saying? ---
**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:** [July 7, 2010, 7:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-trolling/544298/223 "2010-07-07T19:36:56Z")
> [@SeaCanary](#): > > Have you, Rand Rover, considered the possibility that you are wrong or, perhaps, incapable of understanding what the mods are saying? I believe he _fully_ understands what the mods are saying. ---
**Author:** ![Rand\_Rover](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/db5fbb/32.png) [@Rand\_Rover](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rand_Rover)\ **Post date:** [July 8, 2010, 2:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-trolling/544298/224 "2010-07-08T02:48:05Z")
> [@SeaCanary](#): > > Have you, Rand Rover, considered the possibility that you are wrong or, perhaps, incapable of understanding what the mods are saying? I was wrong once just to see what it felt like. > [@Czarcasm](#): > > I believe he _fully_ understands what the mods are saying. I fully understand what everyone is saying. ---
**Author:** ![SeaCanary](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e274bd/32.png) [@SeaCanary](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SeaCanary)\ **Post date:** [July 8, 2010, 11:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-trolling/544298/225 "2010-07-08T11:21:37Z")
> [@Rand\_Rover](#): > > I was wrong once just to see what it felt like. I bet my tenant tickets to see Robin Hood that your answer would not have the word “yes” or “no” in it. \I WIN I WIN I WIN\ Thank you. Have a pleasant day. ---
**Author:** ![Sticks\_and\_Scones](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sticks_and_scones/32/16951_2.png) [@Sticks\_and\_Scones](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sticks_and_Scones)\ **Post date:** [July 9, 2010, 5:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-trolling/544298/226 "2010-07-09T05:11:09Z")
**Samclem** , I suppose you think he just started the thread because he’s looking for hiring tips. :dubious: Well, if he isn’t trolling, then would it be ok for me to start a companion poll asking if you’d hire a person with a mental illness or the other person? I think that would go over very well, too. ---
**Author:** ![samclem](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a9a28c/32.png) [@samclem](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/samclem)\ **Post date:** [July 9, 2010, 11:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-trolling/544298/227 "2010-07-09T11:01:55Z")
> [@Sticks\_and\_Scones](#): > > **Samclem** , I suppose you think he just started the thread because he’s looking for hiring tips. :dubious: > > Well, if he isn’t trolling, then would it be ok for me to start a companion poll asking if you’d hire a person with a mental illness or the other person? > > I think that would go over very well, too. I actually didn’t express an opinion about whether I personally thought he was trolling. I said the moderators were divided on their opinions. As far as starting a companion poll, just let it be. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![kingbighair](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/13edae/32.png) [@kingbighair](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kingbighair)\ **Post date:** [July 29, 2010, 6:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-trolling/544298/228 "2010-07-29T18:53:14Z")
Is [this](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showpost.php?p=12741864&postcount=98) trolling? > [@More SDMB arguments I'm sick of](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/more-sdmb-arguments-im-sick-of/548274/98): > > Only if you define “personality” as “being right and rubbing your nose in it”. > > I’m quite sure you know perfectly well how unpleasant some of you look when you let your inner motivations slip out. And I know you would like everyone to pretend that you hold the high ground morally. The trouble is, you don’t, and I have no intention whatever of letting you off on it. > > I am going to embarrass you, and laugh at you, and make fun of your hypocrisy, and mock the politicians you want to worship and adore. and generally amuse myself very much at your expense. > > I like it, and I am going to continue to do it. The fact that it irritates you and makes you pitch these tantrums is part of the fun. > > Regards, > Shodan ---
**Author:** ![Munch](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/munch/32/5281_2.png) [@Munch](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Munch)\ **Post date:** [July 29, 2010, 7:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-trolling/544298/229 "2010-07-29T19:10:43Z")
> [@kingbighair](#): > > Is [this](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showpost.php?p=12741864&postcount=98) trolling? Of course not - it’s Shodan. He has pictures of Ed Zotti blowing a goat, so he gets a lifetime pass. ---
**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:** [July 29, 2010, 7:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-trolling/544298/230 "2010-07-29T19:22:01Z")
> [@More SDMB arguments I'm sick of](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/more-sdmb-arguments-im-sick-of/548274/98): > > Is [this](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showpost.php?p=12741864&postcount=98) trolling? > > > [@More SDMB arguments I'm sick of](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/more-sdmb-arguments-im-sick-of/548274/98): > > > > Only if you define “personality” as “being right and rubbing your nose in it”. > > > > I’m quite sure you know perfectly well how unpleasant some of you look when you let your inner motivations slip out. And I know you would like everyone to pretend that you hold the high ground morally. The trouble is, you don’t, and I have no intention whatever of letting you off on it. > > > > I am going to embarrass you, and laugh at you, and make fun of your hypocrisy, and mock the politicians you want to worship and adore. and generally amuse myself very much at your expense. > > > > I like it, and I am going to continue to do it. The fact that it irritates you and makes you pitch these tantrums is part of the fun. > > > > Regards, > > Shodan Did you happen to report it to the moderators? ---
**Author:** ![Munch](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/munch/32/5281_2.png) [@Munch](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Munch)\ **Post date:** [July 29, 2010, 7:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-trolling/544298/231 "2010-07-29T19:26:51Z")
> [@Czarcasm](#): > > Did you happen to report it to the moderators? I’m not kingbighair, but why would he? The post itself isn’t trolling, since it’s in the Pit, where it’s (sorta) allowed. But what it is is Shodan admitting that his entire motivation on this message board is to troll. Should we report every one of his posts ever? ---
**Author:** ![kingbighair](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/13edae/32.png) [@kingbighair](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kingbighair)\ **Post date:** [July 29, 2010, 7:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-trolling/544298/232 "2010-07-29T19:53:36Z")
Nope. Thanks **Munch**. ---
**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:** [July 29, 2010, 7:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-trolling/544298/233 "2010-07-29T19:58:34Z")
So this isn’t about finding out whether or not **Shodan** trolling, because you could find _that_ out easily enough by reporting it, right? ---
**Author:** ![Munch](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/munch/32/5281_2.png) [@Munch](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Munch)\ **Post date:** [July 29, 2010, 8:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-trolling/544298/234 "2010-07-29T20:08:09Z")
> [@Czarcasm](#): > > So this isn’t about finding out whether or not **Shodan** trolling, because you could find _that_ out easily enough by reporting it, right? Want to rephrase that? I can’t quite parse it. ---
**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:** [July 29, 2010, 8:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-trolling/544298/235 "2010-07-29T20:17:24Z")
> [@Munch](#): > > > [@Czarcasm](#): > > > > So this isn’t about finding out whether or not **Shodan** trolling, because you could find _that_ out easily enough by reporting it, right? > > Want to rephrase that? I can’t quite parse it. Sorry-insert “is” between “ **Shodan** ” and “trolling”. **Kingbighair** asked whether a post by **Shodan** is an example of trolling, and I provided an easy way to find out. ---
**Author:** ![kingbighair](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/13edae/32.png) [@kingbighair](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kingbighair)\ **Post date:** [July 29, 2010, 8:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-trolling/544298/236 "2010-07-29T20:19:01Z")
Do you get a reply from a mod when you report a post explaining the action taken? ---
**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:** [July 29, 2010, 8:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-trolling/544298/237 "2010-07-29T20:21:07Z")
> [@kingbighair](#): > > Do you get a reply from a mod when you report a post explaining the action taken? If the mod doesn’t respond through action, you can always PM. ---
**Author:** ![kingbighair](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/13edae/32.png) [@kingbighair](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kingbighair)\ **Post date:** [July 29, 2010, 8:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-trolling/544298/238 "2010-07-29T20:30:36Z")
Well I remembered this thread and figured this would be the best place to ask the question. I’ll just report it next time and see what happens. ---
**Author:** ![Munch](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/munch/32/5281_2.png) [@Munch](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Munch)\ **Post date:** [July 29, 2010, 8:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-trolling/544298/239 "2010-07-29T20:32:07Z")
> [@Czarcasm](#): > > So this isn’t about finding out whether or not **Shodan** [is] trolling, because you could find _that_ out easily enough by reporting it, right? Of course not - we KNOW he’s trolling, because he just said so in the quoted post. We also know you’ll do nothing about it, because the mods haven’t done anything about it for the last 11 years of Shodan’s posting history. ---
**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:** [July 29, 2010, 8:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-trolling/544298/240 "2010-07-29T20:43:58Z")
> [@Munch](#): > > > [@Czarcasm](#): > > > > So this isn’t about finding out whether or not **Shodan** [is] trolling, because you could find _that_ out easily enough by reporting it, right? > > Of course not - we KNOW he’s trolling, because he just said so in the quoted post. We also know you’ll do nothing about it, because the mods haven’t done anything about it for the last 11 years of Shodan’s posting history. You’re damn right _I’m_ doing nothing about it, for the obvious reason. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-trolling/544298.md?page=11) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-trolling/544298.md?page=13)