# 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:** 3
**Author:** ![samclem](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a9a28c/32.png) [@samclem](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/samclem)\ **Post date:** [June 24, 2010, 2:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-trolling/544298/41 "2010-06-24T02:59:40Z")
> [@MPB\_in\_Salt\_Lake](#): > > I wasn’t going to add anything more, but I actually didn’t insult anyone, I just stated my honest opinion-.. These are not mutually exclusive statements. ---
**Author:** ![Sister\_Vigilante](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9de0a6/32.png) [@Sister\_Vigilante](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sister_Vigilante)\ **Post date:** [June 24, 2010, 3:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-trolling/544298/42 "2010-06-24T03:01:13Z")
You obviously know what a troll is. And you are in fact trolling this very forum. ALL of the terms? How about the “Don’t be a Jerk” rule? Fits everything, really. Stating “It’s troll feeding time, and I’m hungry!” in a thread? Pretty obvious. Give it up. Seriously. You look like a douche. ---
**Author:** ![samclem](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a9a28c/32.png) [@samclem](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/samclem)\ **Post date:** [June 24, 2010, 3:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-trolling/544298/43 "2010-06-24T03:01:13Z")
> [@Rand\_Rover](#): > > Nope. Absolutely not. Would you like me to link to a post from every single forum showing an actionable insult in a thread on the front page? I absolutely could do that. Not really. I’d rather you report such violations when you notice them. Moderators aren’t on here 24/7. We really try to do our best. ---
**Author:** ![SoulFrost](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/f07891/32.png) [@SoulFrost](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SoulFrost)\ **Post date:** [June 24, 2010, 3:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-trolling/544298/44 "2010-06-24T03:13:55Z")
> [@Sister\_Vigilante](#): > > Stating “It’s troll feeding time, and I’m hungry!” in a thread? Pretty obvious. I’d actually cut him slack on that one. Looks to me like he was just being sarcastic: “Debate with you? But I’m a fuckin’ TROLL, remember?” ---
**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:** [June 24, 2010, 3:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-trolling/544298/45 "2010-06-24T03:16:49Z")
> [@SoulFrost](#): > > I’d actually cut him slack on that one. Looks to me like he was just being sarcastic: “Debate with you? But I’m a fuckin’ TROLL, remember?” Exactly. ---
**Author:** ![SoulFrost](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/f07891/32.png) [@SoulFrost](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SoulFrost)\ **Post date:** [June 24, 2010, 3:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-trolling/544298/46 "2010-06-24T03:18:48Z")
> [@Rand\_Rover](#): > > Exactly. In the future, you should let me write all your posts for you. ---
**Author:** ![Marley23](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@Marley23](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marley23)\ **Post date:** [June 24, 2010, 3:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-trolling/544298/47 "2010-06-24T03:35:42Z")
> [@Rand\_Rover](#): > > OK, so please demonstrate how the following text in the Registration Agreement is adhered to by the moderators: “insults . . . will not be tolerated.” Thanks. We give warnings and mod notes to people who insult other posters outside of the BBQ Pit. But we do depend on posters to report insults, because we can’t be everywhere. If an insult post is not reported we may not see it. And of course your opinions on what constitutes an insult might differ from the opinions of the moderators. ---
**Author:** ![Colibri](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/colibri/32/1841_2.png) [@Colibri](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Colibri)\ **Post date:** [June 24, 2010, 3:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-trolling/544298/48 "2010-06-24T03:49:55Z")
> [@Rand\_Rover](#): > > If Colibri wants to argue that the moderators are enforcing the terms of the Registration Agreement, then I think it’s reasonable to ask how they are enforcing ALL of the terms. If he can’t demonstrate that, then I think it shows his argument to be very specious. YMMV. We do enforce the rule against direct personal insults outside the Pit when they are reported to us. In enforcing the rules, we do look at a general pattern of behavior in deciding on a response. A first offense may receive a Moderator Note instead of a formal warning. If a poster is a repeat offender, that may be escalated to a Warning for subsequent offenses. Your general pattern of posting frequently shows an intent to get people riled up. Hence the conclusion that you are intentionally trolling. And your general proposition is nonsense. Just because we may let instances of jaywalking slide, doesn’t mean we are not justified in issuing a speeding ticket to someone who blows by us honking his horn and shouting “look at me, I’m speeding!” ---
**Author:** ![Colibri](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/colibri/32/1841_2.png) [@Colibri](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Colibri)\ **Post date:** [June 24, 2010, 3:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-trolling/544298/49 "2010-06-24T03:51:29Z")
> [@Sister\_Vigilante](#): > > You look like a douche. [Moderator Note] Insults are not permitted in ATMB. Don’t do this again. ---
**Author:** ![Gfactor](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/9de053/32.png) [@Gfactor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gfactor)\ **Post date:** [June 24, 2010, 3:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-trolling/544298/50 "2010-06-24T03:54:11Z")
The portion of the agreement dealing with trolling is implemented in the Pit rules: > [@](#): > > No trolling > > By trolling, we mean posting of inflammatory comments solely to get a rise out of people. If we feel your primary goal as a poster is to make people mad, you’ll quickly find yourself on the road to banning. On the flip side, the fact that a poster consistently makes you mad doesn’t automatically make them a troll. [Revised Forum Rules for the BBQ Pit: read this before posting - The BBQ Pit - Straight Dope Message Board](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=507985) I’ve always applied a Pit rule, as opposed to those applicable to the entire board, if there is a rule on point, under the doctrine of _generalia specialibus non derogant_. I’ll let \*\*Miller \*\*speak for himself on the specifics of this one. ---
**Author:** ![Colibri](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/colibri/32/1841_2.png) [@Colibri](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Colibri)\ **Post date:** [June 24, 2010, 4:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-trolling/544298/51 "2010-06-24T04:17:58Z")
> [@Skald\_the\_Rhymer](#): > > On account of it making unpopular opinions a reason for banning. “Unpopular opinions,” of course, are not a reason in themselves for banning. It is possible to state and argue unpopular opinions without doing so in a deliberately inflammatory manner. There are quite a few posters who have unpopular opinions here who have not been warned for trolling (although we do sometimes get calls from other posters to ban them because they do feel they are trolling). We do make a pretty strong effort to allow the expression of divergent opinions here. ---
**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:** [June 24, 2010, 2:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-trolling/544298/52 "2010-06-24T14:07:15Z")
> [@Rand\_Rover](#): > > not trolling include … espousing sincerely held unpopular opinions > [@Colibri](#): > > Trolling does not necessarily require that the position taken must be insincere. The principle requirement is that the post is for the principle intention of making people angry or upset. Like the Stormfronters who visited here with the specific intention to troll while espousing sincerely held unpopular opinions. ---
**Author:** ![Irishman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/b487fb/32.png) [@Irishman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Irishman)\ **Post date:** [June 24, 2010, 2:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-trolling/544298/53 "2010-06-24T14:42:11Z")
**Rand Rover** said: > [@](#): > > I just think that saying “I am a troll” cannot be trolling by definition. Isn’t that like walking up to a cop and saying, “I’ve got weed in my pocket.” It’s not possession in and of itself, but it sure constitutes probable cause. Similarly, stating that you are trolling is admitting that you are violating the rules. ---
**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:** [June 24, 2010, 2:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-trolling/544298/54 "2010-06-24T14:52:42Z")
> [@Irishman](#): > > **Rand Rover** said: > > Isn’t that like walking up to a cop and saying, “I’ve got weed in my pocket.” > > It’s not possession in and of itself, but it sure constitutes probable cause. > > Similarly, stating that you are trolling is admitting that you are violating the rules. I guess we should believe him when he says he isn’t breaking the rules, but disbelieve him when he says he _is_. _Riiiight._ ---
**Author:** ![Drunky\_Smurf](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/drunky_smurf/32/449_2.png) [@Drunky\_Smurf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Drunky_Smurf)\ **Post date:** [June 24, 2010, 3:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-trolling/544298/55 "2010-06-24T15:55:39Z")
From the registration agreement. > [@](#): > > You are free to express your views in a forceful manner provided you remain civil. Hate speech, insults, and \*\*purposely inflammatory remarks \*\*(i.e., trolling) will not be tolerated. > [@Colibri](#): > > “Unpopular opinions,” of course, are not a reason in themselves for banning. \*\*It is possible to state and argue unpopular opinions without doing so in a deliberately inflammatory manner. \*\* > > _snip_ > > We do make a pretty strong effort to allow the expression of divergent opinions here. I think adding what I quoted from Colibri to the part I bolded in the registration agreement would help to clarify things. To me the pit thread “All religious people should be executed” is pretty inflammatory and to me it seems it is only to piss off religious people but the part I bolded in Colibri’s quote ramps down the inflammatory-iness of the thread because I have read the thread and the OP is genuinely arguing the position. This is the sentence from the OP which makes me think that he isn’t just trolling. > [@](#): > > I acknowledge that what I’m proposing is a fairly extreme measure and not without it’s difficulties but imagine what the world would be like after. This sentence, > [@](#): > > Do not post threats or state or imply that any individual or group is deserving of harm. which is in the same paragraph in the registration agreement as the part I quoted above, seems to me to clearly say that posting thread titles such as “All religious people should be executed” is not cool. So maybe more clarification is in order. Maybe adding something on the lines of, “it’s ok for hypotheticals of non-posters” or some such. An example could be, “What would the world be like if I killed X person?” or “What would the world be like if there were no religious people?” but the thread title, “All religious people should be executed” clearly to me is against the registration agreement or is “all religious people” to large of a group to count and is not indiviual enough? ---
**Author:** ![Drunky\_Smurf](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/drunky_smurf/32/449_2.png) [@Drunky\_Smurf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Drunky_Smurf)\ **Post date:** [June 24, 2010, 4:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-trolling/544298/56 "2010-06-24T16:09:14Z")
Missed edit window. To clarify my post above, as it is a little confusing even to me, is that according to the registration agreement I think the thread itself is fine but the thread title is not and a little more clarification in the registration agreement might help out people and it could curtail these, “What is trolling?” threads asking “is it this?” “or this?” “or this?” “or this blue elephant over here?” ---
**Author:** ![Hal\_Briston](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/a9a28c/32.png) [@Hal\_Briston](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hal_Briston)\ **Post date:** [June 24, 2010, 4:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-trolling/544298/57 "2010-06-24T16:47:34Z")
> [@Colibri](#): > > Just because we may let instances of jaywalking slide,… Better than punching someone in the face for it. ---
**Author:** ![Colibri](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/colibri/32/1841_2.png) [@Colibri](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Colibri)\ **Post date:** [June 24, 2010, 7:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-trolling/544298/58 "2010-06-24T19:11:15Z")
> [@Lute Skywatcher](#): > > Like the Stormfronters who visited here with the specific intention to troll while espousing sincerely held unpopular opinions. Exactly. It’s still trolling even when you actually believe the unpopular statements, if your specific intention in posting them is to stir people up. ---
**Author:** ![Colibri](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/colibri/32/1841_2.png) [@Colibri](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Colibri)\ **Post date:** [June 24, 2010, 10:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-trolling/544298/59 "2010-06-24T22:54:55Z")
> [@Tahssa](#): > > To me the pit thread “All religious people should be executed” is pretty inflammatory and to me it seems it is only to piss off religious people but the part I bolded in Colibri’s quote ramps down the inflammatory-iness of the thread because I have read the thread and the OP is genuinely arguing the position. Actually, the OP of that thread was eventually warned ([here](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showpost.php?p=12576395&postcount=48)) for trolling when he admitted in another thread that he was posting for his own amusement. ---
**Author:** ![SoulFrost](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/f07891/32.png) [@SoulFrost](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SoulFrost)\ **Post date:** [June 24, 2010, 10:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-trolling/544298/60 "2010-06-24T22:56:30Z")
> [@Colibri](#): > > Actually, the OP of that thread was eventually warned ([here](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showpost.php?p=12576395&postcount=48)) for trolling when he admitted in another thread that he was posting for his own amusement. Might wanna check that again. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-trolling/544298.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-trolling/544298.md?page=4)