# 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:** 8
**Author:** ![SoulFrost](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/f07891/32.png) [@SoulFrost](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SoulFrost)\ **Post date:** [June 26, 2010, 2:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-trolling/544298/141 "2010-06-26T02:09:30Z")
> [@Colibri](#): > > Individual posts, OK, but you were mostly doing it to needle one another. Not so much, really. Guess you missed the early parts of the thread where I was half-ass defending him. ---
**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 26, 2010, 2:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-trolling/544298/142 "2010-06-26T02:14:55Z")
> [@Colibri](#): > > And we all know what happened to him… Yep, and let it serve as a warning to you and your ilk. If you ban me, the SDMB will talk about me for the next 2000 years. ---
**Author:** ![Frank](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/3d9bf3/32.png) [@Frank](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Frank)\ **Post date:** [June 26, 2010, 2:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-trolling/544298/143 "2010-06-26T02:15:20Z")
> [@Rand\_Rover](#): > > I do understand your definition of trolling, and I do disagree and think it’s unreasonable. But you can engage in hair-splitting and angel-counting and discriminate against minority viewpoints if you want to. If that’s where you want to be when Jesus returns, it don’t make me no never mind. You can have Gabriel and all the angels dancing on your pin if you like, but it all boils down to one simple thing: if you don’t follow moderator instructions, you will be banned. I’ve been a member for 8 years and I was a mod for a few of those, and you’re not the first person I’ve seen come along and argue that their particular method of posting should somehow be exempt from the rules. And you’re not the first person I’ve seen whose argument for that has failed. You’ve been informed of the rules, and where the line is, and you now have to make a decision: do I follow the SDMB’s rules, or do I get banned from the SDMB? It’s entirely your decision and the consequences lie entirely upon you. ---
**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 26, 2010, 2:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-trolling/544298/144 "2010-06-26T02:25:23Z")
> [@Frank](#): > > You can have Gabriel and all the angels dancing on your pin if you like, but it all boils down to one simple thing: if you don’t follow moderator instructions, you will be banned. > > I’ve been a member for 8 years and I was a mod for a few of those, and you’re not the first person I’ve seen come along and argue that their particular method of posting should somehow be exempt from the rules. And you’re not the first person I’ve seen whose argument for that has failed. > > You’ve been informed of the rules, and where the line is, and you now have to make a decision: do I follow the SDMB’s rules, or do I get banned from the SDMB? It’s entirely your decision and the consequences lie entirely upon you. Look tough guy, before I started this thread, I understood that there was a rule against trolling, but I didn’t know what the fuck trolling was. I got warned for trolling after saying I was a troll, which I didn’t think could possibly be trolling. I wasn’t trying to make some big statement about how I should be exempt from the rules–I was trying to understand what the rules are. Now that I understand how the current moderators currently interpret the rules, I fully understand what the rules are, and I fully understand the consequence of not following the rules (notwithstanding the fact that I think the current moderators’ current interpretation is ridiculous). So please get over yourself. ---
**Author:** ![Frank](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/3d9bf3/32.png) [@Frank](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Frank)\ **Post date:** [June 26, 2010, 2:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-trolling/544298/145 "2010-06-26T02:45:33Z")
> [@Rand\_Rover](#): > > I understood that there was a rule against trolling, but I didn’t know what the fuck trolling was. Heh. “I got indicted for breaking an IRS rule against international income, but I didn’t know what the fuck international income was.” Now you do know the rules, and you know that the rules aren’t going to change just for you. See you around. ---
**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 26, 2010, 2:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-trolling/544298/146 "2010-06-26T02:49:58Z")
> [@Frank](#): > > Heh. > > “I got indicted for breaking an IRS rule against international income, but I didn’t know what the fuck international income was.” > > Now you do know the rules, and you know that the rules aren’t going to change just for you. See you around. 1. Nice fail of an analogy. Besides the facial failness (i.e., the concept of a “rule against international income” is just . . . gah!), a taxpayer can ask the IRS for an explanation of a rule. And that’s what I did here, I asked the powers that be what the rule is. 2. You act as if I ever expected the rules to change for me. I didn’t and I don’t. ---
**Author:** ![Sage\_Rat](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sage_rat/32/399_2.png) [@Sage\_Rat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sage_Rat)\ **Post date:** [June 26, 2010, 2:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-trolling/544298/147 "2010-06-26T02:58:10Z")
Claiming that you were just asking what trolling is at the same time as you’re not only not showing any sense of apology for having done it, but coming back to egg the moderators on (AKA trolling) certainly doesn’t give any particular credence to your claim. > [@Rand Rover](#): > > Yep, and let it serve as a warning to you and your ilk. If you ban me, the SDMB will talk about me for the next 2000 years. Richard Pryor: ORWELL WOULD FIGHT THE POLICE. HE’S ONE OF THOSE CRAZY “SHOOT ME” NIGGERS. “WELL KILL ME! SHOOT ME MOTHERFUCKER!” POW! “OH, SHIT! OH, GODDAMN! SOMEBODY CALL ME A CAB. DAMN IF I’M GOING TO BLEED TO DEATH WAITING FOR AN AMBULANCE.” ---
**Author:** ![Frank](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/3d9bf3/32.png) [@Frank](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Frank)\ **Post date:** [June 26, 2010, 3:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-trolling/544298/148 "2010-06-26T03:00:30Z")
> [@Rand\_Rover](#): > > And that’s what I did here, I asked the powers that be what the rule is. You’ve been arguing that rule ever since. OK, you didn’t like my example? I, as a dual citizen of the U.S. and Canada, have established residency in Ontario, where I win the lottery. That is non-taxable in Canada. Do I need to file U.S. taxes at all, and if I do, do I need to declare my international income? ---
**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 26, 2010, 3:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-trolling/544298/149 "2010-06-26T03:13:16Z")
> [@Frank](#): > > You’ve been arguing that rule ever since. I’ve been arguing that the current interpretation of the rule is idiotic. I have not been arguing that I should be exempt. > [@](#): > > OK, you didn’t like my example? I, as a dual citizen of the U.S. and Canada, have established residency in Ontario, where I win the lottery. That is non-taxable in Canada. Do I need to file U.S. taxes at all, and if I do, do I need to declare my international income? As a US citizen, you must file a US tax return, and you are taxable on your worldwide income, so the lottery winnings are taxable income. Did you seriously ask this because you did not know the answer? It’s stunningly simple. ---
**Author:** ![Frank](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/3d9bf3/32.png) [@Frank](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Frank)\ **Post date:** [June 26, 2010, 3:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-trolling/544298/150 "2010-06-26T03:18:35Z")
> [@Rand\_Rover](#): > > As a US citizen, you must file a US tax return, and you are taxable on your worldwide income, so the lottery winnings are taxable income. Did you seriously ask this because you did not know the answer? It’s stunningly simple. I knew the answer; I was wondering if you did. Given your lack of ability to understand a stunningly simple SDMB moderator warning. At any rate, should my hypothetical lottery win in Canada ever occur, I am fairly assured that you would be a good hire for the U.S. end of it. See you then. ---
**Author:** ![Sage\_Rat](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sage_rat/32/399_2.png) [@Sage\_Rat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sage_Rat)\ **Post date:** [June 26, 2010, 3:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-trolling/544298/151 "2010-06-26T03:40:50Z")
> [@Rand\_Rover](#): > > I’ve been arguing that the current interpretation of the rule is idiotic. And as you’ve been told by everyone and their mother, your definition of trolling is not shared by anyone else in the world (or that you’re simply arguing the point for the sake of being able to troll the moderators). Going, “Haha! I’m a troll!”, doesn’t demonstrate that you are or aren’t a troll any more than saying, “Nope, I’m not the one who peed in the pool.”, proves that you are or aren’t the person who peed in the pool. That you actively trolled someone is proof that you trolled someone. That you peed in the pool is proof that you peed in the pool. What you say one way or the other about it has no relevance to the actual crime nor your guilt. You can call yourself a troll, not call yourself a troll, or dance about in a tutu all you want so long as you _don’t troll_. The instant you do, that’s trolling no matter what else you do or say. ---
**Author:** ![tomndebb](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/b9e5f3/32.png) [@tomndebb](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tomndebb)\ **Post date:** [June 26, 2010, 3:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-trolling/544298/152 "2010-06-26T03:47:07Z")
> [@mutantmoose](#): > > Therefore it should be rescinded with an apology. > > I await such and I still want to execute all the religious people if possible, but in an IMHO/Pitty kind of way. Not in a GD kind of way. Just as soon as I see a sincere apology from you for your behavior on this board, (sincerity being attested by a sustained improvement in behavior), I will apologize. And since this post of yours indicates that you intend to continue your antisocial behavior, I doubt that I need to worry about an apology. (And since no Warning was issued, I am not going to recind something that never occurred.) ---
**Author:** ![ajb867](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/f14d63/32.png) [@ajb867](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ajb867)\ **Post date:** [June 26, 2010, 4:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-trolling/544298/153 "2010-06-26T04:56:47Z")
Rand Rover’s views are in the minority on this board. You could ban him if you think he is trolling, but when all the trolls are banned what’s left? SDMB utopia? ---
**Author:** ![SoulFrost](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/f07891/32.png) [@SoulFrost](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SoulFrost)\ **Post date:** [June 26, 2010, 1:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-trolling/544298/154 "2010-06-26T13:29:07Z")
> [@ajb867](#): > > Rand Rover’s views are in the minority on this board. You could ban him if you think he is trolling, but when all the trolls are banned what’s left? SDMB utopia? That’s the thing–September always comes 'round again. ---
**Author:** ![mutantmoose](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/a87d85/32.png) [@mutantmoose](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mutantmoose)\ **Post date:** [June 26, 2010, 2:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-trolling/544298/155 "2010-06-26T14:16:55Z")
> [@tomndebb](#): > > Just as soon as I see a sincere apology from you for your behavior on this board, (sincerity being attested by a sustained improvement in behavior), I will apologize. And since this post of yours indicates that you intend to continue your antisocial behavior, I doubt that I need to worry about an apology. > > (And since no Warning was issued, I am not going to recind something that never occurred.) One other thing that has emerged from this thread is that for the crime of trolling intention is a required component. The alleged troll must be posting with the intention of getting people’s goat. Well that doesn’t apply to my thread. I wasn’t trying to get anyone’s goat. You can keep your goats, I don’t want them. I’ve got nowhere to keep them - they eat everything and make a mess. So that’s now two reasons why I deserve an apology (and a rescindation - think you’ll find a warning was issued). One I lacked intention and two I didn’t post in GD. Now I’m a reasonable person so I’m not asking for two apologies, just one will do. I await such and you can rest assured that all will be forgiven and forgotten thereafter. See this as your opportunity to be the bigger man and apologise first. ---
**Author:** ![SoulFrost](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/f07891/32.png) [@SoulFrost](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SoulFrost)\ **Post date:** [June 26, 2010, 3:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-trolling/544298/156 "2010-06-26T15:25:04Z")
Aight, this is just getting silly. ---
**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 26, 2010, 11:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-trolling/544298/157 "2010-06-26T23:11:34Z")
To bring us back on topic, is this post a trolling post? [http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showpost.php?p=12622382&postcount=180](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showpost.php?p=12622382&postcount=180) ---
**Author:** ![Guinastasia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guinastasia/32/5751_2.png) [@Guinastasia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Guinastasia)\ **Post date:** [June 26, 2010, 11:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-trolling/544298/158 "2010-06-26T23:49:26Z")
> [@Rand\_Rover](#): > > To bring us back on topic, is this post a trolling post? [http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showpost.php?p=12622382&postcount=180](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showpost.php?p=12622382&postcount=180) :rolleyes: ---
**Author:** ![samclem](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a9a28c/32.png) [@samclem](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/samclem)\ **Post date:** [June 26, 2010, 11:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-trolling/544298/159 "2010-06-26T23:54:20Z")
> [@Rand\_Rover](#): > > To bring us back on topic, is this post a trolling post? [http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showpost.php?p=12622382&postcount=180](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showpost.php?p=12622382&postcount=180) I don’t see it as such, either as a moderator or a poster. ---
**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 27, 2010, 12:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-trolling/544298/160 "2010-06-27T00:37:14Z")
> [@Guinastasia](#): > > :rolleyes: > [@samclem](#): > > I don’t see it as such, either as a moderator or a poster. Thank you for your input. Care to explain your thinking (if any)? It was off topic, inflammatory, and posted only for the purpose of getting a rise out of me, so that sounds like a trolling post to me. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-trolling/544298.md?page=7) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-trolling/544298.md?page=9)