Why do Dopers have to lower themselves to replying to morons?

[Incubus]

Something I find disturbing on the boards is the willingness for many Dopers to ‘dogpile’ some of the more ignorant members. I can understand wanting to reply to something that somebody said about you personally. I also understand that if nobody replies to idiotic behavior, its as if the community was condoning that behavior.

But come on! Trolls don’t need that kind of attention/food! It seems like people can’t be civil about some things, and by responding to some posts they are lowering themselves a few notches as a result.

I don’t like being in the presence of idiots. It is painful, and I loathe their death rays, scalar weapons, and other pseudoscience that they may be wielding. However, I am content to laugh to myself when reading their posts. Sometimes I wonder if some people reply to posts begging for a fight, because its obvious to everyone who will win.

[Bryan_Ekers]

Hmmm, I see no-one has replied yet…

[wring]

::gasp:: :gasp:: : link::

[minty_green]

I feel compelled to respond to Incubus’ OP.

That is all.

[Tars_Tarkas]

We’ll have fun fun fun 'til our Moddy takes our Troll-bird awaaaaaay!!!

[Mehitabel]

Sometimes you don’t know until your hooves are clattering over the bridge whether or not the dweller beneath you IS a troll.

Then you want to give them the benefit of the doubt.

• Nanny Goat Gruff

[Binarydrone]

Because Cecil says that we should

On the SDMB, Cecil’s goal of fighting ignorance is generally the guiding principle. If somebody posts misinformation, other users feel obliged to point it out. I’m sure some trolls delight in getting others to respond in this way, but the choice is either that or let a troll’s posts stand unchallenged. Ignoring obvious nonsense has some advantages, but what about naive users who may read the falsehood and, seeing nothing to rebut it, believe it? To prevent that, some advocate responding to trolls once and only once. You refute the misinformation and that’s that. Of course, this is often easier said than done, and many people (myself included) simply cannot sit idly by while the troll gleefully continues to post BS.

[dropzone]

I dunno. Ask the people who reply to my posts.

[Incubus]

*Originally posted by Incubus *
**I also understand that if nobody replies to idiotic behavior, its as if the community was condoning that behavior.

**

It is something that I am aware of. But there are moments when it is not just about disputing the OP, its about seeing who can pile on the most ad hominem attacks.

[Giraffe]

I prefer to think of it as elevating myself to replying to morons. I’m pretty dumb.

[elucidator]

That’s all right, you live in California. People will just assume you’re stoned.

[kambuckta]

Where’s the fun in being civil all the time?

Anyway, there’d be no board if we didn’t reply to dumb posts.

[kambuckta]

Where’s the fun in being civil all the time?

Anyway, there’d be no board if we didn’t reply to dumb posts.

[Beagle]

Where’s the fun in being civil all the time?

Anyway, there’d be no board if we didn’t reply to dumb posts.

:eek:

[Giraffe]

*Originally posted by elucidator *
**That’s all right, you live in California. People will just assume you’re stoned. **

Whoa, whoa, whoa, one question at a time. Yes, you?

[Monty]

*Originally posted by wring *
::gasp:: :gasp:: : link::

What do you say, wring? The next smilie for the board should be a link or two of chain?

[Rabid_Squirrel]

I like to throw rocks at wasps nests!

Personally, I blame society.

[Incubus]

What?!

[sickboy51]

I was going to reply, but then I read this thread

[Briny_Deep]

Taking the OP at face-value…

Yes.

Sometimes a person will throw out a totally irrelevant, insulting, ignorant post in the midst of a good debate. It’s so gratifying when the post is just ignored, instead of addressed. It shows the post didn’t even rise to the level of needing refuting. It’s regarded as mere background noise.

Of course, I’m probably talking mostly about my own posts…