# You can't chide someone for trolling IRL either? **URL:** \ **Category:** About This Message Board\ **Created:** [April 8, 2017, 12:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-cant-chide-someone-for-trolling-irl-either/784052 "2017-04-08T12:45:49Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![septimus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/septimus/32/410_2.png) [@septimus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/septimus)\ **Post date:** [April 9, 2017, 2:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-cant-chide-someone-for-trolling-irl-either/784052/21 "2017-04-09T02:58:05Z")
FWIW, I think the warning against **Elvis** should be rescinded for the same reason the warning against **Ditka** was rescinded. In each case, the warned post violates the rules _when viewed in isolation_ but not when viewed in context: each was in response to a post which itself appears warnable. **Elvis** thought his complaint was proper because it responded to a post that itself was objectionable, and that had already been Mod-Noted. (5:11 Ditka posted, 5:38 Bone Mod-Notes Ditka’s post, 5:39 Elvis Notes Ditka’s post, Jonathan Mod-Warns Ditka’s post). At worst Elvis is guilty of “junior modding.” I responded to the Warning against **Ditka** because I felt guilty — it was my stupid phrasing that provoked the problem in the first place. But now I realize that, like a combination shot in pocket billiards, my foible was also responsible for **Elvis** ’ warning as well. ☹ _Please rescind the Warning against **Elvis** as well._ His only offense was a minor case of “junior modding.” If anyone should have been Warned it was me. _Let’s just make a fresh start in that thread._ And I will take care to avoid the objectionable word outside the Pit, with or without scare quotes, playfully or not. ---
**Author:** ![watchwolf49](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/e9c0ed/32.png) [@watchwolf49](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/watchwolf49)\ **Post date:** [April 9, 2017, 1:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-cant-chide-someone-for-trolling-irl-either/784052/22 "2017-04-09T13:08:26Z")
If y’all are going to rescind **septimus’** warning … can I get a warning and then have it rescinded? ---
**Author:** ![John\_Mace](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/john_mace/32/185_2.png) [@John\_Mace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_Mace)\ **Post date:** [April 9, 2017, 1:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-cant-chide-someone-for-trolling-irl-either/784052/23 "2017-04-09T13:20:29Z")
Maybe we should ban **septimus** this Friday, and then allow him to post again 3 days later, thus wiping out all the warnings given in that thread. ---
**Author:** ![Tibby](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tibby/32/17030_2.png) [@Tibby](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tibby)\ **Post date:** [April 9, 2017, 3:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-cant-chide-someone-for-trolling-irl-either/784052/24 "2017-04-09T15:29:25Z")
> [@Riemann](#): > > All I can say is that I think Bone’s interpretation is preposterous on its face. How about the rule that says don’t be a jerk? If I admit that I was a jerk to my dog this morning by hiding his favorite toy, do I get a warning? No, but your dog will be advised to poop in your slippers. ---
**Author:** ![Riemann](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/riemann/32/3133_2.png) [@Riemann](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Riemann)\ **Post date:** [April 9, 2017, 3:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-cant-chide-someone-for-trolling-irl-either/784052/25 "2017-04-09T15:45:02Z")
> [@Tibby or Not Tibby](#): > > No, but your dog will be advised to poop in your slippers. Well, if my dog _must_ junior-mod me, I guess that’s the way to do it. ---
**Author:** ![Chimera](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/8e8cbc/32.png) [@Chimera](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chimera)\ **Post date:** [April 9, 2017, 3:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-cant-chide-someone-for-trolling-irl-either/784052/26 "2017-04-09T15:58:47Z")
> [@watchwolf49](#): > > If y’all are going to rescind **septimus’** warning … can I get a warning and then have it rescinded? Missed that one for the April Fools Day, I guess. Give everyone on the board a warning for trolling. Then rescind it a couple of hours later. ---
**Author:** ![Loach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/loach/32/350_2.png) [@Loach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Loach)\ **Post date:** [April 9, 2017, 5:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-cant-chide-someone-for-trolling-irl-either/784052/27 "2017-04-09T17:47:48Z")
> [@John\_Mace](#): > > Maybe we should ban **septimus** this Friday, and then allow him to post again 3 days later, thus wiping out all the warnings given in that thread. I’m pretty sure that would only wipe out the warnings from the AOL days. ---
**Author:** ![Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/left_hand_of_dorkness/32/7156_2.png) [@Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Left_Hand_of_Dorkness)\ **Post date:** [April 9, 2017, 5:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-cant-chide-someone-for-trolling-irl-either/784052/28 "2017-04-09T17:54:44Z")
> [@John\_Mace](#): > > Maybe we should ban **septimus** this Friday, and then allow him to post again 3 days later, thus wiping out all the warnings given in that thread. “For Mod so loved his only son…” ---
**Author:** ![ElvisL1ves](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/5daacb/32.png) [@ElvisL1ves](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ElvisL1ves)\ **Post date:** [April 9, 2017, 9:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-cant-chide-someone-for-trolling-irl-either/784052/29 "2017-04-09T21:36:36Z")
> [@engineer\_comp\_geek](#): > > The warning has been rescinded. Thanks. ---
**Author:** ![John\_Mace](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/john_mace/32/185_2.png) [@John\_Mace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_Mace)\ **Post date:** [April 9, 2017, 10:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-cant-chide-someone-for-trolling-irl-either/784052/30 "2017-04-09T22:01:30Z")
I would read post #4 if I were you. ---
**Author:** ![cochrane](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cochrane/32/10441_2.png) [@cochrane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cochrane)\ **Post date:** [April 9, 2017, 10:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-cant-chide-someone-for-trolling-irl-either/784052/31 "2017-04-09T22:13:09Z")
More importantly, post #8. ---
**Author:** ![rowrrbazzle](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rowrrbazzle/32/414_2.png) [@rowrrbazzle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rowrrbazzle)\ **Post date:** [April 10, 2017, 3:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-cant-chide-someone-for-trolling-irl-either/784052/32 "2017-04-10T03:21:50Z")
> [@cochrane](#): > > No, that’s preposterous, because your dog isn’t a member here (I assume). But on the Internet, [nobody knows you’re a dog.](https://www.cartoonbank.com/search?p_p_id=listenersearchresults_WAR_searchportlet&p_p_lifecycle=0&p_p_state=normal&p_p_mode=view&p_p_col_id=column-2&p_p_col_pos=2&p_p_col_count=3&_listenersearchresults_WAR_searchportlet_struts.portlet.action=%2Fview%2FshowDetail&_listenersearchresults_WAR_searchportlet_pageNumber=1&_listenersearchresults_WAR_searchportlet_resCount=&_listenersearchresults_WAR_searchportlet_search=TCB-22230.jpg&_listenersearchresults_WAR_searchportlet_tagId=cncartoons005912) ---
**Author:** ![Irishman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/b487fb/32.png) [@Irishman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Irishman)\ **Post date:** [April 12, 2017, 3:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-cant-chide-someone-for-trolling-irl-either/784052/33 "2017-04-12T15:01:37Z")
> [@Riemann](#): > > Are we strict constructionists now? Surely, in context, it’s obvious that this means an accusation that somebody is trolling _the SDMB_. **Bone** was applying the rule against accusations of trolling _on the board_. \*\*ElvisLives \*\*'s comment reads like an accusation of trolling. It’s not a mere statement about trolling being disapproved of, it’s a reference to a specific statement made on the board and describing that statement as trolling. ---
**Author:** ![Riemann](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/riemann/32/3133_2.png) [@Riemann](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Riemann)\ **Post date:** [April 12, 2017, 3:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-cant-chide-someone-for-trolling-irl-either/784052/34 "2017-04-12T15:22:52Z")
> [@Irishman](#): > > **Bone** was applying the rule against accusations of trolling _on the board_. \*\*ElvisLives \*\*'s comment reads like an accusation of trolling. It’s not a mere statement about trolling being disapproved of, it’s a reference to a specific statement made on the board and describing that statement as trolling. I agree that the stricture is against trolling _on the board_, i.e. making bad-faith statements intended principally to provoke other board members. I disagree with the rest of your interpretation. HurricaneDitka’s statement was an honest description of his activities _off the board_, activities that might reasonably be construed as “real-life trolling” of liberals. Elvis did not accuse HurricaneDitka of trolling _on the board_ (i.e. making bad-faith statements to provoke other board members), he commented that he disapproved of HurricaneDitka’s _real-life_ trolling to provoke real-life liberals. By analogy, the stricture against accusations of lying applies to alleged lies made _in one’s statements on the board_. Suppose, in a discussion of sexual politics, poster X states (honestly) that he lied to his wife about his infidelity. Poster Y is surely free to state that he believes that “lying to your wife in such circumstances is despicable”, without being warned for calling poster X a liar. ---
**Author:** ![Irishman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/b487fb/32.png) [@Irishman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Irishman)\ **Post date:** [April 12, 2017, 10:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-cant-chide-someone-for-trolling-irl-either/784052/35 "2017-04-12T22:14:43Z")
> [@Riemann](#): > > HurricaneDitka’s statement was an honest description of his activities _off the board_, activities that might reasonably be construed as “real-life trolling” of liberals. Say what? I do not see any list of activities by **HurricaneDitka**. Here’s his post again: > [@Why do Trump and other "conservatives" want to defund opera and other arts?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-trump-and-other-conservatives-want-to-defund-opera-and-other-arts/783963/91): > > NO! I strongly disagree with this! It is, in fact, my principle objection to NEA funding (and a whole host of other federal programs), and there are lots of “Constitutional conservatives” that feel the same way. There are certain things that the Constitution authorizes the federal government to do. “Funding art” isn’t on the list. I wouldn’t object to California taxing Californians to fund a California Endowment for the Arts, but I do object the feds doing it at a national level because I believe it’s “unconstitutional”. > > Poking libtards in the eye is just an ancillary benefit. He says he opposes the federal government funding a whole host of programs because funding those programs is “unconstitutional”. That’s the sum total of the list of things I see. > [@](#): > > Elvis did not accuse HurricaneDitka of trolling _on the board_ (i.e. making bad-faith statements to provoke other board members), he commented that he disapproved of HurricaneDitka’s _real-life_ trolling to provoke real-life liberals. Show me again where HurricaneDitka said anything about IRL activities. How do you limit his sentence to be constrained to IRL, rather than mean he likes riling up liberals on the board? > [@](#): > > By analogy, the stricture against accusations of lying applies to alleged lies made _in one’s statements on the board_. Suppose, in a discussion of sexual politics, poster X states (honestly) that he lied to his wife about his infidelity. Poster Y is surely free to state that he believes that “lying to your wife in such circumstances is despicable”, without being warned for calling poster X a liar. Agreed, but it has no relevance to this incident. ---
**Author:** ![Riemann](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/riemann/32/3133_2.png) [@Riemann](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Riemann)\ **Post date:** [April 12, 2017, 10:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-cant-chide-someone-for-trolling-irl-either/784052/36 "2017-04-12T22:51:16Z")
> [@Irishman](#): > > …Show me again where HurricaneDitka said anything about IRL activities. How do you limit his sentence to be constrained to IRL, rather than mean he likes riling up liberals on the board?.. If you read the whole thread, HurricaneDitka (although he doesn’t explicitly quote) is clearly referencing septimus at post #47: > [@](#): > > No, it can’t be primarily about the paltry money. For some Republicans, making it harder for citizens to get broad humanitarian and cosmopolitan perspective is a worthwhile goal. Others are indulging petty hatreds — stick it to opera lovers, who are mostly left-wing! And for many, I’m sure, it’s just about poking “libtards” in the eye — they do it with contempt just because they can. This is a commentary on the real-life activities of Republicans (defunding NEA), and the effect it has on real-life “libtards”. HurricaneDitka was continuing the discussion of the effect of defunding NEA, and its effect on _real-life_ “libtards”; and Elvis commented on _that_. In my opinion, this was a polarized but essentially good-faith discussion; nobody involved was trolling anyone _on the board_, nor did Elvis criticize HurricaneDitka for trolling “libtards” _on the board_. ---
**Author:** ![Irishman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/b487fb/32.png) [@Irishman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Irishman)\ **Post date:** [April 14, 2017, 3:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-cant-chide-someone-for-trolling-irl-either/784052/37 "2017-04-14T03:48:23Z")
Ok, I think I now finally understand what you are saying. You are saying that **septimus** listed in post 47 a string of possible motives of Republicans. \*\*HurricaneDitka \*\* responded by countering with his own proposed motive, then as an aside threw in the line about “poking libtards in the eye”, which was a callback to **septimus** ’s remark. Basically, it wasn’t a motive, it was just a serendipitous benefit. **ElvisLives** then replied to **HurricaneDitka** that the real life action of defunding the NEA is an act of Real Life trolling. “Poking libtards in the eye” = IRL trolling. In that case, I see your point that EL wasn’t accusing anyone of trolling on the board. **Bone** , does this influence your understanding of the incident in question? ---
**Author:** ![Bone](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bone/32/407_2.png) [@Bone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bone)\ **Post date:** [April 14, 2017, 1:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-cant-chide-someone-for-trolling-irl-either/784052/38 "2017-04-14T13:23:41Z")
> [@Irishman](#): > > **Bone** , does this influence your understanding of the incident in question? No. See the last section of post #18 that addresses this. ---
**Author:** ![Riemann](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/riemann/32/3133_2.png) [@Riemann](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Riemann)\ **Post date:** [April 14, 2017, 5:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-cant-chide-someone-for-trolling-irl-either/784052/39 "2017-04-14T17:06:35Z")
> [@Bone](#): > > No. See the last section of post #18 that addresses this. …which really doesn’t address the issue, in my opinion. In #18 you make the inapt comparison to a generic insult, calling somebody a “stupid asshole”. In this case, the discussion centered on the _highly specific_ IRL activity of Republicans withdrawing NEA funding, and their motivations for doing so. Both septimus and HurricaneDitka had clearly commented (although without usually the actual word “troll”) that one Republican motivation (shared by HurricaneDitka) was to troll “libtards”. Elvis simply continued the discussion by stating his disapproval of this as a motivation for the withdrawal of NEA funding. Evidently, his bad luck was in being the first one in the discussion to use the actual word “troll” as a descriptor for this motivation. If your view as a moderator is that _any_ use of the word “troll” in _any_ context is “too close to the line”, then surely the appropriate way to address that is a Note to tell people to tone things down. I can’t see any way this warning was justified when Elvis’s comment is read in the context of the entire thread. ---
**Author:** ![John\_Mace](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/john_mace/32/185_2.png) [@John\_Mace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_Mace)\ **Post date:** [April 14, 2017, 6:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-cant-chide-someone-for-trolling-irl-either/784052/40 "2017-04-14T18:19:57Z")
**Riemann** : Forget about the word “troll”, because that’s not the issue. The issue is insulting another poster. IOW: “Your action in real life makes you an unrespectable person”. That’s an insult, plain and simple. Whether those actions were trolling or killing puppies doesn’t matter. It’s the unrespectable part that matters. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-cant-chide-someone-for-trolling-irl-either/784052.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-cant-chide-someone-for-trolling-irl-either/784052.md?page=3)