Mocking troll threads.

[fishjoel]

One of the things that the board (kind of) tries to prevent is blatant trolling of other posters. One thing that I've noticed is that if someone posts a thread that is somewhat absurd or straight out ridiculous another poster will make a similar thread and throw it into the "Just for Fun" section. The only purpose of that thread is to mock another poster. There is no question that that is the truth. If someone makes a thread that you believe is absurd and or ridiculous then you should either ignore the thread or debate the topic. This should not apply to threads that are spin-offs of other threads that want to focus more specifically on a particular point. We all know the difference between the two. The suggestion is simple:

Threads who's sole intent is to mock another poster is detrimental to the exchange of ideas w/o being harassed should be closed.

[hairballxavier]

One of the things that the board (kind of) tries to prevent is blatant trolling of other posters. One thing that I've noticed is that if someone posts a thread that is somewhat absurd or straight out ridiculous another poster will make a similar thread and throw it into the "Just for Fun" section. The only purpose of that thread is to mock another poster. There is no question that that is the truth. If someone makes a thread that you believe is absurd and or ridiculous then you should either ignore the thread or debate the topic. This should not apply to threads that are spin-offs of other threads that want to focus more specifically on a particular point. We all know the difference between the two. The suggestion is simple:

Threads who's sole intent is to mock another poster is detrimental to the exchange of ideas w/o being harassed should be closed.

Lighten up, Francis. It's just for fun.

[Thane]

One of the things that the board (kind of) tries to prevent is blatant trolling of other posters. One thing that I've noticed is that if someone posts a thread that is somewhat absurd or straight out ridiculous another poster will make a similar thread and throw it into the "Just for Fun" section. The only purpose of that thread is to mock another poster. There is no question that that is the truth. If someone makes a thread that you believe is absurd and or ridiculous then you should either ignore the thread or debate the topic. This should not apply to threads that are spin-offs of other threads that want to focus more specifically on a particular point. We all know the difference between the two. The suggestion is simple:

Threads who's sole intent is to mock another poster is detrimental to the exchange of ideas w/o being harassed should be closed.

It's unfortunate, but this forum has a pretty high "troll content."

You have to get used to it and learn how to just ignore the continuous trolling stupidity that occurs here.

Hey if the mods can do it we can too - I might get in trouble for that but that is where the problem comes from.

[MeadHallPirate]

ahoy Fishjoel me friend!

i hate to disagree, matey, but i really don't see the problem here.

thar be the ignore feature, so ye can sail by them whom ye don't wish to read...and to be honest, some 'o the most spirited debates happen on threads that be heavily flavored with "trollish" intent.

aye?

also, one person's troll be another matey's gospel, oftentimes.

- MeadHallPirate

[imported_Jefe]

I'm extremely tempted to start a Just For Fun thread called "Trolling mock threads", but I won't.



Seriously, just ignore the mocking threads.

[Uncle Mike of S]

Trolling is something you must be very familiar with, Mr. Fishjoel;
troll 2
verb [ intrans. ]
1 fish by trailing a baited line along behind a boat : we trolled for mackerel.
• search for something : a group of companies trolling for partnership opportunities.
2 [ trans. ] sing (something) in a happy and carefree way : troll the ancient Yuletide carol.
3 [ trans. ] informal Computing send (an e-mail message or posting on the Internet) intended to provoke a response from the reader by containing errors.
4 [with adverbial of direction ] chiefly Brit. walk; stroll : we all trolled into town.
noun
1 the action of trolling for fish.
• a line or bait used in such fishing.
2 informal Computing an e-mail message or posting on the Internet intended to provoke an indignant response in the reader.
DERIVATIVES
troller noun
ORIGIN late Middle English (in the sense ‘stroll, roll’ ): origin uncertain; compare with Old French troller ‘wander here and there (in search of game)’ and Middle High German trollen ‘stroll.’

[fishjoel]

Trolling is something you must be very familiar with, Mr. Fishjoel;
troll 2
verb [ intrans. ]
1 fish by trailing a baited line along behind a boat : we trolled for mackerel.
• search for something : a group of companies trolling for partnership opportunities.
2 [ trans. ] sing (something) in a happy and carefree way : troll the ancient Yuletide carol.
3 [ trans. ] informal Computing send (an e-mail message or posting on the Internet) intended to provoke a response from the reader by containing errors.
4 [with adverbial of direction ] chiefly Brit. walk; stroll : we all trolled into town.
noun
1 the action of trolling for fish.
• a line or bait used in such fishing.
2 informal Computing an e-mail message or posting on the Internet intended to provoke an indignant response in the reader.
DERIVATIVES
troller noun
ORIGIN late Middle English (in the sense ‘stroll, roll’ ): origin uncertain; compare with Old French troller ‘wander here and there (in search of game)’ and Middle High German trollen ‘stroll.’

Touche, good sir, touche.

[fishjoel]

It's not about being sensitive or using the ignore function. It's about principle. There are already rules in place that are designed to curtail directly mocking, insulting, or harassing other posters. The reason for this is that we came here (at least I did) to have a venue in which to submit your world view and ascertain the validity of them. I, for one, enjoy that there are many posters on here that oppose my world view. This has challenged me to have to defend my beliefs and has helped me define them. I think that most people came here for the same reason. I think the rules, that are already in place, covers this. I understand if a person is extra sensitive or they can't handle being challenged using the ignore function. It should not be an option suggested to anyone that is actually very thick-skinned. I think everyone active poster here has never seen me shy away from a verbal "fight". This does not keep me from maintaining a side-line friendship with other posters who I frequently clash with.

The question is simple. Do you stand for principle of civil discourse, for which the current rules are for, or do you stand for the principle of a WWF free-for-all where the rules that are in place should be repealed? It's about the principle and contributing to the debate. There are basically two sides in which to choose.

[Steve]

If someone's got such thin skin that they can't handle a well-earned ribbing, they probably shouldn't be here...

[Steve]

The question is simple. Do you stand for principle of civil discourse, for which the current rules are for, or do you stand for the principle of a WWF free-for-all where the rules that are in place should be repealed? It's about the principle and contributing to the debate. There are basically two sides in which to choose.

You're havin' a hard time wrappin' your head around the whole "Just For Fun" concept, ain't ya'?