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What Is A Troll?
- Thread starter Huntn
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A troll is just a jackass who wastes our time here and ultimately devalues the site. I think most are obvious.
Instead of focusing on whether someone meets the definition of a troll, I'd like to see moderators better enforce the rule against ad hominem attacks, which should help encourage a still spirited, but respectful form of debate.
Instead of focusing on whether someone meets the definition of a troll, I'd like to see moderators better enforce the rule against ad hominem attacks, which should help encourage a still spirited, but respectful form of debate.
Perhaps you may be playing the clarinet... but I am the source of the Trorce
and, no it is not me... funny that you ask tho....
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I have been accused of trolling in the PRSI forum, although (and maybe even because) I'm a misanthropist who don't bother to tone my opinions down before posting them.
Interesting to hear this from you (of all), citizenzen.
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I can see that, lol.
It's not that easy. In another forum I frequent there have been a couple of individuals one from the Middle East and one from Singapore who post a consistent stream of anti-U.S. posts. However, there is a basis for everything they post, in many cases U.S. publications. What gets me is when you can't get them to say anything negative about where they come from or their religion. The guy from Singapore basically said, he had to be careful what he said, because he was monitored by 'big brother'. But when you are dealing with someone who throws stones but lives in a glass house, it gets fatiguing to deal with them and that pattern eventually gets them labeled a troll. But it's just not that simple. I'd say in both cases they are angry with the U.S. and it's roll in the world, they believe their feelings are justified and are criticizing us. Does that in itself make them trolls? My inclination is to say no. The best thing might be to put them on ignore.
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Personally, I don't have a problem with strong opinions per se as I'm fairly opinionated myself, as many people here well know and don't mind squaring up to someone who I disagree with. That's led to troubles of its own at times and some friendships that are probably past the point of repair, which is entirely my loss. However, apart from direct personal insults, one exception in terms of anyone's behaviour here is that I would encourage people to generally draw the line under people attacking forum members as a group i.e. all you stupid iPad fanboys, for instance.
Nobody wants MacRumors to be infested with flamewars, but on the other hand, erasing and curtailing all argumentative conflicts can lead to a suffocating blandness and conformity, which in turn lessens the interest in human interaction and communication. And don't worry if someone calls you a troll. Pay more attention to what the mods might tell you, because they tend to work in groups so take a broader view, often getting second, third or more opinions on any given instance that might come to their attention.
Another occasional problem with forums like this is responding to self-deprecation, sarcasm or irony, particularly when cultural norms are added into the mix. Brits tend to perhaps lean on these a little more.
And seconded about the pictures posted in this thread... it's tiresomely juvenile.
It's called Nuclear Explosion to-go. Or rather, the computer that idles at 70*C in Siberia.
Also, affectionately known as Portable Sun or CCO*.
*Conventional Computing Oven.
Also, this pic is glorious to post when you just won a troll argument, which is a huge achievement in itself.
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Can't say I've noticed, sweetie.
In the interests of public disclosure, Skunk and his family are occasional companions with me off-board and we occasionally meet up with one another to play table tennis, maybe have a drink and take the dog for a walk. I count him as a good friend, in flesh and blood, not just an internet 'friend'.
He is, therefore, an unreliable witness.
He is, therefore, an unreliable witness.
I whole heartedly take Blue Velvet's word as law. She was the first one to give me a TO a loooooooong time ago. So I fear her. If she says it is so, I bet my arse it is so.
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Honestly don't remember giving you a timeout, jav, and I hope you realise it wasn't personal. And nobody needs to fear me at all... it doesn't give me the slightest pleasure to hear anyone say this. My bark is far worse than my bite and my word is certainly not law and never was. I'm no longer moderating here; it's in far more capable hands.
On MacRumors, for a large part, Arn's and Doctor Q's word is law.
I never took it personally. In fact, I look back at it now since it was a self serving thing. (I derailed an entire thread)
And as per fear, it's only in a figurative jokingly way.
I was just trying to make comedic relief out of a comment