Definition of Trolling Explained?

[Raoul Duke]

I just received 3 warning points for "trolling." I've attempted to resolve this by PM but the results have not satisfied me.

The thread in question was a request for people to post the playlists for their favorite radio stations. I posted a response which said, simply: "Why?"

I don't understand how this is trolling, even after looking at the FAQ and the warning system definition of trolling.

Is it wrong to ask why someone is interested in a particular topic? I was merely trying to understand why a person would be interested in the question they asked and was slapped with 3 warning points for it. This seems both not in line with the definition stated on this site but also a very poor way to run a forum. People are punished for asking questions? [Uh oh - there's another question, here we go.]

I'd just like a moderator to spell out what exactly is considered "trolling" so I can choose the best course of action in the future.

[kel_be]

I'd just like a moderator to spell out what exactly is considered "trolling" so I can choose the best course of action in the future.
My best answer...what every you got the trolling warning for is trolling.

[Raoul Duke]

My best answer...what every you got the trolling warning for is trolling.


So saying, "Why?" and posting it is trolling?

Why is that trolling?

[kel_be]

So saying, "Why?" and posting it is trolling?

Why is that trolling?
In all honesty, I'm sure it involved what was said before why. Best thing to do it discuss it with the Mod who issued the warning.

[Raoul Duke]

In all honesty, I'm sure it involved what was said before why. Best thing to do it discuss it with the Mod who issued the warning.


My entire post was "Why?" then with some smiley faces to fill out enough characters to get the system to accept the post.

I PM'ed the moderator who gave it to me and all he did was point me at a definition of Internet trolling on Wikipedia. This is a non-response because it doesn't answer my question at all.

Basically, I asked him why it was considered trolling and he told me, "Why isn't it trolling?" I find that to be a rather poor response.

[kel_be]

I PM'ed the moderator who gave it to me and all he did was point me at a definition of Internet trolling on Wikipedia. This is a non-response because it doesn't answer my question at all.
Did it not give a definition of trolling?
Fromt he sound of it, you have a preset definition in your mind, and the def. the mod gave you wasn't it. I don't think we can read minds, so we as mods give our definitions of warnings & up hold them.

[The Raddish]

Your post didn't simply ask "Why?". You post consisted of the word 'Why', followed by repeated :bash: icons. Nowhere in your post did you seriously try to ascertain the reason for the thread, and your post served no purpose in the thread. Had you asked a question such as "Why do you want us to post our radio station play list?", or "What is the purpose of this thread?" or some such question, then this possibly wouldn't be an issue. However, seeing as how you have a habitual tendency to try to get under the skin of other posters, and your post was not constructive in nature, I warned you for trolling.


Why? :bash: :bash: :bash:
Because that is trolling, that's why.

[Raoul Duke]

Did it not give a definition of trolling?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Internet_troll

It gives a definition of trolling, which I do not think fits the situation.

But, more importantly, when someone asks you why a particular post is considered trolling and all you can be bothered to do is point to a general definition [that doesn't even come close to being applicable], well...it's not a satisfying answer.

[Raoul Duke]

Your post didn't simply ask "Why?". You post consisted of the word 'Why', followed by repeated :bash: icons. Nowhere in your post did you seriously try to ascertain the reason for the thread, and your post served no purpose in the thread. Had you asked a question as to "Why do you want us to post our radio station play list?", or "What is the purpose of this thread?" or some such question, then this possibly wouldn't be an issue. However, seeing as how you have a habitual tendency to try to get under the skin of other posters, and your post was not constructive in nature, I warned you for trolling.


Because that is trolling, that's why.


Using those icons is trolling? Then why are they available at all?

[The Raddish]

Re-read my post. You are not getting the point.

[Raoul Duke]

Re-read my post. You are not getting the point.


Okay - you say nowhere in my post did I attempt to ascertain the reason for the thread. Asking why pretty clearly does that, doesn't it?

The icons meant nothing, I selected those simply because I had originally hit submit and the post was too short.

Asking why and quoting the person who asked for the information doesn't imply, "Why do you want that information"???

[Raoul Duke]

Had you asked a question such as "Why do you want us to post our radio station play list?", or "What is the purpose of this thread?" or some such question, then this possibly wouldn't be an issue.


Would that or would that not be trolling?

[kel_be]

Would NOT

[Raoul Duke]

Would NOT


Well, I propose that what I posted was equivalent to either of those phrases and that I received warning points unfairly. My intent was to obtain the same information that those phrases were requesting. Perhaps I did not go about it in the most clear way but I hardly see a problem forming clear communication as "trolling."

[kel_be]

My intent was to obtain the same information that those phrases were requesting. Perhaps I did not go about it in the most clear way but I hardly see a problem forming clear communication as "trolling."
IMO, and I'm sure others as well....there is a difference between
Why? :bash::bash::bash:
And
"Why do you want us to post our radio station play list?", or "What is the purpose of this thread?"

That difference is what was interpreted as trolling. And I'm sure the use of the 3 bash icons also helped with the interpretation.

Not to mention your track record that was pointed out:
However, seeing as how you have a habitual tendency to try to get under the skin of other posters...

[Doctor_Wu]

Clarity does seem to be an issue here.

Should another user interpret the bash icon as hostile? What about 3 consecutive bash icons?

And if the wiki definition of troll includes the "hoping to entice other users into angry responses". Then I think the post could be considered trolling.

[Raoul Duke]

Honestly, I clicked submit and got an error because the message was too short. I did not know that the icons were going to make such a difference. My question is that if using those icons creates a troll post, why do the icons exist?


Not to mention your track record that was pointed out:

What track record?

[arjunsr]

Honestly, I clicked submit and got an error because the message was too short. I did not know that the icons were going to make such a difference. My question is that if using those icons creates a troll post, why do the icons exist?


context.

[Raoul Duke]

Clarity does seem to be an issue here.

Should another user interpret the bash icon as hostile? What about 3 consecutive bash icons?

And if the wiki definition of troll includes the "hoping to entice other users into angry responses". Then I think the post could be considered trolling.

Why do you believe I was hoping for angry responses?

[kel_be]

What track record?
See The Raddish's post that I quoted.

Am I the only one here thinking that we are beating the glue out of a dead horse?

[Raoul Duke]

See The Raddish's post that I quoted.

Yes, he claimed I had a track record as well. I'm wondering why people think this of me.


Am I the only one here thinking that we are beating the glue out of a dead horse?

Are you saying that my concerns are not important?

[kel_be]

Are you saying that my concerns are not important?
you're concerns, warning, definition requests, etc have now been discussed & answered 22 times.

[Raoul Duke]

you're (SIC) concerns, warning, definition requests, etc have now been discussed & answered 22 times.


Not really - I think this definition of trolling has been applied pretty arbitrarily and without merit. I did nothing hostile nor did I provoke any negative reactions. I merely asked a question.

Furthermore, people are claiming I have a track record without citing any reasons for this belief. [Leaving beside the fact that this implies moderators are judging people instead of posts, which seems backwards completely.]

Oh, my questions have not been answered 22 times. You're going by post count and that includes my posts in the thread.

[Raoul Duke]

Clarity does seem to be an issue here.


Are you saying that by not being clear with my post, I was trolling?

[The Raddish]

Your questions have been answered. Thank you, and have a nice day. :)