The "slightly less than a million dollar challenge" to the JREF Forum.

[Ralph]

Just once---I'd like to see a post that's obviously trollish in origin (AmyWilson's "do you have the balls" post for example) be totaly IGNORED.

Nada.....not a single response. The post will stand alone and completely ignored as if it never existed.

I'm not trying to find out how a troll would respond to his post being ignored.

I simply have a mental bet with myself that it's literally impossible for some people to ignore troll bait......even though they know it's troll bait.

They just can't resist.
"Slightly less than a million dollars" means I'm not putting up any money if I'm wrong. I will send lots of positive mental energy to the forum though as payment.

Totally ignoring this post will count.

[Gravy]

Define "totally ignoring."

[gnome]

I'm actually in favor of the "polite, but boring response".

Or the classic "No.(tm)"

[ImaginalDisc]

Dang it you "G" men, all we had to do was ignore this thread.

[Ralph]

Define "totally ignoring."

totally ignoring=not responding to thread. It's been all of 20 minutes and allready the thread has 3 responses. Si far it looks like I won't have to share any of those psychic good vibes.

It doesn't have to be this thread though. ANY trollish post will count as a winner if ignored. (I'll consider it ignored it makes it to page #3 without a single response).

[ImOne]

You can ignore whatever you want. Truth is Amy is a small amount of spice in a bland stew.

[Gr8wight]

Just once---I'd like to see a post that's obviously trollish in origin (AmyWilson's "do you have the balls" post for example) be totaly IGNORED.

Nada.....not a single response. The post will stand alone and completely ignored as if it never existed.

I'm not trying to find out how a troll would respond to his post being ignored.

I simply have a mental bet with myself that it's literally impossible for some people to ignore troll bait......even though they know it's troll bait.

They just can't resist.
"Slightly less than a million dollars" means I'm not putting up any money if I'm wrong. I will send lots of positive mental energy to the forum though as payment.

Totally ignoring this post will count.

Show me one message board, anywhere on this world wide web where one obviously trollish post has been ignored completely. Just one, anywhere.

[Ralph]

You can ignore whatever you want. Truth is Amy is a small amount of spice in a bland stew.

My point exactly. It's like dragging a wounded kitten though a den of well-fed pit bulls. They really don't NEED the meal....but they just can't resist because it's just plain damn fun.

[Ralph]

Show me one message board, anywhere on this world wide web where one obviously trollish post has been ignored completely. Just one, anywhere.

You can't....which is why I'm offering "slightly less than a million dollars" if we can succeed here.

[Gravy]

totally ignoring=not responding to thread. It's been all of 20 minutes and allready the thread has 3 responses. Si far it looks like I won't have to share any of those psychic good vibes.

It doesn't have to be this thread though. ANY trollish post will count as a winner if ignored. (I'll consider it ignored it makes it to page #3 without a single response).

I'm sorry, can you be more clear about the "totally ignoring" thing?

[Garrette]

I'm sorry, can you be more clear about the "totally ignoring" thing?I think he is referring to posts such as yours, i.e., since your post is obviously trolling for a response contrary to the intent of the OP and you obviously do not possess the confusion your post implies, Ralph is suggesting that other posters, such as I, ignore your post by not responding.

It is, in truth, a lofty goal, and one to which I aspire. As such, I intend to comply with the request and very definitely not respond to trolling posts such as yours, Gravy.

My non-response shall be swift and eloquent and it begins now.

I hope this helps. Let me know if you have further questions.

[Gravy]

Can you be more specific?

[Gravy]

Wish I knew what I did to deserve such a rude response.

[Garrette]

Can you be more specific?Certainly.

In my ignoring of you I will NOT be doing these things:

1. Responding to your posts

2. Answering your questions

3. Wording my non-response in such a way as to lend credibility to your obvious trolling

4. Prompting you to post a response to my non-response

Does that help?

[Garrette]

Wish I knew what I did to deserve such a rude response.Nothing at all, dear boy!

It is in the nature of non-responses to trolling posts to unintentionally exhibit the elevated frustration of the otherwise-kind skeptic in such a manner as to seemingly vent anger and vitriol and the poor troll.

Feel better?

[Gravy]

Nothing at all, dear boy!

It is in the nature of non-responses to trolling posts to unintentionally exhibit the elevated frustration of the otherwise-kind skeptic in such a manner as to seemingly vent anger and vitriol and the poor troll.

Feel better?
No. I feel worse. Why are you trying to make me feel bad?

[Garrette]

No. I feel worse. Why are you trying to make me feel bad?Ah. For that answer, you must go here: http://forums.randi.org/showthread.php?postid=1608211#post1608211

[Gravy]

Well, I'm baffled. And what in the world does this mean?
in such a manner as to seemingly vent anger and vitriol and the poor troll.

[ImOne]

My point exactly. It's like dragging a wounded kitten though a den of well-fed pit bulls. They really don't NEED the meal....but they just can't resist because it's just plain damn fun.
What do you have against fun?

I haven't posted to Amy threads, but occasionally have the mood to open them.

There doesn't seem to be a rule against trolling so you're stuck with it.

[RSLancastr]

I have AmyWhatisname on ignore, and so don't know the content of the "balls" thread you mention.

But while it is indeed a noble and lofty goal to ignore trolls, there is sometimes a need to respond to them, if only so that lurkers don't see certain wooish claims/assertions go unchallenged.

It's sad, but... It's true. :)

[Gravy]

Anyone know who that Garrette person is?

[Ralph]

[QUOTE=ImOne;1608366]What do you have against fun?

I haven't posted to Amy threads, but occasionally have the mood to open them.

Nothing at all. Fun is good.

As I said though-I'm just trying to see if people can resist the temptation.

As a recovering alcoholic I know what it's like to give in to temptation....even though there's that other little voice in your head saying "don't do that".

I also haven't had a drink since 89 though so I've learned to "just say no".

I'm just betting that while a few individuals can resist responding to stupid posts.....many cannot......even when knowing they are just feeding the trolls

[Garrette]

Well, I'm baffled. And what in the world does this mean?A mistake.

"and the poor troll" should be "at the poor troll."

Anyone know who that Garrette person is?No one of importance.

[ImOne]

[QUOTE=ImOne;1608366]I've learned to "just say no".

17 years is a very good start. I lost family to that disease and respect your courage.

Suddenly this thread seems trivial. But almost as much fun as trolls:D

[Gravy]

I posted this (http://forums.randi.org/showpost.php?p=1607814&postcount=2075) on the Loose Change thread earlier, about how kids these days have it easy when it comes to trolling.

There's a guy over there who's a 9/11 conspiracy junkie and is very aggressively ignorant. But I can't tell if he's trying to goad people or if he's just a moron. Can you be a troll if you don't know you're a troll?

[petre]

I'm willing to believe that there are many trolling posts that have been ignored. I'm not going to upset that beautiful state by looking for them, because they they wouldn't be ignored anymore. :cool:

[ChristineR]

On less active message boards there must have been many troll posts that simply vanished after a while. On a more active board like this one the procedure is for one person to respond with the single word "troll." This lets newbies and infrequent posters know what's up. Of course it's no guarantee that someone who feels like baiting troll won't come by and stir things up but I have seen that one word kill posts dead.

[tsg]

It's an unwritten rule of the JREF forums (and the internet in general) that no troll shall ever starve.


It's true :)