Interesting in that I didn't realize there was a name for this kind of trolling, but can definitely think of instances of this here:

I've always been curious about the psychology behind trolling. What possesses a person to troll? Especially a case like "sealioning" where there's a lengthy engagement meant to do nothing but troll. Is this an indicator of someone's maturity? From a Christian perspective, does it serve as any type of indicator of their walk w/ God?

I had never heard of this. I did recently learn about kinists thanks to Twitter though.

swimmerbabe11 said:

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I had never heard of this. I did recently learn about kinists thanks to Twitter though.

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Wow, I had never heard of that either.

I guess if you're pretentious enough or arrogant enough to not just assume but know you're right about a given subject, then it follows that you need a name for people that probe your logic and beliefs as they see faults and contradictions in them. Gives you an excuse not to engage and you get to smear their character to end debate at the same time. I'm not surprised someone of that political persuasion (based on the example chosen) would resort to this type of tactic. Some people don't like to be questioned.

The situation you described is not the one described in the tweet. I don't think anyone has an issue with genuine questions designed to either better understand a position or to point out inconsistencies. That isn't what the term is describing though.

https://twitter.com/Lex_Lutheran/status/957411816333754368?ref_src=twcamp%5Ecopy%7Ctwsrc%5Eandroid%7Ctwgr%5Ecopy%7Ctwcon%5E7090%7Ctwterm%5E0

Oh wow. I went to that facebook page and the 2nd post I saw was calling Tim Keller a "self-conscious Satanist". Groups like that are proof that just because it may be "biblical" doesn't mean it's Christ-like.

**Edit**
I say "biblical" in the sense that a verse can be cherry-picked and pointed to as their support.

RetiredAg said:

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The situation you described is not the one described in the tweet. I don't think anyone has an issue with genuine questions designed to either better understand a position or to point out inconsistencies. That isn't what the term is describing though.

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What AGC described is exactly what is described in the tweet. It gives the labeler the opportunity to make assumptions about the motives of the person asking the questions or pointing out inconsistencies and to dismiss them outright as just another troll. Does people asking you probing and pointed questions frustrate you? Clearly, they are just trolling you! It takes no account of the questioners intent, instead focusing solely upon how the other party feels.

I see what he's saying now. Yes, I would agree there's a level of assumption involved. I would argue that when the charge is most likely valid, the assumptions are likely based on history, tone of questioning and the direction of the questioning. Is it just a bunch of rabbit trails that it's leading down instead of addressing the primary point? Does it bounce from one side question to another to another, every time the previous question is answered? Then it may be "sealioning". To me, I think the general tone is typically telling. Generally, it seems, you can have a pretty decent idea when someone is genuinely questioning you vs someone who appears to be "toying" with you. But yes, AGC is correct in that there is a degree of assumption of intent, although that would be the case to any charge of "trolling".

I was just interested in the term, as I had never heard it before, which led me to think about the greater issue of trolling and what it may, or may not, reflect about the person engaging in it.

Solo Tetherball Champ said:

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RetiredAg said:

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The situation you described is not the one described in the tweet. I don't think anyone has an issue with genuine questions designed to either better understand a position or to point out inconsistencies. That isn't what the term is describing though.

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What AGC described is exactly what is described in the tweet. It gives the labeler the opportunity to make assumptions about the motives of the person asking the questions or pointing out inconsistencies and to dismiss them outright as just another troll. Does people asking you probing and pointed questions frustrate you? Clearly, they are just trolling you! It takes no account of the questioners intent, instead focusing solely upon how the other party feels.

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Never interacted with RetiredAg? When he can't defend his nonsense anymore, he just calls you a troll and ends with "this is my last post to you. Have a great day." His version of "quitsies, double stamped, no erasies."

AstroAg17 said:

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Sounds like Martin.

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I resemble that remark.

AstroAg17 said:

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Does anyone know how southern slaveholders felt about the potential salvation of slaves? I can't find that info.

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Hmmm good question. Found this article on it: http://www.christianitytoday.com/history/issues/issue-33/secret-religion-of-slaves.html#storystream

Looks like it varied from slave owner to slave owner. Some encouraged slaves to become Christian, attend church, get baptized, etc. Some violently forbid it and considered the notion that black persons even had souls to absurd. Tbh, given the despicable nature of slavery in America, it seems more logical that they would hold the view that slaves had no souls. If one believed they bore the image of God and could receive salvation, then how could one justify the barbaric practice?

AstroAg17 said:

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Kinism seems interesting.

Does anyone know how southern slaveholders felt about the potential salvation of slaves? I can't find that info.

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This needs its own thread.

Martin Q. Blank said:

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Solo Tetherball Champ said:

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RetiredAg said:

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The situation you described is not the one described in the tweet. I don't think anyone has an issue with genuine questions designed to either better understand a position or to point out inconsistencies. That isn't what the term is describing though.

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What AGC described is exactly what is described in the tweet. It gives the labeler the opportunity to make assumptions about the motives of the person asking the questions or pointing out inconsistencies and to dismiss them outright as just another troll. Does people asking you probing and pointed questions frustrate you? Clearly, they are just trolling you! It takes no account of the questioners intent, instead focusing solely upon how the other party feels.

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Never interacted with RetiredAg? When he can't defend his nonsense anymore, he just calls you a troll and ends with "this is my last post to you. Have a great day." His version of "quitsies, double stamped, no erasies."

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I've seen Retired behave that way several times. Curiously, I can only recall observing him responding in such a manner when he is interacting with you.

While I disagree with Retired on several key matters (not simply his pacifism), you seem to follow him around like a jilted teenaged ex-girlfriend. Let it go, man. Let it go.

Thank you. I think I get along perfectly fine with all but a few on this board, even though the overwhelming could quickly point to areas of disagreement. While you and I have had, on occasion, some sharp interactions and disagreements, I feel we typically end it on respectful terms and typically have fruitful conversations.

I don't understand the distinction of trolling either. I mean, when a person has an opinion and is just trying to communicate that opinion, people can use the trolling excuse to just shut you down. Can someone please explain the difference between arguing and trolling?

Quote:

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Can someone please explain the difference between arguing and trolling?

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Arguing:
1. give reasons or cite evidence in support of an idea, action, or theory, typically with the aim of persuading others to share one's view.
2. exchange or express diverging or opposite views, typically in a heated or angry way


Trolling:
1. make a deliberately offensive or provocative online post with the aim of upsetting someone or eliciting an angry response from them.

Further distinctions.

Ha! That was great!

RetiredAg said:

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Quote:

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Can someone please explain the difference between arguing and trolling?

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Arguing:
1. give reasons or cite evidence in support of an idea, action, or theory, typically with the aim of persuading others to share one's view.
2. exchange or express diverging or opposite views, typically in a heated or angry way


Trolling:
1. make a deliberately offensive or provocative online post with the aim of upsetting someone or eliciting an angry response from them.

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Bless those who bless you.

RetiredAg said:

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Quote:

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Can someone please explain the difference between arguing and trolling?

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Arguing:
1. give reasons or cite evidence in support of an idea, action, or theory, typically with the aim of persuading others to share one's view.
2. exchange or express diverging or opposite views, typically in a heated or angry way


Trolling:
1. make a deliberately offensive or provocative online post with the aim of upsetting someone or eliciting an angry response from them.

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Where would you out the Socratic method?

I don't think the Socratic method belongs on that spectrum.

This term is trying to hard. We don't need more internet labels for people we don't like and disagree with. Posting this on twitter is ridiculous considering the shallowness of that platform to begin with.

Frok said:

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This term is trying to hard. We don't need more internet labels for people we don't like and disagree with. Posting this on twitter is ridiculous considering the shallowness of that platform to begin with.

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Agree with this. I had never heard the term before, and quite honestly, that tweet is the only place I've seen it. Hoping it doesn't catch on.

It's not to say that this doesn't exist and isn't annoying. But you can tell when an internet debate is going nowhere. I would say it's just a stubborn person, not a troll or sealion.

this fits MQB perfectly.

RetiredAg said:

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Quote:

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Can someone please explain the difference between arguing and trolling?

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Arguing:
1. give reasons or cite evidence in support of an idea, action, or theory, typically with the aim of persuading others to share one's view.
2. exchange or express diverging or opposite views, typically in a heated or angry way


Trolling:
1. make a deliberately offensive or provocative online post with the aim of upsetting someone or eliciting an angry response from them.

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Did you really think I was so clueless that I needed a definition of trolling?

Staff has needed it before, so maybe you do too

BusterAg said:

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RetiredAg said:

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Quote:

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Can someone please explain the difference between arguing and trolling?

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Arguing:
1. give reasons or cite evidence in support of an idea, action, or theory, typically with the aim of persuading others to share one's view.
2. exchange or express diverging or opposite views, typically in a heated or angry way


Trolling:
1. make a deliberately offensive or provocative online post with the aim of upsetting someone or eliciting an angry response from them.

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Did you really think I was so clueless that I needed a definition of trolling?

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Given how often the term is misused, I was just playing it safe.

BusterAg said:

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RetiredAg said:

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Quote:

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Can someone please explain the difference between arguing and trolling?

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Arguing:
1. give reasons or cite evidence in support of an idea, action, or theory, typically with the aim of persuading others to share one's view.
2. exchange or express diverging or opposite views, typically in a heated or angry way


Trolling:
1. make a deliberately offensive or provocative online post with the aim of upsetting someone or eliciting an angry response from them.

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Did you really think I was so clueless that I needed a definition of trolling?

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Given that you asked about the difference between arguing and trolling, I think it was an appropriate response.

dargscisyhp said:

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BusterAg said:

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RetiredAg said:

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Quote:

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Can someone please explain the difference between arguing and trolling?

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Arguing:
1. give reasons or cite evidence in support of an idea, action, or theory, typically with the aim of persuading others to share one's view.
2. exchange or express diverging or opposite views, typically in a heated or angry way


Trolling:
1. make a deliberately offensive or provocative online post with the aim of upsetting someone or eliciting an angry response from them.

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Did you really think I was so clueless that I needed a definition of trolling?

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Given that you asked about the difference between arguing and trolling, I think it was an appropriate response.

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I feel like I am getting reverse sealioned. Well done sir.

Reverse sealioning sounds like the hottest new sexual position that all the kids are trying these days.