So they delete my question without reading it

July 5, 2007 7:29 AM

I think the moderators should please actually READ the question before deleting it. I asked a valid question about dinner table conversation, and the moderator deletes it on reading the word "troll". I cry unfair!
posted by markovich to etiquette/policy at 7:29 AM (80 comments total)

I think they were correct to delete your question.
posted by Steven C. Den Beste at 7:34 AM on July 5, 2007

There's a deletion reason posted on your question that gives me every impression that the moderators read your question. You might want to look at that before throwing out accusations. Also, the "what are examples of x? I'll start with these..." type of question is a typical "chatfilter" thing, which isn't appropriate for AskMe.

I don't think your question was any worse than a mixtape question, though.
posted by LionIndex at 7:34 AM on July 5, 2007

You are asking, point blank, for trolling advice. On the internet. At a site where precisely the thing you're asking for advice on is considered bad form. You can cry unfair, but it's not going to make the question seem like any better an idea. It's like asking for advice about armed robbery on a gun club's forum.
posted by cortex at 7:37 AM on July 5, 2007 [1 favorite]

I think the moderators believed I was asking for samples on how to troll forums.

And besides, what's the difference between asking for lists of dinner conversation starters and asking for lists of financial advice?

They are both interesting, and just because a moderator does not find the topic interesting does not mean that it is not interesting and useful for other people.
posted by markovich at 7:39 AM on July 5, 2007

They are both interesting, and just because a moderator does not find the topic interesting does not mean that it is not interesting and useful for other people.

You're missing the point if you believe the problem is that the moderators don't "find the topic interesting". Jess saw it and deleted it. I would have done the same, in a second. Rest assured, it was read for comprehension: it was a bad idea for AskMe, dinner conversation framing or not.

Trolling as a social phenomenon? Damned interesting. Trolling as brainstorming topic on AskMe? Bad idea.
posted by cortex at 7:46 AM on July 5, 2007

I think you could easily answer your question yourself, as in fact you did.

No worse than a mixtape question, granted, but then mixtape questions suck too.
posted by EndsOfInvention at 7:46 AM on July 5, 2007

Your question was borderline and got deleted. I don't think you really had a problem to solve, and the information sought was mere idle curiosities. There was not a correct answer. It was incredibly subjective and effectively polling us. These things place it on the edge of acceptable questions. That the topic seemed so useless in any real sense probably pushed it into delete-worthy.

It got deleted. I think you will survive without that information. Ask something else next week.
posted by dios at 7:49 AM on July 5, 2007 [2 favorites]

You've got three good examples of trollish questions right there in your question. I'm actually pretty jealous. You must have so many dinner invitations that you need more than three reasons to be never invited again.

And the difference between this and a mixtape question is that mixtapes are fun.
posted by hydrophonic at 7:49 AM on July 5, 2007

Well, I think you've already answered your own question with this metatalk post, so all's well that ends well, no?
posted by Dave Faris at 7:50 AM on July 5, 2007

It's not a question of interest, markovich. AskMeFi is to be used by seekers if information not easily-google-able. You can find trolls or advice on trolling anywhere.

Your question was chat-filter AND had a great potential to be extremely offensive and imflammatory.

On preview... what Cortex said.
posted by odi.et.amo at 7:51 AM on July 5, 2007

I think the moderators believed I was asking for samples on how to troll forums.

You are wrong in thinking that. I read and understood the whole thing.

It may also be interesting to note that certain AskMe questions are not only inappropriate for AskMe, but they also seem to just gleam with "if I delete this it's going to show up in MeTa" promise [cortex, AMIRITE?].

I lump this question with the "help me find good racial insults" question. The fact that people are going to be listing their very favorite trolls is likely also going to start arguments and garner responses and be difficult to moderate. Added to this is the fact that this isn't a hard question to answer for someone with a decent facility with the Internet.

Those two points combined [possibly with the addition of a tertiary point that your AskMe answers often seem to be borderline button-pushing at times] mean that not only was this, in my opinion, an okay candidate for deletion but that you probably knew it was when you asked it. So, it was wrong for AskMe.

You can possibly see how this is not like asking for dinner converstion tips, can't you? Just because something may have utility does not mean it's okay for Ask MetaFilter.
posted by jessamyn at 7:51 AM on July 5, 2007 [2 favorites]

I've had several posts and questions deleted here, and I've always taken it like a man.

Have some dignity.
posted by chuckdarwin at 7:53 AM on July 5, 2007

Well, this question was well within the rules! And now I have to wait one week before asking my Barry White question? Okay, I'll let this topic go, but give me my question asking ability back. I'm not interested in mix tape or financial advice, I'm interested in social advice, because that's what my life is about. I don't get why I have to lose my posting ability for asking a valid question about a topic that interests me.
posted by markovich at 7:56 AM on July 5, 2007

but they also seem to just gleam with "if I delete this it's going to show up in MeTa" promise [cortex, AMIRITE?].

so rite. I'm considering starting a prediction market.
posted by cortex at 7:56 AM on July 5, 2007

Perfect lolz for a Monday Thursday morning.
posted by ThePinkSuperhero at 7:56 AM on July 5, 2007 [1 favorite]

You're not getting your question-asking ability back. No one does, pretty much^* ever. You lose your posting ability for a week because you used your posting ability for the week. That you used it badly and got your question nuked is an unwelcome lesson, maybe, but it's sure as heck not a birthday present.

^*"pretty much" is hedging; I'm inclined to say simply never ever ever, but who knows what the Metatalk archives might yield...
posted by cortex at 7:58 AM on July 5, 2007

Okay, I'll let this topic go, but give me my question asking ability back.

Jesus Christ. Can we please have an automatic ban on anyone who attempts to make a MetaTalk post about why their precious post/comment/question was deleted? A temporary ban is OK (though I'd really prefer a ball of flame to come out of their computer and devour them whole), but a message that said "Sorry, you've violated the rule against being a whiny fool, and you'll be redirected to Plastic.com every time you try to access MetaFilter for the next week" might get people to think twice about it. I'm really getting sick of these pointless threads.
posted by languagehat at 8:01 AM on July 5, 2007 [5 favorites]

ALRIGHT FINE! I'll...well, just sit around and do nothing. Check reddit a bit, then go see if there are any new ask.mefis, then maybe check my emails.
posted by markovich at 8:02 AM on July 5, 2007

Now markovich will never know how to troll in real life.

NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!
posted by chunking express at 8:02 AM on July 5, 2007 [1 favorite]

whbt?
posted by dersins at 8:04 AM on July 5, 2007

Checking email? But then what? Please tell me, I must know.
posted by null terminated at 8:05 AM on July 5, 2007

but give me my question asking ability back

Do not pass Go. Do not collect $200.
posted by Dave Faris at 8:08 AM on July 5, 2007

ALRIGHT FINE! I'll...well, just sit around and do nothing. Check reddit a bit, then go see if there are any new ask.mefis, then maybe check my emails.


Why don't you have a few dinner parties?
posted by Nabubrush at 8:08 AM on July 5, 2007

Okay, I'll let this topic go, but give me my question asking ability back.

That's not a deal we're going to make. Social advice questions are fine Your question wasn't. You came out swinging in MeTa. You'll need to wait. You might want to read this MeTa thread in the meantime which I think is a sort of analog to your question.
posted by jessamyn at 8:08 AM on July 5, 2007

These were the voyages of the USS Markovich. Its thwarted mission: to boldly troll where no man had trolled before.
posted by thatweirdguy2 at 8:08 AM on July 5, 2007

Somewhere, in heaven, Ruth Crowley smiles. "Thank God I died before MetaTalk was invented", she coos.
posted by soundofsuburbia at 8:11 AM on July 5, 2007

Well, I obviously can't go to any dinner parties now, can I?
posted by markovich at 8:12 AM on July 5, 2007

The world will just have to suffer that loss.
posted by ThePinkSuperhero at 8:13 AM on July 5, 2007 [2 favorites]

Well, this question was well within the rules! And now I have to wait one week before asking my Barry White question? Okay, I'll let this topic go, but give me my question asking ability back. I'm not interested in mix tape or financial advice, I'm interested in social advice, because that's what my life is about. I don't get why I have to lose my posting ability for asking a valid question about a topic that interests me.

I get it, you're trolling here, right? How meta-MeTa!

Oh yeah, and your question was chatfilter.
posted by desuetude at 8:17 AM on July 5, 2007

It would seem as though you already have enough innate knowledge of how to troll :)
posted by DMan at 8:21 AM on July 5, 2007 [1 favorite]

You know, the fact that you come in here bitching about the deletion and demanding your posting rights back when you (joyous discovery) have been running a concurrent account and dodging the standard AskMe limit on a regular basis between the two?

That's pretty effectively burning up the remaining threads of goodwill I've been clinging to.
posted by cortex at 8:28 AM on July 5, 2007 [1 favorite]

Actually cortex I think they just work together.
posted by jessamyn at 8:32 AM on July 5, 2007

Oh no, I'm wrong. Awesome!
posted by jessamyn at 8:34 AM on July 5, 2007

ALRIGHT FINE! I'll...well, just sit around and do nothing. Check reddit a bit, then go see if there are any new ask.mefis, then maybe check my emails.
You forgot "...and HOLD MY BREATH UNTIL I DIE, then you'll all be SORRY because you're a bunch of poopy pants stupid heads....(continue until sobbing begins).
posted by BozoBurgerBonanza at 8:36 AM on July 5, 2007

The plot thickens!
posted by DMan at 8:36 AM on July 5, 2007

Sweet!
Straight up bannination, or flameout?
posted by Floydd at 8:36 AM on July 5, 2007

I hearing screaming from out back in the alley.
posted by Brandon Blatcher at 8:38 AM on July 5, 2007

Please tell me the other account nic is ALRIGHT FINE!
posted by It's Raining Florence Henderson at 8:39 AM on July 5, 2007

::claps hands::
posted by ThePinkSuperhero at 8:40 AM on July 5, 2007 [1 favorite]

Does that mean we're never going to get to see the Barry White question? Because I was looking forward to "Barry White: bad musician, or worst musician?"
posted by Partial Law at 8:42 AM on July 5, 2007

I cry unfair!

Seriously, the only fair thing to do in this case is to make a special exception to the rules and give him another question. You might as well give him another MeTa while you're at it. I think we're gonna need it.
posted by and hosted from Uranus at 8:43 AM on July 5, 2007

niggers and spics appear positively einstein-like when compared to your typical butt-reaming homofag. pass the chitlins, please.
posted by quonsar at 8:47 AM on July 5, 2007 [2 favorites]

What are some Barry White songs I can put on a mixtape that would provoke an argument? They have to be plausible, yet provoking.
posted by hydrophonic at 8:47 AM on July 5, 2007

you (joyous discovery) have been running a concurrent account

inquiring minds....
posted by dersins at 8:48 AM on July 5, 2007

Cry 'unfair' and let slip the dogs of MetaFilter!!
That this foul deed shall smell above the earth with carrion sockpuppets, groaning for burial.
posted by Floydd at 8:50 AM on July 5, 2007

Sir, I am OUTRAGED, yes, OUTRAGED! My outrage, and $5 dollars from you will get you another sockpuppet with which to ask another question.
posted by blue_beetle at 8:50 AM on July 5, 2007

I'm interested in social advice, because that's what my life is about

Here's some social advice: don't start arguments at the dinner table.
posted by yohko at 8:50 AM on July 5, 2007 [1 favorite]

Come on, markovich. You're making 40kers look bad worse.
posted by Kwine at 8:51 AM on July 5, 2007

I think you should ask for you five ten dollars back.
posted by OmieWise at 8:51 AM on July 5, 2007

I hope he uses his other account to post his Barry White question (unless it's a trollish/deletable Barry White question) because I luurve Barry White (RIP).
posted by amyms at 8:51 AM on July 5, 2007

Mommy! He hit me!
posted by ninjew at 8:52 AM on July 5, 2007

This thread is only going to get better.

Funny story:
A friend used to work at a burrito joint in Minneapolis. One night he's working the register, and a customer orders a beer. Being youngish, my friend carded her. He looks at the ID, hands it back, and then decides that there was something slightly askance about it. He asks to see it again before he will serve the beer.

The bouncer notices the double-card and decides to be interested. He comes over and looks at the ID, which is a dubious fake. He informs the patron that he will not be returning the ID unless she can provide one with matching information.

The young lady really doesn't appreciate this. She starts pleading with him, offering the bouncer $50 to return the ID. The bouncer is unimpressed, saying, "Well now I know it's a fake because you could just get a new one at the DMV for $20." At this point the young lady's manner turns from plaintive to harassing. Her boyfriend, previously silent in the dispute, begins to threaten the bouncer, and basically they start making a huge fucking scene. So the boyfriend is trying to coax the bouncer outside so that he can start a physical altercation. The bouncer finally accepts, saying that he will be out front shortly.

Naturally when these two leave, the bouncer goes in back, calls the cops, and walks outside to watch them get arrested- for possessing false identification and all the threats of violence and such. If they'd just had the sense to walk out when the ID was confiscated, they could have saved themselves a lot of trouble. Instead, they forced the issue and got friendly with a squad car.

The point of the story: sometimes, when you're being a complete fucking idiot, it really is best not to draw attention to yourself.
posted by baphomet at 8:52 AM on July 5, 2007 [11 favorites]

I think we've all learned a little something here.
posted by Floydd at 8:54 AM on July 5, 2007

This was definitely worth my $5.
posted by Nabubrush at 8:54 AM on July 5, 2007

MetaTalk: A Very Special Webisode
posted by It's Raining Florence Henderson at 8:58 AM on July 5, 2007

ALRIGHT FINE! I'll...well, just sit around and do nothing. Check reddit a bit, then go see if there are any new ask.mefis, then maybe check my emails.

Or you could go out and do your own brainstorming. Try trolling random people on the street or in the grocery store. Keep a journal of their reactions. Have a camera handy to take pictures of the abuse you receive. Throw all of it up on a website.

Then post it to the Blue and have it deleted for self-linking.
posted by CKmtl at 9:01 AM on July 5, 2007

Mommy! He hit me!

Yep. It was all laughter that ended in tears.
posted by ericb at 9:04 AM on July 5, 2007

Your question is bad and you should feel bad.
posted by boo_radley at 9:06 AM on July 5, 2007 [1 favorite]

Way to go, rabid crowd! Don't ever ask who those people are that stand by and watch lynchings. It's fun, isn't it!

And the Barry White question is really good. I love Barry, and if it's wrong to love Barry, I don't want to be right!

(For admins, btw, I'm Max, not who you think I am.)
posted by markovich at 9:07 AM on July 5, 2007

Your continued participation is also bad, and you should feel worse.
posted by boo_radley at 9:08 AM on July 5, 2007

LOL@MAX
posted by mzurer at 9:14 AM on July 5, 2007

Way to go, rabid crowd! Don't ever ask who those people are that stand by and watch lynchings. It's fun, isn't it!

Because having your anonymous self mocked on the internet by anonymous screen names is so much like being hanged in the old west.
posted by IronLizard at 9:16 AM on July 5, 2007

Maxovich?
posted by Stynxno at 9:16 AM on July 5, 2007

markovich has some truly amazing questions to ask. Should I start an African redemption camp? Where can I find good debate on Jewish history? What happened to Jesus in the desert? (Remember THAT one?!) E=mc²...so what? There's even another 'How do I become a better troll?' question. It would be a shame to keep his sockpuppet's questions hidden. There's bound to be valuable advice and deep knowledge there.
posted by carsonb at 9:19 AM on July 5, 2007

Radical to the Max.
posted by flashboy at 9:19 AM on July 5, 2007

You BASTARD!!! My Mom was rabid!!!
posted by It's Raining Florence Henderson at 9:21 AM on July 5, 2007

markovich has some truly amazing questions to ask. Should I start an African redemption camp? Where can I find good debate on Jewish history? What happened to Jesus in the desert? (Remember THAT one?!) E=mc2...so what? There's even another 'How do I become a better troll?' question. It would be a shame to keep his sockpuppet's questions hidden. There's bound to be valuable advice and deep knowledge there.
posted by carsonb at 11:19 AM on July 5

oh my god you're not kidding.
posted by ninjew at 9:23 AM on July 5, 2007

Way to go, rabid crowd! Don't ever ask who those people are that stand by and watch lynchings. It's fun, isn't it!

Oh, please. You posted a craptastic question, and got called on it.
posted by oaf at 9:24 AM on July 5, 2007

Forking nutbag.
posted by phoque at 9:25 AM on July 5, 2007

Yeah. So, um... as you might imagine, it... means a lot to me to see... markovich... portrayed, uh, on the silver site so compassionately.
posted by box at 9:25 AM on July 5, 2007

I'm interested in social advice

Clearly needed.
posted by Robert Angelo at 9:31 AM on July 5, 2007

Forking nutbag.

Fucking nortbag.
posted by oaf at 9:32 AM on July 5, 2007

Hey, I got over the question long ago. If you look at my "Alright Fine" post, I said it's all good. So why all the hate towards me? It's not like I did anything really provocative here, you know.

Let it go people, I'm over it, now it's your turn.
posted by markovich at 9:40 AM on July 5, 2007

So why all the hate towards me?

It's Thursday.
posted by It's Raining Florence Henderson at 9:41 AM on July 5, 2007

"markovich has some truly amazing questions to ask."

Oh yeah... I had vaguely remembered him as a socially-stunted 16-year-old. I wasn't that far off...
posted by klangklangston at 9:41 AM on July 5, 2007

It's not like I did anything really provocative here, you know.

Other than posting a wholly unnecessary MetaTalk thread.
posted by oaf at 9:42 AM on July 5, 2007

Just keep throwing yourself under a bridge.
posted by phoque at 9:43 AM on July 5, 2007 [1 favorite]

Come on now, somebody else chime in and defend markovich! That way, we'll know the name on his other account...
posted by ThePinkSuperhero at 9:44 AM on July 5, 2007 [1 favorite]

Well, I did not find it unnecessary. My question was OK in my humble opinion. Now I know to avoid MetaTalk. I feel like a piece of juicy fresh meat thrown to long toothed wild dogs.
posted by markovich at 9:48 AM on July 5, 2007

Let it go people, I'm over it, now it's your turn.

Alrighty, closing...
posted by mathowie at 9:50 AM on July 5, 2007 [1 favorite]