Comment by Ash Pryce on November 23, 2011 at 3:02am

I can't be bothered with it any mroe.  I won't even debate with "legitimate" Creationists as there is no point.  Until they can present a valid testable hypothesis to the scientific community that stands up to scrutiny their arguments aimed at me or you or other atheists is pointless hand waving.  They aren't interested in evidence or prooving their point, only in conversion.  They're like the Borg.  Do it if it's fun, but personally i can't be arsed any more.

Comment by Eric Youngstrom on November 23, 2011 at 10:33am

I agree that in all most all cases it is pointless but lately I have been attracting more trolls/ sock puppets/ect than usual and I have been in a very combative mood with them.

I'm sure it will pass, my wanting to feed them, but the last couple months it has been on like donkey kong with troll bashing.

Comment by Carl Rowley on November 23, 2011 at 4:23pm

Only thing I would say is that if you are going to troll them back, do it properly. Don't have any agenda over and above provoking a reaction out of them...and preferably provoke the reaction by being "incredibly dumb" as all the best trolls are!!!

Comment by Ed on November 23, 2011 at 8:04pm

There are cheaper forms of entertainment. A good book is much more enjoyable and rewarding IMHO...

Comment by matt.clerke on November 23, 2011 at 9:29pm

If creationism is true, why did bananas need to be domesticated before we could eat them?

 

Well that was my attempt at a troll but actually it is a valid question.....might still provoke a response though...

 

How about this one: If creationism is true, how do the tides work? you can't explain that! tides go in, tides go out....all following the moon precisely.

 

Oh damn, I did it again, valid questions aren't really trolling.... maybe we should be building bigger creationist strawmen to burn down?

Comment by Boatman on November 24, 2011 at 7:48am

By all means, troll.  At minimum, it's a form of mental exercise, and apparently healthy (for you.  Not so much for the troll - induced stresses etc)

Comment by Henry Ruddle on November 24, 2011 at 1:11pm

It can be fun now and then as long you don't take it seriously. You'll never make an impact on their thinking or behavior, but you might be able to get them to explode by being clear, logical and unfailingly polite. 

Comment by Carl Rowley on November 24, 2011 at 1:58pm

A favourite technique of mine is to get them to agree to an apparently innocent premise which appears to support their opinion. Then lead them along a nice trail of breadcrumbs where they have agreed to every premise...then drop a nice logic bomb. It's not the kind of thing you can describe in too much detail as you need to tailor it to the target and go with your gut.
Nor does it usually make the target change their mind....the joy is in watching the, squirm as they try to refute it. I find that delightful. :)

Comment by Eric Youngstrom on January 8, 2012 at 2:31pm

I agree with you Ed in that there are other forms of entertainment and I do enjoy a good book, puzzle, a nice long run but after that I have other hours out of the day to fill. I try to limit my troll bashing to 1 hour max a day.

Comment