Could some really smart scientific type DUer develop a study to determine whether there are

[rzemanfl]

correlations between post counts, length of membership at DU and taking positions here that support the Kremlin line? I have this heuristic notion there is something to my hunches about this. Particularly today. But what do I know? Maybe someone who posts twice a month for two years gets a sudden urge to post a bunch or a newbie wants to make their views known as soon as they have ten posts.

[Squinch]

1. We have many visitors these days. And some pests that have been with us for a long

time and have been eating the carpet for all that time.

But I've noticed it too. The newbies also seem to have an almost supernatural understanding of which posts will cause the greatest division among posters here.

[unc70]

2. Probably several patterns, none conclusive

Never can be sure, though there are some who stick out under a bit of scrutiny. But there could be others well dug in and not obvious -- who knows, maybe 14 years and nearly 20k posts!

[Bernardo de La Paz]

3. It's not that simple. Typical troll piles up 10 to 30 posts in first day if they can get away withit

Usually MIRT has them revoked by third or fourth post.

But some sneaky trolls try running up a post count in Sports or Baking, etc., first and then starting in on the trolling. It doesn't much help them because DU members are sharp and alert abusive posts. That quickly gets MIRT's attention.

[bonzotex]

4. not everyone who has been here a long time,

...has lots of posts.

You can tell pretty quick from the content whether someone is a troll. Don't engage if they offend you. Alert if they are breaking the rules. I tend to just try and enjoy the posts and links and not fret too much about sniffing out the moles. They are not capable of keeping their cover very long.

Some of the most divisive and flame baiting members have been here years and have thousands and thousands of posts. Democrats attract some strongly opinionated individuals. It's part of the sauce I guess.

[rzemanfl]

5. I see you've been here a long time and don't post a lot.

I have never, ever, encountered a troll here with a donor star.

[rzemanfl]

6. Oh, and check your stats. You're a scientist! n/t

[bonzotex]

7. I need work on the "really smart" portion.

Have fun!