Trolls lurk here, just like they do in real life

[Philosoraptor]

I've known it for a long, long time. They're everywhere. You can't trust anyone really, not even your own wife or husband, how can you trust a stranger posting here?

I've been accused of being one as well, but I'm not one, but I can't prove it.

I have just always assumed that there are a lot of folks posting here who are fakes and plants and disrupting and insulting and pretending to be one of us and going to other sites and ridiculing us, it's nothing new.

And the fact that they've actually been revealed as an organized, paid effort, I'm not surprised or worried.

I don't think they'll have any effect. We are strong in our convictions. There are too few of them here to do any harm in my opinion.

Things ain't what they used to be, trolls are in every aspect of our life now, they see us as the enemy, they see us as the terrorists, they see us as the problem, and they'll try to infiltrate us to no avail.

[dogday]

1. Someone referred to them as the High Post-Count Trolls

could not of said it any better myself..

[Philosoraptor]

3. I'ts easy to rack up a grand, I did it in under 3 weeks.

They just seem like sad and confused people.

[dogday]

24. I think they meant higher

than that, much higher...

[Virginia Dare]

2. I don't think all of the paid trolls....

are necessarily against us, or disrupters. I suspect there are quite a few plants here who are actually "on our side".

[Warpy]

4. I just watch the behavior

and the usual right wing "tricks" of the strawman, the ad hominem, and the false dilemma.

I use "alert." This is a good forum, so I don't have to use it often.

Departures from ortodoxy keep us all talking to each other, that isn't the point. If that's all a troll did, nobody would much mind.

Trolls are here to plant doubt and mistrust, however, and to instigate bad behavior on our part.

They need to go, just for those reasons.

[Sadie5]

12. Every message board has a troll or two

It depends on whether they have good moderation. Other than DU, one board I post on kicks them right out if they get cute with the serious posters. Another board lets them run wild. Needless to say I don't post much on the latter board. But I hold my own and come right back at their bull crap.

[MercutioATC]

5. Ahhh, another "troll army" thread!

Blogging is one facet of an established marketing strategy known as "viral marketing". Yes, some people ARE paid to market products and/or ideas on blogs. It's been happening for years.

That's a far cry from the "troll army" that's being warned of on DU of late.


I can't WAIT to see all of the "TROLL ARMY! BEWARE!!" shrieks that will be flying around here for the next week...mostly at innocent low-post members or anybody with a differing view.

:eyes:

[burythehatchet]

14. Yes, some people ARE paid to market products and/or ideas on blogs

excellent straw man argument. Almost as impressive as "cut & run"

:eyes:

[MercutioATC]

23. How is that a "straw man argument"? It's completely true.

...and it hardly suggests the invasion by a "troll army" that some have suggested.

There will always be paid marketers and they've existed for YEARS.

There will always be people who infiltrate blogs to spread dissent and there have been for YEARS.

The current hype is just that....hype.

[Kolesar]

6. ...and this is worth a whole thread? .. .eom. ..

[Philosoraptor]

7. If you don't think so, say so.

Yes, I must have thought so, or I wouldn't have made it.

[Kolesar]

16. this sounds like a carry-on from some other anguished thread

is it?

[Philosoraptor]

19. It's obviously similar.

Why you raggin' on me?

[SidDithers]

8. I admit it...

I'm posting under a fake name. My name isn't really SidDithers...

It's really Bobby Bittman.



Bobby

[AlCzervik]

15. sssshhhhh--my real name is johnny LaRue

[Jeffersons Ghost]

9. sure you can prove you're not a troll...

just put something on your local Democratic Party's website, like I did. After you prove it, expect trolls to try to destroy you at DU, like they do with me:

http://www.tuscaloosademocrats.org/

[Ksec]

10. so does severe paranoia

Who cares if trolls lurk?

State your case and dont worry about them. The level of paranoia is rising lately. Dont quite know why .

[Philosoraptor]

13. I don't care, that's who.

My case was, I don't worry about them.

[peace13]

11. As a person who has been called a troll I will respond

Name calling and judgmental attitudes will not help us. I had been displaying my DU bumper sticker for over a year when I was called a troll. It was hurtful and unnecessary. We need to dump the term. Peace, Kim

[BlueStorm]

17. I haven't been called a troll

but I have had indirect accusations that I am one. I think that this kind of attitude on DU is too counterproductive and we need to stop.

Blue

[Jeffersons Ghost]

20. you're very new and if you post OPs that really bash repukes...

or support Democratic ideals, expect attacks from the opposition. they want to chase true blues away from here, so they can control the site. hang in there and good luck!

[SidDithers]

22. Well said, Kim...nt

Sid

[zippy890]

18. you can't trust your own spouse?

well thats just downright sad.

have you tried marital counseling?

[Philosoraptor]

21. Look at the divorce rate and the adultery rates.

I trust my spouse, but that's it.

[Skinner]

25. Locking.

Troll Army! Troll Army! Booga! Booga! Booga!