How do you identify a Russian troll

beancounter · Jan 23, 2018

So, we know that Russian has maintained a sustained campaign of sewing divisions between groups in the U.S. by posting on social media. I think it's quite evident we have at least a few here on DP.

Here are some of my ideas on IDing a Russian troll.
- Starts a thread with all sorts of name calling to provoke a response (e.g. Libtard), especially if it's one of their first posts in the forum.
- Occasionally has poor English skills
- Opinions often convey extreme racism, xenophobia, and homophobia
- Avatars and Usernames are often overtly patriotic
- Dismissal of sources without providing counter sources. Often resorts to ad hominem attacks.

What are your thoughts?

Quag · Jan 23, 2018

So half of DP members are russian trolls?

Josie · Jan 23, 2018

beancounter said:
So, we know that Russian has maintained a sustained campaign of sewing divisions between groups in the U.S. by posting on social media. I think it's quite evident we have at least a few here on DP.

Here are some of my ideas on IDing a Russian troll.
- Starts a thread with all sorts of name calling to provoke a response (e.g. Libtard), especially if it's one of their first posts in the forum.
- Occasionally has poor English skills
- Opinions often convey extreme racism, xenophobia, and homophobia
- Avatars and Usernames are often overtly patriotic
- Dismissal of sources without providing counter sources. Often resorts to ad hominem attacks.

What are your thoughts?

I think there's a heck of a lot of paranoia in this post.

Rexedgar · Jan 23, 2018

Which half?

beancounter · Jan 23, 2018

Quag said:
So half of DP members are russian trolls?

Yea, kind of a broad-based start. I'm hoping others can provide more specific criteria.

beancounter · Jan 23, 2018

Josie said:
I think there's a heck of a lot of paranoia in this post.

Well, it's one of those, "you know it when you see it". I'm sure they make up less than 10% of the membership.

Manc Skipper · Jan 23, 2018

Quag said:
So half of DP members are russian trolls?

I know I'm not, and I think you're probably ok, but the rest have us surrounded!

They kind of stir up dissension (from both sides) the point being increased conflict and polarisation.

Josie · Jan 23, 2018

beancounter said:
Well, it's one of those, "you know it when you see it". I'm sure they make up less than 10% of the membership.

And many times the "you know it when you see it" people are paranoid.

Redress · Jan 23, 2018

Rexedgar said:
Which half?

The Russian half.

americanwoman · Jan 23, 2018

Maybe I am paranoid but there's a couple ones in particular around here that seem pretty obvious.

Cardinal · Jan 23, 2018

beancounter said:
So, we know that Russian has maintained a sustained campaign of sewing divisions between groups in the U.S. by posting on social media. I think it's quite evident we have at least a few here on DP.

Here are some of my ideas on IDing a Russian troll.
- Starts a thread with all sorts of name calling to provoke a response (e.g. Libtard), especially if it's one of their first posts in the forum.
- Occasionally has poor English skills
- Opinions often convey extreme racism, xenophobia, and homophobia
- Avatars and Usernames are often overtly patriotic
- Dismissal of sources without providing counter sources. Often resorts to ad hominem attacks.

What are your thoughts?

The Russian trolls aren't especially intelligent or subtle in the majority of cases. While one was able to persist for an entire year before he outed himself, most of them out themselves in a matter of weeks, or are just so boneheadedly obvious that you can spot them right away. I'm not saying how they're easy to spot.

beancounter · Jan 23, 2018

Josie said:
And many times the "you know it when you see it" people are paranoid.

Hmm, a passive-aggressive ad hominem attack, and you didn't provide a link to support your assertion regarding paranoia...

I always wondered about you...

Proteus · Jan 23, 2018

beancounter said:
So, we know that Russian has maintained a sustained campaign of sewing divisions between groups in the U.S. by posting on social media. I think it's quite evident we have at least a few here on DP.

Here are some of my ideas on IDing a Russian troll.
- Starts a thread with all sorts of name calling to provoke a response (e.g. Libtard), especially if it's one of their first posts in the forum.
- Occasionally has poor English skills
- Opinions often convey extreme racism, xenophobia, and homophobia
- Avatars and Usernames are often overtly patriotic
- Dismissal of sources without providing counter sources. Often resorts to ad hominem attacks.

What are your thoughts?

My thought is that you vastly overrate the reach of this site.

I'd be surprised if there was even a single Russian operative wasting their time trolling DP.

beancounter · Jan 23, 2018

Cardinal said:
I'm not saying how they're easy to spot.

Yea, I see your point.

Lutherf · Jan 23, 2018

beancounter said:
So, we know that Russian has maintained a sustained campaign of sewing divisions between groups in the U.S. by posting on social media. I think it's quite evident we have at least a few here on DP.

Here are some of my ideas on IDing a Russian troll.
- Starts a thread with all sorts of name calling to provoke a response (e.g. Libtard), especially if it's one of their first posts in the forum.
- Occasionally has poor English skills
- Opinions often convey extreme racism, xenophobia, and homophobia
- Avatars and Usernames are often overtly patriotic
- Dismissal of sources without providing counter sources. Often resorts to ad hominem attacks.

What are your thoughts?

Stench of vodka sweat, borscht stains on shirt, Facebook page full of crazy Russian stuff videos.

Cardinal · Jan 23, 2018

Lutherf said:
Stench of vodka sweat, borscht stains on shirt, Facebook page full of crazy Russian stuff videos.

Their tendency to end every post with "comrade" helps.

ReverendHellh0und · Jan 23, 2018

Cardinal said:
Their tendency to end every post with "comrade" helps.

That happens?

better way, by ip.

Do you think the russians are everywhere?

Starvos · Jan 23, 2018

Threaten him with his life, and if he screams in Russian you'll know it's a spy. That's how the CIA does it!

Quag · Jan 23, 2018

Rexedgar said:
Which half?

The other half

Quag · Jan 23, 2018

Manc Skipper said:
I know I'm not, and I think you're probably ok, but the rest have us surrounded!

They kind of stir up dissension (from both sides) the point being increased conflict and polarisation.

Which is silly because everyone knows my side is the correct side!

Manc Skipper · Jan 23, 2018

Quag said:
Which is silly because everyone knows my side is the correct side!

Goes without saying, every time we agree!

Quag · Jan 23, 2018

Manc Skipper said:
Goes without saying, every time we agree!

Da comrade!

Josie · Jan 23, 2018

beancounter said:
Hmm, a passive-aggressive ad hominem attack, and you didn't provide a link to support your assertion regarding paranoia...

I don't have a link -- it's my opinion.

I always wondered about you...

This is my latest selfie, ya know.....

Moderate Right · Jan 23, 2018

beancounter said:
So, we know that Russian has maintained a sustained campaign of sewing divisions between groups in the U.S. by posting on social media. I think it's quite evident we have at least a few here on DP.

Here are some of my ideas on IDing a Russian troll.
- Starts a thread with all sorts of name calling to provoke a response (e.g. Libtard), especially if it's one of their first posts in the forum.
- Occasionally has poor English skills
- Opinions often convey extreme racism, xenophobia, and homophobia
- Avatars and Usernames are often overtly patriotic
- Dismissal of sources without providing counter sources. Often resorts to ad hominem attacks.

What are your thoughts?

LOL. There are one million anti-Trump troll threads. The left is way far ahead of the Russians.

beancounter · Jan 23, 2018

Moderate Right said:
LOL. There are one million anti-Trump troll threads. The left is way far ahead of the Russians.

Yea, but they're all American. That's part of the point.

Overtly patriotic avatar you have there...

How do you identify a Russian troll

beancounter

Quag

Josie

Loves third parties and steak

Rexedgar

Yo-Semite!

beancounter

beancounter

Manc Skipper

Wrinkly member

Josie

Loves third parties and steak

Redress

Liberal Fascist For Life!

americanwoman

dangerously addictive

Cardinal

Respected On All Sides

beancounter

Proteus

Well-known member

beancounter

Lutherf

Cardinal

Respected On All Sides

ReverendHellh0und

I don't respect you.

Starvos

Member

Quag

Quag

Manc Skipper

Wrinkly member

Quag

Josie

Loves third parties and steak

Moderate Right

beancounter

How do you identify a Russian troll

Loves third parties and steak

Yo-Semite!

Wrinkly member

Loves third parties and steak

Liberal Fascist For Life!

dangerously addictive

Respected On All Sides

Well-known member

Respected On All Sides

I don't respect you.

Member

Wrinkly member

Loves third parties and steak

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