Paid trolls, myth or reality?

[Simpletruther]

I have always considered the idea silly. But the claim is so pervasive, I am Willing to be wrong and say I have missed something.

I just can't see a "payoff" for paying someone to troll discussion forums. It's not like we are tiktok stars that actually are capable of any sort of mass influence.



So, it seems to me to be a conspiracy theory. Anyone have any evidence otherwise?

And if it is a thing,where do I cash in?

 

[Mach]

I think there's a chance you might be, based on your posts and forum handle.
Big money fuels politics in social media, don't kid yourself.

But yes, a lot are just regular people thinking they are fighting the good fight for their political tribe...parroting the nonsense they see on right wing media.
I especially like the ones who post links to videos on other websites and their post is like "watch this video!!". What do you call that? Good debate? At least your post appears to be in your own words, and is asking a question, and stating your position....

The issue often comes up when someone posting behaves robotically...ignoring all facts/evidence, and continuing their narrative that's been shown to be false. What is their purpose for doing that? They don't want to look like they lost the debate? They are just grassroots political propagandists is what I think.

 

[Antiwar]

Specifically on DP: No, I think it's just another dumb thing that some people say at Duhbate Politics.

 

[lwf]

I have always considered the idea silly. But the claim is so pervasive, I am Willing to be wrong and say I have missed something.

I just can't see a "payoff" for paying someone to troll discussion forums. It's not like we are tiktok stars that actually are capable of any sort of mass influence.



So, it seems to me to be a conspiracy theory. Anyone have any evidence otherwise?

And if it is a thing,where do I cash in?

Of course they exist.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Russian_web_brigades

 

[joluoto]

Of course paid Trolls exist. And not just Troll factories (although they are a thing), but "freelancers" who are paid to harass certain kind of people online to make a point. Such as Anti- Trans trolls, Anti- Semitic trolls and Misogynist Trolls. Of course some of these trolls are just shitheads who troll for the lulz, but other are actually paid to do it.

 

[VySky]

 

[Gateman_Wen]

I have always considered the idea silly. But the claim is so pervasive, I am Willing to be wrong and say I have missed something.

I just can't see a "payoff" for paying someone to troll discussion forums. It's not like we are tiktok stars that actually are capable of any sort of mass influence.



So, it seems to me to be a conspiracy theory. Anyone have any evidence otherwise?

And if it is a thing,where do I cash in?

They do exist, and there are a few here.

The global business of professional trolling

Troll farms are a booming business in the developing world.

www.axios.com

 

[dmpi]

Paid trolls are extremely rare except when there's big money involved. Crypto, Pot, and Penny Stocks are good examples.

 

[Jacksprat]

Paid trolls are extremely rare except when there's big money involved. Crypto, Pot, and Penny Stocks are good examples.

Although Mueller documented at least one government troll farm sponsored by the Russian government. It happens.

 

[VySky]

Although Mueller documented at least one government troll farm sponsored by the Russian government. It happens.

And they have proven to provide ZERO impact on election outcome recent studies show.

 

[Jacksprat]

And they have proven to provide ZERO impact on election outcome recent studies show.

That was not Mueller's point. Which you would have known if you read his report.

 

[Helix]

Anyone who has read article comments knows the answer to this question. Article comments are generally not a thing anymore due to election interference professionals and other assorted spammers. As for article comments, The Hill ended up being my favorite. I mostly stopped reading it when it eliminated the comments.

 

[VySky]

That was not Mueller's point. Which you would have known if you read his report.

He’s a corrupt hack serving the machine.

 

[Jacksprat]

He’s a corrupt hack serving the machine.

He was a lifelong Republican. And nothing in his report has been refuted.

 

[vegas giants]

I have always considered the idea silly. But the claim is so pervasive, I am Willing to be wrong and say I have missed something.

I just can't see a "payoff" for paying someone to troll discussion forums. It's not like we are tiktok stars that actually are capable of any sort of mass influence.



So, it seems to me to be a conspiracy theory. Anyone have any evidence otherwise?

And if it is a thing,where do I cash in?

There are definite paid Russian trolls

 

[OrphanSlug]

I am sure they exist here and there, rare in my opinion, not near as prevalent as some would argue to avoid making a real argument.

 

[Simpletruther]

They do exist, and there are a few here.

The global business of professional trolling

Troll farms are a booming business in the developing world.

www.axios.com

I am specifically talking about small time debate forums like this. I would see a near zero ability to influence greater culture here.

 

[Simpletruther]

Paid trolls are extremely rare except when there's big money involved. Crypto, Pot, and Penny Stocks are good examples.

This has been my assumption.

 

[Simpletruther]

There are definite paid Russian trolls

But not on small debate forums.

 

[vegas giants]

But not on small debate forums.

Probably not

 

[VySky]

He was a lifelong Republican. And nothing in his report has been refuted.

His report was a dud. A nothing burger as we predicted it would be.

 

[Jacksprat]

His report was a dud. A nothing burger as we predicted it would be.

You never read a word of his report.

 

[SNOWFLAKE]

Paid trolls, myth or reality?​

Rhetorical question, right?

 

[ambinonapronon]

I have always considered the idea silly. But the claim is so pervasive, I am Willing to be wrong and say I have missed something.

I just can't see a "payoff" for paying someone to troll discussion forums. It's not like we are tiktok stars that actually are capable of any sort of mass influence.



So, it seems to me to be a conspiracy theory. Anyone have any evidence otherwise?

And if it is a thing,where do I cash in?

I got a Corvette in a locked garage. If you’ve got knee pads...payola!

 

[Gateman_Wen]

I am specifically talking about small time debate forums like this. I would see a near zero ability to influence greater culture here.

They could be posting on dozens at once.