03-14-2015, 03:41 PM
There doesn't have to be a fear element to it, just more of a light shone on a dark place.
I think it's definitely both sides. There are most definitely people who are trolls who do it just because they get a rise out of people. I also think it's possible that there are people who are getting paid to post about specific agendas. In one of those OPs it was suggested the money came from anonymous super pacts that people funnel money through during election time. I mean, we're talking BILLIONS of dollars. The idea that some of that money is being spent paying people meager wages in an attempt to control the flow of information in informal social settings? I don't say it to incite fear, but more of a broad picture of possible scenarios.
I used to post at one of the top 5-10 trafficked forums at the early part of the century (an MMO gaming forum). They had a off topic section that was primarily political in nature, and there were three trolls in particular who were very dedicated, but one specifically. They almost *exclusively* posted in the political section of the 100+ forums on the site, and their primary topic? Defending and positive-spinning any and all conservative media talking points. One in particular was so dedicated, that if someone were to find a word count of his posts and calculate with an average typing speed the amount of time he was spending making posts, he almost HAD to be doing it as a full time job.
Anyway, there are all sorts of trolls out there, the idea that some may be getting paid is definitely not out of the realm of possibility in my reality. I think the important lesson is to detach ourselves from the importance we put on the opinions of others in 3D, especially the lone negative voice in a sea of positive. We usually give that voice waaay too much power.
I think it's definitely both sides. There are most definitely people who are trolls who do it just because they get a rise out of people. I also think it's possible that there are people who are getting paid to post about specific agendas. In one of those OPs it was suggested the money came from anonymous super pacts that people funnel money through during election time. I mean, we're talking BILLIONS of dollars. The idea that some of that money is being spent paying people meager wages in an attempt to control the flow of information in informal social settings? I don't say it to incite fear, but more of a broad picture of possible scenarios.
I used to post at one of the top 5-10 trafficked forums at the early part of the century (an MMO gaming forum). They had a off topic section that was primarily political in nature, and there were three trolls in particular who were very dedicated, but one specifically. They almost *exclusively* posted in the political section of the 100+ forums on the site, and their primary topic? Defending and positive-spinning any and all conservative media talking points. One in particular was so dedicated, that if someone were to find a word count of his posts and calculate with an average typing speed the amount of time he was spending making posts, he almost HAD to be doing it as a full time job.
Anyway, there are all sorts of trolls out there, the idea that some may be getting paid is definitely not out of the realm of possibility in my reality. I think the important lesson is to detach ourselves from the importance we put on the opinions of others in 3D, especially the lone negative voice in a sea of positive. We usually give that voice waaay too much power.
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