4 ms·

I don't know, but maybe discussing it will bring some light to this subject? Maybe a system/method to determine who is a professional troll? ----- Pro-Troll F

I don't know, but maybe discussing it will bring some light to this subject? Maybe a system/method to determine who is a professional troll? ----- Pro-Troll Filter: (first draft) 1. Is the commenter able to rationally discuss the downsides of their position? NO? Possibly a pro-troll or an irrational comment. 2. Is the commenter willing to admit past errors in implementing of their ideal solution, and also consider the same errors could occur again? (ie, no true Scotsman logical fallacy) NO? Possibly a pro-troll or an irrational comment. 3. Is the commenter willing to look at and/or discuss real data, even if it contradicts their position? NO? Possibly a pro-troll or an irrational comment. 4. Does the commenter devolve into ad hominem attacks? YES? Possibly a pro-troll or an irrational comment. ---- Irrationality note: People have bad days and can act irrationally at any time. But I have found that when someone is unable/unwilling to admit error tries to support an idea based on limited information will devolve into irrational comments when challenged with counter arguments/questions. Not sure how this will help with pro-troll filtering, but it's more data to consider.

TheSpiceIsLife 7y ago
Why would a paid troll degenerate to irrationally? If anyone is going to have a script and long list of references to draw from, wouldn’t it be the paid shill? Provided by their employer? It seems more likely to me that most people are just an emotional wreck and don’t perform well in debate.
- RobertRoberts 7y ago
  The leader of a mob spouts irrational things, not logic or sound reasoning. The goal is to inspire outrage and offence not present sound solutions. Stir up strife and ignite passion in the masses. This is why they use irrationality as a weapon.
  - antepodius 7y ago
    Seems like a poor strategy to me. You can do that sort of thing to rile up the choir, but you have to actually preach to the non-believers. An [x] shill making poor arguments the those on the fence is going to do less good for their employers than a shill making the strongest possible case for [x]. If anything, you'd assume the 'irrational' nuclear shills are actually being paid by natural gas and renewables interests, and vice-versa, to make the other side seem obnoxious and crazy.
    - RobertRoberts 7y ago
      I will give you an example from two camps, whom I have family that are both infected by: Republicans: (fox news) Illegals are taking over America and stealing your jobs! Democrats: (cnn) Conservatives are hate filled racists who hate equality! The same thing is happening online because this works with the masses.
      - antepodius 7y ago
        Yeah. Those messages are aimed at the choir. They're not meant to convert.
kortilla 7y ago
Your filter sucks. Pro trolls don’t become irrational. They just defuse or disappear. Only fanboys dig in and defend a subject with senseless arguments once they become emotional. If you’re trying to come up with a filter, decide: do you want to filter out trolls or just people that are fans of topics that hurt your feelings? Right now it just looks like a filter for any conversation with a human you disagree with.
- RobertRoberts 7y ago
  > Pro trolls don’t become irrational. Yes, they do. They want their followers to behave irrationally, so they lead with it. A group of well considered and thoughtful people can change their mind with new evidence and information. A pro-troll doesn't want that, they want blind devoted followers that repeat a message blindly, loudly and often.
- dabbledash 7y ago
  To me it just reads as a filter for people who aren’t worth arguing with on the internet.
  - RobertRoberts 7y ago
    Then it has multiple uses?

TheSpiceIsLife 7y ago

Why would a paid troll degenerate to irrationally? If anyone is going to have a script and long list of references to draw from, wouldn’t it be the paid shill? Provided by their employer? It seems more likely to me that most people are just an emotional wreck and don’t perform well in debate.

RobertRoberts 7y ago
The leader of a mob spouts irrational things, not logic or sound reasoning. The goal is to inspire outrage and offence not present sound solutions. Stir up strife and ignite passion in the masses. This is why they use irrationality as a weapon.
- antepodius 7y ago
  Seems like a poor strategy to me. You can do that sort of thing to rile up the choir, but you have to actually preach to the non-believers. An [x] shill making poor arguments the those on the fence is going to do less good for their employers than a shill making the strongest possible case for [x]. If anything, you'd assume the 'irrational' nuclear shills are actually being paid by natural gas and renewables interests, and vice-versa, to make the other side seem obnoxious and crazy.
  - RobertRoberts 7y ago
    I will give you an example from two camps, whom I have family that are both infected by: Republicans: (fox news) Illegals are taking over America and stealing your jobs! Democrats: (cnn) Conservatives are hate filled racists who hate equality! The same thing is happening online because this works with the masses.
    - antepodius 7y ago
      Yeah. Those messages are aimed at the choir. They're not meant to convert.

kortilla 7y ago

Your filter sucks. Pro trolls don’t become irrational. They just defuse or disappear. Only fanboys dig in and defend a subject with senseless arguments once they become emotional. If you’re trying to come up with a filter, decide: do you want to filter out trolls or just people that are fans of topics that hurt your feelings? Right now it just looks like a filter for any conversation with a human you disagree with.

RobertRoberts 7y ago
> Pro trolls don’t become irrational. Yes, they do. They want their followers to behave irrationally, so they lead with it. A group of well considered and thoughtful people can change their mind with new evidence and information. A pro-troll doesn't want that, they want blind devoted followers that repeat a message blindly, loudly and often.
dabbledash 7y ago
To me it just reads as a filter for people who aren’t worth arguing with on the internet.
- RobertRoberts 7y ago
  Then it has multiple uses?