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hfojvt

(37,573 posts)

63. there's almost no difference between #1 and #2 in your poll

Reply to Douglas Carpenter (Original post)

Sun Jan 4, 2015, 02:09 PM

Jan 2015

"a number of paid trolls" and "a few" are not a huge difference.

Perhaps if the question was quantified
a. less than five
b. more than ten
c. more than 25

One person that I came to suspect was paid, if I dare talk about it, was Prosense, and she had quite an impact for just ONE person. Imagine what a mere two or three could do.

You might say it is absurd for a campaign to spend money on that. Well, in 2008, the Obama campaign paid for a field organizer in the 6th largest county in Kansas and that person hired a team of young people, perhaps a dozen. That sure seems like a waste of $10,000 to me right there. So spending a similar sum, on a web presence doesn't seem all that far fetched.

On the other hand, there is also the possibility that a person does a whole bunch of research and writing out of the goodness of their heart or maybe the obsessive nature of their soul combined with a love of their own voice (or something) http://journals.democraticunderground.com/hfojvt/169

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Does ANYONE here SERIOUSLY believe that DU is full of paid trolls? [View all] Douglas Carpenter Jan 2015 OP

During election seasons I certainly do JonLP24 Jan 2015 #1

Some try to come here, but I do think we have a pretty good system of weeding them out hlthe2b Jan 2015 #2

Think so? MannyGoldstein Jan 2015 #134

Are you saying that you are a paid troll? hlthe2b Jan 2015 #135

On the payroll of Karl Rove *and* Rand Paul MannyGoldstein Jan 2015 #136

well, then you don't disguise it very well. hlthe2b Jan 2015 #140

Au contraire! MannyGoldstein Jan 2015 #150

I received an offer to post on Mitt Romney's blog to cause confusion and doubt in 2012. Major Hogwash Jan 2015 #164

several years ago before baggers had their "twitter training camps" there were craigslist ads asking Sunlei Jan 2015 #219

I don't think they are paid for it, but yeah and I don't think they are working for the candidates. Autumn Jan 2015 #3

Trolls, or paid trolls? Donald Ian Rankin Jan 2015 #6

How do you get one of these gigs? DemocratSinceBirth Jan 2015 #4

Paid? Capt. Obvious Jan 2015 #5

did you say BACON!!!!!!!11!1 corkhead Jan 2015 #7

it's BACON1111!!!!1!1! NuclearDem Jan 2015 #38

Oh. My. God. Inkfreak Jan 2015 #190

Option 3 is just crazy talk. aikoaiko Jan 2015 #8

Canadian Bacon, another name for Ham. riqster Jan 2015 #35

I That Prosciutto Was Another Name For Ham ProfessorGAC Jan 2015 #196

Pass. Feral Child Jan 2015 #9

Since I have no way to know whether any DUers are paid to post, MineralMan Jan 2015 #10

I worked for a political ad agency: Yes Atman Jan 2015 #11

More inclined to go with ^^^THIS^^^ MrMickeysMom Jan 2015 #123

Thanks for this. elleng Jan 2015 #152

+1 Seen it done at an ad agency as well Cosmic Kitten Jan 2015 #204

Jeebus, I come back from my agency's mandatory holiday break to this crap thread? msanthrope Jan 2015 #12

DUzy! arcane1 Jan 2015 #108

If so, no one's getting their money's worth Union Scribe Jan 2015 #13

I don't think trolls are here to espouse different opinions. Laura PourMeADrink Jan 2015 #50

Sometimes THAT is the objective Cosmic Kitten Jan 2015 #207

I have seen several Hillary supporters like myself called paid shills. hrmjustin Jan 2015 #14

No, it's very insulting. cheapdate Jan 2015 #106

Agreed! It is very insulting. hrmjustin Jan 2015 #112

What if I told you that the posters accusing others of being paid shills Trekologer Jan 2015 #203

It isn't pleasant to be called a paid shill when you're a supporter...tell them you 'work' for free! Sunlei Jan 2015 #222

Lol i wish I could get paid to post. hrmjustin Jan 2015 #223

maybe Some of the pro Putin stuff JI7 Jan 2015 #15

Little doubt..the question is who are they paid by? canoeist52 Jan 2015 #16

ISIS? Douglas Carpenter Jan 2015 #17

Why would anyone bother to pay people to post here? hack89 Jan 2015 #18

Sway opinions and create a consensus Boreal Jan 2015 #110

But why here? hack89 Jan 2015 #117

DU helped elect President Kucinich. zappaman Jan 2015 #120

If DU doesn't matter, then, why are you here? Octafish Jan 2015 #179

Entertainment--- snooper2 Jan 2015 #181

It's a shame you have to be reminded Oilwellian Jan 2015 #185

Sweet, could you come over to my cube and finish this engineering documentation? snooper2 Jan 2015 #186

Weren't for snooper2, I might never have reported on Duquesne to DU. Octafish Jan 2015 #188

We sure learned a lot! zappaman Jan 2015 #199

Putting words in my mouth again, Brad? zappaman Jan 2015 #198

Why, because I put ''thoughts'' in quotation marks for zappaman? Octafish Jan 2015 #200

Smear away! zappaman Jan 2015 #202

Dunno about that Boreal Jan 2015 #121

You tell me. Crunchy Frog Jan 2015 #145

Ask Cass Sunstein, he explained it all very clearly! sabrina 1 Jan 2015 #151

"Conspiracy Theories and Other Dangerous Ideas" was an excellent book. Nt hack89 Jan 2015 #166

There are at least a few. LWolf Jan 2015 #19

No, I think it is an accusation people resort to treestar Jan 2015 #20

Does being a troll pay more than being a caregiver? jk Sivafae Jan 2015 #21

Hell yea just like they are on progressive radio bigdarryl Jan 2015 #22

It's a tricky conversation el_bryanto Jan 2015 #23

When someone or something is interested in shaping opinion, Yes. Octafish Jan 2015 #24

Thank you for the source. Anyone who doesn't consider this at least a possibility canoeist52 Jan 2015 #32

precisely! n/t wildbilln864 Jan 2015 #34

LOL, why did I predict you would think there are paid trolls? nt Logical Jan 2015 #45

Because I'm interested in crimes of the national security state? Octafish Jan 2015 #75

Because he's accused DUers of it? zappaman Jan 2015 #90

You know that cute little line they drag along the water? MrMickeysMom Jan 2015 #124

Bate! zappaman Jan 2015 #125

No…. no…. Thank YOU! MrMickeysMom Jan 2015 #126

Awwww. zappaman Jan 2015 #127

conspiracy theory / Greenwald bullshit uhnope Jan 2015 #72

Nice smear. Show where I'm wrong. Octafish Jan 2015 #77

that's easy. Whether you'll admit you're wrong is the hard part uhnope Jan 2015 #85

Don't hold your breath. zappaman Jan 2015 #91

At least I include links. Octafish Jan 2015 #98

Thanks for proving me right! zappaman Jan 2015 #102

'Don't hold your breath.' 'Thanks for proving me right!' Octafish Jan 2015 #114

The bird is the word. zappaman Jan 2015 #119

Least Valuable Player Octafish Jan 2015 #182

Sorry, telepathy still isn't a thing. NuclearDem Jan 2015 #211

CIA tells the New York Times what to do. Octafish Jan 2015 #96

I'm Nye Bevan Jan 2015 #25

paid Nye Bevan Jan 2015 #26

by Nye Bevan Jan 2015 #27

the Nye Bevan Jan 2015 #28

post. Nye Bevan Jan 2015 #29

LOL! You need this smilie csziggy Jan 2015 #37

I see... riqster Jan 2015 #40

It would be foolish not to think that there are people here that are paid to stir the pot notadmblnd Jan 2015 #30

I think there are 840high Jan 2015 #148

Full? ... No. lpbk2713 Jan 2015 #31

Paid by ALEC callers call into all radio shows, read the same script over and over randys1 Jan 2015 #33

It's a kick when they're reading from their scripts and cordelia Jan 2015 #97

This message was self-deleted by its author Corruption Inc Jan 2015 #36

You forgot the Libertarians and the DINOS Demeter Jan 2015 #70

You left out kooks and lunatics. Bobbie Jo Jan 2015 #128

!!! zappaman Jan 2015 #129

And zombies of banned posters... SidDithers Jan 2015 #170

Cognitive infiltration JonLP24 Jan 2015 #39

Cass Sunstein helped get Bush and Cheney off the hook... Octafish Jan 2015 #116

It is ridiculous to think there are people paid to troll DU oberliner Jan 2015 #41

No it's not. Not just 840high Jan 2015 #149

Hey, it paid for the BMW sitting in the driveway Lurks Often Jan 2015 #42

I suggest to google "propaganda" and read a little how well that concept works today. Sunlei Jan 2015 #220

I'm aware of how propaganda works Lurks Often Jan 2015 #221

Beacon? FrodosPet Jan 2015 #43

Nope. The cost/benefit ratio simply does not support it. IDemo Jan 2015 #44

No. Puglover Jan 2015 #46

Full? Iggo Jan 2015 #47

There are more anti-Dem trolls Bobbie Jo Jan 2015 #48

I agree Andy823 Jan 2015 #58

Better Believe It Bobbie Jo Jan 2015 #94

Yes they do Andy823 Jan 2015 #205

Many people do truly rotten things for money. Some enjoy it. Zorra Jan 2015 #49

My guess is that Alan Grayson pays somebody to make DU posts mathematic Jan 2015 #51

I wasn't going to mention bare-chested Putin defenders IDemo Jan 2015 #52

Why do you think this about Grayson? appalachiablue Jan 2015 #118

The real question here is what exacly is considered a troll? hrmjustin Jan 2015 #53

anyone that disagree with me. tammywammy Jan 2015 #56

It makes sense that a political campaign would employ such services. Chemisse Jan 2015 #54

I seriously doubt there are paid trolls here Generic Brad Jan 2015 #55

"Full of"? No. SMC22307 Jan 2015 #57

Does it matter if they are paid or do it for the sheer love of trolling? BainsBane Jan 2015 #59

Don't know if they are paid Andy823 Jan 2015 #60

I really don't care. cwydro Jan 2015 #61

it's a website where people post. Of COURSE there are trolls. But paid trolls? KittyWampus Jan 2015 #62

there's almost no difference between #1 and #2 in your poll hfojvt Jan 2015 #63

As a factual question, yes: plenty of people very sincerely believe that Recursion Jan 2015 #64

No MFrohike Jan 2015 #65

When issues pretty much settled in the democratic party, like women's rights or applegrove Jan 2015 #66

I agree - and wonder why anyone persistently denies it occurs here. blm Jan 2015 #187

Whoa we can get paid for this? Where do I sign up? Initech Jan 2015 #67

As the option said, there may be some.. mvd Jan 2015 #68

I sincerely doubt that the nonsense on DU would be posted WITHOUT pay Demeter Jan 2015 #69

Exactly the sort of post hootinholler Jan 2015 #71

Undeniable Matrosov Jan 2015 #73

TYT: Russia's Online Troll Army Is Huge, Hilarious & Already Everywhere uhnope Jan 2015 #74

Yeah, that actually explains some otherwise inexplicable shit around here. Warren DeMontague Jan 2015 #95

Since I can't pass on an opportunity to answer a poll... BillZBubb Jan 2015 #76

he has made some crappy movies olddots Jan 2015 #78

Who eats beacons for breakfast Warpy Jan 2015 #79

Of course not...it's just what people want to believe when they can't beat an argument. ileus Jan 2015 #80

There are a few, but they aren't paid very much. dawg Jan 2015 #81

Paying posters would generally be more cost-effective on other sites. Jim Lane Jan 2015 #82

I believe there are probably some. Jamastiene Jan 2015 #83

Probably not. But, if they're making more than a dollar a week, they're overpaid. Tierra_y_Libertad Jan 2015 #84

Where's pie? shenmue Jan 2015 #86

No. Throd Jan 2015 #87

I must say, the results so far slightly disappoint me. I wish people could see that people simply Douglas Carpenter Jan 2015 #88

Disappointing? Erich Bloodaxe BSN Jan 2015 #107

I think it is batshit crazy to believe people hold different opinions because they are paid to. This Douglas Carpenter Jan 2015 #168

Both can exist you know. There are people on here who simply disagree. There are some on here liberal_at_heart Jan 2015 #177

o you then believe that people who disagree with your initial premise are not "simply disagreeing"? LanternWaste Jan 2015 #214

I have more of an issue with people not being transparent about who they work for. Starry Messenger Jan 2015 #89

I suspect there are almost as many reasons for posting on DU as there are DUers petronius Jan 2015 #92

Of course wyldwolf Jan 2015 #93

well Mr. Wolf, Could you kindly direct me to a progressive group that would pay me to swing DU Douglas Carpenter Jan 2015 #169

of course not. I don't hold the keys to the secret society wyldwolf Jan 2015 #191

I think there are a reasonable number of them gollygee Jan 2015 #99

I don't think your attempt at what you thought was a push poll worked out the way you thought. nt. Warren Stupidity Jan 2015 #100

why do you think I was attempting a push pole?. Do you SERIOUSLY believe that there are several paid Douglas Carpenter Jan 2015 #184

I can't answer that until I've consulted with my FSB handlers 1step Jan 2015 #101

Clearly, anyone who votes no on this is a paid troll. Motown_Johnny Jan 2015 #103

I may be one of them. BlueJazz Jan 2015 #104

Both. Erich Bloodaxe BSN Jan 2015 #105

This poll has been trolled. L0oniX Jan 2015 #109

To believe there are paid trolls, one would need to believe there's a reason to have them... brooklynite Jan 2015 #111

I chose pass. I think it is insulting to call people paid shills. hrmjustin Jan 2015 #113

If they turned out to be actual "paid shills" Go Vols Jan 2015 #130

How would you determine if they are paid? hrmjustin Jan 2015 #131

I can't and didn't go into that part Go Vols Jan 2015 #132

Well my point is that it is not pleasant to hear. hrmjustin Jan 2015 #133

Bad things never are. Go Vols Jan 2015 #137

none took the bait here uhnope Jan 2015 #138

Putin is a horrible person. hrmjustin Jan 2015 #139

ya think? uhnope Jan 2015 #142

Why is it insulting? Hutzpa Jan 2015 #159

To be called a paid xhill? hrmjustin Jan 2015 #175

I'm not a paid shill so I have no problem Hutzpa Jan 2015 #215

I agree that creates doubt but i doubt it makes them a shill. hrmjustin Jan 2015 #216

What about volunteer shills? hobbit709 Jan 2015 #167

Do you mean people who sign up with a cause to post about it for no money? hrmjustin Jan 2015 #176

There are suggestions that the Putin regime has online propagandists DemocraticWing Jan 2015 #115

I forgot about those. But there are also a lot of fools out there. JDPriestly Jan 2015 #143

mmm ... beacon AtomicKitten Jan 2015 #122

Paid "trolls?" ScreamingMeemie Jan 2015 #141

People thought I was a paid troll when I first started posting here. Crunchy Frog Jan 2015 #144

Can any of the other operatives here tell me what happened to zappaman Jan 2015 #146

She's been replaced by direct deposit. Major Hogwash Jan 2015 #165

Full? No. Are there some very prominent, very vocal, very anti-Democrat ones here? LadyHawkAZ Jan 2015 #147

I like answering polls Kennah Jan 2015 #153

Dozens of pigs/cops/shitbags all the time easychoice Jan 2015 #154

Now, are all the people who act nasty trolls DonCoquixote Jan 2015 #155

I think there's a few Prophet 451 Jan 2015 #156

Must be, because I've lost count of how many times I've been accused of being one... Blue_Tires Jan 2015 #157

Not sure if anyone is getting paid but... MadDAsHell Jan 2015 #158

Roses are red, area51 Jan 2015 #160

Yep. That's pretty obvious. eom BlueCaliDem Jan 2015 #161

PAID trolls? Don't be silly. Joe Magarac Jan 2015 #162

Yes, for both sides davidpdx Jan 2015 #163

There are lots of unpaid trolls... SidDithers Jan 2015 #171

''Trolling is a art.'' - SidDithers to zappaman. Octafish Jan 2015 #180

... SidDithers Jan 2015 #189

Like Henny Youngman used to say all of the time . . . Major Hogwash Jan 2015 #217

paid media are hardly ever banned Sunlei Jan 2015 #172

everywhere is reddread Jan 2015 #173

Is that how Russell Brand spells "bacon"? nt Chiyo-chichi Jan 2015 #174

There must be some Renew Deal Jan 2015 #178

I wouldn't say full... Phentex Jan 2015 #183

No, and DU is one of the few places on the internet we can have a real discussion. chrisa Jan 2015 #192

I have always thought we should be PAID for our information collected online. :) Sunlei Jan 2015 #218

I'm convinced the NSA or its contractors practice psy-ops here. backscatter712 Jan 2015 #193

I'll post for bacon. Real bacon. (nt) Inkfreak Jan 2015 #194

I think there are more who are not honest about their personal motives for posting what they post Bluenorthwest Jan 2015 #195

Maybe not paid, but promised ? fadedrose Jan 2015 #197

Only the people that take this site (and themselves) too seriously... n/t leeroysphitz Jan 2015 #201

Not just here zipplewrath Jan 2015 #206

Please examine the graphic below, and then consider the question in the OP again. Zorra Jan 2015 #208

I think there are far more paid trolls and their sock puppets on Salon. hollysmom Jan 2015 #209

Clusters of pro-gun rights agitators have been turning up here for years. Paladin Jan 2015 #210

Just another_poll NuclearDem Jan 2015 #212

Full of? No. Containing? Yes. LanternWaste Jan 2015 #213