General Discussion

Erich Bloodaxe BSN

(14,733 posts)

105. Both.

Reply to Douglas Carpenter (Original post)

Sun Jan 4, 2015, 09:53 PM

Jan 2015

Sure, there are plenty of folks who troll simply for the fun of it, but there are also some folks who look like they're shilling for various corporate sources. That doesn't mean that they're specifically paid to troll a blog, but rather that they're simply posting along with the ideas of the companies that 'butter their bread'. So someone who works in nuclear power is going to shill for nuclear power. Someone who works in fracking is going to shill for fracking.

Someone whose paycheck is written in a field dependent upon 'X' is going to support 'X' in their posts.

I suppose you can argue that they're not really 'trolls' or even 'shills', but they're certainly trying to push ideas that keep them employed, even if those ideas suck for everyone else.

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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