This page has been archived and commenting is disabled.
How to Beat Internet Trolls
In order to beat Internet trolls, you have to know their strategies.
Below are 17 common games played by trolls to disrupt our power to learn, inform, and organize on the web ...
1. Threaten those who speak out, to try to intimidate them and their readers into silence.
2. Misquote the Bible to pretend that God commands us to be obedient slaves to authority … even if the powers-that-be are downright tyrants.
3. Start a partisan divide-and-conquer fight or otherwise push emotional buttons to sow discord and ensure that cooperation is thwarted. Get people fighting against each other instead of the 3corrupt powers-that-be. Use baseless caricatures to rile everyone up. For example, start a religious war whenever possible using stereotypes like “all Jews are selfish”, “all Christians are crazy” or “all Muslims are terrorists”. Accuse the author of being a gay, pro-abortion limp-wristed wimp or being a fundamentalist pro-war hick when the discussion has nothing to do with abortion, sexuality, religion, war or region. Appeal to people’s basest prejudices and biases. And (as explained by H. Michael Sweeney’s 25 Rules of Disinformation) push the author into a defensive posture:
Sidetrack opponents with name calling and ridicule … Associate opponents with unpopular titles such as “kooks”, “right-wing”, “liberal”, “left-wing”, “terrorists”, “conspiracy buffs”, “radicals”, “militia”, “racists”, “religious fanatics”, “sexual deviates”, and so forth. This makes others shrink from support out of fear of gaining the same label, and you avoid dealing with issues.
(The person trying to smear reputation may not be a random knucklehead … he may, in fact, be a government agent, or a member of the group he’s smearing.)
4. Question motives. Twist or amplify any fact which could so taken to imply that the opponent operates out of a hidden personal agenda or other bias. This avoids discussing issues and forces the accuser on the defensive. Or accuse the author of being a narcissist.
5. Pretend it’s hopeless because we’ll be squashed if we try. For example, every time a whistleblower leaks information, say “he’s going to be bumped off”. If people talk about protesting, organizing, boycotting, shareholder activism, spreading the real facts, moving our money or taking other constructive action, write things to scare and discourage people, say something like “we don’t have any chance because they have drones and they’ll just kill us if we try”, or “Americans are too stupid, lazy and greedy, so they’ll never help out.” Encourage people to be apathetic instead of trying to change things.
6. Demand complete, fool-proof and guaranteed solutions to the problems being discussed. For example, if a reporter breaks the story that the big banks conspired to rig a market, ask “given that people are selfish and that no regulation can close all possible loopholes … how are you going to change human nature?”, and pretend that it’s not worth talking about the details of the market manipulation. This discourages people from reporting on and publicizing the corruption, fraud and other real problems. And it ensures that not enough people will spread the facts so that the majority know what’s really going on.
7. Suggest extreme, over-the-top, counter-productive solutions which will hurt more than help, or which are wholly disproportionate to what is being discussed. For example, if the discussion is whether or not to break up the big banks or to go back on the gold standard, say that everyone over 30 should be killed because they are sell-outs and irredeemable, or that all of the banks should be bombed. This discredits the attempt to spread the facts and to organize, and is simply the web method of the provocateur.
8. Pretend that alternative media – such as blogs written by the top experts in their fields, without any middleman – are untrustworthy or are motivated solely by money (for example, use the derogatory term “blogspam” for any blog posting, pretending that there is no original or insightful reporting, but that the person is simply doing it for ad revenue).
9. Coordinate with a couple of others to “shout down” reasonable comments. This is especially effective when the posters launch an avalanche of comments in quick succession … the original, reasonable comment gets lost or attacked so much that it is largely lost. Use “forum sliding” and “topic dilution” to so dilute and distract the conversation that people forget the original point.
10. Use technology and numbers to gain leverage. You can either hire low-wage workers in India or other developing countries to “astroturf” (see this and this) or – if you work for the government – you can use military personnel or subcontractors to monitor social media and “correct” information which you don’t like (and see this). You can pay students to post pro-government comments online. You can even use software which allows you to quickly create and alternate between numerous false identities, each with their own internet address. Or program software to write the comments itself.
11. Become incredulous and indignant. Avoid discussing key issues and instead focus on side issues which can be used show the topic as being critical of some otherwise sacrosanct group or theme. This is also known as the “How dare you!” gambit.
12. Use a straw man. Find or create a seeming element of your opponent’s argument which you can easily knock down to make yourself look good and the opponent to look bad. Either make up an issue you may safely imply exists based on your interpretation of the opponent/opponent arguments/situation, or select the weakest aspect of the weakest charges. Amplify their significance and destroy them in a way which appears to debunk all the charges, real and fabricated alike, while actually avoiding discussion of the real issues.
13. Associate opponent charges with old news. A derivative of the straw man usually, in any large-scale matter of high visibility, someone will make charges early on which can be or were already easily dealt with. Where it can be foreseen, have your own side raise a straw man issue and have it dealt with early on as part of the initial contingency plans. Subsequent charges, regardless of validity or new ground uncovered, can usually them be associated with the original charge and dismissed as simply being a rehash without need to address current issues — so much the better where the opponent is or was involved with the original source.
14. Censor social media, so that the hardest-hitting information is buried. If you can’t censor it, set up “free speech zones” to push dissent into dank, dark corners where no one will see it.
15. When the powers-that-be cut corners and take criminally reckless gambles with our lives and our livelihoods, protect them by pretending that the inevitable result – nuclear accidents, financial crises, terrorist attacks or other disasters – were “unforeseeable” and that “no could have known”.
16. Protect the rich and powerful by labeling any allegations of criminal activity as being a “conspiracy theory”. After all, it was the CIA itself which created the perjorative term “conspiracy theorist” and gave advice on how to attack people on that basis. For example, when Goldman gets caught rigging markets, label the accusations as mere conspiracies. Throw in the tired out cliches “tinfoil hat” and “live in your mom’s basement.”
17. Hit and Run. In any public forum, make a brief attack of your opponent or the opponent position and then scamper off before an answer can be fielded, or simply ignore any answer. This works extremely well in Internet and letters-to-the-editor environments where a steady stream of new identities can be called upon without having to explain the criticism — simply make an accusation or other attack, never discussing issues, and never answering any subsequent response, for that would dignify the opponent’s viewpoint.
Postscript: Over a number of years, we’ve found that the most effective way to fight disruption and disinformation is to link to a post such as this one which rounds up disruption techniques, and then to cite the disinfo technique you think is being used.
Specifically, we’ve found the following format to be highly effective in educating people in a non-confrontational manner about which game the troll is playing:
Good Number 1!
Or simply:
(include the link so people can see what you’re referring to.)
The reason this is effective is that other readers will learn about the specific disruption tactic being used … in context, like seeing wildlife while holding a wildlife guide, so that one learns what it looks like “in the field”. At the same time, you come across as humorous and light-hearted instead of heavy-handed or overly-intense.
Try it … It works.
»
- advertisements -
I have read your posts and you are definitely calling GW out. I am not defending GW or castigating him.
You point out that some of his links are accurate and that he embellishes it with his own slant.
Doesn't all of ZH do this? Doesn't the main street media do this.
There is no such thing as unbiased reporting as no one would read them. Most stories would be 25 words or less.
For example that aircraft that recently crashed in Germany. The story would be, "Airliner crashed in Alps. They all died."
Everyone would have questions so the speculating and slanting starts.
When the economy crashed I was reading ZH. I told everyone I knew to take their money out of the bank based on what I read. No one listened, no one I knew lst money in the banks.
ZH was all hyped on Gold and I believe it soared to over 1,800 an ounce. If I would have bought into it then, I would have lost over $600 an oz in a few years.
The headlines here are dramatic, to get people to read.
Are there problems in this world? Yes. Are they serious? Yes. It always has been like that.
There is too much negativity in the news as there is a lot of positive out there, but positive doesn't sell, negativiety does and that is how these fellows survive.
My whole point is that for someone who deals in propaganda and uses the name George Washington is trying to convey his honesty and integrity when in fact he has none.
Ive asked for clarification many times any all I get is attacks. So be it. But I'll be damned if I'll let him get away with using that name as a tool for deception. He can pick the name Vladimir Putin for all I care.
The dude will not stand for this aggression man. The dude does not abide.
I've explained this point over and over. Its one thing as a financial and geopolitical website to give Certain authors a platform. But this is pure unadulterated psy-op propaganda. I worked with G-2 in the military and it's easy to spot when you know what to look for.
Haven't you noticed the Tyler's do not post anymore with insightful comments to back up commenters questions. I've never read a deceptive comment from the Tyler's.
Their articles are one thing but when they did comment on financial questions to their conclusions they were pretty straight forward and didn't call you a troll or a hasbara or attack you for only having such little time in fight club did they?
One of the reasons I responded to your post (I notice you can fire back easily) is that you have mentioned your discourse with Cog and I notice your tone on the main pages is different.
I question why there are some contributors to ZH as well. They don't seem to fit with the Tylers.
Personally I do not care which handle GW uses and part of that may because I am not American.
I do not think there is anything wrong with challenging an opinion or point of view or asking what supports it. If it can be substantiated that is good, if not then best be honest about it and tell people it is only a guess or opinion.
When it comes to the political, I rarely if ever see any positive remarks given to one side from another. Not all is evil and not all is perfect either.
Yet people tend to denigrate their fellow humans because they believe the opposite side is so terribly wrong and wont stop to think about the subject at hand, their animosity prevents them from using their brain.
I appreciate the tone of your response to my reply to you.
I thank you as well for your polite response. See how easy it is to have a conversation without using attacks. I understand if not from this country one would not care as much as one who is.
Say what you will about this country but the battle to be free from tyranny and oppression is in all of us. I admire the real a George Washington for his character and integrity. He wasn't perfect, and no one is, but an amazing man in a time of our history reminds us why we stand up and fight for liberty.
Look forward to chatting with you in the future.
Happy Easter, if you believe in that sort of thing. Still trying to figure out what the resurrection has to do with bunnies and colored eggs.
Maybe the Tyler's can do an in depth article about the history of Easter. A fairy tale is a lot better than the bs GW vomits out.
Why doesn't everyone just shut up? And then we argue about the not thing?
Arnold- "only 19 weeks and not a troll?
Thank you for proving my point. As I have explained, as have others, many here have more than one avatar and didn't post for years before commenting,
You are just as pathetic as GW. Wont answer any questions just attack for time in service.
GW is the Justin Bieber of Zero Hedge.
Dude wants fame
Looks good in his Calvins
Is aware of Building 7
#kidding
Wake up and don't be so silly with your mindset.
Cracks me up.
As if anything on a blog is going to cause a life changing epiphany and that someone may be able to interrupt that precious moment is a real concern.
Now excuse me, because I'm off to the organic health websites to remind them that fracking fluid may not be the best choice for a refreshing colon cleanse.
Web sites allow and disallow comments to further their view too.
Prisons have operatives that keep inmates at each other so as not to solely focus on guards.
nothing is fair not even make a comment on the web.
I think as a socirty we have so few ways to build yourself up that many resort to pushing others down in a mistake that it is the same thing. IRL no one has manners any more, what on the net.
A very ORIGINAL and SUPERBLY WRITTEN article based on common sense and experienes of the author, George Washingto.
Plus, it was FUN to read !!!!
They are terrified of the internet. That's why they pay trolls to destroy it.
My sig line from the alt.scientology.war edition of Wired Dec 1995
"The Internet is the Liberty Tree of the 90's"
Should be used now as "The Internet is the Liberty Tree"
At a dedication of a Tree of Liberty in 1766...Silas Downer said:
"We do therefore, in the name and behalf
of all the true SONS of LIBERTY in America,
Great Britain, Corsica, Ireland or wheresoever
they are dispersed throughout the world, dedicate
and solemnly devote this tree to be a
TREE of LIBERTY.----May all our councils and
deliberations under its venerable branches be
guided by wisdome, and directed to the support
and maintenance of that liberty, which our
forefathers sought out and found under trees and
and in the wilderness. ---May it long flourish, and may
the SONS of LIBERTY often repair hither, to confirm
and strengthen each other. --When they
look towards the sacred ELM, may they be
penetrated with a sense of duty to themselves,
their country, and their posterity:--And may they,
like the house of David, grow stronger and stronger,
while their enemies, like the house of Saul,
grow weaker and weaker. AMEN
Know that, when a troll calls you a cunt, you've hit a nerve and you're, probably, right.
Either that or they're English.
They even call their mothers 'cunts' as a term of affection.
The internet is serious business.
Your silence is deafening!!!
Your stupidity is boundless.
Your brain is useless
Some people make it look effortless though, so you have to give them credit for that.
Still only 19 weeks and off topic already as well.
Hey GW- To show you what a true contributor looks and acts like please refer to Conitive Dissonance. He and his wife both are very articulate with their responses as well as clarify any objections. He actually engages people in honest debat. Isn't that what we all want?
I had a few but very pleasant talks with Mr. Cog and he is a straight forward person about his convictions. He explains himself, unlike you, and admits he could be wrong about some things. He has humility.
Mrs Cog is also very pleasant and have just one conversation with her because I learned that lesson long ago that you never rub another mans rubbarb.
You, however, GW are none of that!
So GW is not "a true contributor" because he doesn't do what Cog Dis does, thereby not conforming to your particular views of what a contributor is?
That is patently and demonstrably false (stupid as all hell too).
An objective reality exists outside your subjective assumptions; Cog Dis and GW are both "contributors".
Get over it and deal, crybaby.
No. GW is a pure bs propagandist whom I've asked politely to clarify his inaccurate rreporting to see where I might be misinterpreting his motive. All I get is more of his bs propaganda. If you bother to read any of the other replays to him I have written then you would not ask such questions of me.
Instead you should be asking yourself why he won't give answer. My comparison to cog dis was the level of honesty rather than GW's dishonesty.
Motherfucker can't even answer if he was Jewish or not which is a pretty easy question to answer.
He is a shill and uses the name of a George a Washington to hide behind which I take exception to which is why I'm going to hound him for the rest of his days.
He is a gutless coward. End of discussion
Still angry about that botched circumcision that won't allow you to get an erection?
I feel your pain bro, but your bitterness might be better directed to something useful and constructive.
Have you tried captioning Lolcat pictures?
Why are you such an aggressive, abusive person?
If it did not matter what people said then they would not be taking any action to subvert commentors would they?
I dunno.
Haven't you had the urge to go out and shoot a Kosher deli owner in the face because some well known trolls at ZH constantly repeat that every jew in Israel controls the entire planet at all times and they get plenty of help from the Pope and Republican Girl Scouts?
It happens to me all the time but I know better.
I know it's really the Reptoid Lizard Aliens that are in charge so I just shake that crazy Zionist stuff right out of my head and keep my Luciferian dues paid up.
Those black robes are comfy and have a slimming look.
The only time anyone cares about trolls is if they are running for public office or they are trying to run a business that doesn't want to cater a pizza wedding for homosexuals.
Get off your high horse and realize that what you write isn't that important, and if you didn't get trolled you wouldn't have half the comment responses that you currently have. The days when anything interesting was written in the comments disappeared around 6 years ago when TPTB and those with the money decided they would not only control the MSM but also bloggers on the internet. I'm not sure anyone reads the comments for anything but laughs anymore (and there aren't that many of them ... ), and to expect that writing something on the internet is going to lead to real change or make a difference is a fairly juvenile approach.
And just to save you some time, I've violated 3,4,5,8 and 11 ... if not more.
Why say this in an internet forum then? Take your own advice.
Have you read Geoge's comment and link, 7 Basic Propaganda Devices?
Funny, George's only comment on his own story, is a link to the Hasbara manual on his blog, and I'm changing the subject?
Your bias is showing.
Yes, biased against bigotry.
No - you're offended by criticism of Israeli/Jewish bigotry and/or you don't think it's racism, hate, or propaganda when Jews do it.
fuck you.
Well I haven't read any racist Jews ranting about the evil Arabs on zerohedge but had they I would call them out too. I do not support Jews who do Evil, I'm just not so tunnel visioned as to lump them all together as you are. There are still some Jews, and Christians believe it or not, who follow such out of touch radical ideas as, Thou Shalt Not Kill, Thou Shalt Not Steal, Love your Neighbor as Yourself, etc.
Now go FUCK YOURSELF!
Now go FUCK YOURSELF!
Yeah, That demonstrates the truest contemporary Christian attitude.
And Jesus said, "Now go FUCK YOURSELF!" Yeah. That is what Jesus will do. Right. Somehow I cannot recall the Book, Chapter, or verse where Jesus instructs that response. Perhaps you can refresh my memory.
I would repent if I were you. But you will not as you are deluded in your arrogance...which just leads to your ultimate condemnation. You have no license to sin. And if you willingly sin after receiving the gift of Salvation then there is no more grace as it just crucifies Christ again.
You can find that no sacrifice for sins is left in Hebrews 10:26-33 and that you subject Christ to crucifixtion again in Hebrews 6:4-6.
But you have no love for Christ. You do not read your Bible but go to your little church to have them serve you up a platter of watered down Gospel so that you can feel good about continuing your sinful path to destruction.
Once saved and always saved? Far be that for narrow is the path to salvation and few are those who find it. For many are called but few are chosen. You will refuse to hear these scriptural truths.
What a fitting day to write that.
By the words from your mouth shall you be sanctified and by the words from your mouth shall you be condemned. You will be held accountable for every idle word. Now those quotes are directly attributable to the Nazarene.
And if you sit and believe that I am somehow better off? Well I am. I am COMDEMNED to destruction. But at least I am not deluded about it.
And I will continue to spread this message far and wide so that others will not fall into my destiny, damned for all time...
You see it is not about me at all. It never has been. It is all about Jesus...Do you really believe it? Or is it just a posture of how righteous that you are?...NOT.
Paul, in Romans 6:1, asks, "What shall we say? Shall we gon on sinning that grace might increase?" FAR BE IT"
(I like the Apostle Paul's satire in proposing those rhetorical questions.)
The grace of Jesus is sufficient and needs not increase.
However for those who trample it there shall be none for them...at all.
By reading a couple posts you assume to judge my position with God? Silly Man, now that you've pulled the splinter from my eye, go work on the log in yours!
Since you like quoting Paul's letter to the Romans - he also wrote we live by FAITH NOT BY WORKS lest any man should boast. I agree with you, I too am bound for hell, if my salvation depends on my works. I trust His Grace is sufficient, But if not, I will yet declare He alone is Holy and all His Judgments Righteous, and we have ALL gone astray!
Sorry I don't follow your brand of legalistic religion, I never claimed to be without sin and don't plan to live up to your expectations or your interpretations of the limits of Gods Grace and Mercy! I've read the Bible for myself, cover to cover and most books multiple times, and don't care to argue with you about religion other then to say, I believe in a Living God who poured his Spirit out on ALL FLESH. He stands at the door of every mans heart and enters ALL who hear his voice and opens to Him. He doesn't need you or anyone else to lead his flock. God chooses who He wills and He's well capable of judging His own, so go judge your own servants. When someone tells me to go FUCK OFF I'm probably going to throw it back at them, and I DON'T GIVE A CRAP if you think I'm rejected by God for it!!!
I'd love to debate the issues of Grace and Faith with you but do not think this is a proper forum for such discussion.
Sorry, I can't help myself,
"But you have no love for Christ. You do not read your Bible but go to your little church to have them serve you up a platter of watered down Gospel so that you can feel good about continuing your sinful path to destruction."
I haven't stepped foot in a church, other then for my son's weddings and funerals, for over ten years. Not for any animosity, just haven't. This, rather then for cursing as you suggest, may be worthy of repentance.
I believe Jesus came to save the world, not condemn it. You are right, it's a straight and narrow path. The Sermon on the Mount clearly condemns us all, if it is the measure by which we are judged!
“You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy. But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be children of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that? And if you greet only your own people, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that? Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.
I don't think either of us fit that bill...
He also said,
"it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God." They were even more astonished and said to Him, "Then who can be saved?" Looking at them, Jesus said, "With people it is impossible, but not with God; for all things are possible with God."
Maybe you think Jesus was prescribing the way to heaven. If so, I think you miss the point. The point was, the mark to meet for entry is perfection, and you aint got it! Without Grace we're all doomed! Your notions of salvation being some card you punch and later loose by some unforgivable act, as if God were surprised by how terrible you'd become, are juvenile. He knew the worst thing about you before you were born.
You appear to have a very narrow view of who will be excepted by God. Consider the narrow path and doorway of which Jesus spoke, is Jesus himself, and not some difficult test that weeds us all out. The parable of the wedding feast was about filling the seats, not limiting them.
"I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me"
Go out quickly to the streets and lanes of the city, and bring in the poor and crippled and blind and lame.’ And the servant said, ‘Sir, what you commanded has been done, and still there is room.’ And the master said to the servant, ‘Go out to the highways and hedges and compel people to come in, that my house may be filled.
The Good news of the Gospel is that Jesus excepts ALL WHO WILL COME!
You may want tofinsh the Wedding Feast parable with the conclusion.
For many are called but few are chosen.
So be like Jesus and forgive him ;-)
As a general rule I try and stay out of the religatard dance. Its pointless.
Secondly. Your god prolly expects you to wipe your own ass. Just sayin.
Yes He expects me to wipe my own ass, not sure what that has to do with anything.
He also expects me to think for myself and not follow your crowd or worry about what VWandy thinks is pointless.
Now, what was the point of breaking your general rule, other then the ass wiping?
You are assuming I was posting to you. That post was a post to the topic. Not to you.
When he does not know his religion...
When he does not practice it...
and if you know about it...
Then you can always point it out.
He may claim to know Jesus. But does Jesus know him?
Well...Read below. You may use that text anywhere that it applies. There are just far too many deserving targets. which claim to know Jesus, and do not.
Most of these statists do not even open their Bible and read it for themselves.
They love God so much that they will not ever take their time and read the book about Him, to explore the entity in which they declare their love.
They'd rather do something else, like watch TeeVee, look at Internet Porn, drink, and continue their sinful and lascivious and licentious ways, rather than change...
Yo Tarzan, dont be a little you know what. As a foremost J-mafia expert dont get me started with my links. I have no problems being anti-ceramic when the schmucks follow Rabbi Ovadia Yosef in the millions. Capiche naked boy.
"foremost J-mafia expert"
Not sure if I should laugh out loud or bow.....
18. Anyone defending a Jew.....
swing and a miss, but then - most of you hasbots do.
http://www.israellycool.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/antisemitism.jpg
http://www.csmonitor.com/World/Security-Watch/Backchannels/2013/1007/Rab...
"Goyim (gentiles, non-Jews) were born only to serve us. Without that, they have no place in the world – only to serve the People of Israel," he said, according to the Jerusalem Post. "Why are gentiles needed? They will work, they will plow, they will reap. We will sit like an effendi and eat. That is why gentiles were created." An "effendi" is a lord, or a master, in Arabic.
Hundreds of thousands of his supporters took the streets of Jerusalem to mourn. Former Israeli President Shimon Peres visited with Mr. Yosef at his hospital bedside just hours before he passed, tenderly kissing his hand and forehead, according to The Jerusalem Post. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, in a statement issued by his office, spoke of his "profound grief" and said that "the Jewish People have lost one of the wisest men of his generation."
No need to mention just one Jew how bout a million of the schmucks that revered this POS. Listen Corzan stick to your vine and spin around it like a dreidle you ceramic rat.
Why are you trying to change the subject?
Straw man fallacy
Given that there's some overlap with this list and genuine sentiment, it opens a new form of trolling where genuine sentiment can be dismissed as trolling by its similarity to one or more items on the list.