New Study: At Least 15% of All Reddit Content is Corporate Trolls Trying to Manipulate Public Opinion

silverbax@lemmy.world to Technology@lemmy.world – 1284 points –
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Back in my day trolling meant something. It meant you cared enough to actually form a real argument that withstands scrutiny, just to setup for the rug pull. The better your polemic, the more engagement as people debated if you were for real or not.

Shitposting controversial hot takes or dog whistle memes is mid af, do better

From my understanding trolling meant exactly what it says it is: Trolling. I think people for some reason get this mixed up with trolls - as in the fantasy type monster. But I think it actually has to do with the fishing termtrolling where you cast out your line, and see if you can get somebody to take the bait. Once they take the bait, you take em for a ride.

Actually, that's also where the name of the mythical creature comes from. They'd set up bridges that offer convenient shortcuts as bait for humans

From my understanding trolling meant exactly what it says it is: Trolling. I think people for some reason get this mixed up with trolls - as in the fantasy type monster. But I think it actually has to do with the fishing termtrolling where you cast out your line, and see if you can get somebody to take the bait. Once they take the bait, you take em for a ride.

When the word is used on the Internet it's meant in the fantasy monster way. Specifically it comes from the story of the troll underneath the bridge, interfering with people trying to cross the bridge.

polemic

po·lem·ic /pəˈlemik/ noun a speech or piece of writing expressing a strongly critical attack on or controversial opinion about someone or something. "his polemic against the cultural relativism of the Sixties"

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