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In reply to the discussion: Well, congratulations, DU... [View all]Divernan
(15,480 posts)I don't think it's a question of "finding time". I think they are working shifts.
I have often noticed that a thoughtful, fact filled OP which includes a direct or even implied critique of the current administration's policies or actions, is replied to immediately (a minute or two) with an enraged attack which completely fails to refute any facts or otherwise engage in debate on the primary substance of the OP. That response is typically insulting enough to provoke a response from the OP or move others to defend the OP, and bob's-your-uncle, the whole thread is derailed.
I truly wish someone would do an expose of the paid troll profession. Not just on DU and not even just on political websites, but also on newspaper's websites, and sites like Urban Spoon, where it appears that competing restaurants post as disgruntled customers. Are they paid by the word? By the number of posts? Bonuses for immediate responses? Number of views? How does the technology work? NSA level sophistication scanning for key words?
It's actually a tribute to the influence of DU in its earlier years that it has attracted the number of disruptors which we currently see. I do miss the passionate, yet civil, thoughtful and nuanced discussions of the earlier years.