What sets off your troll-dar?

[Dream Girl]

I hope this isn’t considered inflammatory, but some posts scream “Russian Troll”. I don’t go by post count because mine is quite low and I’ve been here a really long time...2004ish. My troll-dar goes up when there is a combination of low post count, slightly off grammar and syntax and a certain innocent tone...usually a “help me understand” statement or question that goes against Dem sentiments. OPs also tend to be very short and rely on cut and paste links. I realize that this is in no way conclusive and I don’t want to stoke unnecessary suspicion, but critical thinking is a good thing.

[jberryhill]

1. It's not a matter of content

...but of needless shit-stirring.

[Achilleaze]

31. Blip-shit Blip-shit Blip-shit WHIRL

You got it jberry !

[Hortensis]

38. Yup. And many trolls are domestic enemies, not foreign.

No strange grammar, just shit-stirring and de-spiriting.

[bearsfootball516]

2. Very low post totals combined with a sign-up date from within the past couple years.

People who have low post totals but have a sign-up date of something like...2006 isn't Russian troll, because those didn't exist back then. And generally, people with high post counts are typically safe from suspicion because they would have outed themselves by now.

Also, their posts routinely start trouble. That's the biggest red flag.

[dameatball]

9. Hey, wait a minute......:(( It's ok, I understand....:)

[angstlessk]

19. Content also matters...

Hell, I was banned back in the beginning, (rightly so) and the best poster back then probably had three thousand posts...it's content PLUS all the other indicators.

[dameatball]

24. Yeah, I know. Glad I eventually found the sight however. Good input. My go to used to be Sirius 127.

[rzemanfl]

3. Lack of knowledge of American popular culture is another tell. n/t

[Kaleva]

4. Using the Russian alphabet is a big clue.

[Dream Girl]

5. Hmmm....

[angstlessk]

20. OR Arabic numerals!

0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9

Must be terrorists!

[marble falls]

6. What is problem, comrade?

[Dream Girl]

8. Hmmm. I like your sarcasm. Pretty clever.

[Iggo]

7. Made-up drama.

Someone trying to start a fight where there is none.

Shit-stirring.

[angstlessk]

17. Just asking questions...to which I agree.

[Iggo]

33. That was my answer to the question "What sets off your troll-dar."

[dixiegrrrrl]

39. Most of the time MIRT catches on to that very quickly.

Been enjoying the new tone of our discussions since the alert/jury changes. Ass-holery really stands out now.

[NurseJackie]

10. If I revealed the "tells" then they would change their behavior.

[Dream Girl]

11. I actually considered that before posting but couldnt resist

[Hekate]

13. Shhhh

[malaise]

12. Low count, no subscription and Democrat instead of Democratic

[Corgigal]

14. I'm suspicious when

it begins, like they agree with your post

But...and almost the opposite information here. Placed, in a nice, not aggressive way.

[oberliner]

15. I completely agree with you

But I would respectful add that sometimes such politeness and courtesy is not at all anything to be suspicious of.

[Corgigal]

18. Agreed

But it allows it to be read, and also considered and not taking down.

DU'er are always nice to each other, even when we disagree because we're grown people.

[angstlessk]

16. I wonder if those posting in the lounge or music

are adding to posts to latter appear legit when they post in political forums?

[Dream Girl]

21. Yes I think that happens a lot. Also non response responses to posts will bing up counts.

[TrogL]

22. I am not a troll

[angstlessk]

25. Talk about a tell!!!

Have you seen the Nixon videos?

[rzemanfl]

26. Nonsense, I own the bridge you live under. I bought it here on DU. n/t

[Kingofalldems]

23. Consistent posts from the same person that can be taken 2 ways.

[Canoe52]

27. The statement We must define bla bla bla...to the (nth degree)...

...before we discuss our feelings about bla bla bla, otherwise how do we know how to make a law about it?”

[Hekate]

28. It's funny how usage trips people up. I remember batting around RW trolls in the olden days of DU...

You could spot them not just by the dragging knuckles but by their inability to use Spell Check. Good times, good times.

I do recall a few overseas "guests" posing as Americans, that far back. Pointed digs at all our flaws, nothing we've ever done is right -- with a soupçon of exotic syntax that fails to align with any US region.

What we've had more recently is people who've often gotten good at written English before coming here. The syntactical cues are more subtle, as is the burrowing-in process. And you are right about the rest of it: innocent questions combined with pot-stirring. Identification is more of a gestalt these days. Trust your troll-dar.

[Leith]

29. Not to Be Specific

but errors in English that a native speaker doesn't make - even in a typo. I won't say what they are because I don't want to tip them off.

That's one way to identify them.

[TheSmarterDog]

30. "I'm not a Trump supporter, but..."

[Agschmid]

32. I dont trust anyone with an accent.

[H2O Man]

34. Especially mute people.

[kwassa]

35. the irrational support of Russia Today as a valid media outlet.

That seems to have ebbed recently, but was a serious thing for awhile.

[phylny]

36. Concern.

“I’m concerned that Democrats ______.”

[VOX]

37. Low post-count noob who comes on way too buddy-buddy: *Heres what we ALL need to do right away!*

Then they run up and down their thread, challenging anyone who’s level-headed.

Occasionally they’ll slip up and use “Democrat” as an adjective, or disparage Hillary Clinton or Barack Obama in oblique but nevertheless revealing ways.