Run for the shills
0 2018-03-10 by Unsolidsnake
Been seeing the term shill tossed around lately to discredit anyone who has an opposing view. It’s just amazing people are still putting faith into the system by labeling themselves conservative and liberal ;and for a conspiracy sub , I’m rather bewildered as to how anyone can outright claim that their way of thinking is superior to the other . I just can’t help but think this is more of the “ divide and conquer “ techniques used by the TPTB to control our conversations , ultimately controlling the narrative . Alienating those with critical thinking , and enabling those who are too willing to be part of the republican/Democrat paradigm.
29 comments
1 joxL7Mulder 2018-03-10
great post. Funny title.
1 Lyra_Fairview 2018-03-10
"Hurr durr JIDF, Shareblue/Media Matters, and Russian shills don't exist durr"
Sorry. But you're just straight up wrong if you're making the claim that shills don't exist. Sure, maybe not everyone accused is actually a shill, but are you really making the claim that shills don't exist on this subreddit? That's absolutely nonsense OP.
1 Unsolidsnake 2018-03-10
I’m sure shills exist , but take in account the boy who cried wolf for instance . If everyone just plugs their ears and yells shill all the time , sure would make it easier for actual shills to do their shilling .
1 Lyra_Fairview 2018-03-10
1 machocamacho88 2018-03-10
It's not that shills exist, it's that the exist in abundance, and routinely brigade this sub (from a variety of PR perspectives)
1 EatATaco 2018-03-10
Do we have any evidence of this? I don't doubt shills exist, I think it would be naive to believe otherwise, but I've been accused of being a shill for Monsanto, Clinton, vaccine manufacturers, the MSM. . .hell, if it were even half true I would be rich.
Unfortunately, for me, it isn't, but all it has done is convinced me that the people who throw "shill" out in place of an argument aren't very bright and considering it seems that every single post inevitably contains someone being accused of being a shill, I have to agree with the OP that it is simply a tool used by the not-so-bright to avoid an actual debate.
1 machocamacho88 2018-03-10
I've seen more than enough to be confident in my assessment, though I would encourage others to make up their own minds. I've been called a Russian troll for being critical of US foreign policy, so I get it when you suggest that the accusation may not always match the accused.
Not necessarily. As I hear these folks aren't paid all that much, and there are of course shills who do not receive direct compensation, yet argue a position based on their personal ties to X.
I agree it can be, but it can also be an accurate charge.
1 EatATaco 2018-03-10
I asked for the evidence. You claim to have seen "more than enough" so why didn't you actually offer any of it up?
1 machocamacho88 2018-03-10
There are too many disagreements on what constitutes evidence.
1 paulmr- 2018-03-10
Divide and conquer is what it’s all about and it’s how we’ve been played for centuries.
1 torkarl 2018-03-10
Technically, I believe the word "shill" specifically implies that there is some kind of monetary or other valuable reward for making posts or comments.
Usage of the "shill" term has been expanded for this particular sub, to include redditors who do not have a deep personal interest in conspiracy theories, but still want their opinions to be heard by conspiracy theorists, most generally because of politically-charged conflict or anti-conspiracy skepticism.
1 Unsolidsnake 2018-03-10
That’s great you defined it , I just think it’s another word that people toss around , like conspiracy theorist . And that’s the problem .
1 torkarl 2018-03-10
tossing words around . explain .
1 Unsolidsnake 2018-03-10
For instance when people use the word shill , or conspiracy theorist , it’s an ad hominem .
1 torkarl 2018-03-10
true - but not sure i would be proud of being a shill - because that basically means you are lying, because almost no-one believes 100% in the company they work for.
1 rodental 2018-03-10
If you think shills arent a problem then you haven't been on this sub for long.
1 Unsolidsnake 2018-03-10
Just from going down reading the threads , I’m seeing the word shill being used in order to discredit someone else . I didn’t say they weren’t a problem . Just looking at things from a different perspective ..
1 rodental 2018-03-10
Calling people shills (even when they're obvious shills) gets you banned from the sub.
1 Unsolidsnake 2018-03-10
The “thought” police aren’t scary people with guns , uniforms ,etc . Society at large will decide what we think and when to think . We will police ourselves , call each other’s names , close our minds , and vehemently cling to our world views , for if anything shatters our illusion ..
1 rodental 2018-03-10
The thought police are the ones paying shills to push political narratives online and discredit certain subjects. They also employ the people with guns, uniforms, etc.
1 Unsolidsnake 2018-03-10
And without a mass of ignorant followers the guns and the shills would mean nothing . It’s the fact that we can’t even have a discussion without personally attacking another , with words like shill and conspiracy theorist being used to discredit people.
1 rodental 2018-03-10
Lolno. The problem is that we can't call out the shills, and it's compounded by a mod team which sides with the shills.
1 Kendle_C 2018-03-10
The only conspiracy that matters is the neocon takeover of Washington. When they get tired of their toy (USA) they're going to break it, as usual, like spoiled little shits. War follows.
1 Mrexreturns 2018-03-10
How does self proclaimed truthers manage to be coaxed into supporting the government because the pseudo-alt media told them that the upcoming president was for their own good (Read: NOT)?
1 Unsolidsnake 2018-03-10
Good question
1 Unsolidsnake 2018-03-10
It’s a double edge sword . You can see how either side of the coin is shit . And for it not being allowed I see way too much of it ( people either getting called shill or calling shill) and it’s usually to do with politics . Either way , it’s stifling free speech on either side . Damned if you do , damned if you don’t .
1 halobob98 2018-03-10
Welcome to intarwebs
1 pushpin3 2018-03-10
Yeah, I just want to speak my mind, for as long as I can, despite criticism and insults. It would be neat if someone was friendly once in a while, but courtesy and ethics seem to be taking a nose dive into Hell.
1 Unsolidsnake 2018-03-10
Hey friend , I understand this sentiment completely . :)
1 pushpin3 2018-03-10
Yay, thanks friend!
1 Unsolidsnake 2018-03-10
For instance when people use the word shill , or conspiracy theorist , it’s an ad hominem .
1 rodental 2018-03-10
Lolno. The problem is that we can't call out the shills, and it's compounded by a mod team which sides with the shills.