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You may well wonder about the material we have chosen to present below. For one thing, it has been around for a while, though mostly on obscure websites. For another, its authors are unknown. More important, we cannot say how accurate, overall, is the analysis offered in it.
Nonetheless, it is tantalizing — and raises some important issues, no matter its provenance.
The document claims to reveal the techniques — dirty tricks, really — that are practiced by trolls, saboteurs, provocateurs, disinformants, spies and other government operatives, as well as their fellow practitioners of the dark arts.
One thing is certain: we've all experienced the frustration of dealing with this phenomenon. We just don't always recognize it for what it is.
Without even knowing it, you may have witnessed these techniques in action. Perhaps in a political forum that feels somehow manipulated to suppress certain facts and points of view. Or in the deceptive comments that often follow a controversial article. Or in the disruptive behavior at a town hall meeting that seems oddly choreographed. Or at a meeting of activists where the "wrong" people seem to be taking over.
Like toxic mushrooms, the words and actions of these operatives can often look just like the benign stuff. That is why they can so easily poison the well of information.
Comment: It's very likely that the US government has itself engaged in many or all of the above activities in order control the population and direct discussions away from subjects they would prefer remain in the dark. They likely employ many questionable individuals in this pursuit: