Do you think there are political pundits here on Y/A that are paid to misinform?

Question

Sometimes I wonder!

Answer 1

Gotta be a few paid trolls here fer shure!

Answer 2

Kelly B....

A word of advice: "The more you uncover and learn, the Crazier you think you are Becoming" (maybe you should post this as a question to Q/A)....This is why everyone who agrees/disagrees with you have their own Support Group....Without it, you would be alone, which will lead to death...

In terms of your Question, I don't know....But I will tell you that throughout history, people were always paid to Misinform....The Correct word you want to use instead is "Disinformation".....These people are very smart and cunning, and sometimes with alot of Money and Power backing them Up....The more you Learn about disinformation, the better you will be able to Spot these People/Groups...

You'll be O.K. because when it is all said and done, You WILL get The Last Laugh!!!

Below is a Link for you and anyone else to get started doing some Very Important research....
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Disinformation

Answer 3

Not really. The majority--however strongly worderded their posts--are reasonably well-informed (my opinion of the interpretations of the "other side" is irrelevant--most get the facts right) The trools and conspiracy theorists don't--but we all know how to spot those.

There could be a few--especially on a few topics (e.g. global warming)--but if so, their employers aren't getting their money's worth--I've yet to see one that could come up with an arguement (e.g. the one about the sunc ausing climate change) that would stand up for even 5 minutes.

And I expect it will stay that way. Because this IS the Internet. Jerks can produce gobs of misinformation--but its just too easy to check someone's claims in cyperspace--and too amany peoplewho will click the mouse a few times to check.

In ten years we'll have voice driven software tha twill let you mark a statement and tell the computer to cross reference--and it will do the search for you before you finish asking. Its going to be hard to make false informationplausible

Answer 4

I do believed that the can interfere in some ways. Actually when sensitive questions are asked, I am pretty sure they come by droves to cover the post with thumbs down for those who are right or against their view, just to influence the thinking pattern or the answerers... If they are paid for a post I dont think so, but they definitly have interest in being here!!

Answer 5

Political pundits, by definition, are paid to express their opinions -- which are usually the same as the opinions of the people who are paying them.

As far as misinformation -- propaganda and spin control are an inherent part of the political process. Unless someone is actually claiming to state an objective measurable fact (and occasionally not even then) it doesn't usually count as misinformation.

Answer 6

I don't know if they are paid but surely there are those who are addicted to this site and whose goal in life is to achieve an ungodly amount of points.

The format of this site is less than ideal in that it lends itself to flaming one-line zingers that are just reactive and not reflective.

So very predictable.

It's too bad Yahoo doesn't redesign it so that there can be a true dialogue and where people can react to others to create a virtual town hall meeting atmosphere.

The format leads to a reductionist approach to complex issues and some people seem content to simply spew, "All (fill in the blank) are idiots" or other sophomoric variations.

Answer 7

If there are any,it must be a very small group because most people who post intelligent stuff here from both sides don't sound like party soldiers to me.
I can't imagine anyone would pay for the low quality posts produced here daily.I believe if anyone would pay their posts would be better.You pay to make your side look good,not to totally destroy your own credibility.

Answer 8

So your real question is: Anyone that has a different opinion than mine must be getting paid my someone to spread lies, because only I know the truth. Sounds a little arrogant to me. Differing opinions are a good thing. For example, today, I completely disagree with you on Universal Health Care and Patty Sheehan but I read your answers. You sound logical. I don't think you're a paid political hack. I don't think you're purposely trying to misinform me. I do think you're wrong. So be it.

Answer 9

I wouldn't be surprised. The U.S. army was caught creating letters praising the leadership and the efforts of the war and sending them to letters of the editors of various news papers around the country.

There's no problem with that, but they were making these letters up, signing the names of soldiers in Iraq and not telling these men their names had been used.

The mother of one soldier read a letter in the editorials suppoedly written by him and she knew that wasn't his opinion. That's when a reporter began investigating and that story broke.

Answer 10

I wouldn't be surprised if there were a few staffers who are here just to throw out talking points, one way or the other. I doubt they're paid but they are probably getting that all important "intern time" done.