this post was submitted on 04 Jul 2025
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This here is the reason why I think that, when dealing with "trolls" of the political influence campaign sort rather than the "just wants to get people mad" sort, the classic advice of "dont feed the trolls" doesnt work. If people wanting to influence public opinion say a bunch of things, and are unchallenged, then anyone coming into the space they are at work in will get the impression that theirs is the sentiment that that community holds and disengage if they dont agree, ceding the space to the influence campaign. If instead those opposed to the influence campaign try to drown out the trolls, then at least they dont appear to represent a consensus opinion.
This is a really astute point and I totally agree. I have seen this in public meetings, where a basically the agenda is set by the people who speak up most. One exception might be social networks with feeds that promote based on engagement. They push things up in the feed when they have replies, whether positive or negative. But this is part of why people are pointing out that such networks are harmful, because it amplifies our worst instincts
it's exactly why ignoring nazis doesn't work:
fascists rely entirely on being perceived as the "majority", the "normal people".
it's why they get so, so mad when you call them "weird": they HAVE to believe they are "normal" and their egos can't take it if you point out that they're...not normal.
that's why it is so important to publicly shame them: fascism dies, when it is denied fertile ground to fester in.
fascists are inherently cowards:
the slightest bit of resistance and they immediately fold. (see TACO, for example)
resistance DOES work!