Shills, Sockpuppets, & Astroturfing: How the Elite Manipulate and Deceive You

This show continues the dangers of the truth movement series by exposing how governments and corporations pay people to troll and deceive you. This is done mainly through the internet, but it can also be done in person. In the show, we define the terms, talk about the history, and cite modern day examples to prove how these tactics affect you personally. We also cover the role these shills play in the spread of disinformation and how you may be playing into their hand.

Articles cited in the show:

Donald Trump Campaign Offered Actors $50 to Cheer for Him at Presidential Announcement
http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/donald-trump-campaign-offered-actors-803161

How Covert Agents Infiltrate the Internet to Manipulate, Deceive, and Destroy Reputations
https://theintercept.com/2014/02/24/jtrig-manipulation/

Obama confidant's spine-chilling proposal
Cass Sunstein wants the government to "cognitively infiltrate" anti-government groups
http://www.salon.com/2010/01/15/sunstein_2/

Monsanto Hired Paid Internet Trolls to Counter Bad Public Image, Lawsuit Claims
https://www.infowars.com/monsanto-hired-paid-internet-trolls-to-counter-bad-public-image-lawsuit-claims/

Additional resources:

5 Things Shills Don't Want You To Know
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sS9olPA2BK0

Astroturf and manipulation of media messages | Sharyl Attkisson | TEDxUniversityofNevada
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-bYAQ-ZZtEU