Publisher's Synopsis
It's beyond dispute that trolls and automated "bots" helped Donald Trump win the White House in 2016. Some of the troll operations involved were based in Russia, but domestic interests also participated in the invasion. In fact, trolls of all types, from all corners of the internet, came together in a perfect storm of propaganda, disinformation, and political dissent.
The confusion wrought by the multi-pronged troll invasion still affects our online spaces today, leaving many questions unanswered. Who are the trolls? What do they want? How do they operate? Why couldn't our intelligence agencies put a stop to Russian and right-wing trolling? Can trolling be stopped? And what's with all the freakin' Nazis?
One thing is certain: the troll invasions wouldn't have succeeded if America hadn't been divided on many pressing issues. Deep cultural woes, such as racism, our "New Generation Gap," and the slow destruction of the middle class, were part of the toxic environment that allowed trolls to flourish.
This book - the first from software expert, award-winning internet troll and long-time underground-culture fixture Eric Saeger - examines all these issues with an impartial eye. The limitations and realities of current technology are explained in clear, simple language, revealing the tactics of everyday trolls and describing how future technology promises to make the internet a safe, livable place for everyone.
Most important of all, along the way, you'll see the humor in our dire but salvageable situation. Once we understand the invaders, we'll no longer fear RUSSIAN NAZI TROLL BOTS!
