It's interesting that you have a star and 3 flags for this topic but no responses. Are people afraid to voice their concerns?
I've encountered people that I believe like to just stir the pot and agitate others but I don't know that I'd go so far as calling them agent provocateurs. Any calls to activism usually meet with a swift, warn, point deductions or even a ban hammer.

I will say, "Yes." There have been a number of times I have "debated" issues with others and it was clear they had an agenda, they were out to ridicule me, mock me, assassinate my character, and were not interested in logic at all.

They would bait and dance, but never offer any concrete thought.

And when I clamped the logic 'round their throat, the would drop out of that discussion. Especially if I speculated on their "provocateur" status.

So... Yes. Yes, I have.

[edit on 3/6/2009 by Amaterasu]

Great replies, so far.

This is the type of responses I would like to see.

That way it can keep going, without being shut down.

There is much elitist memetic manipulation on the internet, I suspect they have this place infiltrated too. Agents Provacateurs is just one of a host of things they do on the internet so as to keep sheeple sheeple.

I've debated with a few people that have obviously an agenda. But there are others that are just missguided, it's hard to tell. It dosen't really make much difference if one is following truth and confident in the strength of one's opinions. So I just go over all the mud flinging these days.

I would say that I am more humorous than a provocateur. But I do give serious replies now and again.

The vast majority of the few threads that I have started end up nowhere fast. Sometimes the few replies are insightful, other times they can be inane. Sometimes my posts will receive an applause from a mod or FSME that understood what I had to say, or at least liked the way I said it. Even SO thought I said something halfway intelligent once...unless it was a mis-click to delete it. Funny thing is, those posts usually do not get a star nor are referenced later in the thread...

I will be honest though, when I do start a thread, I like replies. No matter what is said. You see, I apply the 10 to 1 rule. I figure for every reply then a minimum of 10 people read what I had to say. Just that for whatever reason the other nine felt no need to reply.

I'm glad there are decent replies, so far. We here on ATS, have to remember, that ATS is an international forum, which is why I posted this thread. Many countries have laws against agent provocateurs because they are then seen as being complicit in the crime itteslf, by allowing it to happen any further.

I have no doubt that there are APs lurking on ATS. Hell, it's been speculated about for years on here. On both sides, both people suspecting government agents doing the provoking, as well as agents that are anti-government provoking or stirring up mayhem.

I've seen individuals I suspected from both sides. They tend to be more clever and smooth than simple trolls would be. But I don't let it bother me. In the end, on a site such as this, it is to be expected.

I love the replies I've gotten on here so far. Any more interest in this topic?

What if the AP is part of the infrastructure on this site, we are kinda done, remember , they have the censor buttons

Originally posted by branty


What if the AP is part of the infrastructure on this site, we are kinda done, remember , they have the censor buttons

I've never really had issues with ATS Administration.

I was referring instead to people baiting you into something, provoking you.