Welcome to DU!
The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards.
Join the community:
Create a free account
Support DU (and get rid of ads!):
Become a Star Member
Latest Breaking News
General Discussion
The DU Lounge
All Forums
Issue Forums
Culture Forums
Alliance Forums
Region Forums
Support Forums
Help & Search
General Discussion
Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsFixthedebt gets trolled on Twitter
'Fix the Debt' reaches out on Twitter, gets massively trolled
By Michael Hiltzik
October 17, 2013, 3:39 p.m.
To the chronicles of misbegotten corporate adventures with social media, we can add a new, sterling event.
The anti-deficit lobbying organization "Fix the Debt" staged a question-and-answer chat on Twitter Thursday. Its goal presumably was to reach America's smartphone-savvy youth with its message that Social Security and Medicare payments to their grandparents are going to land them in the poorhouse a few decades from now.
It's fair to say that "Fix the Debt" got more than it bargained for. Twitterers from all over responded to the invitation with pointed, tactless and downright impolite questions. Many of them aimed to discern how paring social insurance benefits for the elderly and infirm will make society stronger, which is the core of the organization's worldview. Those so inclined can still post their thoughts at #fixthedebtqa.
Among the choicer comments: "Can you explain why anyone chooses to be born poor? Why should the rest of us be responsible for their flawed decision-making?" (That's from Twitter user @jefftiedrich.)
More, including links to compilations of the best comments: http://www.latimes.com/business/hiltzik/la-fi-mh-trolled-20131017,0,6377768.story
By Michael Hiltzik
October 17, 2013, 3:39 p.m.
To the chronicles of misbegotten corporate adventures with social media, we can add a new, sterling event.
The anti-deficit lobbying organization "Fix the Debt" staged a question-and-answer chat on Twitter Thursday. Its goal presumably was to reach America's smartphone-savvy youth with its message that Social Security and Medicare payments to their grandparents are going to land them in the poorhouse a few decades from now.
It's fair to say that "Fix the Debt" got more than it bargained for. Twitterers from all over responded to the invitation with pointed, tactless and downright impolite questions. Many of them aimed to discern how paring social insurance benefits for the elderly and infirm will make society stronger, which is the core of the organization's worldview. Those so inclined can still post their thoughts at #fixthedebtqa.
Among the choicer comments: "Can you explain why anyone chooses to be born poor? Why should the rest of us be responsible for their flawed decision-making?" (That's from Twitter user @jefftiedrich.)
More, including links to compilations of the best comments: http://www.latimes.com/business/hiltzik/la-fi-mh-trolled-20131017,0,6377768.story
Some of the links: http://knowmore.washingtonpost.com/2013/10/17/fix-the-debt-hosted-a-twitter-chat-they-got-trolled-epically/
http://www.alan.com/2013/10/17/fix-the-debt-tries-twitter-qa-it-does-not-go-well/
Sounds like the trollers had a good time - and almost makes me want to use Twitter so I could join in!
InfoView thread info, including edit history
TrashPut this thread in your Trash Can (My DU » Trash Can)
BookmarkAdd this thread to your Bookmarks (My DU » Bookmarks)
5 replies, 1720 views
ShareGet links to this post and/or share on social media
AlertAlert this post for a rule violation
PowersThere are no powers you can use on this post
EditCannot edit other people's posts
ReplyReply to this post
EditCannot edit other people's posts
Rec (12)
ReplyReply to this post
5 replies
= new reply since forum marked as read
Highlight:
NoneDon't highlight anything
5 newestHighlight 5 most recent replies
Fixthedebt gets trolled on Twitter (Original Post)
csziggy
Oct 2013
OP
Berlum
(7,044 posts)1. "You smelly elders can just pull yourselves up by your own slipper straps. Sneer." - RepubliCons (R)
ebbie15644
(1,215 posts)2. Did my share!
csziggy
(34,136 posts)3. I wondered if any DUers were involved - Thank you for your efforts! n/t
ebbie15644
(1,215 posts)4. Too fun not too!
roguevalley
(40,656 posts)5. twitter is an amazing force for good. Again.