I know what you mean, but it's not bots. It's not even the real 50 cent party would waste it's time with HN. Whatever activity they have in English-language social networks is probably directed at places where there's more bang for the buck. like Twitter or Reddit.
I think it's safer to assume bad faith on the part of anyone deflecting or trying to change the subject with whataboutist tactics (if not because they are literally paid propagandists, because this tactic is never conducive to discussion) and go from there.
It's not surprising that trolls troll.
> I think it's safer to assume bad faith on the part of anyone deflecting or trying to change the subject with whataboutist tactics (if not because they are literally paid propagandists, because this tactic is never conducive to discussion) and go from there.
I completely agree there. The point I meant to make is it's not bots or paid agents; Western useful idiots, people who are still in the CCP propaganda-sphere, and maybe some classic trolls.
People disagreeing with you does not make them a Russian bot or a Chinese shill.
Making that accusation baselessly degrades the conversation while contributing nothing.