remade!

the term "instigator" here will be used as an umbrella term to describe 2 possibilities: a deeply unregulated & anti-social but ultimately genuine person, or a masked infiltrator with a sole intention to agitate & divide. in cases of ambiguity, assuming either to be definitively the case both pose unique risks: skepticism, scrutiny & critical thinking are vital to deploy, without relying on or encouraging the use of infiltrator accusations to sweepingly discredit individuals

from anecdotal observation, red flags for instigators can include:

recently made blogs - the first few weeks of which are often spent reblogging a random assortment of semi-relevant content, presumably in an attempt to appear authentic & invested in certain topics (this can be easily identified by checking the blog's archive)

very little personal commentary - little to no references to real-life relationships, activities, or anecdotal experiences (especially those that are topically relevant)

an excessive & publicized focus on "radioactive" topics - very few original thoughts expressed about anything that isn't sensationalized and highly divisive; a tendency to latch strongly onto (or directly create) whatever the new scandal-of-the-week is

intense black & white thinking - resistance to engaging with criticism, little capacity for productive debate, and total refusal to capitulate or admit being in the wrong. often paired with erratic, irrational & self-victimizing behaviour

a large amount of the blog being constituted by engagement with anonymous asks - especially in relation to dramatized topics & events, anon asks are easy to weaponize for manipulation tactics and are best not taken at face value

a connection with/tendency to interact with numerous blank, throwaway, "reciept" or "callout" blogs - while useful for public awareness about harmful individuals, when instead utilized tactlessly in high-tension political contexts, these blogs function primarily to foster & cement communal ruptures

an excessive focus on/targeted campaign against highly drama-oriented or self-defensive individuals - people who are more likely to engage in heated & circular debates, passionately attempt to dispel loaded statements made against them, or re-engage with old drama long after it has lost relevancy - are all people who are highly susceptible to emotional & social manipulation, and are easily identified by instigators, who routinely & predictably target them for provocation, public contempt, and attacks on their privacy/security