STAR WARS: THE LAST JEDI Online Hate Was "Weaponized" By Russian Trolls According To A New Report
Yes, really! A New report from a renowned researcher at the University of Southern California claims that at least 50% of the online hate directed at Star Wars: The Last Jedi was skewed by Russian trolls.
Though Rian Johnson's Star Wars: The Last Jedi is widely regarded as divisive, the movie's critical reception and box office performance - not to mention the fact that it outsold Marvel's Black Panther on Blu-ray this year - would seem to tell a different story.
Well, a new study from The University of Southern California's Morton Bay may offer an explanation.
According to his findings, half of criticism aimed at Johnson online was politically motivated, and propagated by "bots, trolls/sock puppets or political activists supporting extreme right-wing causes and the discrimination of gender, race or sexuality."
Their objective? To increase media coverage of the fan-conflicts, thereby "adding to and further propagating a narrative of widespread discord and dysfunction in American society. Persuading voters of this narrative remains a strategic goal for the U.S. alt-right movement, as well as the Russian Federation.”
It may sound a little far-fetched, but you can check out the paper for yourselves right HERE. It's a fascinating read, to say the least.
Johnson sent out the following Tweets upon being notified of the report's publication.