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What word describes a person who gains the trust of people on behalf of an adversary?
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What word or idiom describes a person who gains the trust of people
in an organization to identify potential threats to that organization?
Example:
Say Company (Organisation) "A" wants to know how many of its employees are inclined to take part in or form unions.
- Company A then sends its own person Mr "M" to locate such employees.
- Mr M then starts his own Workers’ Union and performs activities and gives speeches against the interest of Company A.
- All this is done to gain the trust of the employees (of Company A).
- Company A not surprisingly is silent & passive about Mr M.
Mr M's union grows in size as employees seeing his actions and hearing his words fall for the snare and join his Union, hoping to fight against Company A.
Company A now possesses a list of persons that are a threat to it.
- What do you call Mr M?
- What are the actions & activities of Mr M called?
single-word-requests phrase-requests idiom-requests word-substitution
edited 2 mins ago
Scott
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asked yesterday
Yohanan
363
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Yohanan is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
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up vote
7
down vote
favorite
What word or idiom describes a person who gains the trust of people
in an organization to identify potential threats to that organization?
Example:
Say Company (Organisation) "A" wants to know how many of its employees are inclined to take part in or form unions.
- Company A then sends its own person Mr "M" to locate such employees.
- Mr M then starts his own Workers’ Union and performs activities and gives speeches against the interest of Company A.
- All this is done to gain the trust of the employees (of Company A).
- Company A not surprisingly is silent & passive about Mr M.
Mr M's union grows in size as employees seeing his actions and hearing his words fall for the snare and join his Union, hoping to fight against Company A.
Company A now possesses a list of persons that are a threat to it.
- What do you call Mr M?
- What are the actions & activities of Mr M called?
single-word-requests phrase-requests idiom-requests word-substitution
edited 2 mins ago
Scott
5,75272648
asked yesterday
Yohanan
363
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Yohanan is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
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@WeatherVane The comment thread is reserved for friendly clarifying questions, suggestions for improving the question, relevant but transient information, and explanations of your actions. Please avoid answering questions in comments.
– MetaEd♦
yesterday
Might also be somewhat relevant: false flag
– Boaz
8 hours ago
add a comment |Â
up vote
7
down vote
favorite
up vote
7
down vote
favorite
What word or idiom describes a person who gains the trust of people
in an organization to identify potential threats to that organization?
Example:
Say Company (Organisation) "A" wants to know how many of its employees are inclined to take part in or form unions.
- Company A then sends its own person Mr "M" to locate such employees.
- Mr M then starts his own Workers’ Union and performs activities and gives speeches against the interest of Company A.
- All this is done to gain the trust of the employees (of Company A).
- Company A not surprisingly is silent & passive about Mr M.
Mr M's union grows in size as employees seeing his actions and hearing his words fall for the snare and join his Union, hoping to fight against Company A.
Company A now possesses a list of persons that are a threat to it.
- What do you call Mr M?
- What are the actions & activities of Mr M called?
single-word-requests phrase-requests idiom-requests word-substitution
edited 2 mins ago
Scott
5,75272648
asked yesterday
Yohanan
363
New contributor
Yohanan is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
What word or idiom describes a person who gains the trust of people
in an organization to identify potential threats to that organization?
Example:
Say Company (Organisation) "A" wants to know how many of its employees are inclined to take part in or form unions.
- Company A then sends its own person Mr "M" to locate such employees.
- Mr M then starts his own Workers’ Union and performs activities and gives speeches against the interest of Company A.
- All this is done to gain the trust of the employees (of Company A).
- Company A not surprisingly is silent & passive about Mr M.
Mr M's union grows in size as employees seeing his actions and hearing his words fall for the snare and join his Union, hoping to fight against Company A.
Company A now possesses a list of persons that are a threat to it.
- What do you call Mr M?
- What are the actions & activities of Mr M called?
single-word-requests phrase-requests idiom-requests word-substitution
single-word-requests phrase-requests idiom-requests word-substitution
edited 2 mins ago
Scott
5,75272648
asked yesterday
Yohanan
363
New contributor
Yohanan is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
edited 2 mins ago
Scott
5,75272648
asked yesterday
Yohanan
363
New contributor
Yohanan is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
edited 2 mins ago
Scott
5,75272648
edited 2 mins ago
Scott
5,75272648
edited 2 mins ago
Scott
5,75272648
5,75272648
asked yesterday
Yohanan
363
New contributor
Yohanan is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
asked yesterday
Yohanan
363
asked yesterday
Yohanan
363
363
New contributor
Yohanan is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
New contributor
Yohanan is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
Yohanan is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
@WeatherVane The comment thread is reserved for friendly clarifying questions, suggestions for improving the question, relevant but transient information, and explanations of your actions. Please avoid answering questions in comments.
– MetaEd♦
yesterday
Might also be somewhat relevant: false flag
– Boaz
8 hours ago
add a comment |Â
@WeatherVane The comment thread is reserved for friendly clarifying questions, suggestions for improving the question, relevant but transient information, and explanations of your actions. Please avoid answering questions in comments.
– MetaEd♦
yesterday
Might also be somewhat relevant: false flag
– Boaz
8 hours ago
@WeatherVane The comment thread is reserved for friendly clarifying questions, suggestions for improving the question, relevant but transient information, and explanations of your actions. Please avoid answering questions in comments.
– MetaEd♦
yesterday
@WeatherVane The comment thread is reserved for friendly clarifying questions, suggestions for improving the question, relevant but transient information, and explanations of your actions. Please avoid answering questions in comments.
– MetaEd♦
yesterday
Might also be somewhat relevant: false flag
– Boaz
8 hours ago
Might also be somewhat relevant: false flag
– Boaz
8 hours ago
add a comment |Â
4 Answers
4
active
oldest
votes
up vote
21
down vote
Such a person is often called a mole because they burrow into an organization to gain information. From the Oxford Dictionaries:
mole
NOUN
A small burrowing mammal with dark velvety fur, a long muzzle, and very small eyes, feeding mainly on worms, grubs, and other invertebrates.
A spy who gradually achieves an important position within the security defences of a country.
‘a well-placed mole was feeding them the names of operatives’
2.1 Someone within an organization who anonymously betrays confidential information.
‘the company is hunting for the mole who revealed details of planned job cuts’
They could also be called a spy or a plant (See definition #3).
As to what you would call the mole's activites, he is engaged in subterfuge. From the Oxford Dictionaries:
subterfuge
NOUN
[mass noun]
Deceit used in order to achieve one's goal.
‘he had to use subterfuge and bluff on many occasions’
[count noun] ‘I hated all the subterfuges, I hated lying to you’
answered yesterday
Roger Sinasohn
8,95511848
4
Serendipitously, this person's name was chosen as Mr. M.
– Ian MacDonald
yesterday
add a comment |Â
up vote
17
down vote
labor spy
an agent of an employer hired to report on union activities : stool pigeon
A wider term is:
agent provocateur
A person employed to associate with suspected individuals or groups with the purpose of inciting them to commit acts that will make them liable to punishment.
American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language
From Wikipedia:
Historically, labor spies, hired to infiltrate, monitor, disrupt, or
subvert union activities, have used agent provocateur tactics.
answered yesterday
michael.hor257k
8,10121531
I think you're right about "agent provocateur" but you haven't offered a name for what he's doing. I think that should be "false-flag operation".
– Monty Harder
8 hours ago
add a comment |Â
up vote
11
down vote
I agree with "mole", but a mole implies someone who is hidden deep within the organization – emphasis on hidden.
An Agent Provocateur infiltrates an organization and gains their trust posing as a member, with the goal of instigating a riot or other criminal activity to discredit the movement. The term comes from 19th Century union organizers so it may be very close to your intent.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Agent_provocateur
An agent provocateur might create a competing organization intended to lure members of the actual organization who would be impressed by the provocateur's more aggressive politics and invisible funding, but it's just as likely they make no attempt to recruit at all. Their actions may be quite showy and gain them publicity, even as the actions are useless or contrary to the cause.
A recent example is the hoax called Femen that paid Ukrainian sex workers to protest topless in the name of "feminism", while newspapers gushingly reported on their frivolous stunts which were inherently anti-feminist. The group was later exposed to have a male leader with mysterious backing. A red flag was that actual feminists were excluded, along with women who were over 25 because they would not be "pretty" enough. Somehow newspapers conveniently forgot that feminists are against sexual exploitation or devaluing women based on male-gaze appeal, but hey, boobies.
answered yesterday
wetcircuit
4979
I don't think a "mole" necessarily has to be deep within the organization. A receptionist can be a mole, an intern can be a mole, even the CEO (at that level, I'd agree that is a very deeply placed mole).
– BruceWayne
9 hours ago
@BruceWayne a receptionist or intern would never be an influential mouthpiece. A "mole" (as depicted in Hollywood) is more like an informant with maybe a poison pill to sabotage the company. Agree a mole could be a higher up (a general, an executive) who would have more influence, but showing too much of his own politics might compromise his security.
– wetcircuit
9 hours ago
I think you're conflating an agent provocateur with a mole. A mole is basically a spy. They may or may not take direct actions against a company/government. Generally, they're there to blend in, collect information and report to their handler. An agent provocateur necessarily takes actions but may or may not be deeply embedded within the company/government/whatever. Also, moles do not (and arguably should not) be a mouthpiece. I'd argue a receptionist would be a great mole to have, as they typically have access to lots of information within the org. (contact info, etc)
– BruceWayne
8 hours ago
@BruceWayne I am referring back to the OP's description. He describes a mouthpiece, specifically: "Mr. M... starts his own Workers Unions and performs activities and gives speeches…" We are in agreement that a mole is hidden, but that is not what the OP asked for.
– wetcircuit
8 hours ago
Ah, sorry! I see what you're referring to now.
– BruceWayne
8 hours ago
add a comment |Â
up vote
1
down vote
1) Mr. "M" is a Judas goat. A Judas goat is a goat trained to lead other goats calmly to the slaughterhouse. The trick works because goats are herd animals and they will blythely, quietly follow one who shows leadership. The Judas goat (so named for the betrayal of Jesus by Judas) does not suffer the fate of the others because he has performed his job for the butchers. Wikipedia backs me up at https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Judas_goat
answered yesterday
mhoehne
352
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8
Wikipedia may back you up, but please describe what a Judas goat is in the body of your post.
– Matt E. ÃÂûûõý♦
18 hours ago
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4 Answers
4
active
oldest
votes
4 Answers
4
active
oldest
votes
active
oldest
votes
active
oldest
votes
up vote
21
down vote
Such a person is often called a mole because they burrow into an organization to gain information. From the Oxford Dictionaries:
mole
NOUN
A small burrowing mammal with dark velvety fur, a long muzzle, and very small eyes, feeding mainly on worms, grubs, and other invertebrates.
A spy who gradually achieves an important position within the security defences of a country.
‘a well-placed mole was feeding them the names of operatives’
2.1 Someone within an organization who anonymously betrays confidential information.
‘the company is hunting for the mole who revealed details of planned job cuts’
They could also be called a spy or a plant (See definition #3).
As to what you would call the mole's activites, he is engaged in subterfuge. From the Oxford Dictionaries:
subterfuge
NOUN
[mass noun]
Deceit used in order to achieve one's goal.
‘he had to use subterfuge and bluff on many occasions’
[count noun] ‘I hated all the subterfuges, I hated lying to you’
answered yesterday
Roger Sinasohn
8,95511848
4
Serendipitously, this person's name was chosen as Mr. M.
– Ian MacDonald
yesterday
add a comment |Â
up vote
21
down vote
Such a person is often called a mole because they burrow into an organization to gain information. From the Oxford Dictionaries:
mole
NOUN
A small burrowing mammal with dark velvety fur, a long muzzle, and very small eyes, feeding mainly on worms, grubs, and other invertebrates.
A spy who gradually achieves an important position within the security defences of a country.
‘a well-placed mole was feeding them the names of operatives’
2.1 Someone within an organization who anonymously betrays confidential information.
‘the company is hunting for the mole who revealed details of planned job cuts’
They could also be called a spy or a plant (See definition #3).
As to what you would call the mole's activites, he is engaged in subterfuge. From the Oxford Dictionaries:
subterfuge
NOUN
[mass noun]
Deceit used in order to achieve one's goal.
‘he had to use subterfuge and bluff on many occasions’
[count noun] ‘I hated all the subterfuges, I hated lying to you’
answered yesterday
Roger Sinasohn
8,95511848
4
Serendipitously, this person's name was chosen as Mr. M.
– Ian MacDonald
yesterday
add a comment |Â
up vote
21
down vote
up vote
21
down vote
Such a person is often called a mole because they burrow into an organization to gain information. From the Oxford Dictionaries:
mole
NOUN
A small burrowing mammal with dark velvety fur, a long muzzle, and very small eyes, feeding mainly on worms, grubs, and other invertebrates.
A spy who gradually achieves an important position within the security defences of a country.
‘a well-placed mole was feeding them the names of operatives’
2.1 Someone within an organization who anonymously betrays confidential information.
‘the company is hunting for the mole who revealed details of planned job cuts’
They could also be called a spy or a plant (See definition #3).
As to what you would call the mole's activites, he is engaged in subterfuge. From the Oxford Dictionaries:
subterfuge
NOUN
[mass noun]
Deceit used in order to achieve one's goal.
‘he had to use subterfuge and bluff on many occasions’
[count noun] ‘I hated all the subterfuges, I hated lying to you’
answered yesterday
Roger Sinasohn
8,95511848
Such a person is often called a mole because they burrow into an organization to gain information. From the Oxford Dictionaries:
mole
NOUN
A small burrowing mammal with dark velvety fur, a long muzzle, and very small eyes, feeding mainly on worms, grubs, and other invertebrates.
A spy who gradually achieves an important position within the security defences of a country.
‘a well-placed mole was feeding them the names of operatives’
2.1 Someone within an organization who anonymously betrays confidential information.
‘the company is hunting for the mole who revealed details of planned job cuts’
They could also be called a spy or a plant (See definition #3).
As to what you would call the mole's activites, he is engaged in subterfuge. From the Oxford Dictionaries:
subterfuge
NOUN
[mass noun]
Deceit used in order to achieve one's goal.
‘he had to use subterfuge and bluff on many occasions’
[count noun] ‘I hated all the subterfuges, I hated lying to you’
answered yesterday
Roger Sinasohn
8,95511848
edited yesterday
answered yesterday
Roger Sinasohn
8,95511848
answered yesterday
Roger Sinasohn
8,95511848
answered yesterday
Roger Sinasohn
8,95511848
8,95511848
4
Serendipitously, this person's name was chosen as Mr. M.
– Ian MacDonald
yesterday
add a comment |Â
4
Serendipitously, this person's name was chosen as Mr. M.
– Ian MacDonald
yesterday
4
4
Serendipitously, this person's name was chosen as Mr. M.
– Ian MacDonald
yesterday
Serendipitously, this person's name was chosen as Mr. M.
– Ian MacDonald
yesterday
add a comment |Â
up vote
17
down vote
labor spy
an agent of an employer hired to report on union activities : stool pigeon
A wider term is:
agent provocateur
A person employed to associate with suspected individuals or groups with the purpose of inciting them to commit acts that will make them liable to punishment.
American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language
From Wikipedia:
Historically, labor spies, hired to infiltrate, monitor, disrupt, or
subvert union activities, have used agent provocateur tactics.
answered yesterday
michael.hor257k
8,10121531
I think you're right about "agent provocateur" but you haven't offered a name for what he's doing. I think that should be "false-flag operation".
– Monty Harder
8 hours ago
add a comment |Â
up vote
17
down vote
labor spy
an agent of an employer hired to report on union activities : stool pigeon
A wider term is:
agent provocateur
A person employed to associate with suspected individuals or groups with the purpose of inciting them to commit acts that will make them liable to punishment.
American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language
From Wikipedia:
Historically, labor spies, hired to infiltrate, monitor, disrupt, or
subvert union activities, have used agent provocateur tactics.
answered yesterday
michael.hor257k
8,10121531
I think you're right about "agent provocateur" but you haven't offered a name for what he's doing. I think that should be "false-flag operation".
– Monty Harder
8 hours ago
add a comment |Â
up vote
17
down vote
up vote
17
down vote
labor spy
an agent of an employer hired to report on union activities : stool pigeon
A wider term is:
agent provocateur
A person employed to associate with suspected individuals or groups with the purpose of inciting them to commit acts that will make them liable to punishment.
American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language
From Wikipedia:
Historically, labor spies, hired to infiltrate, monitor, disrupt, or
subvert union activities, have used agent provocateur tactics.
answered yesterday
michael.hor257k
8,10121531
labor spy
an agent of an employer hired to report on union activities : stool pigeon
A wider term is:
agent provocateur
A person employed to associate with suspected individuals or groups with the purpose of inciting them to commit acts that will make them liable to punishment.
American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language
From Wikipedia:
Historically, labor spies, hired to infiltrate, monitor, disrupt, or
subvert union activities, have used agent provocateur tactics.
answered yesterday
michael.hor257k
8,10121531
answered yesterday
michael.hor257k
8,10121531
answered yesterday
michael.hor257k
8,10121531
answered yesterday
michael.hor257k
8,10121531
8,10121531
I think you're right about "agent provocateur" but you haven't offered a name for what he's doing. I think that should be "false-flag operation".
– Monty Harder
8 hours ago
add a comment |Â
I think you're right about "agent provocateur" but you haven't offered a name for what he's doing. I think that should be "false-flag operation".
– Monty Harder
8 hours ago
I think you're right about "agent provocateur" but you haven't offered a name for what he's doing. I think that should be "false-flag operation".
– Monty Harder
8 hours ago
I think you're right about "agent provocateur" but you haven't offered a name for what he's doing. I think that should be "false-flag operation".
– Monty Harder
8 hours ago
add a comment |Â
up vote
11
down vote
I agree with "mole", but a mole implies someone who is hidden deep within the organization – emphasis on hidden.
An Agent Provocateur infiltrates an organization and gains their trust posing as a member, with the goal of instigating a riot or other criminal activity to discredit the movement. The term comes from 19th Century union organizers so it may be very close to your intent.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Agent_provocateur
An agent provocateur might create a competing organization intended to lure members of the actual organization who would be impressed by the provocateur's more aggressive politics and invisible funding, but it's just as likely they make no attempt to recruit at all. Their actions may be quite showy and gain them publicity, even as the actions are useless or contrary to the cause.
A recent example is the hoax called Femen that paid Ukrainian sex workers to protest topless in the name of "feminism", while newspapers gushingly reported on their frivolous stunts which were inherently anti-feminist. The group was later exposed to have a male leader with mysterious backing. A red flag was that actual feminists were excluded, along with women who were over 25 because they would not be "pretty" enough. Somehow newspapers conveniently forgot that feminists are against sexual exploitation or devaluing women based on male-gaze appeal, but hey, boobies.
answered yesterday
wetcircuit
4979
I don't think a "mole" necessarily has to be deep within the organization. A receptionist can be a mole, an intern can be a mole, even the CEO (at that level, I'd agree that is a very deeply placed mole).
– BruceWayne
9 hours ago
@BruceWayne a receptionist or intern would never be an influential mouthpiece. A "mole" (as depicted in Hollywood) is more like an informant with maybe a poison pill to sabotage the company. Agree a mole could be a higher up (a general, an executive) who would have more influence, but showing too much of his own politics might compromise his security.
– wetcircuit
9 hours ago
I think you're conflating an agent provocateur with a mole. A mole is basically a spy. They may or may not take direct actions against a company/government. Generally, they're there to blend in, collect information and report to their handler. An agent provocateur necessarily takes actions but may or may not be deeply embedded within the company/government/whatever. Also, moles do not (and arguably should not) be a mouthpiece. I'd argue a receptionist would be a great mole to have, as they typically have access to lots of information within the org. (contact info, etc)
– BruceWayne
8 hours ago
@BruceWayne I am referring back to the OP's description. He describes a mouthpiece, specifically: "Mr. M... starts his own Workers Unions and performs activities and gives speeches…" We are in agreement that a mole is hidden, but that is not what the OP asked for.
– wetcircuit
8 hours ago
Ah, sorry! I see what you're referring to now.
– BruceWayne
8 hours ago
add a comment |Â
up vote
11
down vote
I agree with "mole", but a mole implies someone who is hidden deep within the organization – emphasis on hidden.
An Agent Provocateur infiltrates an organization and gains their trust posing as a member, with the goal of instigating a riot or other criminal activity to discredit the movement. The term comes from 19th Century union organizers so it may be very close to your intent.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Agent_provocateur
An agent provocateur might create a competing organization intended to lure members of the actual organization who would be impressed by the provocateur's more aggressive politics and invisible funding, but it's just as likely they make no attempt to recruit at all. Their actions may be quite showy and gain them publicity, even as the actions are useless or contrary to the cause.
A recent example is the hoax called Femen that paid Ukrainian sex workers to protest topless in the name of "feminism", while newspapers gushingly reported on their frivolous stunts which were inherently anti-feminist. The group was later exposed to have a male leader with mysterious backing. A red flag was that actual feminists were excluded, along with women who were over 25 because they would not be "pretty" enough. Somehow newspapers conveniently forgot that feminists are against sexual exploitation or devaluing women based on male-gaze appeal, but hey, boobies.
answered yesterday
wetcircuit
4979
I don't think a "mole" necessarily has to be deep within the organization. A receptionist can be a mole, an intern can be a mole, even the CEO (at that level, I'd agree that is a very deeply placed mole).
– BruceWayne
9 hours ago
@BruceWayne a receptionist or intern would never be an influential mouthpiece. A "mole" (as depicted in Hollywood) is more like an informant with maybe a poison pill to sabotage the company. Agree a mole could be a higher up (a general, an executive) who would have more influence, but showing too much of his own politics might compromise his security.
– wetcircuit
9 hours ago
I think you're conflating an agent provocateur with a mole. A mole is basically a spy. They may or may not take direct actions against a company/government. Generally, they're there to blend in, collect information and report to their handler. An agent provocateur necessarily takes actions but may or may not be deeply embedded within the company/government/whatever. Also, moles do not (and arguably should not) be a mouthpiece. I'd argue a receptionist would be a great mole to have, as they typically have access to lots of information within the org. (contact info, etc)
– BruceWayne
8 hours ago
@BruceWayne I am referring back to the OP's description. He describes a mouthpiece, specifically: "Mr. M... starts his own Workers Unions and performs activities and gives speeches…" We are in agreement that a mole is hidden, but that is not what the OP asked for.
– wetcircuit
8 hours ago
Ah, sorry! I see what you're referring to now.
– BruceWayne
8 hours ago
add a comment |Â
up vote
11
down vote
up vote
11
down vote
I agree with "mole", but a mole implies someone who is hidden deep within the organization – emphasis on hidden.
An Agent Provocateur infiltrates an organization and gains their trust posing as a member, with the goal of instigating a riot or other criminal activity to discredit the movement. The term comes from 19th Century union organizers so it may be very close to your intent.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Agent_provocateur
An agent provocateur might create a competing organization intended to lure members of the actual organization who would be impressed by the provocateur's more aggressive politics and invisible funding, but it's just as likely they make no attempt to recruit at all. Their actions may be quite showy and gain them publicity, even as the actions are useless or contrary to the cause.
A recent example is the hoax called Femen that paid Ukrainian sex workers to protest topless in the name of "feminism", while newspapers gushingly reported on their frivolous stunts which were inherently anti-feminist. The group was later exposed to have a male leader with mysterious backing. A red flag was that actual feminists were excluded, along with women who were over 25 because they would not be "pretty" enough. Somehow newspapers conveniently forgot that feminists are against sexual exploitation or devaluing women based on male-gaze appeal, but hey, boobies.
answered yesterday
wetcircuit
4979
I agree with "mole", but a mole implies someone who is hidden deep within the organization – emphasis on hidden.
An Agent Provocateur infiltrates an organization and gains their trust posing as a member, with the goal of instigating a riot or other criminal activity to discredit the movement. The term comes from 19th Century union organizers so it may be very close to your intent.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Agent_provocateur
An agent provocateur might create a competing organization intended to lure members of the actual organization who would be impressed by the provocateur's more aggressive politics and invisible funding, but it's just as likely they make no attempt to recruit at all. Their actions may be quite showy and gain them publicity, even as the actions are useless or contrary to the cause.
A recent example is the hoax called Femen that paid Ukrainian sex workers to protest topless in the name of "feminism", while newspapers gushingly reported on their frivolous stunts which were inherently anti-feminist. The group was later exposed to have a male leader with mysterious backing. A red flag was that actual feminists were excluded, along with women who were over 25 because they would not be "pretty" enough. Somehow newspapers conveniently forgot that feminists are against sexual exploitation or devaluing women based on male-gaze appeal, but hey, boobies.
answered yesterday
wetcircuit
4979
edited yesterday
answered yesterday
wetcircuit
4979
answered yesterday
wetcircuit
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answered yesterday
wetcircuit
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4979
I don't think a "mole" necessarily has to be deep within the organization. A receptionist can be a mole, an intern can be a mole, even the CEO (at that level, I'd agree that is a very deeply placed mole).
– BruceWayne
9 hours ago
@BruceWayne a receptionist or intern would never be an influential mouthpiece. A "mole" (as depicted in Hollywood) is more like an informant with maybe a poison pill to sabotage the company. Agree a mole could be a higher up (a general, an executive) who would have more influence, but showing too much of his own politics might compromise his security.
– wetcircuit
9 hours ago
I think you're conflating an agent provocateur with a mole. A mole is basically a spy. They may or may not take direct actions against a company/government. Generally, they're there to blend in, collect information and report to their handler. An agent provocateur necessarily takes actions but may or may not be deeply embedded within the company/government/whatever. Also, moles do not (and arguably should not) be a mouthpiece. I'd argue a receptionist would be a great mole to have, as they typically have access to lots of information within the org. (contact info, etc)
– BruceWayne
8 hours ago
@BruceWayne I am referring back to the OP's description. He describes a mouthpiece, specifically: "Mr. M... starts his own Workers Unions and performs activities and gives speeches…" We are in agreement that a mole is hidden, but that is not what the OP asked for.
– wetcircuit
8 hours ago
Ah, sorry! I see what you're referring to now.
– BruceWayne
8 hours ago
add a comment |Â
I don't think a "mole" necessarily has to be deep within the organization. A receptionist can be a mole, an intern can be a mole, even the CEO (at that level, I'd agree that is a very deeply placed mole).
– BruceWayne
9 hours ago
@BruceWayne a receptionist or intern would never be an influential mouthpiece. A "mole" (as depicted in Hollywood) is more like an informant with maybe a poison pill to sabotage the company. Agree a mole could be a higher up (a general, an executive) who would have more influence, but showing too much of his own politics might compromise his security.
– wetcircuit
9 hours ago
I think you're conflating an agent provocateur with a mole. A mole is basically a spy. They may or may not take direct actions against a company/government. Generally, they're there to blend in, collect information and report to their handler. An agent provocateur necessarily takes actions but may or may not be deeply embedded within the company/government/whatever. Also, moles do not (and arguably should not) be a mouthpiece. I'd argue a receptionist would be a great mole to have, as they typically have access to lots of information within the org. (contact info, etc)
– BruceWayne
8 hours ago
@BruceWayne I am referring back to the OP's description. He describes a mouthpiece, specifically: "Mr. M... starts his own Workers Unions and performs activities and gives speeches…" We are in agreement that a mole is hidden, but that is not what the OP asked for.
– wetcircuit
8 hours ago
Ah, sorry! I see what you're referring to now.
– BruceWayne
8 hours ago
I don't think a "mole" necessarily has to be deep within the organization. A receptionist can be a mole, an intern can be a mole, even the CEO (at that level, I'd agree that is a very deeply placed mole).
– BruceWayne
9 hours ago
I don't think a "mole" necessarily has to be deep within the organization. A receptionist can be a mole, an intern can be a mole, even the CEO (at that level, I'd agree that is a very deeply placed mole).
– BruceWayne
9 hours ago
@BruceWayne a receptionist or intern would never be an influential mouthpiece. A "mole" (as depicted in Hollywood) is more like an informant with maybe a poison pill to sabotage the company. Agree a mole could be a higher up (a general, an executive) who would have more influence, but showing too much of his own politics might compromise his security.
– wetcircuit
9 hours ago
@BruceWayne a receptionist or intern would never be an influential mouthpiece. A "mole" (as depicted in Hollywood) is more like an informant with maybe a poison pill to sabotage the company. Agree a mole could be a higher up (a general, an executive) who would have more influence, but showing too much of his own politics might compromise his security.
– wetcircuit
9 hours ago
I think you're conflating an agent provocateur with a mole. A mole is basically a spy. They may or may not take direct actions against a company/government. Generally, they're there to blend in, collect information and report to their handler. An agent provocateur necessarily takes actions but may or may not be deeply embedded within the company/government/whatever. Also, moles do not (and arguably should not) be a mouthpiece. I'd argue a receptionist would be a great mole to have, as they typically have access to lots of information within the org. (contact info, etc)
– BruceWayne
8 hours ago
I think you're conflating an agent provocateur with a mole. A mole is basically a spy. They may or may not take direct actions against a company/government. Generally, they're there to blend in, collect information and report to their handler. An agent provocateur necessarily takes actions but may or may not be deeply embedded within the company/government/whatever. Also, moles do not (and arguably should not) be a mouthpiece. I'd argue a receptionist would be a great mole to have, as they typically have access to lots of information within the org. (contact info, etc)
– BruceWayne
8 hours ago
@BruceWayne I am referring back to the OP's description. He describes a mouthpiece, specifically: "Mr. M... starts his own Workers Unions and performs activities and gives speeches…" We are in agreement that a mole is hidden, but that is not what the OP asked for.
– wetcircuit
8 hours ago
@BruceWayne I am referring back to the OP's description. He describes a mouthpiece, specifically: "Mr. M... starts his own Workers Unions and performs activities and gives speeches…" We are in agreement that a mole is hidden, but that is not what the OP asked for.
– wetcircuit
8 hours ago
Ah, sorry! I see what you're referring to now.
– BruceWayne
8 hours ago
Ah, sorry! I see what you're referring to now.
– BruceWayne
8 hours ago
add a comment |Â
up vote
1
down vote
1) Mr. "M" is a Judas goat. A Judas goat is a goat trained to lead other goats calmly to the slaughterhouse. The trick works because goats are herd animals and they will blythely, quietly follow one who shows leadership. The Judas goat (so named for the betrayal of Jesus by Judas) does not suffer the fate of the others because he has performed his job for the butchers. Wikipedia backs me up at https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Judas_goat
answered yesterday
mhoehne
352
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8
Wikipedia may back you up, but please describe what a Judas goat is in the body of your post.
– Matt E. ÃÂûûõý♦
18 hours ago
add a comment |Â
up vote
1
down vote
1) Mr. "M" is a Judas goat. A Judas goat is a goat trained to lead other goats calmly to the slaughterhouse. The trick works because goats are herd animals and they will blythely, quietly follow one who shows leadership. The Judas goat (so named for the betrayal of Jesus by Judas) does not suffer the fate of the others because he has performed his job for the butchers. Wikipedia backs me up at https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Judas_goat
answered yesterday
mhoehne
352
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mhoehne is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
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8
Wikipedia may back you up, but please describe what a Judas goat is in the body of your post.
– Matt E. ÃÂûûõý♦
18 hours ago
add a comment |Â
up vote
1
down vote
up vote
1
down vote
1) Mr. "M" is a Judas goat. A Judas goat is a goat trained to lead other goats calmly to the slaughterhouse. The trick works because goats are herd animals and they will blythely, quietly follow one who shows leadership. The Judas goat (so named for the betrayal of Jesus by Judas) does not suffer the fate of the others because he has performed his job for the butchers. Wikipedia backs me up at https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Judas_goat
answered yesterday
mhoehne
352
New contributor
mhoehne is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
1) Mr. "M" is a Judas goat. A Judas goat is a goat trained to lead other goats calmly to the slaughterhouse. The trick works because goats are herd animals and they will blythely, quietly follow one who shows leadership. The Judas goat (so named for the betrayal of Jesus by Judas) does not suffer the fate of the others because he has performed his job for the butchers. Wikipedia backs me up at https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Judas_goat
answered yesterday
mhoehne
352
New contributor
mhoehne is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
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edited 54 mins ago
answered yesterday
mhoehne
352
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mhoehne is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
answered yesterday
mhoehne
352
answered yesterday
mhoehne
352
352
New contributor
mhoehne is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
New contributor
mhoehne is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
mhoehne is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
8
Wikipedia may back you up, but please describe what a Judas goat is in the body of your post.
– Matt E. ÃÂûûõý♦
18 hours ago
add a comment |Â
8
Wikipedia may back you up, but please describe what a Judas goat is in the body of your post.
– Matt E. ÃÂûûõý♦
18 hours ago
8
8
Wikipedia may back you up, but please describe what a Judas goat is in the body of your post.
– Matt E. ÃÂûûõý♦
18 hours ago
Wikipedia may back you up, but please describe what a Judas goat is in the body of your post.
– Matt E. ÃÂûûõý♦
18 hours ago
add a comment |Â
Yohanan is a new contributor. Be nice, and check out our Code of Conduct.
Yohanan is a new contributor. Be nice, and check out our Code of Conduct.
Yohanan is a new contributor. Be nice, and check out our Code of Conduct.
Yohanan is a new contributor. Be nice, and check out our Code of Conduct.
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@WeatherVane The comment thread is reserved for friendly clarifying questions, suggestions for improving the question, relevant but transient information, and explanations of your actions. Please avoid answering questions in comments.
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yesterday
Might also be somewhat relevant: false flag
– Boaz
8 hours ago