Trollology, or the science of trolling, is a long established field, going back to the Boston Tea Party of the American revolution, where white guys dumped some rich dudes tea out into the harbor dressed as Native Americans.

1776 Troll'd

I also think that it is fully possible for there to be hired trolls on this forum.

This is an ideological threat to many of the people in power, not so much economic in the present time.

There are Internet Reputation Management Firms that are hired to influence opinion a certain way on the web.

No joke.