I have a little trick to tell whether im arguing with someone who actually is astroturfin vs someone who's simply ignorant. I just prick their egos, just a bit. Just a a minor one mind you, not a full throated dismissal. I like to work one into an otherwise on-topic reply.

Almost always the other person zeroes in on and rises to the bait. If they don't? Theyre working. Similarly, astroturfers won't get nasty like real folks do, or double down like real folks do if you debunk their argument well. Astroturfers dont want eyes in that so they'll simply ghost you.

Just my hypothesis of course.

Dunno what to do about figuring their age except tell people mine. Sometimes that gives my words more weight. If my experience is instead dismissed, i always have my 30 years of Internet shit talking under my belt! Insults don't hit as hard when they're all re-runs :)

Edit: anyone want to tell me why they don't like this? Points don't matter when it doesn't hide your comment but I am actually confused. You don't like it? Think it's bullshit? I am here for your complaints