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I am Anomaly
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greengogreenFeb 28, 2011
Programs like xrumer can do this no problem. Interesting arguments here, thanks for sharing novenator!
arpadFeb 28, 2011
To bad there isn't a Pulitzer category for ironic online stories. An article about astroturfing on alternet would probably retire the prize.
wolfkeeperFeb 28, 2011
Particularly if novenator is astroturfing the story to draw attention to sell more astroturfing.
Closed AccountFeb 28, 2011
>B} let me guess from your babblepoints
you uhm ... professional internetgeek were in 2000 still
sulking and out, because you thought al gore invented it
greengogreenFeb 28, 2011
Programs like xrumer can do this no problem. Interesting arguments here, thanks for sharing novenator!
phoenixtxFeb 28, 2011
Time heals all.
skews13Feb 28, 2011
Unfortunately for them, this is a forum we invented a long time ago. Online comment threads are a true grassroots movement than cannot be duplicated. The astroturfers stand out like a sore thumb. That's the arrogance of the influence of money. Reminds me of a story about an emporer and his clothes.
countess666Feb 28, 2011
i think you're being overconfident. Astroturfers aren't behaving like fanboys. in fact they are usually pretty low key, there are just a lot of (copies of) them.
i highly doubt they would stick out all that much.
paranor01Feb 28, 2011
If one is listening, yeah they are easy to spot. I've been in on-line chat since the BBS days and I can spot them fairly well.
melektawusFeb 28, 2011
I don't see how 20 years of experience dealing with live trolls on message boards gives you a special ability to detect astroturfers, especially since they are a relatively new phenomenon. The people you think are astroturfers are mostly real idiots posting stupid crap of their own volition. The professionals are more discrete.
paranor01Feb 28, 2011
years of creating & dealing with bots, trolls & real people. my experience is not limited to BBS chat, just started there. years on IRC in various positions is another experience draw.
and it's not a special ability, it's a learned trait. education comes in all forms.
novenatorFeb 28, 2011Submitter
*does not compute, mark skews13 as agitator*
[insert randomized quip here]
deportexportnowFeb 28, 2011
You just admitted and are right that the left invented astroturfing.
In the early to mid sixties it was invented right?
Most of these larger movements were funded by the Government right?
Which lead to more Government control and expansion right?
Then you have the right who is funded by big businesses and the working poor and middle class.
Which has lead to demands of my money! My money! Step away from my money!
One works and earns the money, a lot of the times in a shady way and one is like the preacher on the pulpit passing the basket telling you god will strike you down if you do not give.
Seems to me both sides are tarnished beyond repair we need a viable 3rd party.Comment is buried, click here to see the rest.
paranor01Feb 28, 2011
No, he admitted to the forums being created by humans and we recognize humans and non-humans. Nice try at a spin there, but you're terrible at it.
deportexportnowFeb 28, 2011
Don't be hating because I'm right.
paranor01Feb 28, 2011
Another attempted spin, obviously done, to place an emotive overtone to my comment which was not there. Disagreement =/= hate.
You really are not a very skilled troll.
mikedehaanFeb 28, 2011
Scary and beyond.
paranor01Feb 28, 2011
typical & old hat you mean
laurahoustonFeb 28, 2011
cyber shills!!
wf80diditFeb 28, 2011
They had something about this on MSNBC yesterday. Entire offices of people writing bogus positive reviews for their clients who own hotels & restaurants to draw in more customers. On the flip side they were also paying these same people to write negative reviews of their competition. What a sleazy business that must be. We really need the Gov't to step in and fix this before it gets out of hand. You can already see the affect it had on the Tea Party.
anomaly100Mar 1, 2011
Indeed and I see it on digg too whenever an election nears. New accounts popping up like crazy. Remember the BP oil spill -- so many people supported BP and the spill was because of their inaction. Either they're ignorant, or they're paid to astroturf.
taiyoryuFeb 28, 2011
It's interesting to note that these techniques can be (and probably are) employed by governments as disinformation tools against other countries. Depending on which country you ally with, you may see this as a good thing.
fluxFeb 28, 2011
newsflash: corporate funded left wingers call kettle black while receiving millions form Soros to bash conservatives. its alternet for gods sake they would not know true journalism if it walked up and punched them in the face.Comment is buried, click here to see the rest.
theman1119Feb 28, 2011
Global warming is a conspiracy, Smoking doesn't cause cancer, there is nothing wrong with eating lots of salt. Just kidding, this is a problem. Either the opposing side must assume the same tactics or we need the seriously consider a real id system that would not allow those tactics to work.
jacleseauFeb 28, 2011
This is scary and about par for the capitalist, plutocractic course. In all fairness, it could be used by anyone pushing any particular agenda; e.g. Big tobacco, Tea Party, or PETA.
newsguy777Feb 28, 2011
i know that i've received a number of fake comments on my novel ... what's weird is that a number of them are links to wordpress blogs that are just random words. i don't mean that as an insult, i mean that they literally are just things like "fish hat purple" etc ... how does that help anyone's search rankings?
meccaydnaMar 1, 2011
this is certainly stark contrast to Donkey Mittens Red
newsguy777Mar 1, 2011
bwa ha ha ha ha. maybe it's a mix-up like in the game of telephone in that simpson's episode: "Skinner said the teachers will crack any minute
purple monkey dishwasher." http://www.snpp.com/episodes/2F19.html