Feeling a little paranoid these days?

[gaspee]

I think you have a good reason.
http://www.pbs.org/mediashift/2006/06/sock_puppetrybloggers_must_be.html">Sock Puppetry: Bloggers must be vigilant

Everywhere I go online these days, it seems like there are shills infiltrating left-leaning blogs and websites to throw up straw men and to divide and to disrupt. DU isn't as bad as most places. I've been online since 1993 and have had lots of experience dealing with trolls (especially on the old usenets) and I'm involved in some segments of fandom, where Sock Puppets are a time honored tradition (of the NUTCASES.)

I can't believe people are still falling for it after all these years.

Anyway, I found an interesting story about sock puppets.

Nice to know I'm not getting paranoid in my old age.



First four paragraphs...

If you run an online forum or a blog that allows readers to comment, you sometimes feel like you’re having a conversation in the fog. Often people will contribute anonymously or make up names or places where they live, or even lie about their gender, age or occupation.

So what can you do about it? You might require a valid email address, but it’s difficult to force people to be honest in an online forum because dishonesty is so ingrained in this type of forum, as is anonymity.

The issue came up here on MediaShift when a number of people (or what appeared to be a number of people) expressed their opposition to Net neutrality legislation. Timothy Karr, campaign director of Free Press , did a little basic sleuthing to find a coordinated campaign by various blog and forum posters who gave talking points from telecom companies opposed to Net neutrality. I followed up and wondered whether this campaign was indeed coming from telecom companies or people they paid.

While I have seen a lot of evidence pointing toward certain individuals who post time and again against Net neutrality, I haven’t found a “smoking gun” that proves without a doubt that this campaign is paid for by telecom companies. But it does speak volumes that none of these individuals would respond to my queries or those of other bloggers interested in this topic. If they are not being paid, and are not working in a concerted effort as it appears, then why not at least deny it?

[cornermouse]

1. What's a paranpid?

:shrug:

[gaspee]

2. Ha-Ha

You caught me before I fixed it. Ten points for you. Feel good?

[cornermouse]

4. Sigh. Whatever.

:eyes: I didn't do it with any malice. I doubt you're as tired or short of sleep as I am. It really seems as though if anyone should snarling and snapping, it should be me not you.

[gaspee]

5. ..

I probably should have put a smiley or something. I am not snarling or snapping. And I usually avoid message boards if I'm tired and irritable

[pretzel4gore]

3. paranoid is right....

fox is guarding the henhouse....

[AndyTiedye]

6. You're Not Paranoid. They Really Are Out to Get Us!

[WoodrowFan]

7. who told you I was paranoid?

it was MOTHER, wasn't it!


Kidding, but while I wasn't paranoid before, just last week I looked down from my office window in time to see some guy taking a photo of my bumperstickers. (I park on the street). Maybe he liked them. I especially like "WORST.PRESIDENT.EVER" but then maybe he's a winger who wanted to "report" :eyes: me to someone or another...