Internet Opinion Shaping Tricks
October 20, 2006 3:18 AM Subscribe
Sockpuppets and gaming Digg. What other tricks are being used to deceptively manipulate opinion online?
During the Israel-Hezbollah war I read an article about "The Internet Megaphone", a piece of software that automatically notifies "Israel supporters" of online polls. (Think of it as a very specialized RSS reader). I think this can count.
See also: ^
posted by lodev at 3:29 AM on October 20, 2006
See also: ^
posted by lodev at 3:29 AM on October 20, 2006
Good old sponsorship - for example funding of particular forums. The opinions expressed may not always be those that the sponsor would like but the playing field may be tilted in his favour.
posted by rongorongo at 3:45 AM on October 20, 2006
posted by rongorongo at 3:45 AM on October 20, 2006
Corporate-paid flogs, like the "Wal-mart Across America" nonsense are a big push now.
It should be noted, however, that anyone whose opinion is swayed by digg deserves whatever they get.
posted by Mr. Gunn at 5:07 AM on October 20, 2006
It should be noted, however, that anyone whose opinion is swayed by digg deserves whatever they get.
posted by Mr. Gunn at 5:07 AM on October 20, 2006
Response by poster: I was just searching around a bit more and found a few on my own:
Category Deception:
ie a liberal posting "I'm a conservative but ..."
Impersonation:
pretending to be somebody else to either hurt them or help yourself.
Identity Concealment:
Vested party conceals self-interest
also being reborn as a new user to wipe a reputation clean (similar to a sockpuppet)
posted by srboisvert at 5:58 AM on October 20, 2006
Category Deception:
ie a liberal posting "I'm a conservative but ..."
Impersonation:
pretending to be somebody else to either hurt them or help yourself.
Identity Concealment:
Vested party conceals self-interest
also being reborn as a new user to wipe a reputation clean (similar to a sockpuppet)
posted by srboisvert at 5:58 AM on October 20, 2006
Sending free stuff "for review" to bloggers who are not journalists.
posted by smackfu at 6:43 AM on October 20, 2006
posted by smackfu at 6:43 AM on October 20, 2006
Sending free stuff "for review" to bloggers who are not journalists.
But probably not to Joel Spolsky if you are Sprint.
posted by rongorongo at 7:37 AM on October 20, 2006
But probably not to Joel Spolsky if you are Sprint.
posted by rongorongo at 7:37 AM on October 20, 2006
PayPerPost pays bloggers to write about products and websites and whatnot. Not sure how prevalent or transparent it is to readers.
posted by jikel_morten at 7:42 AM on October 20, 2006
posted by jikel_morten at 7:42 AM on October 20, 2006
There was a recent about some bloggers who were blogging for Wal-mart, but not disclosing it.
posted by zabuni at 11:11 AM on October 20, 2006
posted by zabuni at 11:11 AM on October 20, 2006
This thread is closed to new comments.
posted by Nelson at 3:28 AM on October 20, 2006