Has anyone spotting anyone astroturfing on ILM?

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astroturfing n.
1. The use of paid shills to create the impression of a popular movement,
through means like letters to newspapers from soi-disant `concerned citizens',
paid opinion pieces, and the formation of grass-roots lobbying groups that are
actually funded by a PR group (AstroTurf is fake grass; hence the term). 2.
What an individual posting to a public forum under an assumed name is said to
be doing.
This term became common among hackers after it came to light in early 1998 that
Microsoft had attempted to use such tactics to forestall the U.S. Department of
Justice's antitrust action against the company. The maneuver backfired
horribly, angering a number of state attorneys-general enough to induce them to
go public with plans to join the Federal suit. It also set anybody defending
Microsoft on the net for the accusation "You're just astroturfing!".

so like music industry people talking stuff up?

― Jonathan Williams (ex machina), Monday, 17 February 2003 16:51 (twenty-three years ago)

I not only resent this accusation, but would also like to point out that the new album by R&B sensation R. Kelly drops this week and not only is he a wonderful talent, but Jive Records also supports his claims of innocence in all charges against him.
Watch for a full campaign involving print, radio, and television (Court TV) appearances.

― Horace Mann (Horace Mann), Monday, 17 February 2003 16:58 (twenty-three years ago)

Embrace failed to pay me £50 for writing their old website's bio blurb so I told everyone they were shit. Although actually that had more to do with me realising they were never much cop.

― Nick Southall (Nick Southall), Monday, 17 February 2003 17:00 (twenty-three years ago)

um, they also fucking stole their name from the great DISCHORD band

― Jonathan Williams (ex machina), Monday, 17 February 2003 17:06 (twenty-three years ago)

I'm pretty sure Andy Paltridge is getting paid

― Millar (Millar), Monday, 17 February 2003 17:07 (twenty-three years ago)

That, uh, Veejay on the Muchmusic, Jennifer Hollett or whatev, she used to be a pro. She totally fesses up about it too.

same time, how is it that diff. from street-teaming (which I think is stupid anyway)?

― Horace Mann (Horace Mann), Monday, 17 February 2003 17:10 (twenty-three years ago)

i would dress up in astroturf and parade around ilm if folks would come to the PRL.

i probably have cross posted specifically to draw people over here and over there.

that's a little spammy... not as dirty as pretending to be some "street" teamer spreading the gospel about a band or site and passing myself off as a neutral third party.

the fmbb has had paid ad posters in the past... i'm sure ilx will have it's juju zombies with boxes of mac and cheese too.

of course, on the fmbb, we've taken to impersonating astroturfers...

"fuck you spammer!"

― msp, Monday, 17 February 2003 19:27 (twenty-three years ago)

I admit it - I've been doing this for the Fox network.

― Kerry (dymaxia), Monday, 17 February 2003 19:59 (twenty-three years ago)

pretty good in that case kerry

― jess (dubplatestyle), Monday, 17 February 2003 20:10 (twenty-three years ago)

some were suspicious of an unnamed poster's constant praising of all things bristolian, and alison moyet's "hometime". not me, though, i thought it was just healthy enthusiasm.

― weasel diesel (K1l14n), Monday, 17 February 2003 20:17 (twenty-three years ago)

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