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The last few paragraphs go kind of bonkers: > The problem is a public as well as private one, and impersonation robots should be considered what the law calls

The last few paragraphs go kind of bonkers: > The problem is a public as well as private one, and impersonation robots should be considered what the law calls “hostis humani generis”: enemies of mankind, like pirates and other outlaws. > Improved robot detection might help us find the robot masters or potentially help national security unleash counterattacks, which can be necessary when attacks come from overseas. There may be room for deputizing private parties to hunt down bad robots.

joebergeron 9y ago
This is the kind of rhetoric and narrative-pushing that give laypeople a skewed image of "robots". Technological optimism is blatantly alive and well in tech circles (that's a whole other problem), but it's sensationalist quotes like this that give everyone else ammo. Skepticism is important, but it's also important to recognize when something resonates you mainly because it re-affirms or rationalizes something you believe strongly.
Pigo 9y ago
I thought this entire article was almost comical, and posted here for laughs. There's nothing new about the weak-minded being influenced by something as simple as being exposed to 10,000 political campaign signs in their neighbors yard. And ticketmaster was already screwed up before bots made it worse, it's just a bad system that has ruined going to concerts for me. It's helpful for more people to realize how many bots are out there, and where social media spam comes from. But I don't believe it's crashing democracy so much as it's just another tool for corrupt, power-hungry politicians wanting to further entrench the supporters already on their side.
- dvdhnt 9y ago
  "The weak-minded" Sounds foolish. Even strong-willed individuals can be influenced if the level of external stimuli is high enough. It's usually those noting that "no, not I!" who are most oblivious to the affects of such forces.

joebergeron 9y ago

This is the kind of rhetoric and narrative-pushing that give laypeople a skewed image of "robots". Technological optimism is blatantly alive and well in tech circles (that's a whole other problem), but it's sensationalist quotes like this that give everyone else ammo. Skepticism is important, but it's also important to recognize when something resonates you mainly because it re-affirms or rationalizes something you believe strongly.

Pigo 9y ago

I thought this entire article was almost comical, and posted here for laughs. There's nothing new about the weak-minded being influenced by something as simple as being exposed to 10,000 political campaign signs in their neighbors yard. And ticketmaster was already screwed up before bots made it worse, it's just a bad system that has ruined going to concerts for me. It's helpful for more people to realize how many bots are out there, and where social media spam comes from. But I don't believe it's crashing democracy so much as it's just another tool for corrupt, power-hungry politicians wanting to further entrench the supporters already on their side.

dvdhnt 9y ago
"The weak-minded" Sounds foolish. Even strong-willed individuals can be influenced if the level of external stimuli is high enough. It's usually those noting that "no, not I!" who are most oblivious to the affects of such forces.