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Dang, I think that's a solid response. Thank you. The theory behind SSM seems well thought out. I think it would be helpful to enlighten people about the SSM
by BrianOnHN 6y ago
Dang, I think that's a solid response. Thank you.
The theory behind SSM seems well thought out.
I think it would be helpful to enlighten people about the SSM when noting that a response is breaking the rules for an accusation of astroturfing.
For me, I think a brief explanation that well formed arguments are the only defense against an SSM would have removed a feeling of helplessness derived from reading your initial comment. And instead, lead me down a path which could really be helpful.
- dang 6y agoThat's great feedback. I only thought of that "SSM" wording just now but will try to weave it into future explanations. You can see that this argument has been cooking for a while: https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=23839602 https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=23839602. There are lots of other instances but I can't think of a search query to dig them up.
- pvg 6y agoThe theory behind SSM seems well thought out. And it's fun to extend in the obvious ways. For instance, what if a SSM (an 'essessum', as they are often referred to in the technical literature) is orchestrating a campaign to write comments insinuating astroturfery into HN threads? After all, taken as a group such comments look very much like the kind of commentary a nefarious corporate or state actor might promote, as pointed out by the shillologists themselves! A curious and under-explored connection.
- shostack 6y agoAs someone looking to learn more, can you suggest any specific technical literature on the topic that digs further into this?
- pvg 6y agoI'm just being overly self-satisfied with the idea a shadowy army of shillologists and astoTERFs are diabolically manipulating HN by darkly warning about shilling and astroturfing for unknown but definitely nefarious ends.