2 ms·
> "The rise of bots could render many online communities simply uninhabitable." Is that uninhabitable in the sense "nobody goes there anymore, it's too crowded
by jodrellblank 5y ago
> "The rise of bots could render many online communities simply uninhabitable."
Is that uninhabitable in the sense "nobody goes there anymore, it's too crowded"? Why would people make bots to post online comment threads, if not to attract real people? And why would real people go there if it wasn't interesting or enjoyable or clickbait rage-engaging?
And why would Governments be interested in stopping you engaging with bots, anymore than they stop you engaging with fiction books or fiction TV or playing video games against computer characters, etc?
- maxime_cb 5y ago> And why would Governments be interested in stopping you engaging with bots, anymore than they stop you engaging with fiction books or fiction TV or playing video games against computer characters, etc? Because they're afraid that foreign actors (or other bad actors) will try to systematically influence online discourse to manipulate public perception. That could mean affecting the result of elections or just fuelling the fire when it comes to political disagreements. If they do come for online anonymity, they'll use the same old rhetoric that they're doing this to protect you, to protect the children, etc. Here's an article about the Australian government trying to do precisely this: https://www.techdirt.com/articles/20210405/23025046557/australian-government-proposes-stripping-internet-users-their-anonymity.shtml https://www.techdirt.com/articles/20210405/23025046557/austr...