Is the forum plagued by Bots?

This topic has 8 replies, 7 voices, and was last updated December 14, 2013 at 9:15 pm by Dr Bunsen.

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December 14, 2013 at 11:20 am #1056801
Tombo
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I read a few years ago about governments and political parties using Bots on forums to influence public opinion. The idea being that if the same message is repeated often enough then humans, as social animals will naturally try to conform to prevailing message. It’s pretty much what the governments nudge unit tries to do, by unspecified means.
There appears to be quite a few “eat healthy and get exercise” type messages on the forum from relatively new users. I wonder if they would be bots or just kids. I do know that Bots are capable of appearing pretty human by the low standards typical forum chatter (some of the present company excepted 😛 )
That said I am not saying I could pass a Turin test.
December 14, 2013 at 11:28 am #1277014
Dr Bunsen
Participant
The whole internet is plagued by bots unfortunately…
December 14, 2013 at 11:46 am #1277010
Gylfi Gudbjornsson
Participant
Assimilation is unavoidable!!!!
December 14, 2013 at 12:57 pm #1277012
TheStealthyRacoon
Participant
Beep. Beep. Stop taking drugs. Bad for you. Beep. Give to me.
December 14, 2013 at 4:09 pm #1277011
Pat McDonald
Participant
Bot infestation? You mean, like, you feel like you are surrounded by arseholes?

That’s normal. There are arseholes everywhere.
December 14, 2013 at 4:41 pm #1277008
sinner69
Participant
It was said bots, not butts, theres a difference, not much but its there lol
December 14, 2013 at 7:16 pm #1277009
Tombo
Participant
Why make a bot that talks about mundane stuff on a fairly niche forum?

Do they just win your trust and then slowly and subtlety encourage you to like buying the daily mail of something? Or is it more sinister, perhaps they are sleeper Bots that create a trusted persona, that can then be used to gather intelligence or rip you off in some way.

If they are present here, I wonder what percentage of messages on Mumsnet is from Bots? Each reinforcing the irrational behaviour that seems to stem from there.

Dr B, my comments were in no way meant to be a criticism of the management of the forum.
December 14, 2013 at 7:33 pm #1277013
Chrispydelic
Participant
I like big bots and I can not lie!
December 14, 2013 at 9:15 pm #1277015
Dr Bunsen
Participant
S’alright I didn’t take it badly or anything.

@Tombo 559880 wrote:

Why make a bot that talks about mundane stuff on a fairly niche forum?

Do they just win your trust and then slowly and subtlety encourage you to like buying the daily mail of something? Or is it more sinister, perhaps they are sleeper Bots that create a trusted persona, that can then be used to gather intelligence or rip you off in some way.

If they are present here, I wonder what percentage of messages on Mumsnet is from Bots? Each reinforcing the irrational behaviour that seems to stem from there.

Dr B, my comments were in no way meant to be a criticism of the management of the forum.
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