Thread

1. asksomeoneelse · 1790604223 · focus · HN ↗

   Niche topics like linux feel somewhat safe from bots. But the last time I checked the more popular subs.. yikes..

   When I see 2-weeks old account "Incendiary-Leg-8592" responding to a post by another weeks old user "Pivotal-Kitchen-0498", I have a hard time believing they are humans behind them.

   1. jmuguy · 1790604624 · focus · HN ↗

      I'll bet there's a browser extension to hide comments and posts from those auto generated user names. Like maybe you end up not seeing something interesting because someone used a throwaway account, but otherwise I don't really care what someone has to say that can't even be bothered to pick a name.

      1. bunderbunder · 1790635845 · focus · HN ↗

         This seems like a bad shibboleth.

         It’s actually easier for astroturfers to pick non-autogenerated names when they create accounts because they won’t feel any pressure to put much thought into it.

         I would also bet that the vast majority of human users don’t bother to pick their own name because they don’t initially intend to post, they’re just creating an account because that’s all but required just to even read Reddit these days. Some fraction of them might later be motivated to comment, but by that time the account already exists.

      2. nomel · 1790637760 · focus · HN ↗

         Then you're blocking most people that sign in with Apple or Google, which is what Reddit first suggests. It's still probably a reasonable filter, for tech related people, but not in general
      3. FlowingRiver · 1790639829 · focus · HN ↗

         Maybe isn't of hiding, it can colour highlight it. At least then, you have some potential context.

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