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Does Reddit have an astroturfing problem? What the data suggests

312 points · 408 comments · p-s-v

  1. nomilk · · focus · HN ↗
    The biggest problem I have with reddit is mods can slowly but systematically ban users who express unfavourable opinions, and over time, anyone casually browsing could mistakenly believe those views are unpopular, whereas in reality everyone with that view (everyone who spoke it, anyway) was banned.

    To give a simple example, one video game franchise subreddit bans any negative discussion on the most recent title. Over 5-10 years, this shielded them from negative feedback. But the franchise has tanked because core users weren't listened to, and they ended up making something nobody wanted.

    1. ruszki · · focus · HN ↗
      Why doesn't this happen with racism? In European subreddits, speaking about gypsies in a racist way is followed by a ban. Yet, it's still there, and quite clear that that's the norm in Europe. Compared with topics of homeless people, about who Eastern Europeans talk the exact same way as about gypsies, and with the same logic - it's just not "protected", so it's not banned - I encounter both regularly.
      1. carlob · · focus · HN ↗
        Maybe I don't understand exactly what you are saying, but if I do: there is a fundamental difference between Gypsies and homeless people, you are born a gypsy by no fault of your own, but most people are not born homeless. As such racism towards Gypsies is far more heinous because you could have any education, profession, income, housing situation you'll always stay a Gypsy and face the same prejudice, whereas you can (somewhat) more easily stop being homeless.

        Now we could have a discussion on whether being poor is a choice or a consequence of societal inequality, but I think more people agree on racism here...

        1. Hendrikto · · focus · HN ↗
          It is not at all about race. It is about the lifestyle. And you definitely choose that yourself.
          1. ruszki · · focus · HN ↗
            Looking at Eastern Europe, how some behavior which is net negative to everybody in the current environment still alive 200 years after the zero sum game is dead, I would say, that's not that simple.
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