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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. Drupon · · focus · HN ↗
      To give another simple example, Israel has managed to pollute the mods of r/worldnews enough to make it a singularly active cheerleader of the genocide until the last year or two.
      1. mschuster91 · · focus · HN ↗
        Where's the problem? r/worldnews is pretty Zionist in nature, and anime_titties, workreform plus way too many other "leftist" subreddits are anywhere from somewhat neutral over "Israel bad" to outright glorifying Hamas.

        Don't want to engage with Zionists, go to anime_titties, don't want to engage with Qatari propaganda, go to worldnews.

        1. Drupon · · focus · HN ↗
          My problem is that that website didn't let a small genocidal colony infiltrate and subvert its major frontpage subs 10 years ago.
          1. mschuster91 · · focus · HN ↗
            I'd rather ask myself how Qatar managed to wiggle its way into pretty much every university and many left-wing and "progressive" parties that now openly support Hamas.

            Israel has been allied with our nations ever since it was founded, the Qataris and other oil sheiks were a bunch of warlords and nomads a century ago.

            1. Drupon · · focus · HN ↗
              It is progressive to support Hamas because they're the only major organization liquidating settler colonial vermin infesting their land.
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