‹ BackHN Continuity

Thread

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. OroPla · · focus · HN ↗
        Gypsies aren't a race, what they do is a lifestyle. Kinda like classical pirates and brigand bands. But while the latter examples have disappeared for the most part in Europe, gypsies are still a plague upon law and order.
        1. ruszki · · focus · HN ↗
          > Gypsies aren't a race, what they do is a lifestyle

          I said the exact same thing for like 20 years. Until I realized that this thought is utterly racist. Luckily, I was disgusted about myself and my environment where this is a normal thought, and improved, instead of doubling down.

          You've just called a behavior based on a name of an ethnic group. You cannot be more racist than that.

          1. OroPla · · focus · HN ↗
            Gypsies are not Roma. Gypsy is the word for a lifestyle. Like vagabond or Amish.
            1. ruszki · · focus · HN ↗
              <a href="https:&#x2F;&#x2F;en.wikipedia.org&#x2F;wiki&#x2F;gypsy" rel="nofollow">https:&#x2F;&#x2F;en.wikipedia.org&#x2F;wiki&#x2F;gypsy
Open on Hacker News to reply ↗

Unofficial Hacker News client; not affiliated with Y Combinator.