Something happened today at the Daily Mail? sHillbots.

Wow! I just got 1400 down arrows on my own comment exposing this scam, at the DM, in an instant.

Apparently the script allows people to manipulate other people's comments, too.

a reply to: marg6043

Yep I agree there. Never had a FB account and use Twitter to follow comedians, activists and music

The thing is, do they realise it doesn't affect everyone?? Do the lobbyists, PR teams and advertisers? I guess they play on the same human chords as product placement in TV shows and movies and seek control wherever they find it.

The effects of influence can be measured, but do they apply to smart people as well as the easily led? I wonder.

originally posted by: introvert
a reply to: MotherMayEye

There just so happens to be a website dedicated to the green arrow issue.

www.fakegreenarrows.com...

Apparently, it happens on all kinds of topics and stories.

Thanks, this backs up my experience. From your link:

Sometimes, comments contrary to the majority view receive many green arrows in a short time. Articles about UKIP (UK Independence Party) are the main focus of these manipulated comments but any articles likely to upset those with left-wing views are at risk.

On Trump/Hillary articles, comments "likely to upset those with left-wing views," are definitely at risk. And many of those with left-wing views have inflated support.

a reply to: MotherMayEye

Don't you just love it when someone's link disproves a point they were trying to make?

I think it's also quite telling that a lot of posters assumed you were pro Trump since you're exposing pro Hillary tactics. If these posters really knew you, they'd realize how wrong they are.

Bias everywhere.

originally posted by: MotherMayEye

originally posted by: introvert

originally posted by: MotherMayEye
a reply to: introvert

The Daily Mail has a huge U.S. readership. And they run a lot of U.S. political stories.

I'm not sure of what particular 'group' that's behind it, but it is organized, coordinated, and there is a common theme among the posters inflating their support...they are all pro-Hillary/anti-Trump.

They do have a huge readership, but that is not indicative of the number of people that actually read the comment section.

You can see the locations of those commenting next to their name. The very large majority of people commenting on U.S. political news are people from the U.S.

Here's an example, from today: Link

I see one comment with 1500+ "ups" already after an hour !!!!

Blue Statement, Hudson Valley, United States, about an hour ago

I'll take a sound mind in a frail body over the converse proposition represented by her opponent.

and another with 1400 "downs" in an hour....

Oak Tree, Plainsville, United States, about an hour ago

She is taking 3 days off from her campaign while trump is going strong, she is starting her vacation in cleveland. Adult Neurology & Neurosurgery Hospital in cleveland is rated one of the best. odd she would decided to rest in cleveland

a reply to: MotherMayEye

On Trump/Hillary articles, comments "likely to upset those with left-wing views," are definitely at risk. And many of those with left-wing views have inflated support.

That does appear to be the case, but my point is that this in an issue that goes way back. I've been able to find issues with the DM arrows going back to 2012.

Therefore, you can assert that it's possible the DM mods are changing the arrows but you cannot make the claim it was "sHillbots" or CTR. It's been happening well before they were in the picture.

originally posted by: jadedANDcynical
a reply to: MotherMayEye

Don't you just love it when someone's link disproves a point they were trying to make?

I think it's also quite telling that a lot of posters assumed you were pro Trump since you're exposing pro Hillary tactics. If these posters really knew you, they'd realize how wrong they are.

Bias everywhere.

It actually reinforced my point.

a reply to: MotherMayEye

I also hear NPR Online has Removed it's Comments Section in order to Quell the Voice of Public Opinion . By Aug. 1st , 2016 , the Internet will become Controlled by a World Police State . Good Luck with that People .

a reply to: introvert

Therefore, you can assert that it's possible the DM mods are changing the arrows but you cannot make the claim it was "sHillbots" or CTR. It's been happening well before they were in the picture.

Your implication here is that because it has been happening for a long time, then there is no basis for the presumption that Hillary has her digital goons out doing the same thing right now.

Yes it has been happening for a long time. Hell, marketing and advertising use the very same techniques.

But when you can point at a specific topic that is being targeted for manipulation and one can determine who the beneficiary of such manipulation is, then how hard is it to come to the conclusion as to who is responsible?

a reply to: jadedANDcynical

Your implication here is that because it has been happening for a long time, then there is no basis for the presumption that Hillary has her digital goons out doing the same thing right now.

Exactly. There is no reason to assume Hillary or CTR is behind it. That is not what CTR does and we already can see the track record of bias before Hillary or Trump came in to the picture.

But when you can point at a specific topic that is being targeted for manipulation and one can determine who the beneficiary of such manipulation is, then how hard is it to come to the conclusion as to who is responsible?

You have to have evidence to come to any conclusion. The only evidence we have is arrow manipulation and a history of it being favored to the Left.

That does not prove Hillary, her campaign or CTR are involved. It's much more likely and logical to suggest the manipulation is occurring within the DM moderators.

a reply to: MotherMayEye

Wow, you've really set off some folks, huh?

Let's see, the original topic dealt with commenters posting ani-Trump/pro-Hillary themed messages being artificially made to seem to have greater approval than other comments. This is on a site which is widely known to be conservative/right leaning.

The first post in opposition to the idea attempted to downplay it as even being possible and trying to say the effect such activity has. Oh then there is a pro-Hillary add on.

And then again, someone comes along and tries to downplay the effectiveness of such techniques and an attempt to belittle the OP (and anyone else) for calling out the tactics with the added bonus of painting her as pro-Trump; as if that alone would make her opinion any less valid even though she is most definitely not pro-Trump as anyone with a familiarity with her would know.

More Trump bashing follows.

Then someone comes along and tries again to call in to question whether or not such a thing even has an effect. Studies are posted showing that, yes, online manipulation of opinions has real world effects. Followed by yet more denial in the face of obvious examples of what the OP is about.

And then an attempt to drag us off topic into racism, which I see has been stomped.

Hm, or maybe I'm imagining all of the above...

Everything about dailymail is questionable.

a reply to: jadedANDcynical

Then someone comes along and tries again to call in to question whether or not such a thing even has an effect. Studies are posted showing that, yes, online manipulation of opinions has real world effects.

That is true, but one has to ask if trying to manipulate opinions by changing green arrows on the DM comment section is comparable to social media like Twitter or FB which can generate millions of views. Even you had to say this when linking to the study:

And yes, I know this relates to Twitter, but the DM comments section is a form of social media in and of itself so the same theory applies.

Even you recognize the laughable comparison and had to add the caveat that it's different, but for the purposes of this thread, it apparently isn't.

Followed by yet more denial in the face of obvious examples of what the OP is about.

The evidence shows a history of arrow manipulation. It does not show a connection to Hillary or CTR.

I don't know what's a scarier thought, what the world will look like in November or four years later...

a reply to: introvert

The evidence shows a history of arrow manipulation. It does not show a connection to Hillary or CTR.

Let's see what CTR has to say about their online activities:

Correct The Record will invest more than $1 million into Barrier Breakers 2016 activities, including the more than tripling of its digital operation to engage in online messaging both for Secretary Clinton and to push back against attackers on social media platforms like Twitter, Facebook, Reddit, and Instagram. Barrier Breakers 2016 is a project of Correct The Record and the brainchild of David Brock, and the task force will be overseen by President of Correct The Record Brad Woodhouse and Digital Director Benjamin Fischbein. The task force staff’s backgrounds are as diverse as the community they will be engaging with and include former reporters, bloggers, public affairs specialists, designers, Ready for Hillary alumni, and Hillary super fans who have led groups similar to those with which the task force will organize.

correcttherecord.org

"...social media platforms like Twitter, Facebook, Reddit, and Instagram." does not mean only these platforms, btw.

Unless you expect CTR to specify where and how they will be active, that's as close as you're going to get without a hack...

a reply to: jadedANDcynical

"...social media platforms like Twitter, Facebook, Reddit, and Instagram." does not mean only these platforms, btw.

That's true, but it doesn't mean they are manipulating arrows on DM comment sections. Twitter, FB, etc, have the attention of massive numbers of people. How many people actually take the time to read the comment section on DM that would justify CTR intervention?

Considering that DM has a history of issues with it's arrow system, it becomes even less likely that someone like CTR is at the root of the problem. It's more likely that it is within DM moderation.

I think it quite humorous that people would think the comment section of the DM is worthy of the attention of Hillary shills. What a waste of their time.

a reply to: introvert

The comment section, at DM, is very active.

And it is being manipulated by pro-Hillary/anti-Trump people whether you think they are wasting their time or not.

In my OP, I merely wondered if it was CTR, btw. I don't care who is exactly behind it, but I can see who the effort is favoring. If it is DM's moderation behind it, I find that to be equally troubling than if it's CTR.