I don’t assume this for others or often, but I think this account is actually part of an election influence campaign in favor of Trump.
It’s 4 days old, instantly super active, and you can see the responses are repeating typical 2016 deflections whose only functional effect will be to split the left vote. The OP’s comments are canned bullet points, they don’t sound like legit conversation. Every legitimate concern is instantly deflected and misdirected in a way too calculated to be coincidental. (OP, save yourself the time, I won’t be responding to you - in the 1% chance you are representing yourself in good faith, please listen to all the others already trying to help you.)
So on to the main issue: I can block this user (to prevent spam on my All feed), sure. But the more users who are aware of this who block this user, the more skewed the remaining voting and responses become and the more concentrated the propaganda effect will be on unwitting new viewers.
What’s the best move here? I guess just down vote and move on? Report?
Report anything that’s reportable, but this account has been skillful so far in skirting the line. Otherwise downvote, and if you want to go the extra mile, spread awareness of issues with Jill Stein like per this comment as a form of countermeasure. Maybe also include messaging about the general issue of third-party voting
Ideally maybe a pre-written text with sources that can be copy-pasted as a top level comment in threads promoting third parties.
Yeah, it doesn’t seem like there is enough to report, but I hoped maybe I was missing something. It’s not good enough propaganda to influence people aware of it, but it is probably good enough to pick off some easily-misled voters, help radicalize and sow division for others, and avoid obvious rule-breaking.
It might be helped by ChatGPT or another AI LM. It certainly matches an LM’s slightly over-wordy structure, responding to some parts with clearly human direct response, and others in ways just barely responsive but never failing to hit bullets pushing counterproductive voting. Would be nice if OpenAI released their ChatGPT detection tool they’ve been sitting on.
I appreciate the link and suggestion - I hate copy-pasting things, but it may be appropriate here.
Yeah it seems the general idea is pushing the overall message that third-party voting is a valid decision if you’re feeling disillusioned and disenfranchised - something that could easily sway low information voters (however many of them exist on here).
Be careful about accusing them of things though, as they have proved consistent on reporting others over accusations or even the slightest breach of the “civility” rule. I don’t really think “might be using ChatGPT” is a bannable accusation but you never know. I did notice when arguing with them yesterday that this shift between two different writing styles was noticeable.
I think a copypasta PSA is the least effort type of countermeasure available, sadly.
What’s the best move here? I guess just down vote and move on? Report?
There’s not much to report and the community mods haven’t seemed bothered by any of the borderline trolling comments.
They seem pathologically (or programmatically) unable to refrain from replying. Just look at this thread that’s been ongoing for nearly an entire day: https://lemmy.world/comment/11736052
I honestly think downvoting and ignoring is the best route. But we all no people wound be able to refrain. Maybe a “don’t feed the trolls” campaign could help but it’s honestly too easy to get sucked in.
There’s not much to report and the community mods haven’t seemed bothered by any of the borderline trolling comments.
It’s interesting in a way that being overly friendly in a passive aggressive, almost hostile manner seems to be able to skirt around the edges of the civility rule while still being absolutely infuriating - and effective bait.
They seem pathologically (or programmatically) unable to refrain from replying.
I’m starting to think they just really, really like arguing with people on the internet.
I don’t assume this for others or often, but I think this account is actually part of an election influence campaign in favor of Trump.
It’s 4 days old,
This sub is called “politics” which means ALL political articles are welcome, not JUST pro-democrat ones. They have pro-democrat subs here on Lemmy if that’s the only thing you are interested in.
And you assume wrong. Yes, the account is 4 days old. Because I started it 4 days ago. On a weekend. Is there some time period after I state and account that I should wait before I post stuff I in interested in? How long did YOU wait before you made your first pots.
And most of my posts have been to the subs I created and moderate, two of which are Green Party and a Socialist community. Along with several other communities that have nothing to do with politics.
If I were a Trump plan, Lemmy would be the worst place to do it. This platform hates Trump and REALLY hates 3rd parties.
I don’t like Trump. Never have voted for him. Never will. If I wanted to vote for Trump, I would. But I don’t.
I’m voting Green Party because I want to. And just because YOU don’t like it, doesn’t mean my viewpoints are any less valid than yours.
Feel free to disagree. But please don’t accuse me of doing things I am not doing. Thank you.
I’m not mad at all. I’m voting for 3rd party. And I will continue posting 3rd party political articles to this POLITICS community. Even if it makes you mad.
Sure, you said, and these are quotes: “You’re obviously mad. In multiple senses of the word. Hence the endless trolling from a brand new account”
So you implied that I’m mad, which is untrue. And you said I engage in “endless trolling” which is not true. That’s uncivil. Do you think falsely accusing someone is civil?!
I’m not a troll at all.
Dude, I posted a political news article to a political news forum. That’s it. That’s why you are so upset?
Why on earth would that upset you?
I didn’t write the news article. I didn’t create this political news community. If you have a problem with the article, contact the publisher. If you have a problem with the news articles that this sub accepts, contact the mods.
If you don’t like my post, downvote, ignore and move on. Not sure why you are so upset.
I’m allowed to post here. My content fits this community. And I’ll continue to post here. Thank you.
Still trying to pretend that third parties can get anywhere near winning? Still pretending that your vote both counts as a message to say “f you Democrats” but simultaneously doesn’t count as an outcome (trump winning is not my fault)?
And here I am, still here, now 12 days old. And still posting. And I’ve posted articles on Libertarian candidates, who actually bleed votes away from Trump. So exactly how am I trying to influence campaigns in favor of Trump?
I don’t assume this for others or often, but I think this account is actually part of an election influence campaign in favor of Trump.
It’s 4 days old, instantly super active, and you can see the responses are repeating typical 2016 deflections whose only functional effect will be to split the left vote. The OP’s comments are canned bullet points, they don’t sound like legit conversation. Every legitimate concern is instantly deflected and misdirected in a way too calculated to be coincidental. (OP, save yourself the time, I won’t be responding to you - in the 1% chance you are representing yourself in good faith, please listen to all the others already trying to help you.)
So on to the main issue: I can block this user (to prevent spam on my All feed), sure. But the more users who are aware of this who block this user, the more skewed the remaining voting and responses become and the more concentrated the propaganda effect will be on unwitting new viewers.
What’s the best move here? I guess just down vote and move on? Report?
Report anything that’s reportable, but this account has been skillful so far in skirting the line. Otherwise downvote, and if you want to go the extra mile, spread awareness of issues with Jill Stein like per this comment as a form of countermeasure. Maybe also include messaging about the general issue of third-party voting
Ideally maybe a pre-written text with sources that can be copy-pasted as a top level comment in threads promoting third parties.
Yeah, it doesn’t seem like there is enough to report, but I hoped maybe I was missing something. It’s not good enough propaganda to influence people aware of it, but it is probably good enough to pick off some easily-misled voters, help radicalize and sow division for others, and avoid obvious rule-breaking.
It might be helped by ChatGPT or another AI LM. It certainly matches an LM’s slightly over-wordy structure, responding to some parts with clearly human direct response, and others in ways just barely responsive but never failing to hit bullets pushing counterproductive voting. Would be nice if OpenAI released their ChatGPT detection tool they’ve been sitting on.
I appreciate the link and suggestion - I hate copy-pasting things, but it may be appropriate here.
Yeah it seems the general idea is pushing the overall message that third-party voting is a valid decision if you’re feeling disillusioned and disenfranchised - something that could easily sway low information voters (however many of them exist on here).
Be careful about accusing them of things though, as they have proved consistent on reporting others over accusations or even the slightest breach of the “civility” rule. I don’t really think “might be using ChatGPT” is a bannable accusation but you never know. I did notice when arguing with them yesterday that this shift between two different writing styles was noticeable.
I think a copypasta PSA is the least effort type of countermeasure available, sadly.
Oh, for sure. Yes, agreed, weaponizing reporting/banning is a problem, not a solution. I hope the mods catch on if anyone starts trying to misuse it.
There’s not much to report and the community mods haven’t seemed bothered by any of the borderline trolling comments.
They seem pathologically (or programmatically) unable to refrain from replying. Just look at this thread that’s been ongoing for nearly an entire day: https://lemmy.world/comment/11736052
I honestly think downvoting and ignoring is the best route. But we all no people wound be able to refrain. Maybe a “don’t feed the trolls” campaign could help but it’s honestly too easy to get sucked in.
It’s interesting in a way that being overly friendly in a passive aggressive, almost hostile manner seems to be able to skirt around the edges of the civility rule while still being absolutely infuriating - and effective bait.
I’m starting to think they just really, really like arguing with people on the internet.
Because I’m not trolling. And I’m still here, by the way. And still posting relevant political news stories to this political news community.
This sub is called “politics” which means ALL political articles are welcome, not JUST pro-democrat ones. They have pro-democrat subs here on Lemmy if that’s the only thing you are interested in.
And you assume wrong. Yes, the account is 4 days old. Because I started it 4 days ago. On a weekend. Is there some time period after I state and account that I should wait before I post stuff I in interested in? How long did YOU wait before you made your first pots.
And most of my posts have been to the subs I created and moderate, two of which are Green Party and a Socialist community. Along with several other communities that have nothing to do with politics.
If I were a Trump plan, Lemmy would be the worst place to do it. This platform hates Trump and REALLY hates 3rd parties.
I don’t like Trump. Never have voted for him. Never will. If I wanted to vote for Trump, I would. But I don’t.
I’m voting Green Party because I want to. And just because YOU don’t like it, doesn’t mean my viewpoints are any less valid than yours.
Feel free to disagree. But please don’t accuse me of doing things I am not doing. Thank you.
Don’t be mad that someone hit the nail on the head so perfectly. Nothing you have said slightly takes away from the facts they pointed out, comrade.
I’m not mad at all. I’m voting for 3rd party. And I will continue posting 3rd party political articles to this POLITICS community. Even if it makes you mad.
Comrade.
You’re obviously mad. In multiple senses of the word. Hence the endless trolling from a brand new account that all gets heavily downvoted
I’m not mad at all though. And I’m not trolling. Please refrain from baseless claims and keep this conversation civil.
Just because you don’t agree with what I say, doesn’t mean I’m trolling.
And there is no time limit about when we can start posting after we start an account.
Also, I don’t mind downvotes. Democracy thrives on diversity of thought and opinion.
Please state the ways I’ve not been civil. Exact quotes only
Sure, you said, and these are quotes: “You’re obviously mad. In multiple senses of the word. Hence the endless trolling from a brand new account”
So you implied that I’m mad, which is untrue. And you said I engage in “endless trolling” which is not true. That’s uncivil. Do you think falsely accusing someone is civil?!
I’m not a troll at all.
Dude, I posted a political news article to a political news forum. That’s it. That’s why you are so upset?
Why on earth would that upset you?
I didn’t write the news article. I didn’t create this political news community. If you have a problem with the article, contact the publisher. If you have a problem with the news articles that this sub accepts, contact the mods.
If you don’t like my post, downvote, ignore and move on. Not sure why you are so upset.
I’m allowed to post here. My content fits this community. And I’ll continue to post here. Thank you.
Still trying to pretend that third parties can get anywhere near winning? Still pretending that your vote both counts as a message to say “f you Democrats” but simultaneously doesn’t count as an outcome (trump winning is not my fault)?
“Untrue” is not “uncivil” btw
And here I am, still here, now 12 days old. And still posting. And I’ve posted articles on Libertarian candidates, who actually bleed votes away from Trump. So exactly how am I trying to influence campaigns in favor of Trump?