X : What's the profile of the typical person you block?
Me : Most common? Well, it's [Name][Long list of digits] i.e. Simon5949303020 ... in other words, it's not a person, it's almost certainly a bot. Usually with common images in their "profile" i.e. UK flag / sparta etc
Me : Most common? Well, it's [Name][Long list of digits] i.e. Simon5949303020 ... in other words, it's not a person, it's almost certainly a bot. Usually with common images in their "profile" i.e. UK flag / sparta etc
X : That's now the default behaviour for new signups to Twitter.
Me : I know, but I genuinely find that "real" people tend to change that to something else ... it's always the [name][long numbers] that have common background images and common profile photos and ...
Me : I know, but I genuinely find that "real" people tend to change that to something else ... it's always the [name][long numbers] that have common background images and common profile photos and ...
... common "stereotyping" profiles i.e. "Services Veteran, former rugby player, believes in democracy" (aka man of action) or "Anti-nonsense, mother of two, business owner" (aka mother earth) ... some of the bots are more complex / devious in masking identity.
... however it's fascinating to watch real people get caught up in online group think, surrounded by bots which act to create confirmation bias towards a particular belief. Have a look at hashtag #ScumMedia which appears to be a huge army of bots trapping real people ...
... in mapping terms, the bots help create the idea of collective which shares common behaviours and values. For real people, they appeal to that sense of safety in belonging to a collective. Once seeded, real people take over and the bots seem to play reinforcement roles ... 
... people then become trapped in echo chambers and can even be driven to more extreme views.
There's some really interesting behavioural gameplay in this space.
There's some really interesting behavioural gameplay in this space.
X : Are you talking radicalisation?
Me : The path from complaining about media representation to marching with fascists is paved with "independent thinkers" claiming "immunity" to such influence and "good intentions". These robot farms are fertile hunting grounds.
Me : The path from complaining about media representation to marching with fascists is paved with "independent thinkers" claiming "immunity" to such influence and "good intentions". These robot farms are fertile hunting grounds.
X : I don't get that map.
Me : It's just a self reinforcing loop. You create an artificial collective (with bots) that exhibits certain behaviours, people join because it reinforces their views. They want that sense of belonging / safety. They reinforce the loop and on and on.
Me : It's just a self reinforcing loop. You create an artificial collective (with bots) that exhibits certain behaviours, people join because it reinforces their views. They want that sense of belonging / safety. They reinforce the loop and on and on.
X : You don't think this happens?
Me : Yes. If you look at #ScumMedia hashtag, it's awash with nonsense and fake stories occupying an artificially created collective. It's layers of conspiracy all feeding off each other and attacking the press.
i.e.
Me : Yes. If you look at #ScumMedia hashtag, it's awash with nonsense and fake stories occupying an artificially created collective. It's layers of conspiracy all feeding off each other and attacking the press.
i.e.
It's simple, take someone who thinks the Cummings saga was overblown, they find a bot based "community" that agrees, they follow and get exposed to more radical ideas, they feel empowered when their own radical tweets are liked and before they know it they're radicalised.
