Read on Twitter
The Twitter algorithm was cracked by the mastermind behind the new #Bitcoin thesis, Softwar.
@JasonPLowery was able to psyops others by systemically exploiting how Twitter works.
And he did it not only once, but twice!
In this 🧵, I'll explain.
@JasonPLowery was able to psyops others by systemically exploiting how Twitter works.
And he did it not only once, but twice!
In this 🧵, I'll explain.
Mass Blocking
• Back in Nov 2022, Jason conducted an experiment in mass blocking certain people on Twitter.
• In recent days, it started unintentionally, but he took the opportunity to try the mass blocking experiment again.
And both times, it worked.
• Back in Nov 2022, Jason conducted an experiment in mass blocking certain people on Twitter.
• In recent days, it started unintentionally, but he took the opportunity to try the mass blocking experiment again.
And both times, it worked.
The Experiment
Jason decided to target anyone posting disagreements about Softwar who were:
🔸 Making an ad hominem argument.
🔸 Preachy / virtue signaling that war is bad.
🔸 Using the usual top 3 arguments (defense only, software is not a weapon, 1st amendment is enough.)
Jason decided to target anyone posting disagreements about Softwar who were:
🔸 Making an ad hominem argument.
🔸 Preachy / virtue signaling that war is bad.
🔸 Using the usual top 3 arguments (defense only, software is not a weapon, 1st amendment is enough.)
Network Targeting 🎯
But instead of directly blocking the person who made those assertions, he ‘liked’ the tweet, and blocked those who like and retweet it.
Essentially, he was blocking the people most likely to disagree and dislike him AND were most likely to spread the word.
But instead of directly blocking the person who made those assertions, he ‘liked’ the tweet, and blocked those who like and retweet it.
Essentially, he was blocking the people most likely to disagree and dislike him AND were most likely to spread the word.
Echo Chamber
The blocked people were outraged.
Since they disliked him anyway, they started spreading the word about getting blocked.
Of course, anyone liking or retweeting those posts also got blocked.
It created a vicious cycle.
Jason's name kept coming up in discussions.
The blocked people were outraged.
Since they disliked him anyway, they started spreading the word about getting blocked.
Of course, anyone liking or retweeting those posts also got blocked.
It created a vicious cycle.
Jason's name kept coming up in discussions.
Results (November, 2022)
✅ The continued blocking generated enough controversy and buzz.
✅ The continued blocking generated enough controversy and buzz.
https://twitter.com/1425531375751421952/status/1596881345925746689
Results (April, 2023)
Now, with the Softwar book on Amazon, he could replicate the results from Nov 2022, with actual results.
Book sales doubled 📈.
Although technically this is correlation, not causation, it warrants more experiments down the road.
Now, with the Softwar book on Amazon, he could replicate the results from Nov 2022, with actual results.
Book sales doubled 📈.
Although technically this is correlation, not causation, it warrants more experiments down the road.
https://twitter.com/1425531375751421952/status/1643572861402066949
Jason Explains
In an interview with @MartyBent, Jason explained exactly what he was doing:
• Showcasing how you can use defensive only tactics as an offensive tactic.
• Showing how these types of systemic exploitations happen all the time.
Watch here: twitter.com/i/broadcasts/1…
In an interview with @MartyBent, Jason explained exactly what he was doing:
• Showcasing how you can use defensive only tactics as an offensive tactic.
• Showing how these types of systemic exploitations happen all the time.
Watch here: twitter.com/i/broadcasts/1…
@MartyBent (1) Why Does This Work
Homophily
noun. the tendency for people to seek out or be attracted to those who are similar to themselves.
🪶Birds of a feather flock together.
Homophily
noun. the tendency for people to seek out or be attracted to those who are similar to themselves.
🪶Birds of a feather flock together.
https://twitter.com/1425531375751421952/status/1641466348004864001
(2) Why Does This Work
Streisand effect
Way in which attempts to hide, remove, or censor information can lead to the unintended consequence of increasing awareness of that information.
Sauce: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Streisand…
Streisand effect
Way in which attempts to hide, remove, or censor information can lead to the unintended consequence of increasing awareness of that information.
Sauce: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Streisand…
(3-1) Why Does This Work
In a physical public forum, if you give a radical talk, you see a normal distribution of reactions to your talk.
👍 A few people who really like what you said.
😐 Most people who are indifferent.
👎 A few people who really dislike what you said.
In a physical public forum, if you give a radical talk, you see a normal distribution of reactions to your talk.
👍 A few people who really like what you said.
😐 Most people who are indifferent.
👎 A few people who really dislike what you said.
(3-2) Why Does This Work
But online, with social media, if you post a radical thought, you'll see a J-curve distribution of reactions.
👍 A good chunk of people who really like.
😐 Very little from people who are indifferent.
😡 LOTS from people who really dislike.
But online, with social media, if you post a radical thought, you'll see a J-curve distribution of reactions.
👍 A good chunk of people who really like.
😐 Very little from people who are indifferent.
😡 LOTS from people who really dislike.
(4) Why Does This Work
When bystanders see that there is controversy, they would naturally hear about #Softwar.
When they see the positive reviews on Amazon, they might wonder about the contradiction.
This triggers them to buy and read the book.
When bystanders see that there is controversy, they would naturally hear about #Softwar.
When they see the positive reviews on Amazon, they might wonder about the contradiction.
This triggers them to buy and read the book.
https://twitter.com/1425531375751421952/status/1642652022385025024
The Hype Machine
This phenomenon of how social media disrupts what we perceive and more is discussed in @sinanaral's book, "The Hype Machine," which Jason recommends.
I haven't read it yet, but it's definitely going on my reading list.
This phenomenon of how social media disrupts what we perceive and more is discussed in @sinanaral's book, "The Hype Machine," which Jason recommends.
I haven't read it yet, but it's definitely going on my reading list.
https://twitter.com/214272214/status/1304093038965338113
Massive Scale Surveillance
If Jason can create buzz through controversy like this with a few data points (likes, retweets), and one tool (blocking), imagine what these companies can do with all the data they have.
You are being surveilled and exploited at a massive scale.
If Jason can create buzz through controversy like this with a few data points (likes, retweets), and one tool (blocking), imagine what these companies can do with all the data they have.
You are being surveilled and exploited at a massive scale.
You're a Test Subject
Social media platforms are constantly running A/B experiments on you without you noticing.
They figure out what's causally inferable and how to get a response out of you.
Then, they trigger actual behavior changes from you whenever they want.
Social media platforms are constantly running A/B experiments on you without you noticing.
They figure out what's causally inferable and how to get a response out of you.
Then, they trigger actual behavior changes from you whenever they want.
Bitcoin Fixes This
Software is already being used, not only by governments, but by companies, to systemically exploit you at massive scale.
Bitcoin fixes this, and this is part of what Jason's thesis, #Softwar, dives into.
Software is already being used, not only by governments, but by companies, to systemically exploit you at massive scale.
Bitcoin fixes this, and this is part of what Jason's thesis, #Softwar, dives into.
Summary
Jason engaged in psyops to systemically exploit Twitter's engagement algorithm to fan the flames of his haters.
The controversy resulted in more people getting interested in reading #Softwar.
He proved one of the points in Softwar: software is systemically exploitable.
Jason engaged in psyops to systemically exploit Twitter's engagement algorithm to fan the flames of his haters.
The controversy resulted in more people getting interested in reading #Softwar.
He proved one of the points in Softwar: software is systemically exploitable.
P.S. Trolling is over (for now 😆)
https://twitter.com/1425531375751421952/status/1643799546302963712
That's a wrap!
If you enjoyed this thread:
1. Follow me @builtbymartink for more of these
2. RT the tweet below to share this thread with your audience
If you enjoyed this thread:
1. Follow me @builtbymartink for more of these
2. RT the tweet below to share this thread with your audience
https://twitter.com/1595257013155631105/status/1643951741568786433
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