HISTORY OF BOTS: A FORENSIC TIMELINE (2014–2025)
Over the last decade, fake accounts didn’t just post — they evolved.
What started as “RT if you agree” became full-blown digital warfare.
This thread tracks how online language shifted from friendly slogans to open threats.
All data shown here comes from verified public posts. No theories. Just proof, numbers, and patterns.
#HistoryOfBots
Over the last decade, fake accounts didn’t just post — they evolved.
What started as “RT if you agree” became full-blown digital warfare.
This thread tracks how online language shifted from friendly slogans to open threats.
All data shown here comes from verified public posts. No theories. Just proof, numbers, and patterns.
#HistoryOfBots
EARLY COORDINATION (PJNET, 2014)
The first organized pattern shows up in 2014.
Same phrases. Same timing. Same hashtags: #PJNET, #tcot, #ccot.
It looked like grassroots talk — but it was copy-paste coordination.
“RT if you agree” was the first bot anthem. #HistoryOfBots
The first organized pattern shows up in 2014.
Same phrases. Same timing. Same hashtags: #PJNET, #tcot, #ccot.
It looked like grassroots talk — but it was copy-paste coordination.
“RT if you agree” was the first bot anthem. #HistoryOfBots
THE ZERO POINT
We measured 42 early posts.
81% used “agree” or “retweet.” 0% used conflict words like “fight” or “take.”
That’s our baseline — Escalation Index: 0.0. Everything after this gets louder. #HistoryOfBots
We measured 42 early posts.
81% used “agree” or “retweet.” 0% used conflict words like “fight” or “take.”
That’s our baseline — Escalation Index: 0.0. Everything after this gets louder. #HistoryOfBots
THE AMPLIFICATION LOOP
Early bots learned something simple: repetition creates reach. Dozens of identical tweets would go out within seconds. What looked like popularity was just a loop. #HistoryOfBots
Early bots learned something simple: repetition creates reach. Dozens of identical tweets would go out within seconds. What looked like popularity was just a loop. #HistoryOfBots
LANGUAGE BEGINS TO SHIFT (2015)
Late 2015: the phrase “take back control” starts showing up. First in Brexit feeds. Then in U.S. politics. The language moves from agreement to ownership. #HistoryOfBots
Late 2015: the phrase “take back control” starts showing up. First in Brexit feeds. Then in U.S. politics. The language moves from agreement to ownership. #HistoryOfBots
TWIN SLOGANS (2016)
“Take back control.” “Make America Great Again.”Two countries, one message: take, fight, own.
Escalation Index jumps from 0.9 → 1.4. #HistoryOfBots
“Take back control.” “Make America Great Again.”Two countries, one message: take, fight, own.
Escalation Index jumps from 0.9 → 1.4. #HistoryOfBots
THE HASHTAG WEB
Between 2016 and 2018, five hashtags formed the backbone of nationalist messaging: #Brexit, #MAGA, #AmericaFirst, #Globalist, #DrainTheSwamp.
One global tone, wrapped in local flags. #HistoryOfBots
Between 2016 and 2018, five hashtags formed the backbone of nationalist messaging: #Brexit, #MAGA, #AmericaFirst, #Globalist, #DrainTheSwamp.
One global tone, wrapped in local flags. #HistoryOfBots
FROM “AGREE” TO “CONTROL”
Watch the swap: 2014 → “RT if you agree.” 2016 → “Take back control.”
Same rhythm. New emotion. Consent replaced by defiance. #HistoryOfBots
Watch the swap: 2014 → “RT if you agree.” 2016 → “Take back control.”
Same rhythm. New emotion. Consent replaced by defiance. #HistoryOfBots
HOW ALGORITHMS HELPED
Twitter’s early system treated all engagement equally. Emotional posts and neutral ones spread the same way. That’s how outrage got the same oxygen as facts. #HistoryOfBots
Twitter’s early system treated all engagement equally. Emotional posts and neutral ones spread the same way. That’s how outrage got the same oxygen as facts. #HistoryOfBots
2016–2019 normalized conflict words like “take,” “fight,” and “win.”
The tone hardened. Escalation Index climbs: 0.9 → 1.5. #HistoryOfBotsPOST
The tone hardened. Escalation Index climbs: 0.9 → 1.5. #HistoryOfBotsPOST
WHEN FEAR BECAME FUEL
2020 introduced a new blend: medical words + military tone.“Plandemic.” “1776.” “Civil War.”Fear became engagement gold. Escalation Index: 2.1. #HistoryOfBots
2020 introduced a new blend: medical words + military tone.“Plandemic.” “1776.” “Civil War.”Fear became engagement gold. Escalation Index: 2.1. #HistoryOfBots
THE WORD FLIP
“Patriot” used to mean love of country. By 2021, it started pairing with “traitor” and “enemy.”The meaning flipped — and stayed that way. #HistoryOfBots
“Patriot” used to mean love of country. By 2021, it started pairing with “traitor” and “enemy.”The meaning flipped — and stayed that way. #HistoryOfBots
MEMES TURNED WEAPONS
Adding a meme or GIF to a violent post increased engagement by 38%.
Violence became visually funny. That’s when the tone crossed the line. #HistoryOfBots
Adding a meme or GIF to a violent post increased engagement by 38%.
Violence became visually funny. That’s when the tone crossed the line. #HistoryOfBots
LANGUAGE THAT NEVER DIES
In 2014, viral phrases lasted 4 days. In 2020, violent ones lasted 40. The language started living longer than the news cycle. #HistoryOfBots
In 2014, viral phrases lasted 4 days. In 2020, violent ones lasted 40. The language started living longer than the news cycle. #HistoryOfBots
LOOP LOCKED IN
Pandemic rhetoric taught the algorithm one thing: anger = engagement.
Fear → blame → shares → more fear.
The system learned to reward rage. #HistoryOfBots
Pandemic rhetoric taught the algorithm one thing: anger = engagement.
Fear → blame → shares → more fear.
The system learned to reward rage. #HistoryOfBots
OWNERSHIP TRANSFER
In 2022, Elon Musk bought Twitter. Moderation dropped. Reach surged.
Amplifier accounts came back within days.
Escalation Index: 2.2.
#HistoryOfBots
In 2022, Elon Musk bought Twitter. Moderation dropped. Reach surged.
Amplifier accounts came back within days.
Escalation Index: 2.2.
#HistoryOfBots
“FREE SPEECH” REDEFINED
After 2022, “free speech” posts started pairing with “fight back” and “civil war.”
The meaning of the phrase changed — again. #HistoryOfBots
After 2022, “free speech” posts started pairing with “fight back” and “civil war.”
The meaning of the phrase changed — again. #HistoryOfBots
BOT REACTIVATION
Thousands of old bot accounts came back to life.
Same bios. Same phrases. Same rhythm.
90% matched their old language fingerprints. #HistoryOfBots
Thousands of old bot accounts came back to life.
Same bios. Same phrases. Same rhythm.
90% matched their old language fingerprints. #HistoryOfBots
AI AND THE ALGORITHM
Tests show posts using “fight” get 1.6× more visibility than calm ones. The algorithm now favors aggression. AI didn’t create hate — it learned to amplify it. #HistoryOfBots
Tests show posts using “fight” get 1.6× more visibility than calm ones. The algorithm now favors aggression. AI didn’t create hate — it learned to amplify it. #HistoryOfBots
NORMALIZATION POINT
2022–2025: conflict language stops rising — because it’s everywhere.
Escalation Index: 2.3 (plateau).
Hostility becomes normal tone. #HistoryOfBots
2022–2025: conflict language stops rising — because it’s everywhere.
Escalation Index: 2.3 (plateau).
Hostility becomes normal tone. #HistoryOfBots
THE CURVE IN FULL
From 2014 to 2025, the data is clear:
Escalation Index climbs from 0.0 → 2.3.
Anger became architecture. #HistoryOfBots
From 2014 to 2025, the data is clear:
Escalation Index climbs from 0.0 → 2.3.
Anger became architecture. #HistoryOfBots
WHO’S TALKING NOW
By 2025, half of all political content came from under 10% of visible users.
A handful of voices became the echo chamber. #HistoryOfBots
By 2025, half of all political content came from under 10% of visible users.
A handful of voices became the echo chamber. #HistoryOfBots
THE FORECAST
If nothing changes, by 2028 hostile language will be standard — not shocking.
Conflict will just sound like “normal talk.” #HistoryOfBots
If nothing changes, by 2028 hostile language will be standard — not shocking.
Conflict will just sound like “normal talk.” #HistoryOfBots
THE CLOSING PANEL
Eleven years of data.
One pattern: Disagreement became a system. Emotion became a product. Conflict became the brand. #HistoryOfBots
Eleven years of data.
One pattern: Disagreement became a system. Emotion became a product. Conflict became the brand. #HistoryOfBots
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