[Solomon]

Recently listened to this edition of 'Background Briefing" on ABC.
You can find a transcript of the show here.LINK LINK LINK
A little taste of what its about.

Quote

The internet is awash with misinformation, manipulated identities, fake reviews, and dishonest comments. Politicians use astroturfing. So do businesses and marketing firms. Beware—it's infecting everyone. Reporter Hagar Cohen

[staringclown]

Quote

The internet is awash with misinformation, manipulated identities, fake reviews, and dishonest comments. Politicians use astroturfing. So do businesses and marketing firms. Beware—it's infecting everyone.

Just like real life then. Fortunately most astroturfing is relatively easy to spot. Like that grass roots "smokers rights" campaign run by big tobacco. Look at all of the spam users that try to sign up here.

Could we ever trust the web?

[Ruffian]

'The golden era of the internet was last year.'

Whatev. Astroturfing has always been with us, it's just been updated along with the technology.

[Solomon]

staringclown, on 07 January 2012 - 12:40 AM, said:

Could we ever trust the web?

I've never thought so.
That's why we have "snopes".
I just think a whole large portion of our society have now discovered how easy it is to manipulate information.
Including our blessed politicians.