Ann: Metal Storm, DSTO and Airtronic USA, Inc. Si, page-36

re: Ann: Metal Storm, DSTO and Airtronic USA,... I found this on SS, it was posted by hoaky yesterday, it is really quite disturbing as to what lengths the US will stoop to to try and manipulate what others think, don't be fooled by them.

Attack of the sock puppets, and these will be more sophisticated than the yoyo ones

The PR industry must condemn massive, automated sock-puppetry

The use of software to automate the deployment of armies of fake social media accounts is, to me, the most disturbing trend in the social space. It?s disturbing on its face but even moreso because public affairs organizations are among the most likely to supply these services.

There?s nothing new about sockpuppets, the term used to define an identity used to bamboozle people online. These could be completely fake identities, although the term is also applied to real people who get paid to post disingenuous reviews and ratings of products and services.

http://blog.holtz.com/index.php/weblog/com..._sock-puppetry/

U.S. Military Launches Spy Operation Using Fake Online Identities

The U.S. Military has purchased software designed to create and control false online personas in an attempt to use social media and other websites to counter anti-U.S. messaging. According to the contract between US Central Command (Centcom) and California company Ntrepid, the software would let each user control 10 personas, each "replete with background, history, supporting details, and cyber presences that are technically, culturally and geographically consistent."

"These false online personas, also known as "sock puppets," would be equipped to seem like real people while entering online discussion through blogs, tweets, chats, and more. With a false persona, a user could discredit opponents, or create the semblance of consensus."

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/social/FogBe...3_81054691.html

Removing Sock Puppet Personas From Your Social Media Strategy

duplication of comments is a possible sign of sock puppet action.

http://pr.typepad.com/pr_communications/20...a-strategy.html

UPDATED: The HB Gary Email That Should Concern Us All

I don't know about you, but this concerns me greatly. It goes far beyond the mere ability for a government stooge, corporation or PR firm to hire people to post on sites like this one. They are talking about creating the illusion of consensus. And consensus is a powerful persuader. What has more effect, one guy saying BP is not at fault? Or 20 people saying it? For the weak minded, the number can make all the difference.

How many times have you seen a diary get posted that reports some revelatory yet unfavorable tidbit about someone only to see a swarm of commenters arrive who hijack the thread, distract with a bunch of irrelevant nonsense, start throwing unsubstantiated accusations and ad hominem attacks to where before you know it, everyone's pretty much forgotten what the diary said in the first place.

http://www.dailykos.com/story/2011/02/16/9...-Concern-Us-All