Conspiracy Theory

[Petra]

I have just now come up with a new conspiracy theory. I feel so proud. And a tad paranoid.

Anyway, what do you think the chances are of "agents of the US government" (not, like, CIA or anyone - just lesser employees at state level, say) prowling discussion boards and getting some, shall we say "sensitive", topics closed down by trolling?

This (http://www.iidb.org/vbb/showthread.php?p=1713167#post1713167) is the kind of thing I'm talking about. Do you think some of these guys are right-wing nutjobs, or Republican shills trying to shut down discussions of issues that are 'dangerous' to them?

The internet can be a powerful place, and much information that would generally not reach too many people becomes widespread via the web. Discussion of the information keeps the topic front-of-mind, keeps it near the top of the first page in the forum index, and is thus doubly dangerous to those who are negatively affected by greater public awareness.

Do you think I'm on to something, or do you think I just need to get more sleep?

Things that make you go "hmmmm".

[livius drusus]

Well, so far I have to say I'm leaning towards the sleep theory. ;) Not that it's so outlandish that there might be a sort of internet propaganda corps, I just doubt that they would break it down into individual trolls of comparatively insignificant boards.

Barkhorn seems more like your run of the miller Freeper tool than a sly undercover operative. They're a dime a dozen on the web; they just don't tend to hang around long at places like II.

[viscousmemories]

I have just now come up with a new conspiracy theory. I feel so proud. And a tad paranoid.

Anyway, what do you think the chances are of "agents of the US government" (not, like, CIA or anyone - just lesser employees at state level, say) prowling discussion boards and getting some, shall we say "sensitive", topics closed down by trolling?
I wouldn't be surprised, but I doubt they'd be acting under orders. More likely they'd take it upon themselves. I don't imagine little people are ever directly involved in conspiracies since they'd be too easy to flip.

This (http://www.iidb.org/vbb/showthread.php?p=1713167#post1713167) is the kind of thing I'm talking about. Do you think some of these guys are right-wing nutjobs, or Republican shills trying to shut down discussions of issues that are 'dangerous' to them?
Hmm. Good question. That Mediancat guy does seem kinda fascist. :D

The internet can be a powerful place, and much information that would generally not reach too many people becomes widespread via the web. Discussion of the information keeps the topic front-of-mind, keeps it near the top of the first page in the forum index, and is thus doubly dangerous to those who are negatively affected by greater public awareness.
But I'm with livius on this. They likely care very much what's on the front page of CNN.com, etc. but I doubt they care so much about little sites.

Do you think I'm on to something, or do you think I just need to get more sleep?
Probably more of the latter. :yup:

Things that make you go "hmmmm".
You been watchin' that flashback to the '90's thing on VH1? :P

[Hugo Holbling]

Anyway, what do you think the chances are of "agents of the US government" (not, like, CIA or anyone - just lesser employees at state level, say) prowling discussion boards and getting some, shall we say "sensitive", topics closed down by trolling?

I collect conspiracy theories and like to read stories about them to others. Even so, i think the best way to evaluate this one is to put yourself in the position of these people and ask if you would bother with this kind of thing? Perhaps a few might do, but would it be done in an organised fashion? What would they have to gain? In any case, unless there was a specific decision to do this at a higher level (i.e. not just clowning around on the part of a few individuals), it wouldn't be a conspiracy.

On a more important matter, should i suspect a conspiracy when a Kiwi living within sight of Waikato stadium claims to not be interested in rugby? :yup:

[Petra]

Aftah a good nighth thweep, my bwain no longah thinkth thith ith twue.

But I did dweam that electwodeth wuah placed on my lobeth. Fuah thome weathon I can't thtop twitching and twembling, and my tongue feelth a bit big in my mouth. One eah appeath to have been wemoved, but pahhapth I'm jutht not fully awake yet.

.
.
.
Whath'at? Thereth thomething out theah....

:ufo:

[Ronin]

I have just now come up with a new conspiracy theory. I feel so proud. And a tad paranoid.

Anyway, what do you think the chances are of "agents of the US government" (not, like, CIA or anyone - just lesser employees at state level, say) prowling discussion boards and getting some, shall we say "sensitive", topics closed down by trolling?

This (http://www.iidb.org/vbb/showthread.php?p=1713167#post1713167) is the kind of thing I'm talking about. Do you think some of these guys are right-wing nutjobs, or Republican shills trying to shut down discussions of issues that are 'dangerous' to them?

The internet can be a powerful place, and much information that would generally not reach too many people becomes widespread via the web. Discussion of the information keeps the topic front-of-mind, keeps it near the top of the first page in the forum index, and is thus doubly dangerous to those who are negatively affected by greater public awareness.

Do you think I'm on to something, or do you think I just need to get more sleep?

Things that make you go "hmmmm".


Hmmmm.

*drops everything to frantically check interoffice newletters*

[dave_a]

I have just now come up with a new conspiracy theory. I feel so proud. And a tad paranoid.

you should feel proud, and I can sense the paranoia :wink:

Anyway, what do you think the chances are of "agents of the US government" (not, like, CIA or anyone - just lesser employees at state level, say) prowling discussion boards and getting some, shall we say "sensitive", topics closed down by trolling?

Slim. It's not that I don't think some internet spots aren't monitored at times, but it's beyond the resources of the government to actively monitor all the various web forums and derail whatever they don't like.

This (http://www.iidb.org/vbb/showthread.php?p=1713167#post1713167) is the kind of thing I'm talking about. Do you think some of these guys are right-wing nutjobs, or Republican shills trying to shut down discussions of issues that are 'dangerous' to them?


I looked for about 20 seconds and have reached my conclusions. The poli forum at IIDB drives me nuts and I can understand the poster's reaction you are referring to. The board is filled with "left wing nuts" :D

To a person who isn't as left leaning as the majority of regular posters there are the poli forum is *not* user friendly and I have had a hard time not getting nasty with some there which is why I only go there sporadically. I have never encountered a more left leaning poli forum. It isn't to the left in terms of US politics, it is to the left in terms of world politics. In my view if you intend to vote for Bush you are a right winger. If you intend to vote for Kerry you are a left winger. If you intend to vote for neither you are a moderate ;-)

Do you think I'm on to something, or do you think I just need to get more sleep?

Things that make you go "hmmmm".

Well you might be on to something, but in the meantime I suggest some sleep :innocent:

[JoeP]

I collect conspiracy theories and like to read stories about them to others. Even so, i think the best way to evaluate this one is to put yourself in the position of these people and ask if you would bother with this kind of thing? Perhaps a few might do, but would it be done in an organised fashion? What would they have to gain? In any case, unless there was a specific decision to do this at a higher level (i.e. not just clowning around on the part of a few individuals), it wouldn't be a conspiracy.

(Hmm - why aren't quotes in the quoted post quoted in the quoted text above when I click "QUOTE"?)

Luna - you're probably onto something. I agree with Hugo that it's unlikely to be organised - in a traditional way.

But I suspect the government are learning from al-Qaeda. There's a covert operation at the top (let's say Donald Rumsfeld) spreading the idea of a God-given need to suppress dissent to the US government to a network of intermediate levels. There is no direct chain of command and control. But filtered through a few levels, all that's left is the "shut down discussions hostile to the great American way" meme, and each "cell" operates autonomously with its own techniques. Like this it's easy for low-level people to conduct board-terror actions and think they're part of the big picture.

joe