"Freeping" Polls, "Undugging" Dig, Rigged Elections

[Beetwasher]

There is a certain mindset that thinks it's perfectly ok to rig and game systems so that a certain group can SEEM to be larger and louder than it is, or to make it seem that their viewpoint is more popular than it is.

The Right has done this type of thing time and again. They organized swarms to "freep" polls and now we find out they organized similar swarms to game the Dig site:

http://www.dailykos.com/story/2010/8/5/890710/-Daily-Kos-UnDugg-by-Digg,-Massive-Fraud-UPDATE

Just wondering what people think of these types of operations to "game" these systems to make it look like one's point of view is more popular than it really is?

[OneTenthofOnePercent]

1. And you don't see a dozen "DU TH1S POL!!1!!" threads here everyday??

The pendulum swings both ways. It even happens here. Attempting to portray greater numbers that there actually is (gaming the system) isn't reserved only for conservatives. Progressives do it quite a bit too. In the end its probably a wash and everything balances out.

[Beetwasher]

3. DU'ing Threads Was Actually A Reaction To The "Freeping"

That started first, I believe. They may or may not make a difference and I'm not judging it anyway. Just wondering how people feel about the practice of gaming systems. It seems you're ok with it. Got it.

[NoNothing]

2. We do it too of course

And as long as no fraud is taking place (e.g., using sock puppet accounts or circumventing anti-cheating measures) I think it's legitimate politics.

[Beetwasher]

4. Yeah, But I Believe We Did It As A Reaction

It's called "Freeping" because the practice started with FR. Now, that they started it may or may not make a difference. I'm not judging the practice, merely wondering how other people feel about the practice.

[NoNothing]

5. The essence of politics

Is organizing coalitions of people to make a bigger impact than the same people would individually. So, I see nothing inherently wrong with it, so long as the rules are followed.

[Beetwasher]

6. "so long as the rules are followed."

Rigging and gaming implies the rules are not being followed. Did you read the Kos story?

"A group of influential conservative members of the behemoth social media site Digg.com have just been caught red-handed in a widespread campaign of censorship, having multiple accounts, upvote padding, and deliberately trying to ban progressives. An undercover investigation has exposed this effort, which has been in action for more than one year."

[KharmaTrain]

7. And Digg Matters How??

Sounds like yet another internet circle jerk. Dare I say it's like those who jump up and down about recs and unrecs here. If there's a big story out there, it spreads like horseshit out here..."recommendation sites" and the like are a waste of time.