However, as you imply, these sockpuppets are easy to recognize and are not taken seriously, because they don't make sense. Sheer volume can't make up for that. In other words: I don't believe they are capable of succesfully pulling it off. Responding sensibly in a conversation requires skills far above those of Watson, Deep Blue and the latest and greatest incarnation of Elisa.
Examples: YouTube, any random news site, most blogs, deviantArt
Real life tends to be this way. I have avoided a number of political discussions lately because it's obvious the people around me have no clue what they are talking about but they completely sure that they are right and that anyone that disagrees is wrong.
> Sounds to me like you're completely sure of your own correctness and of their wrongness.
Yeah, it's kind of heard to make claims like that without sounding like a hypocrite. I love logic and philosophy and a good debate or political discussion. This issue I have is a number of people I run across consistently refuse make more than emotional statements or parroting phrases from their selected media source.
If you can't have a logical debate it's pointless to bother talking.
> If you can't have a logical debate it's pointless to bother talking.
Well, there's a huge gap between conversations and debates, and you can have one without the other. Even on the internet.
And, much as it goes against your love of logic, if you ever wish to change someone's mind or beliefs, conversing with them is the way to go -- not debating.
