Sock Puppetry

Vitolo

Vitolo

Vaporist
YOU ARE ENTERING A SOCK PUPPET FREE ZONE
sock-puppet.jpg
Simple Definition:
An account made on an internet message board, by a person who already has an account, for the purpose of posting more-or-less anonymously. (One can have a friend do it for them also)


Implications:
Anonymity in posting is only the surface.
A sockpuppet is an online identity used for purposes of deception.

The term, a reference to the manipulation of a simple hand puppet made from a sock, originally referred to a false identity assumed by a member of an Internet community who spoke to, or about, themselves while pretending to be another person.
The term now includes other misleading uses of online identities, such as:
those created to praise, defend or support a person or organization, or their viewpoint.
It is also used to circumvent a suspension or ban from a website.
There's a significant difference between the use of a pseudonym and the creation of a sockpuppet.
A pseudonym does not pretend to be a whole new entity.
The sockpuppet poses as an independent third-party unaffiliated with the puppeteer.
Many online communities attempt to block sockpuppets.

I know I did.
I recently closed the patient forum of Vapor Trail... I did so to protect members from having posts read, during this time, when I as creator of the forum was having issues with the Arizona Counter Narcotics Alliance. Protect the innocent if you will.....
BUT when the forum was active.. from the day of it's inception, the very first section was entitled "Ethical Behavior in a Closed Community"
It spoke of trust and truth, and of deception and of lies.
It explained that there is no room for the latter.
I flat out forbade the use of Sock Puppets... NO second accounts from the same IP.
Couples contacted me if they wanted a second account from an IP.
I hate lies and liars.

A bit of background.
Prior to making a Vapor Trail Patient forum, I was made co-owner of another forum here locally.
It turned out the Originator of the forum was flattering me, and wanted me there for my name and reputation in the medical community.
I was being used.
Worse....
I found out since I had all the IP data, that the Originator of the forum had 15 accounts!
One for him (we will call him "Admin")..
One for his wife...
One for his son...
...and 12 sock puppets.
They would argue with one another, in effort to boost the guys posts.
They would get together and 5 or 6 of the "sock puppets" would gang up on anyone that did not agree with Admin's posts. THEN...."Admin" would come back innocently and he then would tearfully thank his community for coming to his defense!:rofl:
Once he had 7 of his Sock Puppets praise his grow skills back and forth, after which he came in blushingly to say "Aw shucks guys... you're embarrassing me!"
I quit being affiliated with that forum... but was careful to delete ALL posts I made, and remove any of my images, before I jumped ship!

I could not knowingly live under the same forum housing such a liar.

sockpuppets.jpg

"That Vitolo is a hunk!"
"Oh.. I agree!"​
Why would I come to FC today to make a post like this?
If you do not know and are wondering, then good for you.
If you are turning red and sweating now... EVEN BETTER!

It has come to my attention that some folks that I felt a trust for here at FC have been dabbling in the dark arts of deception and in sock puppetry.
No names...
No fingers pointed.
Just a heart felt "Shame on you".
It does not matter which reason was chosen to pretend to be a whole new person.
None of the reasons are good.
Nuff Sed.
 
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lwien

lwien

Well-Known Member
For some odd reason the very first thing that came to mind when I saw the title of this thread was................................WHITE FANG !!

Behold............WHITE FANG (I can't believe this clip still makes me laugh...) !!!


(hhmmmmm................maybe this belongs in the Pets and Animals Thread, eh, along with Bennie and Cecil and Lamb Chop.)
 
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Vitolo

Vitolo

Vaporist
Breathemetal said:
I am thoroughly confused
Click to expand...
No reason to be confused.
I made a post and then was not sure if it would be taken in the spirit in which it was posted.
The post was about revelation I had concerning poor forum etiquette.
I became more confident and I spoke my mind.
This "thread" is about a practice that is widely used by people that I in past encounters, believed to have more sense.
In people that on the outside display solid strong moral integrity, the use of this "practice" uncovers a very disturbing side of human nature.
It is a side of the person that resorts to this deviance that uncovers a person that can be one person in the face of the public, and friends.... but when wearing the "mask" can live in a separate reality, of self serving depravity and of lesser conscience.
This is the person that reveals himself to few, and is not TOTALLY intimate with even their partner... therefore not even with themselves.
My apologies for the force of this post, but my experiences with those that use "alts" has led me to a jaundiced view of the inner makeup of habitual "sock puppeteers".
Sorry if I have hurt feelings here.
I still love all of you.
 
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lwien

lwien

Well-Known Member
Vitolo said:
It has come to my attention that some folks that I felt a trust for here at FC have been dabbling in the dark arts of deception and in sock puppetry.
No names...
No fingers pointed.
Click to expand...

Ya know, I know it would be totally against forum rules but to me, jerks like that deserve to be called out..............by name. If they choose to play that game, than I say................let's play.
 
J

Joel W.

Deplorable Basement Dweller
Accessory Maker
Modified movie quote!

"I know I'm human. And if you were all these sockpuppets, then you'd just attack me right now, so some of you are still human. This sockpuppet doesn't want to show itself, it wants to hide inside an imitation. It'll fight if it has to, but it's vulnerable out in the open. If it takes us over, then it has no more enemies, nobody left to kill it. And then it's won."

21,554 suspects...:whoa:
 
pakalolo

pakalolo

Toolbag v1.1 (candidate)
Staff member
h3rbalist said:
That's despicable.

These people must be named and shamed.
Click to expand...

Everyone should be aware that when we suspect shills or sock-puppets, we investigate carefully to make sure that there's no mistake. This can take time. Also, no one should publicly name anyone. If you suspect someone, report it but under no circumstances post the accusation! You will get a warning point regardless of the truth.
 
Vitolo

Vitolo

Vaporist
pakalolo said:
no one should publicly name anyone.......
under no circumstances post the accusation!
Click to expand...
Big amen to that!
Remember you (me... each of us), are only human, and subject to reading things through emotions.
Even in the case of exact IP addresses being used, sometimes there is a reason.
BUT a sock puppeteer would not be above blaming an imaginary son or cousin for fucking with their computer out of their knowledge.
Forum staff knows what to look for once "tips" are received.
Public "outing", has repercussions.
And if incorrect can ruin situations better left alone.
 
h3rbalist

h3rbalist

I used to do drugs. I still do, but I used to, too
Vitolo said:
Big amen to that!
Remember you (me... each of us), are only human, and subject to reading things through emotions.
Even in the case of exact IP addresses being used, sometimes there is a reason.
BUT a sock puppeteer would not be above blaming an imaginary son or cousin for fucking with their computer out of their knowledge.
Forum staff knows what to look for once "tips" are received.
Public "outing", has repercussions.
And if incorrect can ruin situations better left alone.
Click to expand...

Fair enough. I get that.

What if the puppeteer is a manufacturer or retailer deceiving us regarding one of their products?

I think we have the right to know.
 
momofthegoons

momofthegoons

vapor accessory addict
Okay... in response to the last two posts, paka was doing 'damage control' and making sure that nothing was said prior to this post.

The Inhalater thread came to our attention recently when a report was made regarding some arguing. At that time, we started doing some digging and are appalled at what we have uncovered; the worst case of sock puppetry and shilling in the history of this forum.

In addition to joining under several names, Inhalator posted as TransHumanC; an account that was used to deliberately mislead membership here. Inhalator used this account to make it seem as if this vape had no issues and to disagree with anyone who thought differently.

Inhalater has avoided his forum responsibilities by not posting since March (except with the TransHumanC shill account and posts today that did not address the problems). We have banned vape manufacturers in the past for coming here and shilling and this case is much worse. Inhalater, in his TransHumanC name, has come on here and pretended to be a satisfied customer and an “official tester” and tried to put smoke and mirrors around the issues at hand.

We've heard second hand information on complaints from some resellers, including one confirmed list of issues from a very reputable dealer who will no longer do business with Inhalater.

Based on this information, he is not welcome here on the forum, and we have banned Inhalater.

We're leaving one Inhalater thread up for those who own one of these models, but FC forum staff does not recommend purchasing from this company. There are other quality alternatives from companies that do business in an honest and honorable manner.
 
Vitolo

Vitolo

Vaporist
And what a shame this is, too.
I love using my Inhalaters.
pakalolo said:
Just one more caution: the announcement shouldn't be seen as an invitation to pile on.
Click to expand...
... and if I may be so bold...
This thread is not about Inhalater or alternate characters that he specifically used, although there was revelation in this thread.
This thread is a general poke at Sock Puppetry, and a place for those that are exposed to it to laughingly pass on tales of such antics.
 
ragnorak71

ragnorak71

Well-Known Member
I have to admit this is all new stuff for me, the concept has never even entered my head. I suppose that is a happy by blow of being sure I am right, I don't need back up lol

but seriously, I would hate to consider such an act for posters I read an d enjoy and most deffo learn from on here. Many thanks to Vitolo for bringing it to public attention, always teaching I see

but as has been said, they now who they are and a big 'tsk' sits above them, to the rest of you all the love people, all of it
 
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