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BDSM Dictionary : Internet sock puppet: history
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This entry is part of the BDSM Dictionary hosted by Informed Consent.
A sock puppet describes an additional account created by an existing member of an Internet community, sometimes to manufacture the illusion of support in a vote or argument. Other reasons include a desire to support or vote on an issue coupled with a desire to have one's "main" account stay away from the issue. This behaviour is sometimes seen as being dishonest by online communities and as a result these individuals are often labeled as trolls.
One type of sock puppet is sometimes referred to as a 'straw man sock
puppet'. They are created by users with one point of view, but act as
though they have an opposing point of view, in order to make that point
of view look bad. They will often make poor arguments which their
'opponents' can then easily refute. This can allow them to essentially
make straw man arguments. Such sock puppets thus become a
personification of the straw man argument which their creators argue
against. They often act unintelligent or uninformed, and/or may behave
in an overtly bigoted manner. The effect is often to obfuscate the
debate and prevent a serious discussion of the arguments from each side.
Suspicion of such sock puppets is often harder to verify though, as
there are often people who naturally behave in such a manner with the
same effects.See Also
(This entry in the BDSM Dictionary incorporates text from the Internet sock puppet article in Wipipedia.)
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