cross-posted from: https://beehaw.org/post/25192458
Ideally, the U.S. public is supposed to be able to comment on government policy proceedings, and the government is supposed to listen to that input.
Of course, it doesn’t really work that way: For years we’ve noted how U.S. regulatory comment proceedings are full of bots and fake comments from industries trying to game regulators, and make shitty policy (giant mergers, mindless deregulation, the elimination of consumer protection) seem like it has broad public support (remember when dead people opposed net neutrality?).
Unsurprisingly the U.S. hasn’t done anything to seriously rein in this problem. And when officials do act, it tends to be largely toothless, resulting in the problem getting steadily worse.
And that was before AI made it significantly easier for bad actors to quickly automate this sort of gamesmanship. Washington State has been exploring the RADICAL SOCIALIST ANTIFA EXTREMIST idea of having the state’s rich actually pay their taxes. That’s not been received particularly well by the extraction class, which has been making empty promises about leaving the state.
We later get this tidbit:
“More than 60,000 people signed in against SB 6346 when it received a rushed hearing in the Senate,” Sen. John Braun, R-Centralia, said in a Feb. 16 statement. “That is so impressive that Democrats have tried to say bots are responsible, even though the Legislature blocks bots.”
Centralia? That’s the equivalent of flyover country along I-5. (I have driven through Centralia numerous times but never found any reason to stop … it’s basically Chehalis.)
I generally do actually. But bots have been used to cheat since before AI so that’s not really new.
I said as much in the first comment. Did you not read?
I read you not caring about bots being used to make fake comments bro, fucking shit, I called you on it, do better.
I literally said that. You clearly didn’t read what you think you read.
Do better.
Your bullshit clearly stated you don’t mind, less than halfway in to your diatribe. Sorry bro, fuck AI, there is no “good use” of it, and you clearly were defending it to a degree. Stop it.
What part of “I don’t approve” do you not fucking understand?
The fact that I “think it’s interesting” that the bots brought attention to the fact that the amendments were not included in the legislation that passed is not a statement of approval.
Do you need help with the English language?
Edit: Looking at this person’s comments they seem like a troll.