patrick.net

Probably not bots...that's usually pretty obvious/transparent because the content of the message is typically fairly generic and doesn't mesh with the thread..

real live people "participating" in the threads? probably some of that...but again, probably fairly transparent and not likely to go unchallenged. my two cents.

I've noticed one of the NAR-bots just today, on this post:

http://patrick.net/?p=616071

Someone seems to have made a tragically bad purchase, but the NAR-bot named rocket.head just keeps sounding exactly like a Realtor(R) about it.

Sounds like the "probots" from Star Wars (Empire).

@Patrick

What will you do about them? I would rather like to see them identified so we can learn what they are like rather than blocked altogether (unless they get out of hand!)

I don't plan to do anything about them, because they're not attacking anyone personally or spamming. Well, I guess they are spamming in a subtle way.

Maybe they're good for pointing out how misleading and harmful realtors really are.

Maybe they’re good for pointing out how misleading and harmful realtors really are.

Yes your right about that!

(another duplicate post because I hit return or something while editing)

CrazyMan says

Unfortunately it’s also painfully obvious the conclusions he draws from said data are incorrect.

So how does this make him a smart guy? I just don't see it. Having correct data and drawing wrong conclusions seems anything but smart to me.

Hey may be *clever* with his propaganda, but being smart implies (to me) that you are being truthful and honest, and that you WANT the truth.

shrekgrinch says

? being smart implies (to you) that you are being truthful and honest?

Being smart ABOUT DATA means seeing what the data says, and not what you wish the data to say.

Is that a better way of phrasing it?

justme says

shrekgrinch says

? being smart implies (to you) that you are being truthful and honest?

Being smart ABOUT DATA means seeing what the data says, and not what you wish the data to say.
Is that a better way of phrasing it?

But disagreeing with you doesn't make him wrong you know. I'll take his predictions over yours any day. Since 2008, he's been a LOT closer to the truth than you.

CrazyMan says

I think he lets his current financial situation and experience cloud his judgment, as do most people vested heavily in a particular item or idea. Granted, you might perceive that as “dumb” but I honestly don’t. He’s simply letting his personal experience overrule his logical perception of the data at hand. IE: his emotions are getting the best of him.

Greed is a blinding emotion.

sybrib says

blogs are for entertainment.

Hell no. Patrick.net is not for entertainment. Not for me. It is about serious topics, matters that deeply affect the lives of 100s of millions of ordinary people in this country. THAT is what patrick.net is about.

If we manage to have a little light-hearted amusement along the way, that's great. But it is not the purpose of a blog like this.

For me 3/4 is learning from the more knowledgable posters and 1/4 for a good laugh.

Mr.Fantastic says

Something tells me you aren’t fun at parties.

You'd be surprised.

If someone is very wrong about a serious topic on a serious blog, I suppose they can always pretend that it was all a big joke. But that does not fool me and should not fool anyone.

"Realtors (TM) -- We're fun at parties (TM)"

I think I got the slogan slightly wrong. It should have been

“Realtors (TM) — We wreck people's lives, BUT we’re fun at parties (TM)”

Thanks - it was a takeoff on something Nomo said when I was slammed by one of the bobsey triplets.

bots not only put up silly crap, but they also often misspell the crap.