It’s infuriating that you are so wrong or, pardon the suggestion, so thick.
Wikipedia, as other sources, will inform you:
"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 himself while pretending to be another person. The term now includes other uses of misleading online identities, such as those created to praise, defend or support a third party or organization. A significant difference between the use of a pseudonym and the creation of a sockpuppet is that the sockpuppet poses as an independent third-party unaffiliated with the puppeteer."
Several examples are given of “sock puppetry” that you may find illuminating. This is one of the best:
"Between 2000 and 2003, John Lott, author of More Guns, Less Crime, made numerous posts under the sockpuppet name 'Mary Rosh.' 'Rosh' praised Lott's views and disputed with his critics on Usenet, posting laudatory reviews of Lott's books and panning those of his rivals. Lott admitted he had used the name 'Mary Rosh' to defend himself but claimed the book reviews were written by his son and wife."
Yes, someone posing on the TA Facebook page under an assumed tenant identity to support co-op conversion, while in reality working for Guterman, is a “sock puppet,” but clearly “Lamont Cranston” was never a “sock puppet.” The name was a pseudonym (just as is “Stuy Town Reporter”), and an obvious one at that. The avatar used was a drawing of “The Shadow,” the crime-fighter alias of the fictitious “Lamont Cranston.” If the moderators are unknowledgable enough to assume--for the many, many months that “Lamont Cranston” posted on the TA's Facebook (without a word of warning or recrimination from the mods)--that “Lamont Cranston” and “The Shadow” were real, then their intelligence is highly suspect and bewildering. Seriously. Can you guys be that dumb? Or is it pettiness that is driving your mental wheels this week?
As to the TA’s generosity in retaining links to the STR blog on their little-seen resource page, please don’t do me any favors, as I won’t do you any. We parted company today, at your instigation.
* * *
Lamont Cranston, aka The Shadow, was able to post freely on the TA's Facebook, under the same rules that now have him banned. So one can deduce that for many months the moderators of the TA Facebook page assumed that Lamont Cranston, with his The Shadow avatar (see below), was a real person and a graduate of a secret Tibetan university, where he learned to cloud men's minds.
So beautiful. So perfect. So how come it took them so long to figure out that "Lamon" was not a real person?!?
ReplyDeleteEasy. They are idiots. And they want to be on a Condo board. I don't think so! No condo for you!
I will miss Lamont. He was a standup guy. And we are running short of them right about now.
Wasn't this the same crew that was running the TA message board that fell apart due to the petulance of the moderators?
ReplyDeleteI believe it was. Or at least one of the current Facebook mods was in charge.
ReplyDeleteThese guys really have little clue as to how they are damaging the TA. But, whatever.
Sorry, but I don't see why you are so up in arms STR and I am surprised at the lengths to which you are taking this.
ReplyDeleteThe TA wants people to use their REAL names, not an alias or sock puppet name of whatever you want to call it. They are allowed to set the rules for their Facebook page, just like you do for your blog. Why is that so hard for you to understand and accept???
Happy Birthday America. Happy July 4. I am an immigrant to this country (38 years) and a Citizen and I love this country so much. The freedom of speech is one of the most beautiful things about it. God Bless America!
ReplyDeleteI think STR is right. A tenants' association is supposed to enable conversation if it's to be truly representative, not restrict it. What's is question here is if this TA is truly representative.
ReplyDelete>>The TA wants people to use their REAL names, not an alias or sock puppet name of whatever you want to call it. They are allowed to set the rules for their Facebook page, just like you do for your blog. Why is that so hard for you to understand and accept???<<
ReplyDeleteThen why did the TA accept my application for membership when I used "Lamont Cranston" and "The Shadow" as my avatar? And if they made a mistake in doing so, many months ago, and did indeed think I had the power to cloud men's minds, why didn't they notify me that unless I changed my "name," I would not be able to post? Why stupidly call me a "sock puppet," when using an alias on the internet is NOT "sock puppetry"? Why? Why? Why?
Well, at this point I don't care, and tomorrow is a brand new day.
Management must be delighted with this turn of events.
ReplyDeleteNo doubt.
ReplyDeleteTomorrow may be a new day but this evening is still at hand. As I walked around the oval this evening at 9pm as PS was escorting out the last of the Loisaidas, I had to pause. Not to reflect but because the guard leaned over the fence to chuck a Heineken mini-keg into the trash.
ReplyDeleteUndoubtedly consumed by residents and their guests.
It's only just begun.
The TA are a bunch of dunderheads, who indeed were oblivious to the MANY pseudonymous postings on their FB page, this despite their extreme familiarity with the environment of suspicion and retribution that ST/PCV tenants have lived with for over half a century.
ReplyDeleteBut, they do have the right per Facebook AUP to demand real names. That's exactly the reason that I never posted anything there under my real name (I might have made some pseudonymous posts, but who remembers). I lost faith with the TA long ago, after attending 4 meetings that were all the same dog and pony show, and seeing no results.
BTW, it's so easy to get around their moderation, it's laughable, but why bother.
I often look at the TA Facebook page and I don't see any post by Lamont that is offensive. Why is the TA so paranoid? There is nothing wrong with using an alias on Facebook. It is allowed and it protects privacy (nobody wants to be stalked). If Lamont had posted something offensive I could understand the TA banning him, but I don't think he ever did. What is the matter with these people? I don't think I would feel comfortable with that crew being the "powers-that-be" on a Condo or Co-op board. Too much paranoia and too much secrecy and nastiness.
ReplyDeleteSTR, the capcha thing is getting ridiculous. Most of the time it is just undecipherable and non-readable.
ReplyDeleteI agree about the capchas, but that's the Blogger format now. Try to refresh until you get to something readable.
ReplyDeleteI think I've been snagged by the capchas before. Today, even.
ReplyDeleteI don't think there was anything even remotely controversial about my post but it never made it to the blog. I do my best with those things but they are so darn hard to read sometimes. I thought I had it but I guess I didn't.
STR, do you get a chance to see the post even if we screw up on the capcha?
I think the TA is starting to come apart at the seams. Censorship, fear of anonymous posts, making decisions without consulting tenants then expecting people to follow them. Really, who do these people think they are?
ReplyDeleteFB is all about real names. If that makes anyone uncomfortable, then don't use it.
ReplyDelete>>STR, do you get a chance to see the post even if we screw up on the capcha?<<
ReplyDeleteNo, I only see the comments waiting to be allowed or not allowed. So they must go through the capcha system.
BTW, just a note that sometimes a comment is mostly passable, but may contain a harsh insult or attack that forces me to not let it through. Also, please remember that legally I can't let through certain statements (such as someone is a "thief", etc.). I can't edit out such lines, unfortunately, which means an entire comment doesn't pass.
>>FB is all about real names. If that makes anyone uncomfortable, then don't use it.<<
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely. And I'm not (going to use it).
Many, many people don't use their real n ames on FB for privacy concerns. John Marsh is EXTREMELY naive and self-sabotaging to his group.
ReplyDeleteThe people that use sockpuppet names are much crueler and aggressive than the ones who use their real names. There is no reason to use a fake name. The only time I am afraid to say something under my real name is due to the sockpuppets who descend and attack and call names. We are neighbors. I don't want you hiding behind a fake name.
ReplyDeleteThe TA can not even run a Facebook page with out controversy (and there are not that many members listed on their FB page). Is this the group that you want/trust in negotiating a "deal" for you in terms of buying your apartment?
ReplyDeleteLook at all the in-fighting now.
Stuy-PCV is just too large to ever be successfully converted and run as a condo/co-op.
"FB is all about real names."
ReplyDeleteWho told you that? FB has the flexibility to be whatever its page-maker wants it to be.
The TA has decided to disallow anonymity. Fine. But just don't try to pretend you represent the entire complex when in fact your membership is at 10% of the units and when many current members are so dissatisfied, the actual supportive membership may be as low as 5%.
>>The people that use sockpuppet names are much crueler and aggressive than the ones who use their real names. There is no reason to use a fake name. The only time I am afraid to say something under my real name is due to the sockpuppets who descend and attack and call names. We are neighbors. I don't want you hiding behind a fake name.<<
ReplyDeleteWhoever used a "sock puppet" name or an alias on the TA Facebook was NOT crueler or more aggressive. That's a completely erroneous impression. There are at least a couple of good reasons to use an alias: 1) a tenant may not want management to know who he/she is, 2) the tenant may not want neighbors to know who he/she is. Anonymity frees up expression and opinion.
Anon 8:26 AM:
ReplyDeleteHi Carolyn and/or Maurice!! You posted the same whiney crap on the FB page, and are so easy to spot by your constant twisting of reality and playing the victim. I have found that those who post under aliases on the TA Facebook page have actually been the most respectful, and offered the most insightful comments. STR is right - people post anonymously on the FB page so they can freely write about their neighbors, management without fear of retaliation. Duh!! And doing so does NOT fit the definition of "sock puppet," Mr. Marsh.
I prefer not to name names, but I suspect another person. Not sure if Maurice even has an interest in this blog.
ReplyDeleteLooks like the master of censorship has just become president of the TA. That should increase membership.
ReplyDeleteWonder what made Al Doyle pull up stakes.
"The people that use sockpuppet names are much crueler and aggressive than the ones who use their real names. There is no reason to use a fake name. The only time I am afraid to say something under my real name is due to the sockpuppets who descend and attack and call names. We are neighbors. I don't want you hiding behind a fake name."
ReplyDeleteAnd yet you post anonymously here. It is all clear to me now...
I was Jill Saunders on the TAFB, which allowed me to ask questions that the TA were refusing to answer, Carolyn is just a rude know it all who would post annoying comments. I'm not saying that I did not after spending to long at the blarney cove, get into some heated debates with her, but 90% of the time I simply asked questions and posted comments that did not always tow the party line. But nothing obscene or offensive.
ReplyDeleteAnd the TA did not kick me off there site, as they keep saying, I had had enough, and removed myself.
A request. Though I let through a post that referred to a couple of commentators on the Facebook page, I will have a hard time letting through any further such "naming names." What happens pretty quickly is that a messy war begins that undermines whichever blog/message board/Facebook is a party to such a battle.
ReplyDeleteMy concern right now is trying to make it through, relatively pleasantly, this sweltering weekend. I don't think you'll see me at the Oval event this Saturday!
Yeah better off spending the day at the blarney cove, or at the community center, just don't go near Oval Cafe.
ReplyDeleteThanks
J.S
>>But nothing obscene or offensive.<<
ReplyDeleteOf course not.
Weather.com says 97 for Saturday, thunderstorms possible.
ReplyDelete