An example of how inauthentic social media can be. LBC is a major news outlet in the UK, and they posted a video with the title “Ex-MI6 Spy insists Epstein was a Russian spy and blackmailing Trump”. The actual video, though, was an LBC presenter interviewing UK Housing Secretary Steve Reed about an urban regeneration program. Literally nothing to do with Epstein or Russia anywhere in the video, save for the presenter asking about the appointments of a UK politician exposed in the files at the end. Every single comment, though? Deflecting from Russia towards Israel.

To be clear I do not doubt Israel’s involvement. I think it’s silly to argue that other countries can’t also be involved, but that too is besides the point. My point is more how clearly absolutely none of these comments are from a person that watched the video. The unfortunate reality is that real people do engage with these comments, despite the reputation that youtube comments deservedly have, and they will have no idea that said comments have been flooded by inauthentic activity well before any humans got there.

I’m not surprised, but I don’t think I’ve ever stumbled across quite such a blatant example before

The original video has been taken down now and Wayback doesn’t seem to have caught it, but here is the link in case anyone knows something they can do with that: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sY4bBbwndQc

  • Skua@kbin.earthOP
    142·
    9 days ago

    Whether it was Russia or Israel really isn’t the point here

    • givesomefucks@lemmy.worldMEnglish
      48·
      9 days ago

      If you’re only complaint was people just read headlines…

      That’s literally why headlines were invented.

      But I think in this specific case, it makes sense that people who could tell it’s bullshit just from the title commented without watching it.

      That’s a very human thing and has always happened. If you think it’s new you just never noticed it.

      Quick edit:

      To quote Tommy Boy:

      I can get a pretty good look at a t-bone by sticking my head up a cows ass, but I’d rather take the butchers word for it.

      • Skua@kbin.earthOP
        10·
        9 days ago

        Headlines were invented to get attention for a story, not to replace it. Otherwise, nobody would bother to write an article (or in this case conduct an interview) under the headline

        The actual video has the MI6 guy bring up Israel’s involvement as well. If these were actual people making assumptions off of headlines, they would never have found out

        But no, I don’t think that every single commenter is an actual person who just made an assumption, commented, and left without even pressing play on the video

        Edit: almost every single commenter. Shout out to the one talking about Trump shitting himself instead. Still should have pressed play, but at least it was funny