Stupid bots have stupid masters

[altivo]

So after a discussion (with a friend who is still a friend) on Twitter about Christians who insist that they aren't bigots like those two outrageous ministers in North Carolina (or Fred Phelps for that matter,) and why I think they are hypocrites for not speaking up more loudly to condemn said bigots...

I was "followed" by several Twitter accounts that are obviously using spambots to pick up anyone who uses the word "Christian." These were "Christian singer-songwriter," "Christian father and writer," "Christian minister," etc. Each of them was following more than ten thousand people, which is pure bunk. No one can possibly keep up with that many tweets, and I'm sure they aren't reading any, other than to have a bot skim them for key phrases to which they may choose to respond with some kind of promotional junk or other.

This sort of blatantly commercial behavior from people who don't know me at all is truly obnoxious. I can see why some people lock their accounts and don't allow their tweets to be read except by confirmed friends. However, that approach is also counterproductive. I'm happy to consider new friends and acquaintances if they are sincere, but I'm really angered by politicians, preachers, merchants, and just plain trolls who follow unknowns aggressively, hoping they will automatically be followed back. All of these accounts were reported for spam. Twitter isn't as good about shutting down such accounts as they once were. I wouldn't be surprised if they accept payments from some to keep the accounts open. However, I believe the spam report still sends a message to someone that I do not approve of aggressive and essentially anonymous following. And it blocks them from reading any more of my tweets. So take that, spambots.

Sad but not too sad news: our dear old cat passed away this morning, probably of kidney failure or perhaps a diabetic coma. Her 19th birthday is only nine days away. That's really old for a cat, and she was never more than a wisp of one. Her decline in the last year or two has been painfully obvious, and we tried all the natural remedies we thought might help, but at that age I wasn't about to put her on insulin therapy or anti-arthritics just "on the chance" that it might help. It might have just hastened her demise too, or caused her unnecessary discomfort. She gradually slowed down, eating less and less this year even when we tried coaxing her and feeding her by hand. Yesterday she was almost unresponsive but still tottering around. At dawn she was nearly comatose but responded to touch by trying to raise her head and rub against you. At noon she had gone. We will miss her, but she had a long and rather adventurous life filled with affection and friends (including several dogs more than ten times her weight.) Goodbye, Tikki. We celebrate your life with a smile and hope you find playmates and styrofoam peanuts to chase beyond that fabled bridge.

Comments

[schnee]

Ah, I'm very sorry to hear about the cat. (Almost) 19 is a ripe old age for a housecat indeed, but even given that and even if it wasn't unexpected, it's sad that she died.

[altivo]

And it's strange having no cat in the house for the first time since Gary and I met (and we're just a month short of 35 years together now.)

[marzolan.livejournal.com]

*hugs* It sounds like she passed with little discomfort that way, judging by her responses. If it helps, I think you made the right decision regarding the health for that old of a feline, and like with people the memories carry on.

And I am unqualified to speak regarding twitter, but I can imagine the annoyance of things getting overly commercialized that easily judging by facebook :p

[altivo]

Hey hiya hugs! Twitter has always had this problem, but it's been becoming more blatant of late I think. Of course it wouldn't be a problem if so many people didn't fall for it. There seem to be a lot of people who view the whole thing as a game to be won by getting the most "followers," which I find difficult to understand.

[avon_deer]

I can see why some people lock their accounts and don't allow their tweets to be read except by confirmed friends

This is indeed EXACTLY the reason I protect my account.

However, that approach is also counterproductive.

This is also true, sadly. But every time I click "DECLINE" I celebrate a little "win" for our side in my head. Even though I know this is nothing of the sort. A dedicated spammer uses scripts and does not see the metaphorical poke in the eye. However I like to kid myself that they do.

[altivo]

My suspicion is that it's more effective to block and report them for spam. Simply declining a follow request isn't going to set off the same level of alarm bells.