Astroturfing
Version 1.0.0 · Updated 2026-07-30
CORE DEFINITION
AstroTurf is a brand of artificial turf. It refers to the practice where interest groups (corporations, governments) secretly fund and orchestrate a campaign to create the illusion of spontaneous, grassroots public support. - Example: Hiring paid online commenters to pose as ordinary users to post positive reviews, or organizing fake protests. -
SCAFFOLDING EFFECT
Reduce cognitive load
Identifying fake public opinion. - In the internet age, the 'overwhelming public opinion' we see is often industrially produced 'astroturf.' Identifying features: accounts registered around the same time, highly similar talking points, lack of real-life traces. For decision-makers, if they do not strip away this artificial layer, they may be misled.
Anchor fast decisions
The interested party funds the creation of accounts/activities disguised as ordinary citizens to fabricate the illusion of 'spontaneous public opinion'; using this 'false consensus' to influence the public and decision-makers, while concealing the true stakeholders.
MINIMUM ACTION
In progress 0/2Practice this model in one real situation:
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Source support: Explicit
- en.wikipedia.orghttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Astroturfingverified
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