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Re:Bots, so many bots by cryptonector on Tuesday October 01, 2024 @11:52AM (#41710028)
> What actual value do you believe there is, other than curiosity, that is driving people to build the HN spam bots you think you're seeing?

Testing.

And as siblings say, karma is more valuable than you might think. If you can herd a bunch of karma via botting, you can then [maybe] use that karma to influence all sorts of things.

Re:Bots, so many bots by yodon on Tuesday October 01, 2024 @01:10PM (#41711222)
> If you can herd a bunch of karma via botting, you can then [maybe] use that karma to influence all sorts of things.

How? Karma on HN is not like Karma elsewhere. The idea of [maybe] monetizing HN Karma reads like the old southpark underpants gnome meme[0].

[0]https://imgflip.com/memetemplate/49245705/Underpants-Gnomes

Re:Bots, so many bots by cryptonector on Tuesday October 01, 2024 @04:47PM (#41713960)
Assuming karma helps you get posts on the front page (does it?) then karma helps spam.

At any rate, HN attracts trolls. I'm sure it will also attract trolls who use AI to increase their rate of trolling.

Re:Bots, so many bots by yodon on Tuesday October 01, 2024 @06:49PM (#41715144)
>Assuming karma helps you get posts on the front page (does it?)

No, karma does not help you get posts on the front page.