General Discussion
Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsCould someone please explain the meaning and context of the terms "astroturf" and "astroturfing"
that I have been seeing in a lot of posts lately?
Thank you in advance.
Roland99
(53,342 posts)Grassroots is spontaneous. Growing by word of mouth and self funded
Astroturfing is orchestrated and planned and funded often by dark money
safeinOhio
(32,532 posts)Paid for by some rich guys.
Amishman
(5,541 posts)Koch Bros are behind a bunch of them, usually rightwing oriented masquerading as veterans groups.
There are examples on the left as well, Bloomberg's gun sense groups started as this, though at least Mother Against Gun Violence is starting to put down real roots and might be losing its astroturf characteristics.
Xipe Totec
(43,872 posts)Astroturfing is the practice of masking the sponsors of a message or organization (e.g., political, advertising, religious or public relations) to make it appear as though it originates from and is supported by grassroots participants. It is a practice intended to give the statements or organizations credibility by withholding information about the source's financial connection. The term astroturfing is derived from AstroTurf, a brand of synthetic carpeting designed to resemble natural grass, as a play on the word "grassroots". The implication behind the use of the term is that instead of a "true" or "natural" grassroots effort behind the activity in question, there is a "fake" or "artificial" appearance of support.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Astroturfing
jmbar2
(4,832 posts)dewsgirl
(14,961 posts)Buckeye_Democrat
(14,848 posts)... most of my life (in a sense).
Being told to not discuss anything with OSHA and ISO inspectors at my workplaces, pretending that Im satisfied and not just prostituting myself for money, etc.
I realize astroturfing means fake grass-roots, like in public demonstrations, but seeing the paid protestors repeating what they were told (for money) doesnt seem too different from my work life in general.