It's the middle of a depression, and you're struggling to find somewhere to work. Then, the result of a new government initiative piques your interest. Following the in the footsteps of the Chinese government [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/50_Cent_Party] (and, allegedly, the Russian government [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Web_brigades]) your country has started a "citizen internet brigade", whose goal is to temper public opinion about your country online.
In effect, this means being paid to spend all day joining forums to either counter anti-[your country] opinions, or potentially seed pro-[your country] messages. Accuse non-patriots/foreigners of trolling, ridicule and sentiment that doesn't agree with [your country].
I'm sure some would do this out of patriotism, and some would do it for the money even if it doesn't agree with their actual political mindset. But, how much money would it take for you to do this job? Does it sound easy to you? What if the shoe were on the other foot, and you were offered money by the opposition movement in your country to spread anti-government sentiment online?
Whether or not it'd be successful is immaterial. This policy has likely been instituted by crusty old policymakers who aren't sure what an internet is, but it sure the hell scares them.
Or, option C: would you do it for the private sector? For example, workig for Apple to ensure that any and all anti-iPad sentiment is dismissed as ridiculous nonsense on any forum it should appear.
In effect, this means being paid to spend all day joining forums to either counter anti-[your country] opinions, or potentially seed pro-[your country] messages. Accuse non-patriots/foreigners of trolling, ridicule and sentiment that doesn't agree with [your country].
I'm sure some would do this out of patriotism, and some would do it for the money even if it doesn't agree with their actual political mindset. But, how much money would it take for you to do this job? Does it sound easy to you? What if the shoe were on the other foot, and you were offered money by the opposition movement in your country to spread anti-government sentiment online?
Whether or not it'd be successful is immaterial. This policy has likely been instituted by crusty old policymakers who aren't sure what an internet is, but it sure the hell scares them.
Or, option C: would you do it for the private sector? For example, workig for Apple to ensure that any and all anti-iPad sentiment is dismissed as ridiculous nonsense on any forum it should appear.
