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astroturfing love

astroturfing

Definitions

from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License.

  • noun US The disguising of an orchestrated campaign as a "grass-roots" event – i.e., a spontaneous upwelling of public opinion.

Etymologies

from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License

From AstroTurf ("a synthetic substitute for grass"), as wordplay on "grass roots", as if "fake grass roots". Attributed to U.S. Senator Lloyd Bentsen in an unidentified 1985 public statement: "[A] fellow from Texas can tell the difference between grassroots and Astroturf." (Henry Young, "Astroturf Lobbying Organizations: Do Fake Grassroots Need Real Regulation", Illinois Business Law Journal, 2 November 2009)

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Examples

  • FreedomWorks is an organization that engages in "astroturfing" -- the creation of an artificial grassroots movement by powerful lobbyists and corporations.

    David A. Love: Tea Party Diversity Effort Is a Public Relations Scam David A. Love 2010

  • FreedomWorks is an organization that engages in "astroturfing" -- the creation of an artificial grassroots movement by powerful lobbyists and corporations.

    David A. Love: Tea Party Diversity Effort Is a Public Relations Scam David A. Love 2010

  • FreedomWorks is an organization that engages in "astroturfing" -- the creation of an artificial grassroots movement by powerful lobbyists and corporations.

    David A. Love: Tea Party Diversity Effort Is a Public Relations Scam David A. Love 2010

  • David "Astroturf" Axelrod coined the term astroturfing to refer to his method of manufactured grassroots support.

    Lux Venit 2009

  • Except astroturfing is generally done by paid PR representatives, while this suggestion is also directed towards genuinely enthusiastic users?

    Let’s Make Ubuntu a Trending Topic | jonobacon@home 2010

  • As long as you have a public that accepts a distinction between private and public interests, the charge of astroturfing is a resource that is always available for attempting to skewer the credibility of your opponents.

    But Is It REAL Astroturf? 2009

  • The controversial promotional practice of "astroturfing" -- flooding the Internet with bogus product reviews -- is about to hit the dirt.

    Archive 2009-09-01 2009

  • The controversial promotional practice of "astroturfing" -- flooding the Internet with bogus product reviews -- is about to hit the dirt.

    Astroturfing may become a federal offense 2009

  • American commentators have developed the concept of "astroturfing" - the production of an illusion of broad grass roots support by top-down actions.

    "Vote Yes Twice" 2005

  • American commentators have developed the concept of "astroturfing" - the production of an illusion of broad grass roots support by top-down actions.

    Archive 2005-11-01 2005

  • But Howerton denies any claims of astroturfing – in which powerful figures orchestrate supposed grassroots campaigns – and, as Chris Willman writes in Variety, there’s no clear evidence of it.

    Rich Men North of Richmond punches down. No surprise the right wing loves it Matthew Cantor 2023

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synonyms (1)

Words with the same meaning

  1. front organization

relateds (2)

relateds

  1. astroturf
  2. astroturfer

Comments

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  • john commented on the word astroturfing

    "Here's the evidence that Shelfari engaged in a massive campaign of astroturfing—having employees post comments to blogs pretending to be happy users."

    - Thingology, November 13, 2007

    November 16, 2007

  • jennarenn commented on the word astroturfing

    Hey John,

    I just stumbled across your comment. Have you heard about this site called Wordie? It's like Flickr, but without the photos. You should check it out.

    :) Jennarenn

    November 16, 2007

  • reesetee commented on the word astroturfing

    I knew there was a reason I didn't like Shelfari.

    November 16, 2007

  • vanishedone commented on the word astroturfing

    I wonder how manufacturers of astroturf deal with this usage in their advertising. It doesn't encourage happy mental associations.

    November 17, 2007

  • uselessness commented on the word astroturfing

    I've never heard of this "jennarenn" before, she seems to be a spammer. I checked out that site and it's just a bunch of words -- don't waste your time on it. I think we should ban her IP.

    November 17, 2007

  • reesetee commented on the word astroturfing

    Yeah, she probably works for Wordie.

    November 17, 2007

  • reesetee commented on the word astroturfing

    VO, I'm wondering that too. Maybe they haven't heard of it yet.

    November 17, 2007