How To Create An Online Sock Puppet And Get Away With It

Doctor Who and Loup Dargent travel through time to bring us this important advice...

In this post, we have a rather controversial

use for time travel (brought to you by yours truly)

plus a fan made Doctor Who video-clip that will
definitely take you back in time...

Enjoy...

Loup Dargent

____________________

How To
Create An
Online Sock Puppet

And Get Away With It

The Definition

'Sock puppet n. [Usenet: from the act of placing a
sock over your hand and talking to it and pretending
it's talking back] In Usenet parlance, a pseudo
through which the puppeteer posts follow-ups to their
own original message to give the appearance that a
number of people support the views held in
the original message ...'
From: The Internet Jargon Dictionary.

The Problem

Imagine for a moment that you are involved
in a heated debate about an issue which is
very important to you but, somehow, your
opponents are increasingly, and at a very
fast and alarming rate, gaining points.
Even when their views are blatantly incorrect,
you find yourself in an ever decreasing minority
when it comes to challenging their so obviously
flawed arguments.

To top it up, there is no hope at all that the proverbial
cavalry will arrive, as there is no one on sight to come

to your rescue.

Not something very pleasant to imagine but not
something to be dismissed as improbable either,
as, unfortunately, even the best of us can one day
find themselves in a similar frustrating situation.

So, the use of a sock puppet, as an emergency measure,
might be the only way possible to get out of it but, if you open

a new account then, your attempt is bound to fail lamentably.

The sock puppets hunters will without fail spot it, especially

if it comes to your rescue straight after having registered.

The Solution

The solution is actually very simple and, unless you are

psychic and have already predicted the tricky situation

and taken the appropriate steps to remedy it, you will

agree that the following suggestion is definitely the best

and the most efficient of all possible ones.

All you need to do is:

. Time travel back to when the site has just opened.
. Register your alter ego.
. Build up a reputation of seriousness for it.

Once that's done, the rest is practically a piece of cake.

You should not worry about the fact that you might
have to follow your alter ego's online life up to
the point when you need its help as, even if it means
spending years in the past, it will only take a few
minutes of your time in the present.

There are still a few advices that need to be followed though:

. Make a point of registering your puppet before the date
you've registered yourself.
. Do change the way you type while using that alternative
persona. If not, you could be seen as your puppet's puppet
when you register.
. Do not let your alter ego get involved in other
discussions you are in.
. Do not be tempted to use your other account to settle
scores with your own opponents before that crucial moment,
as that would drastically reduce the effect needed when the
time has come to make efficient use of your sock puppet.

There are some side effects that have been noticed as a
result of intensive 'time travelling sock puppeteering'
unfortunately. One of them being a high risk of identity crisis.

So, it is advised that you try to take a break from your
alternative persona as often as possible.

Of course, to time travel you need the proper equipment,
but you should be able to get hold of a time machine by
checking the local papers' classified adverts.

Failing that you have nothing to lose by:

. Asking around.
. Asking one of the scientists you have come
into contact before.
. Asking your country's secret services for a spare one.
. Asking those guys dressed in black who are always
hanging around the local ufologist's home.
. Asking the BBC to borrow the TARDIS used in the
old Doctor Who's TV series.

Just In Case

If your quest for a time machine has for some
unexpected reasons failed, then the best option
would be that you keep well away from that
controversial discussion.

That will, at least, save you from some irritating
but also very embarrassing moments.

Easier said than done, granted...
Some 'Tips on Anger Management'
might come handy in some of those frustrating
situations we are faced with at times.

'Often, when working with or coming into contact with
someone who really annoys you, the best plan is just
to walk away and leave them talking to themselves.
You have no idea just how silly they look standing
there raving away at, nothing!'

A very useful piece of advice that is not just
relevant to Real Life somehow.

You might not have had a chance to make the points
you wanted to make, but, at the end of the day,
you will not be the one looking bad...

Of course, had you followed my advice on how to get
hold of a time machine in the first place... etc... etc...

Oh never mind...

Loup Dargent