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astroturf

v. The technique of using boiler plate text to advance a political agenda. "Astroturfing" is typically done by sending the same letter to every newspaper one can find. A certain number of newspapers will be duped into thinking that the letter is original and heartfelt when it is neither.
Many newspapers were astroturfed with the pro-Bush letters posted at the pResident's web site. Many newspapers were convinced that a number of soldiers worship Bush as the Messiah incarnate.
by fugitive October 9, 2004
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Astrotweet

A political message posted to Twitter (or other social network), which is written by skilled writers working for political organizations, and meant to appear as if it was generated as spontaneous political expression by ordinary citizens.
The attacks on the Congressman were not sincere posts by citizens, but rather, the output of a well orchestrated astrotweet campaign.
by shoqvalue January 11, 2011
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Related Words

autoothbluetism

When you and your friend are both autistic and your brains synchronise, like Bluetooth. This also works with autistics in range of each other but it is less powerful.
Rando: “Wait guys don’t leave me!”
You and friend: “Guys! Guys! Guys!” (referencing a specific video)
You and friend: “That was autoothbluetism :)”
by mister.sexyman March 11, 2023
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Agent astroturfeur

Person who mischievously promotes division in another organisation (generally political) by creating the impression of grassroots support for a contender for a leadership position. See astroturf.
After the Blue Party flopped in the elections, Diane Ale blogged that support for Squirrel Nutkin for leader was growing. She's such an an agent astroturfeur.
by Gus Friar May 18, 2007
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astroturder

A person who specializes in astroturfing by making up shit about things they are paid to attack.
Why do you continually link to this sensational asshole astroturder?
Florian Müller is the über-astrotürder.
by slashdotreader August 20, 2011
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Astroturf, astroturfing

A form of spamming public opinion from political organisations via the media.

Specifically where a media operation of a Campaign or political party distributes a press release to voulunteers who forward it en masse by letter and e-mail to media organisations in an attempt to distort the media organisations perception of public opinion, and distort the media organisations output.
The effort to (get) Astroturf printed appears to have worked in Hattiesburg, Mississippi

In Arizona, xxxxxx got the astroturf accepted as a grassroots effort.
by blobby December 29, 2003
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Astroturf

Puff - puff - COUGH! - splutter
“That’s not ganga, that’s Astroturf!”
by Urbane Gorilla June 20, 2005
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