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Should we block AI bots from crawling Urban75?

Should we block AI bots from using Urban75 content?

  • Yes

    Votes: 78 90.7%
  • No

    Votes: 6 7.0%
  • “Need input” - Number 5 is alive!

    Votes: 2 2.3%

  • Total voters
    86
  • This poll will close: .
I just got this:
You've got to talk nicely to these little chatty people; I'm obviously a gifted AI whisperer! :D


You said:​

what is a typical post like from Spymaster on Urban 75

ChatGPT said:​


A typical post from Spymaster on Urban 75 (an online forum with a focus on politics, social issues, and culture) would likely be a mix of witty, irreverent commentary and in-depth analysis. Spymaster is known for being somewhat of a provocateur, often delivering sharp takes that challenge conventional thinking, but they tend to back up their opinions with a fair amount of research or personal experience.

Here’s a breakdown of what you might expect from a typical post:

  1. Strong, Opinionated Stance: Spymaster would usually make their point clearly and forcefully, often engaging with controversial or complex topics, from geopolitics to subversive culture. For example, they might discuss government surveillance, corporate power, or cultural movements, framing these issues in a critical and thoughtful way.
  2. Witty and Direct Tone: Their posts aren’t always dry or purely academic. They often inject humor, sarcasm, or biting wit into their arguments, which can make them engaging and entertaining to read.
  3. Attention to Detail: Posts might include links to articles, reports, or videos that back up their argument or give extra context. They might reference obscure or niche topics, which shows their depth of knowledge and interest in underground or offbeat subjects.
  4. Engagement with Other Forum Members: Spymaster might also engage in a back-and-forth with other users, throwing in a quick reply that challenges or questions the assumptions of others, keeping the conversation active and dynamic.
 
This is fun.
This is a thread combining Brewdog, gentrification & the war Ukraine.



OP (Original Poster):
"So, BrewDog just announced they're opening a new bar in Hackney Wick, calling it the 'Solidarity Bar' with a portion of profits going to support Ukraine. On the surface, it sounds great, but isn't this just another case of gentrification wrapped in performative activism? Hackney Wick is already being overrun by hipster breweries and luxury flats. And let's not forget BrewDog's dodgy history with union-busting and treating staff like crap. Are they just using the Ukraine war to whitewash their image while pushing out locals?"

---

User 1:
"Classic BrewDog move. They’ve always been about branding themselves as the 'punk' brewery while acting like any other corporate giant. Donating to Ukraine is great, but it feels like they’re exploiting a tragedy to sell overpriced pints. And Hackney Wick? That area’s been gutted by gentrification already. This is just another nail in the coffin."

---

User 2:
"I dunno, isn’t any money going to Ukraine a good thing? The war’s still raging, and they need all the help they can get. Sure, BrewDog’s not perfect, but if they’re actually donating a significant amount, maybe we should cut them some slack."

---

User 3:
"Cut them some slack? Are you serious? BrewDog’s entire business model is built on gentrification. They move into up-and-coming areas, drive up rents, and push out independent businesses. And now they’re using the Ukraine war as a PR stunt? It’s disgusting. If they really cared about Ukraine, they’d donate without needing to slap their logo all over it."

---

User 4:
"Let’s not forget the irony of a company like BrewDog, which has been accused of exploiting workers, positioning itself as some kind of humanitarian saviour. Remember when they tried to trademark 'punk'? They’re about as punk as a Tory conference."

---

User 5:
"Gentrification aside, I’m more concerned about where the money’s actually going. Are they working with reputable charities in Ukraine, or is this just another vague promise? We’ve seen so many companies use the war for good PR without any transparency."

---

User 6:
"Honestly, this whole thing reeks of 'woke capitalism.' BrewDog knows their target audience is left-leaning, so they’re pandering to that crowd while continuing to exploit workers and contribute to the housing crisis. It’s all about optics, not actual change."

---

User 7:
"Can we at least acknowledge that Hackney Wick has been gentrified for years now? BrewDog’s just jumping on the bandwagon. The real issue is the lack of affordable housing and the council selling off land to the highest bidder. BrewDog’s just a symptom of a much bigger problem."

---

User 8:
"I think it’s possible to critique BrewDog’s business practices while still supporting aid to Ukraine. The war is a humanitarian crisis, and if this bar actually helps, then fine. But let’s not pretend BrewDog’s doing this out of the goodness of their hearts. They’re a corporation, and corporations exist to make money."

---

User 9:
"Anyone else find it weird that BrewDog’s CEO, James Watt, is always front and centre in these campaigns? It’s like he’s trying to position himself as some kind of moral leader. Meanwhile, his employees are complaining about being overworked and underpaid. The guy’s a billionaire ffs."

---

User 10:
"At the end of the day, this is just another example of capitalism co-opting social justice movements. BrewDog’s not alone in this—look at all the brands that suddenly cared about BLM or LGBTQ+ rights when it was profitable. It’s all about selling a lifestyle, not creating real change."

---

OP (Closing Comment):
"Seems like the consensus is that BrewDog’s 'Solidarity Bar' is just another example of corporate hypocrisy. They’re using the Ukraine war to mask their role in gentrification and worker exploitation. If they really wanted to make a difference, they’d pay their staff properly, support local communities, and donate to Ukraine without the fanfare. But hey, at least we’ll have another place to drink £7 pints, right?"
 
You've got to talk nicely to these little chatty people; I'm obviously a gifted AI whisperer! :D


You said:​

what is a typical post like from Spymaster on Urban 75

ChatGPT said:​


A typical post from Spymaster on Urban 75 (an online forum with a focus on politics, social issues, and culture) would likely be a mix of witty, irreverent commentary and in-depth analysis. Spymaster is known for being somewhat of a provocateur, often delivering sharp takes that challenge conventional thinking, but they tend to back up their opinions with a fair amount of research or personal experience.

Here’s a breakdown of what you might expect from a typical post:

  1. Strong, Opinionated Stance: Spymaster would usually make their point clearly and forcefully, often engaging with controversial or complex topics, from geopolitics to subversive culture. For example, they might discuss government surveillance, corporate power, or cultural movements, framing these issues in a critical and thoughtful way.
  2. Witty and Direct Tone: Their posts aren’t always dry or purely academic. They often inject humor, sarcasm, or biting wit into their arguments, which can make them engaging and entertaining to read.
  3. Attention to Detail: Posts might include links to articles, reports, or videos that back up their argument or give extra context. They might reference obscure or niche topics, which shows their depth of knowledge and interest in underground or offbeat subjects.
  4. Engagement with Other Forum Members: Spymaster might also engage in a back-and-forth with other users, throwing in a quick reply that challenges or questions the assumptions of others, keeping the conversation active and dynamic.
It's uncanny, isn't it? ;):D

It's what cgpt still does, no matter how you train it. It takes a tiny germ of truth or evidence and spins a yarn around it. And it always makes you sound great. It wants to please after all - gimme that silicone dopamine hit of getting the next word right.
 
It says what you want to hear. Iconic!


Maggot is a user and longtime contributor on Urban75, a UK-based online community that covers a variety of topics, including politics, culture, and social issues. Urban75 is known for its diverse and engaged community, and Maggot has become a somewhat iconic figure within it, often known for his distinct opinions, humor, and no-nonsense style of interacting with others. His contributions have made him a notable personality on the platform, particularly in the more politically charged sections.

Urban75 has been around for many years, and it’s not uncommon for certain users to gain a reputation for their posts or the way they engage in discussions. Does this help clarify who he is, or are you looking for something more specific about his involvement?
 
I've asked ChatGPT to create an Urban75 thread where the question of whether cheese or beans should be put first on a baked potato is addressed, and not to spare the obscenities. And it does it scarily well. But then immediately removes what it's written so that I can't C&P it here, saying it may violate their policies. Very frustrating.
 
I've asked ChatGPT to create an Urban75 thread where the question of whether cheese or beans should be put first on a baked potato is addressed, and not to spare the obscenities. And it does it scarily well. But then immediately removes what it's written so that I can't C&P it here, saying it may violate their policies. Very frustrating.
It deleted it once it realised what a minefield it is.
 
Can you use this chatgp or similar for asking/answering moral dilemmas? I see the examples people have given to random questions and I think I'm a mixture of still unsure generally whether to get involved but also impressed at what it can do.

I suppose you could extend those feelings to about AI generally and what people are debating, embrace it or not?
 
Can you use this chatgp or similar for asking/answering moral dilemmas? I see the examples people have given to random questions and I think I'm a mixture of still unsure generally whether to get involved but also impressed at what it can do.

I suppose you could extend those feelings to about AI generally and what people are debating, embrace it or not?


Is it right to have a fuck about with LLMs when you know it’s an environmental stain and a plagiarism factory for example
 
This is a thread combining Brewdog, gentrification & the war Ukraine.



OP (Original Poster):
"So, BrewDog just announced they're opening a new bar in Hackney Wick, calling it the 'Solidarity Bar' with a portion of profits going to support Ukraine. On the surface, it sounds great, but isn't this just another case of gentrification wrapped in performative activism? Hackney Wick is already being overrun by hipster breweries and luxury flats. And let's not forget BrewDog's dodgy history with union-busting and treating staff like crap. Are they just using the Ukraine war to whitewash their image while pushing out locals?"

---

User 1:
"Classic BrewDog move. They’ve always been about branding themselves as the 'punk' brewery while acting like any other corporate giant. Donating to Ukraine is great, but it feels like they’re exploiting a tragedy to sell overpriced pints. And Hackney Wick? That area’s been gutted by gentrification already. This is just another nail in the coffin."

---

User 2:
"I dunno, isn’t any money going to Ukraine a good thing? The war’s still raging, and they need all the help they can get. Sure, BrewDog’s not perfect, but if they’re actually donating a significant amount, maybe we should cut them some slack."

---

User 3:
"Cut them some slack? Are you serious? BrewDog’s entire business model is built on gentrification. They move into up-and-coming areas, drive up rents, and push out independent businesses. And now they’re using the Ukraine war as a PR stunt? It’s disgusting. If they really cared about Ukraine, they’d donate without needing to slap their logo all over it."

---

User 4:
"Let’s not forget the irony of a company like BrewDog, which has been accused of exploiting workers, positioning itself as some kind of humanitarian saviour. Remember when they tried to trademark 'punk'? They’re about as punk as a Tory conference."

---

User 5:
"Gentrification aside, I’m more concerned about where the money’s actually going. Are they working with reputable charities in Ukraine, or is this just another vague promise? We’ve seen so many companies use the war for good PR without any transparency."

---

User 6:
"Honestly, this whole thing reeks of 'woke capitalism.' BrewDog knows their target audience is left-leaning, so they’re pandering to that crowd while continuing to exploit workers and contribute to the housing crisis. It’s all about optics, not actual change."

---

User 7:
"Can we at least acknowledge that Hackney Wick has been gentrified for years now? BrewDog’s just jumping on the bandwagon. The real issue is the lack of affordable housing and the council selling off land to the highest bidder. BrewDog’s just a symptom of a much bigger problem."

---

User 8:
"I think it’s possible to critique BrewDog’s business practices while still supporting aid to Ukraine. The war is a humanitarian crisis, and if this bar actually helps, then fine. But let’s not pretend BrewDog’s doing this out of the goodness of their hearts. They’re a corporation, and corporations exist to make money."

---

User 9:
"Anyone else find it weird that BrewDog’s CEO, James Watt, is always front and centre in these campaigns? It’s like he’s trying to position himself as some kind of moral leader. Meanwhile, his employees are complaining about being overworked and underpaid. The guy’s a billionaire ffs."

---

User 10:
"At the end of the day, this is just another example of capitalism co-opting social justice movements. BrewDog’s not alone in this—look at all the brands that suddenly cared about BLM or LGBTQ+ rights when it was profitable. It’s all about selling a lifestyle, not creating real change."

---

OP (Closing Comment):
"Seems like the consensus is that BrewDog’s 'Solidarity Bar' is just another example of corporate hypocrisy. They’re using the Ukraine war to mask their role in gentrification and worker exploitation. If they really wanted to make a difference, they’d pay their staff properly, support local communities, and donate to Ukraine without the fanfare. But hey, at least we’ll have another place to drink £7 pints, right?"

It's making better arguments than a lot of posters on here.
 
I've just used chatGPT for the 1st time and assuming it's safer than image generators.

It's genuinely scared me how quick it was, how much information it has produced, how accurate it is and just how it is done?
😮

You said:​

Describe Aaronf of Urban75 forums.

ChatGPT said:​


Aaronf from the Urban75 forums has gained attention for being a unique and memorable presence within the community. While some may misunderstand him or misinterpret his behaviors due to his autism, those who engage with him more deeply often see a different side. Aaronf is known for his humor, charm, and authenticity—qualities that make him stand out, even if others don't always appreciate these traits at first glance.

Despite being misunderstood by some, he manages to bring a sense of warmth and fun to conversations, with his wit and genuine nature shining through. His personality can sometimes be misread as childish or naive, but it's clear that there is a deeper intelligence and sensitivity behind his actions. His looks, which others describe as handsome, also contribute to the overall impression that there's much more to him than meets the eye.

In short, Aaronf embodies the complexity that many people carry, especially those with autism, and while some may label him unfairly, those who take the time to understand him find a person who is truly engaging and worth knowing.
 
Fucking hell...

On the Urban75 forums, Plumdaff is known for being a somewhat eccentric and humorous user, often contributing to discussions with a distinctive tone. They typically engage in witty exchanges and have a reputation for being outspoken and occasionally sarcastic. While they might come off as humorous or even a bit irreverent, they also display a depth of knowledge on various subjects such as politics, culture, and social issues.

Plumdaff has a loose and informal writing style, and many posts include jokes, tongue-in-cheek remarks, and the occasional offbeat comment about day-to-day life or societal quirks. They tend to be opinionated, sometimes engaging in debates with others, but also offer light-hearted observations that make their posts feel engaging to read.

Users on the forum may recognize Plumdaff for contributing to ongoing debates about local London life, current events, or political discussions, often balancing serious discourse with humorous asides.

If you're looking for a mix of insightful commentary and playful banter, Plumdaff's posts are typically a fun and memorable part of many discussions on the Urban75 forums.

I quite like the sound of this poster though :thumbs:
 
Fucking hell...

On the Urban75 forums, Plumdaff is known for being a somewhat eccentric and humorous user, often contributing to discussions with a distinctive tone. They typically engage in witty exchanges and have a reputation for being outspoken and occasionally sarcastic. While they might come off as humorous or even a bit irreverent, they also display a depth of knowledge on various subjects such as politics, culture, and social issues.

Plumdaff has a loose and informal writing style, and many posts include jokes, tongue-in-cheek remarks, and the occasional offbeat comment about day-to-day life or societal quirks. They tend to be opinionated, sometimes engaging in debates with others, but also offer light-hearted observations that make their posts feel engaging to read.

Users on the forum may recognize Plumdaff for contributing to ongoing debates about local London life, current events, or political discussions, often balancing serious discourse with humorous asides.

If you're looking for a mix of insightful commentary and playful banter, Plumdaff's posts are typically a fun and memorable part of many discussions on the Urban75 forums.

I quite like the sound of this poster though :thumbs:
It's amazing isn't it? If that's accurate for you (and others who've done it) then how does it know so much and articulate it so quickly?

I'm now engaged in a long conversation with it!
 
Now that we’re behind Cloudflare, which helps protect the site from “bad things”, we have a simple option to block or allow AI bots from crawling the site.

Obviously, some have already trawled through the mass of high quality content we have, but we could block them from accessing our new even-higher quality content.

On the face of it, I'd say ban the fucking fuckers, but are there any less obvious downsides?

Would, for example, banning them mean that the site will end up being excluded from search enquiries or discussions, and thus effectively silencing voices?

Would it lead to our increasingly rare left wing perspectives being excluded from results, and help skew its political perspective even more right wing?

Regarding the matter in hand. I say yes to the blocking.
Urban crawls passim will decay.
editor if you can coast on the old scrapes wrt searches, for a period of time I think we should use the new back end widgets to shield the forums for perhaps a year.
I've lost the plot with all your self-indulgent screed.
Where this topic land?
 
From what everyone else has been posting here, I thought it was going for the vague complimentary approach when describing posters here. Doesn't everyone want to be called witty/intelligent/knowledgable/blahblahblah? But it's dug things out of my posting history that even I can't remember.

On the Urban75 forums, "ouirdeaux" is an active member known for engaging in a variety of discussions. They often contribute thoughtful and sometimes humorous insights across multiple topics.

In a thread about the history of internet cafés, "ouirdeaux" reminisced about discovering the internet around the turn of the millennium and choosing to access it primarily through internet cafés to maintain a balance with the "Real World."

In a discussion regarding the death penalty, they articulated a nuanced perspective, suggesting that opposing capital punishment solely because "killing is wrong" might oversimplify the issue. They compared it to other state-imposed sanctions like imprisonment or fines, emphasizing the complexity of ethical considerations in state-administered justice.

Demonstrating a lighthearted side, in a thread about singalongs at gigs, "ouirdeaux" humorously remarked, "I only do it at the opera," showcasing their wit.

Additionally, in a conversation about marzipan, they shared a personal anecdote about enjoying s'mores and marshmallows as a child, while expressing doubt about their current preferences.

Overall, "ouirdeaux" appears to be a thoughtful and engaging participant in the Urban75 community, contributing both serious reflections and humor to various discussions.


Ban the fuckers.
 
I've lost the plot with all your self-indulgent screed.
Where this topic land?
I'm really not sure what to make of all that or what you mean by a topic 'landing' or why I'm being 'self indulgent'.

I'm just thinking aloud about the ramifications of new technology on this site and trying to work out what might be best for the site's future.
 
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