April 24, 2025

Astroturfing is essentially a marketing and PR tactic that crafts a deceptive facade of authenticity to rally support and create viral interest. This technique is often deployed by political organizations and large corporations to shape public sentiment through the use of advanced technology and digital platforms.

News Report

The inclination to depict corporate initiatives as locally driven has given rise to the practice of astroturfing. In this scenario, substantial corporations or affluent individuals establish 'front groups' that masquerade as community activists but are largely funded and operated by national entities or wealthy benefactors from outside the local community.

When assessing whether an organization is engaged in astroturfing, consider the following questions:

Is the backing coming from a corporation, a national organization, or local sources?
Who started the organization (Was it truly a local initiative, and who were the founders)?
What vested interests might this group have in the proposed action or initiative (for instance, financial incentives or broader social concerns)? The concept of astroturfing exists on a spectrum. A venture initiated in the community but largely financed by national funds is less deceptive than an organization that is solely corporate-driven. Similarly, a foundation-backed program aimed at addressing societal issues (like poverty) is more legitimate than a corporation funneling resources to boost stock prices or circumvent regulations. Ultimately, the crucial factor is whether the organization’s actual operations align with the narrative it's communicating to the public.

Technology

• Winners of the Chevy Corvette NFT will also walk away with an exclusive, one-of-a-kind sports car.
• Instagram will be embracing NFTs in the coming months, as confirmed by Zuckerberg.
• Miami City is kicking off an NFT initiative in collaboration with Mastercard and TIME Magazine.

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