Friday, April 24, 2026

Am I A Luddite?

 Am I A Luddite?

                                                   

According to Google's AI: Luddites were 19th-century English textile workers who destroyed machinery (1811–1816) to protest wage reductions and substandard goods, not technological progress itself. HOWEVER: It goes on to elaborate - Today, the term is used broadly to describe someone opposed to new technology. So, to answer my own question - NO, I am NOT a 19th century English textile worker, nor am I opposed to new technology. Well, not fully, completely opposed. Maybe just a smidge opposed. Just a tad. Specifically, I'm opposed to the very tool I just used - Artificial Intelligence. 

Well, perhaps that's a bit of an over-simplification. I'm actually opposed to the idea that "A.I." is anywhere near "Ready for Primetime". And if you've existed for more than a minute, (and I presume you have), then you know exactly what I'm about to share -  how incredibly wrong, misinformed, ill-informed, and completely useless AI is at anything related to the basic functions of "Customer Service". The moment I hear that computerized voice say "How can I help you today?", I grimace, knowing full well that my very simple query will devolve into a 15 minute argument with a non-sentient being. 

Or at least it used to. Nowadays, I've gotten pretty good at bypassing the Borg. I've learned a few simple techniques that get my call passed on fairly quickly to a slightly less obtuse, yet fully human "Customer Service Representative" (or the ever popular- "Agent"). But, that neat trick only works on telephonic communication. And again, you don't have to be Nostradamus to predict that far too soon, there will be no such thing as voice communication. To put it bluntly - it ain't what the kids are doing. They don't talk. They TEXT. They UPLOAD. They "Doomscroll". Occasionally, they'll do something old fashioned like EMAIL. But to actually TALK? On a PHONE? What are you, CRAZY?!?! 

And young people have a nasty habit of turning into "Adults" who engage in such foolishness as "Employment" and "Purchasing Decisions" and thus drive the demand for less talk, more type. Less talk, more post. Gone are the days of "Let me speak to your Manager!". That's been replaced by "Do you know how many followers I have on Social Media?"

So now, you interact all day with companies whose business is primarily conducted online. Everything from your work to Banks and Insurance to Social Media. All from the discomfort of your phone or tablet or laptop. And if you encounter a problem? GOD HELP YOU, because the AI can't. Or worse yet - WON'T. Have a problem with your Uber account or your Driver? Good luck with all that. Scammer drained your online bank account? "How can we help you today?" Rather speak with somebody directly on the phone? Sure - "Our AI Assistant is available to answer your call, or visit our website for more options". 

And, if you've ever visited me here before, then you know all about my long standing grudge against the AI Bots of X. As an organic being, it enrages me to no end when a Non-Human accuses me of being a Non-Human. I mean, if I weren't a human, I wouldn't care! That mere fact that I'm enraged should be an indicator to the AI BOTS that I'm not a fellow traveler, right? WRONG. 

And that's my problem with technology. That's the Luddite in me. A lone voice, crying out in the wilderness - I AM AN AUTHENTIC HUMAN!. and a cold response of "We've suspended your account for inauthentic activity". Oh don't get me started. 

Anyway, if you'd like to learn more about my misadventures, scroll down for more. Otherwise, see ya in the funny papers. 




Posted by at No comments:

Tuesday, April 21, 2026


The Following was asked of, and subsequently answered by Grok


(Reprinted here without permission, because, Grok is AI....and I assume knows all about the X Bots of X)


 Q: Why was I accused of inauthentic behavior when I don't use automation or bots or engage in spam?


A: X's "inauthentic behavior" label (sometimes leading to warnings, reduced visibility, or full suspension) is a broad category in their rules aimed at protecting the platform from manipulation. Officially, it covers actions that artificially boost content discovery, engagement, or amplification—like content spam (bulk/duplicative/irrelevant posting), engagement spam (inauthentic likes, replies, reposts, or follows meant to game the algorithm), coordinated activity across accounts, impersonation, or using unauthorized automation/bots that violate their developer policies.

You say you don't use bots, automation, or spam, and many other users report the exact same experience: legitimate accounts hit with this flag despite organic activity. This isn't uncommon, especially during waves of aggressive anti-spam enforcement (there have been noticeable spikes in false positives reported in early 2026 and around bot purges).

Why false accusations happen even for real users

X relies heavily on automated systems (AI/ML models) to detect patterns that look suspicious at scale. These systems scan for signals like:

  • Rapid or high-volume interactions (even if they're manual likes, reposts, replies, or follows in a short time).
  • Posting or engaging in repetitive patterns that resemble spam campaigns (e.g., similar replies to many posts, heavy use of hashtags, or consistent timing that looks scripted).
  • Third-party tools or apps (schedulers, older clients like certain TweetDeck forks, or anything not fully compliant with X's API rules).
  • Account behaviors that mimic bots: new accounts, frequent username/password changes, VPN/proxy use, sudden spikes in activity, or even just heavy lurking + occasional bursts of engagement.
  • Mass reports from other users (malicious actors or rival accounts can trigger reviews).
  • Broader purges targeting bot networks, where the net catches some humans whose patterns overlap with automated ones (e.g., consistent daily posting volume or engagement farming attempts that look coordinated).

Humans reviewing appeals exist but are limited; initial flags and many denials are automated, which leads to quick rejections without specifics. The policy is intentionally broad because real manipulation (coordinated inauthentic behavior or "CIB") often hides behind human-operated accounts too—not just obvious bots.

In short: Your activity might have hit a statistical threshold that the detection model associates with inauthentic patterns, even if it was 100% manual and well-intentioned. AI moderators aren't perfect and produce false positives, especially during cleanup drives against the real spam/bots flooding the platform.

What you can do

  1. Appeal calmly and persistently — Use the official help form at help.x.com (not just in-app). Many users get accounts restored after multiple appeals (spaced 3–4 days apart) with fresh, detailed wording each time: emphasize you're a real person, describe your organic use, mention no automation/bots, and ask for specific examples of the violation. Some succeed after 4–10 tries when a human finally reviews it. Provide any verification (e.g., ID if offered) to prove authenticity.
  2. Check for subtle triggers in your history — Review recent activity for anything that could look spammy to an algorithm: mass-follow/unfollow cycles, giveaway-style reposts, repetitive comments, or tools you might not realize count as "unauthorized automation."
  3. Prevention going forward — Post and engage at varied, human-like paces. Avoid third-party tools unless they're explicitly allowed. Consider X Premium + verification for stronger signals of legitimacy. If you're in a niche with heavy bot activity, mass reports can snowball.

This issue frustrates a lot of genuine users—plenty of reports from long-standing accounts (even Premium ones) getting swept up with no clear violation. X has improved some detection but still struggles with balancing spam crackdowns against overreach. If your account is limited/suspended, keep appealing with patience; many do recover. If you share more details about what exactly happened (e.g., a warning vs. suspension, recent activity patterns), I might be able to narrow it down further.


So, there you have it folks. I will follow Grok's advice, and if you find yourself on the wrong end of Elon's boot? Maybe you should too. Scroll down if you care to read more of my misadventures. Otherwise, see ya in the funny papers.

Posted by at No comments:

Monday, April 20, 2026

 THIS IS HOW IT STARTED


I should've known my Monday was gonna be a Monday. And not my "fun day". But this is what I found this morning in my email in-box. I only checked my email because "the site formally known as twitter" wouldn't let me on. And, upon trying the usual stupid stuff of retyping my password. clearing cache, clearing history, rubbing my head while patting my belly, saying a prayer, and cursing like a drunken road-rager, I decided to see if X had sent me any handy notifications. And they had. They said that at 2:48 AM, while I was sleeping. I supposedly changed my email address to some spam bucket in the UK. I honestly don't know why the Wizards of Smartz aka THE BOTS @ X would believe that I had a) suddenly moved to the UK, and b) decided to randomly change my email address to one that is impossibly long and even harder to remember than my late GrandMother's Birthday, but they did. So, I did what any unsuspecting fool would do, and followed their suggestion to "secure your account". 

And, as you might guess, in order to secure your account, you must login - WHICH I CAN'T DO. So, I try the next best thing and tell X a lie - "I forgot my password". Yup. Big fat LIE. I know my password like the back of my own hand, but of course, if it doesn't work, you are forced to lie in order to even attempt any progress whatsoever. And then I get hit with a new one - "Please enter your passcode". No, not the stupid string of jumbled letters they text you when you normally want to reset your password. The "2 Factor Authentication Passcode". 

"Ahhh", I imagine hearing you say. Sounds good and secure. Like "hack proof" and stuff. Like you're a regular James Bond with a secret code that will turn invisible in 30 seconds or self-destruct like an old episode of Mission Impossible, right? RIGHT. Except there's only one tiny, tiny little problem with that my friends. I NEVER SET UP TWO FACTOR AUTHENTICATION ON MY ACCOUNT! I assume "zzzc574af@fjc1g3w1oxe0.bettermail.uk." must have done that. What a Pal. Thanks Dude! For nothing! So, I got back to my email account to see if I've missed anything. And I had. At some point during my praying and cussing, The Bots @ X support decided to send me yet another email. An even friendlier one than the one before. It said - 


And if you can't read that - it basically says X has SUSPENDED MY ACCOUNT. For "Inauthentic Behaviors". Now, have no fear Dear Readers ( I like to believe you exist, so please humor me), I actually, genuinely exist and I'm 100% Grade A "Authentic". And, I do 100% Authentic Type of Things on Social Media - like post news articles, re-post other posts, and reply to posts. In a normal fashion. Only while I'm actually online. And completely without BOTS or artificial sweeteners. So, I'm guessing that my Gen X attempts at repeatedly "clicking the thing" to try and get my Social Media Morning Fix must have triggered the Wizards of Smartz at X. 

So, I sent "Support" an email explaining that a) I never set up "two factor" on my account, b) I never changed my email, and whatever number/letter we're on) whoever DID do those things must have also been really, really "inauthentic" with their behaviors, because it wasn't me and they've obviously caused me to be suspended and I really, really don't want to be suspended because all of the news these days is on X. 

And then what? NOTHING. And, if you do a Google on "what happens if your account gets suspended for no valid reason?" or "what happens if your X account gets hacked and you get suspended?", Google will provide you with the answer - NOTHING. The long answer is too long to explain, and the short answer is - I'm likely screwed out of 11 years of my life and the 4K plus followers I collected along the way. 

So, SUX TO BE ME! as the old saying goes. Now, of course, I'll continue to waste my time trying to get my account back on X. In the meantime, you can always look for my "Truth Social" account which I only resumed using today because, well, you know. And, it's pitiful. I think I have like 30 followers on there (vs the like 4,200 or so I used to have one X). But YOU CAN FIX THAT if you really want to by joining Truth and following me HERE. 

And, I'll follow you back, And, if I wasn't so lazy, I'd open a window and scream "I'm mad as hell, and I'm not gonna take it anymore!". And if you got that reference, we might enjoy each other's company. If you're curious about my previous misadventures, scroll down for more. Otherwsie, see ya in the funny papers.



Posted by at No comments:

Wednesday, April 23, 2025

Should I Break The First Rule?

 


So, if you're at least THIS tall, you are familiar with the line. Correctly stated, it's -  "You do not talk about Fight Club". But, for some reason, it's almost universally remembered as "WE don't talk about Fight Club". And, if I'm being perfectly honest, I've only seen the film once, a long time ago, and it didn't resonate with me. Maybe it's because I'm an early Gen X dude, just a few years past the cut off of being in the  "OK Boomer" crowd, or maybe it's because I've never had any issues with feelings or being emotionally disconnected or whatever other mental/societal condition to the movie was referencing. But I do know how to fight. Primarily with words, but fight I have, and spoken about it I did as well. 

And, if you've ever been here or followed me on X for more than a minute, you know what fight I've most recently bleated about like a parade drum. It's in the Disclaimer at the bottom of this page "for those of you in Rio Linda" as Rush Limbaugh used to say. It's not my only fight mind you, just the one this little screed is about. So, call me a rebel if you must, but I'm gonna talk about Fight Club and it'll probably "jinx it" just like the last time I did, but who cares besides me?

I may have defeated the bots. Maybe. There are no guarantees in life beyond death and taxes and Murphy's Law, but the Artificial Unintelligent Bot Police of X seem to be leaving me alone lately. For yet another week or so, I've been able to login from my laptop and my phone without the dread "Your Account Has Been Locked" screen. I've also been able to check out my X feed from other locations beyond the Bat Cave where I normally reside, deep below stately Wayne Manor, and it wasn't deemed suspicious or unusual. 

Now, the last time I thought this entirely meaningless and trivial yet personally disturbing affair was concluded, and bragged about it on X, the bots got angry. They didn't lock me out of my account, but instead they pulled a completely different stunt. They disallowed me from reposting certain posts. I should've tried to get some screenshots of it, but nevertheless, they simply put a small banner across my screen saying "we're sorry but this action seems automated and is disallowed at this time". I posted about it. I'm sure at least two of you saw it. That's my impressive "impressions", now that I have the fancy blue checkmark. But, that also hasn't happened in about a week or so.

So, the final frontier is to simply resume using the platform formerly known as twitter as I used to use the platform formerly known as twitter. Like I did for over ten years. Namely - posting whatever I want, whenever I want, without worry or concern. Is that possible? Is that allowed? Will it cause me to be put back on Santa's Naughty List? Probably. But I hope not, because I occasionally like to write - but I'm not looking for a new job. I've kept this blog for my occasional venting needs, not because I'm looking for internet fame. ("Obviously" I hear you say). And I'd rather tweet my news links rather than post them here twice a day. That's work. And I don't work any longer.  So, stay tuned. This might get interesting. But I hope not. And that is absurd.


Disclaimer: As you may or may not know, I've been in the midst of a serious disagreement with the Support Bots of X, who about a month or so ago, started falsely accusing me of "unusual activity". After more than a decade of being on the platform, I can honestly assure you that the only "unusual activity" on my account was/is X deciding that I need to be locked out, approximately once every 24 hours, until I "prove that I am human". Fortunately for all involved, not the least of which being my Wife and kids, I AM. But I have no idea how long this will continue. So, in the meantime, I suggest you bookmark this site, and follow me on Truth as well. It's a bit different than my X account, but you can find me here.

P.S. - I am not an "affiliate" or a "Sponsor" or a "Paid Influencer". I earn no money from this. Whether you click a link or take a drink, I get nothing and want nothing, beyond knowing you may have been enlightened. If you liked my curated links, a site share would be cool ;)






Posted by at No comments:

This May Be Where You Find Me! (Wednesday, April 23rd, 2025, Morning Edition)

 

Hello My Friends (we meet again),

Here are this morning's news and opinion links, graciously curated, compiled and posted here instead of on X by yours truly, @AuthorofAbsurd. (No ads, fees, sign-ups, or email required on the site. Just good stuff to share. Links=new window) Enjoy!















Disclaimer: As you may or may not know, I've been in the midst of a serious disagreement with the Support Bots of X, who about a month or so ago, started falsely accusing me of "unusual activity". After more than a decade of being on the platform, I can honestly assure you that the only "unusual activity" on my account was/is X deciding that I need to be locked out, approximately once every 24 hours, until I "prove that I am human". Fortunately for all involved, not the least of which being my Wife and kids, I AM. But I have no idea how long this will continue. So, in the meantime, I suggest you bookmark this site, and if you're on Truth, let's follow each other there as well. It's a bit different than my X account, but you can find me here.


P.S. - I am not an "affiliate" or a "Sponsor" or a "Paid Influencer". I earn no money from this. Whether you click a link or take a drink, I get nothing and want nothing, beyond knowing you may have been enlightened. If you liked my curated links, a site share would be cool ;)



Posted by at No comments:

Tuesday, April 22, 2025

This May Be Where You Find Me! (Tuesday, April 22nd, 2025, Evening Edition)


Hello My Friends (we meet again),

Here are this evening's news and opinion links, graciously curated, compiled and posted here instead of on X by yours truly, @AuthorofAbsurd. No ads, fees, sign-ups, or email required on the site. Just good stuff to share. Enjoy!






















Disclaimer: As you may or may not know, I've been in the midst of a serious disagreement with the Support Bots of X, who about a month or so ago, started falsely accusing me of "unusual activity". After more than a decade of being on the platform, I can honestly assure you that the only "unusual activity" on my account was/is X deciding that I need to be locked out, approximately once every 24 hours, until I "prove that I am human". Fortunately for all involved, not the least of which being my Wife and kids, I AM. But I have no idea how long this will continue. So, in the meantime, I suggest you bookmark this site, and follow me on Truth as well. It's a bit different than my X account, but you can find me here.


P.S. - I am not an "affiliate" or a "Sponsor" or a "Paid Influencer". I earn no money from this. Whether you click a link or take a drink, I get nothing and want nothing, beyond knowing you may have been enlightened. If you liked my curated links, a site share would be cool ;)

Posted by at No comments:

Monday, April 21, 2025

This May Be Where You Find Me! (Monday Morning Edition, April 21st, 2025)

 


Hello My Friends (we meet again),

Here are this morning's choice news and opinion links, curated, compiled, & posted here instead of on X by yours truly, @AuthorofAbsurd. No ads, fees, sign-ups, or email required. Just good stuff to share with your followers. (Links = new window) Enjoy!


















Disclaimer: As you may or may not know, I've been in the midst of a serious disagreement with the Support Bots of X, who about a month or so ago, started falsely accusing me of "unusual activity". After more than a decade of being on the platform, I can honestly assure you that the only "unusual activity" on my account was/is X deciding that I need to be locked out, approximately once every 24 hours, until I "prove that I am human". Fortunately for all involved, not the least of which being my Wife and kids, I AM. But I have no idea how long this will continue. So, in the meantime, I suggest you bookmark this site, and let's follow each other on Truth as well. It's a bit different than my X account, but you can find me here.

P.S. - I am not an "affiliate" or a "Sponsor" or a "Paid Influencer". I earn no money from this. Whether you click a link or take a drink, I get nothing and want nothing, beyond knowing you may have been enlightened. If you liked my curated links, a site share would be cool ;)


Posted by at No comments:
Subscribe to: Comments (Atom)