So here's one of those Facebook mysteries I often wonder about but usually scroll right past. Let's make it a Sunday question, shall we?
I was reviewing my FB news feed and there's a post that leads off with "Bruce Kimmel was tagged in this". The poster is a Ryan Blanchard, and it says "Ryan Blanchard is with Bruce Kimmel and 6 others". Ryan's post reads:
"I saw this on shark tank and knew I had to try it! I have been taking it for about 3 weeks and already lost 20 pounds! Strongly recommend it!" Now does this sound like a real post from someone talking to their friends? It's a video and URL that I wouldn't touch with a ten-foot pole.
But I did look at Ryan Blanchard's profile to see if he looks like a real person. Well, he looks real, and maybe BK (the only mutual friend) actually knows him. But I still didn't trust what looks like an utterly bullshit post that very likely doesn't come from him.
Next I look at the "6 others" tagged:
Brian Patrick Murphy
Brian O'Brien
Brian Reiser
Brooks Braselman
Brian Walker
Bryan Bennett
Now isn't that just a hoot? Obviously the Bruces come right after these. Some cretin or entity has hijacked some huge list on Facebook. (I also couldn't help but notice "Ryan - Brian - Bryan" etc. Potentially lots going on here with algorithms.)
So my question is: BK, do you see that you're tagged on this? I ask because when I see these things that reference people I know, I never see any comments or likes or anything -- from anyone -- and I wonder if they even know their names are on them. Which means I have to wonder if anyone ever sees MY name on any of them.
Another one I often see is the Ray-Ban "ad" hawking $199.00 Ray-Bans on sale for $19 or some such, always with someone I know tagged at the top of the post.
This crap truly makes me want to declare that "someday a real rain will come and wash all this scum off the streets."