People are much too quick to conclude that they're observing astroturfing when what they're really observing is the simple fact that not everyone agrees with them. Because of this, we have two problems: real astroturfing (when it's actually going on), and imaginary astroturfing (which people project onto their opponents in arguments). Both are destructive, but since the imaginary variant is more common, it's more destructive. It poisons discussion. Therefore we ask HN commenters not to post insinuations about astroturfing unless they have specific evidence, and to remember that somebody merely stating an opposing view does not count as evidence.
