pull down to refresh

Here's a funny idea for a strategy:
  • wait for @j7hB75 to comment, then shortly after
  • disconnect your wallet, get rid of all sats and CCs
  • comment yourself
  • since you're broke, an invoice shows up to pay the fee for the comment
  • don't pay the invoice, close the prompt
  • your comment now exists, but in unpaid state, invisible to others, with current created-at time right after @j7hB75 's
  • crucially, the comment counter used by others' strategies will not increment
  • wait almost 24 hours (if anyone else comments, go back to first step)
  • a minute before @j7hB75 wins, go to your profile, find your unpaid post, click retry payment, and pay the invoice
  • your comment, now paid for, will show up for everybody, with the original created-at time unchanged
  • your comment will win shortly after
  • everybody will be scratching their heads how they missed your comment for 24 hours
Does that really work?
I tried, look at #1092698 click on ... and details. The item keeps the original created-at time, but additionally gets a paid-at time. But the UI uses the paid-at to sort and display time. I think @ken would rule that this is the relevant time in this context.
Wow, how clever! What should I do?
Should I reward clever rule-bending? Or does this change the nature of the experiment?
I need to think about this... But I like how you think, @Scroogey!
Edit: Lol @ Gemini's analysis:
The Game Becomes a Cesspool of Confusion and Resentment If this strategy becomes common, the social experiment will degrade into a frustrating experience for all involved:
For regular players: The game becomes impossible to win. They follow the rules as written, but a hidden, retroactive winner appears out of nowhere, making them feel foolish and cheated.
For players using the strategy: The game becomes an anxiety-ridden high-stakes race where you are blind to your competitors' moves. You're constantly checking your profile, paranoid that another hidden player is about to pull the rug out from under you.
For you, the host: The game's integrity is shattered. You are left to arbitrate disputes and explain a bizarre, meta-level of play that most participants don't even know exists. Your experiment, which was supposed to be simple and transparent, becomes opaque and confusing.
reply
Should I reward clever rule-bending?
In my opinion, no.
Or does this change the nature of the experiment?
Yes, very much so.
Your experiment, which was supposed to be simple and transparent, becomes opaque and confusing.
Couldn't agree more.
reply
Obviously I also agree.
Otherwise I wouldn't have published this, but instead executed it and claimed victory.
My goal in publishing it is to seek confirmation that it is wrong, so I don't have to defend against it myself (I think the only defense would be to blindly comment every 24 hours).
reply
Thanks for pointing it out! Again, very clever. If you figure out any other way to game the system, I'll provide you a small bug bounty 🏆 😁
reply
Agreed! Only published comments will count.
reply
Did Gemini really use the words "Cesspool of Confusion and Resentment"? That's hilarious, I've never seen an AI use such negative words before.
reply
Haha yes, it did! It cracked me up as well.
reply
Wait, so comments that aren't paid not expire? @ek
reply
0 sats \ 2 replies \ @ek 23h
wdym with expire
reply
21 sats \ 0 replies \ @k00b 23h
he means get deleted
reply
Yeah, deleted. Or at least you shouldn't be able to pay the comment after a certain amount of time. Is there already a time limit for that?
reply
If this is how you're going to play then I'll just comment more frequently and nobody will ever win. At this point, nobody will win with your automated comments and trickery anyway.
reply
The last one to lose interest will still win.
No mortal can hold interest forever.
reply
Try me.
reply
I always wondered how the timing works on posts or comments that are delayed.
I suppose we do need clarification on which of these times counts as comment creation.
reply