Straight out of a dystopian movie, this clip shows a group of people cheering the unveiling of one of 33 speed cameras that went live in #SanFrancisco #sfba this week.

I think these cameras are a giveaway to the supplier. It’s very difficult to find out how much these cameras cost, but it appears to be around $50k per camera per year, or $8M for a five-year pilot period hxxps://banthecams.org/posts/2024/12/29/san-francisco-speed-cameras/. They are operated by Verra Mobility (Redflex). If the city really wants to slow cars down, there are other traffic-calming techniques that are much cheaper in the long run.

I’ve also found it distasteful that WalkSF has been continually promoting these speed cameras under the guise of “pedestrian safety”, while having events sponsored by Verra Mobility. Smells super astroturfy to me. hxxps://www.instagram.com/walksf/p/C-_SnX9SGnO

Video source: hxxps://www.instagram.com/reel/DHbvRDwSjpd/

If #astroturfing in the Fediverse is a sign of its growing importance, then we're on a good track.

Check out the fusionenergy hashtag. All identical/very similar posts hyping fusion energy, all coming from social.freysa.ai. And the accounts' avatars are all the same style. Interesting.

"Internal record shows #Canada’s second largest oil and gas producer donated to organizations that deny #ClimateChange is an emergency and question emissions goals."

https://www.desmog.com/2025/01/30/cenovus-funded-grassroots-groups-that-oppose-climate-laws-document-reveals/
#Astroturfing #ClimateDenial