Comment Spam

A while back, something went screwy with my comment filter. I use a little piece of code called a "captcha" script, which requires people to type in a garbled word when entering a comment. But the word was no longer showing up, meaning people could submit a comment just by typing anything at all in the blank.

It didn't surprise me that the captcha script stopped working. I'd upgraded my movable type installation several times, and the piece of code just couldn't keep up. Finally, a week or so ago, I retired the script, leaving my comments open to any and all interested parties. As expected, I immediately began receiving some spam. But this time, it was something different. I'm used to the million comments about Cialis, party poker, etc. But my new spam wasn't just advertisements for products I don't need.

It was news.

Really, I don't get the point of spam, anyway. Even if someone is in the market for penis enlargement, why would they want to buy it from some random stranger who leaves a misspelled post on their blog or in their email? I mean, I know some gullible people, but I can't say I know anyone who's ever bought anything offered to them from a bad piece of spam. But as nonsensical as spam usually is, the stuff I'm getting on this site now is just inexplicable.

Here's a sample of what I'm getting:

• Jonathan Ross is dubbed "risque" by Ofcom but not in breach of rules over an interview with David Cameron...
• The Red Hot Chili Peppers are leading the way at this years MTV Europe music awards with four nominations...
• Borat creator Sacha Baron Cohen reportedly signs a $42.5m (22m) film deal starring his character Bruno...
• TV host Oprah Winfrey gives audience members $1,000 (526) each to donate to a charitable cause...
• The Rolling Stones cancel a gig in Hawaii and postpone other tour dates as Mick Jagger suffers throat troubles...

And there are a million others like those. Notice something about them? They're not selling anything. There's nothing at all to buy. In fact, they really seem to exist to give me some valuable news that I might otherwise have missed while wasting time on my own blog. It almost seems like spammers are just trying to do a good deed, maybe rebuild some cosmic karma. There are links given with each of these posts, but none of them ever seem to work.

If anything, it makes me feel bad for having my captcha filter up in the first place. I mean, if someone out there is trying to make me smarter, more aware of cultural events, why am I being so damn resistant to their efforts. They're only trying to help, and I'm looking a gift horse in the mouth.

Well, it ends today. Welcome to my site, news spammers. Feel free to post your updates about TomKat's wedding, Virgin Records' newest acquisitions, the weather in New Jersey, etc. Any and everything you know, share it with me. The door is open. Mi site es su site. Let's start the learning, people of the internets!