I tricked 3M people into believing in an evil fake polycule

5 hours ago

The author created a satirical fake polycule ad, blending dating, roommate, and job application elements, which unexpectedly went viral, garnering 25 million views and over 2,000 applications.
Initial flyers posted in San Francisco led to widespread sharing on social media, with many mistaking the satire for real due to its detailed nature and initial framing, highlighting how perception is influenced by context.
The application included humorous elements like 'special move' queries, leading to real-world confusion and adoption of the term, while responses ranged from enthusiastic (e.g., admiration for Deborah) to hostile.
The experiment aimed to blend online and physical worlds through absurdity to spark stranger interactions, with the author reflecting on high ROI from minimal effort and people's gullibility.
Lessons include the power of absurdity in engaging people, the irony of criticism from anti-polyamory groups, and the accidental tricking of many despite the author's belief in obvious satire.

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