The Automated Online Role-Player is a short, amusing tale of the Autocamp 2000, providing simultaneously a great deal of insight into surprising behavior in both online games and social "network" software. The author explains the zen of online RPGs: # If there is a status bar, make it grow bigger # If there is a number, make it higher # If it moves, either get a mission from it or kill it This explains a much of the odd behavior centering around the Orkut high score list stats page, which has since been removed. Further, the author explains why some users/players will try to subvert the developer's designs and intentions: those that realize the system is a kind of game will eventually decide that the other players are not sharing the experience but merely part of the game. Therefore, his bot is designed for the maximum harassment of the other game pieces: # Join any group that invites you # When in a group, follow behind the leader # Attack any monster you see # Accept all trade requests from other players, then give them a melon As the author says, "I LIVE to defeat purposes."