[Image from somewhere here.]

Statistical analysis always fascinated me because you can do anything you want to prove any point.  This example shows how any competent blog monitor can identify sock puppets.

The chart shows that a single poster has up to 16 socks on one person’s blog, and the size of the pyramid functions identify which socks are used the most. In this case, the largest purple pyramid is the puppet master. Note that it hits the tan hexagon, thus giving away the sock owner’s true identity.

Once identified, the blog monitor has some choices. He/she can delete the prime feed, and deal with the other 15 socks if and when they become nuisances, or he/she may choose to vaporize all socks at once.

Note that the correlator tools is not without flaws. In the example above, all of the blue-colored pyramids are NOT controlled by the previously identified sock master, and the blog monitor may inadvertently delete regular non-posting loyal readers who are more likely to hit the tip jar than others.

On the other hand, those with the most socks win, and often enjoy an Overnight Open Thread.