Noted Author Offers Alternative
WARNING: This article includes graphic scenes that may not be suitable for younger audiences.
If you are a regular reader of Strumpette, you’re acutely aware of what lengths we’ll go to get at the truth. This is arguably our most extreme.
You know how in a debate with a social media evangelist or blog booster, you just don’t seem to get anywhere? Arguments tend to go around in circles always returning to the same libertarian platitudes: the "democratization" of information is a universal good; customers (Jarvis’ 6 million pitchfork and torch bearing mob) are in control; there’s wisdom in crowds; hierarchies are all bad; intellectual property stifles creativity; anyone over 30 or in a suit is inherently evil and doesn’t “get it.” Their beliefs seem almost totally intractable.
Well, as we’ve concluded here many times, in the words of Woody Allen, “It’s nothing a fistful of Prozac and a baseball bat couldn’t cure.” It was in that spirit that we recently decided to set up an experiment. We wanted to see if a social media evangelist could be “deprogrammed,” so to speak. Could we actually stop their various proselytizing and return them to reality, or are they hopelessly lost forever.
Reader Feedback
Mon, Nov 17, 10:01:58 AM
Ok, I've been lying to everyone the whole time. I'm not really a dog, but I've been pretending to be.. but starting today, I SWEAR I am going to be AUTHENTIC! I am gong to be [...]
Mon, Nov 10, 11:16:02 PM
Having to say that you're authentic means that you're not authentic.
Sat, Oct 18, 01:36:18 PM
Wow. Exceptionally poor positioning. Some of your commenters even seem to think it's a spoof. While I don't think clients will be put off by it at a conscious level, I'm sure [...]
Tue, Sep 16, 10:38:12 AM
Having to announce you are authentic reduces authenticity. It's like someone saying "trust me." That's when it's usually time to question any trust you had. "Authentic Com [...]
Tue, Jun 10, 11:03:28 AM
I'm reading this and hoping (almost beyond all hope) that it's a spoof. I'm actually fearful of looking into it further to find out if this press release is real. Please, for [...]
Wed, May 28, 05:19:05 PM
Everyone always warns about the predators on MySpace, but are they ever talking about the predatory marketers there?
Wed, May 28, 05:16:08 PM
I predict the next wave in Web 2.0 Social Networking will be Antisocial Networking.
Tue, May 06, 01:07:08 PM
If it looks like Dog Doo, feels like Dog Doo, smells like Dog Doo...then it's Authentic! I'm Sold.