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
Tue, Nov 10, 04:07:04 PM
Anthone who has to delcare that they are "authentic" must presumably take the view that they are perceived as not being "authentic" - something which might be of concern in a PR company
Fri, Jul 31, 10:58:34 AM
Ray Durazo (the founder) sold the company to Dan in 1999. He was not involved in any of this. He (and I) found out about the lawsuit in the LA Times. In addition to embezzling this m [...]
Thu, Jul 02, 01:52:48 PM
Be careful using the word authentic too often. Might later come off as "synthetic authenticity"
Thu, May 07, 10:19:02 AM
Funny that such an article should appear on a blog no? You guys must be from New York.
Wed, May 06, 12:59:37 PM
I don't have a clue about PR. But, couldn't this move to 'authentic' just really be running away from anything 'virtual' at all, like all the other band-wagoners out there that never u [...]
Sun, May 03, 08:42:38 PM
I'm a totally authentic blogger. Edelman is in deep shit.
Mon, Apr 27, 08:40:57 AM
Makes me wonder what have they been doing until now?
Sat, Apr 11, 02:24:56 PM
Wow - I agree with Britton that its incredibly poor positioning. Rick also gives the kind of quote that's supposed to sound hip, clever and yet sincere, but it just comes across s [...]