For Writers Only

Con Artists, Sell-Outs, Whores

The Magic Christian, a movie from 1969, ended with a memorable scene. A giant tub of shit was filled with money to see who would throw away their dignity for cash.

And now this, forty years later …

A Friend’s Tweet Could Be an Ad

Mr. Chow is among a growing group of celebrities, bloggers and regular Internet users who are allowing advertisers to send commercial messages to their personal contacts on social networks. For the last month, he has used the services of Ad.ly, a start-up based in Los Angeles, and Izea, based in Orlando, Fla., to periodically surrender his Twitter stream to the likes of Charter Communications, the Make a Wish Foundation and an online seminar about working from home.

In October, Mr. Chow’s income from Twitter ads was around $3,000. “I get paid for pushing a button,” he said.

Boldfaced emphasis added by me.

And by pushing that button you blow your credibility to smithereens.

Previously here:

FTC Wants Bloggers To Disclose: My Disclosure

Previously at Mike Cane 2008:

The Ultimate Weapon Is Trust

Previously at Mike Cane’s Blog:

PayPerScum
Like This Shit Is News?
My Response To “10 Things Your Blogger Won’t Tell You”
I’m Beginning To Think There Isn’t A Single Tech Site That Can Be Trusted