« What is a Friend? | Main | Quixtar the Only Option? »
May 5, 2006
What is considered unethical?
By Truth in Web Initiative
The blogging world has exploded so to speak with quite a few new blogs about Quixtar opening up. Many are still in their very early stages, and it will only take time to find out how many stick through. Back on April 11th, I made a post in my blog questioning the ethics of what one paticular blogger had wrote out at myspace.com about this new blog initiative.
Well it appears that another paticular blogger has taken exception to my post, thinking that it is basically the pot calling the kettle black, he writes:
P.S. Some critic bloggers (who post negative opinions of Quixtar and training/motivation organizations and sprinkle their blogs liberally with keywords that bring attention to searches for those keywords) appear to be a bit disgruntled over an effort of self-driven individual IBO bloggers (who post positive opinions of Quixtar and training/motivation organizations and sprinkle their blogs liberally with keywords that bring attention to searches for those keywords.)
Not surprisingly, these critics consider this activity of their counterparts to be "unethical." Pot, meet kettle. (For the record, I do not consider either of the parties unethical, just opinionated.)
First of all, I am not disgruntled about this, I am confused. I don't know why someone would have to tell other bloggers to "Use terms like Quixtar, BWW, WWDB, etc liberally so that they may be found by the search engines." I have never had to consciously think about putting any kind of Quixtar or MO related term into my posts. You would think, if that is what your blog is about, and that is what your posts are about, those words would eventually make their way into your posts without any conscious effort on your part.
After reading many of these new blogs however I see things being done that are very confusing. They all seem to be obsessed with the idea of getting links. It would appear that this is an effort to move up the Google search engine rankings, since links is one of the pieces to that formula.
The blogger who had written the post in myspace came to my blog to comment. What was puzzling is that his main concern was that I did not link his blog, and he made no effort to answer anything directly from the post. Other blogs I have been to are linking words that don't make any sense. One blog had linked the word "free" twice. Once to Quixtar, and the other to "thisbiznow".
Now I am all for linking whatever you want in your own blog, but I always thought the purpose of the link was to give more information. So I am even more puzzled when another blog links the word "system" to a pro-Quixtar opinion blog. Also, the blog that took exception to my post did not link back to my blog. Really, I think they are taking this whole linking thing a little too much to heart.
In the end though what does this say about this recent explosion of Quixtar/System friendly blogs? Are they really out just to share the positive stories of Quixtar, or are they on a mission to drown out other people's opinions. As far as I know there has never been a coordinated effort by critical bloggers like this, they simply set out to tell others of their experience and what they saw wrong with the Motivational Organizations of Quixtar.
Questions
So what say you? What is considered unethical? Is it wrong for me to question the ethical behavior of these new blogs when clearly their actions are puzzling at best? One blogger says that he doesn't think either side is unethical, just opinionated. Granted, everyone has their opinion, and I leave it up to the readers to decide whether the Motivational Organizations are a good thing or not, and welcome the other side.
Matter of fact I have a standing invitation to any IBO, or pro-Quixtar person to come on my podcast and explain their position and tell me where I am missing the point. To date I have had not one IBO take me up on this. But you tell me, where do you draw the line on having an opinion, and having an agenda?
Side Note: Any IBO, or pro-Quixtar blogger or individual wanting to come on the podcast you can send me an e-mail, or call 1-775-908-9383 and leave a message.
Comments
Long post, I read the first few paras, and making a comment without reading complete post, but what the hell:
Explain the reference to goats to my blog. Am I trying to attract people who are googling goats? (Googling goats, Mmm.. mmm.. mmm.. mmm)
Oblog, as you have picked up new blog writers, it appears that you have acquired the need to be a blog editor. Good topic, but does not get to the point enough and information can be consolidated into a more concise, focused post. Actually length isn't so much the issue as is a strong focus to better convey the point. Just a little constructive criticism
Favoring your position is only being opinionated. What is unethical is when the lying cowardly "kingpins" talk about the A/Q products being their source of income when in fact the major source is from the system tools (books, tapes/CD's and functions).
Posted by: Tex | May 6, 2006 10:01 PM