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It think "fake buzz" is killing the Internet's credibility. I actually think that spending tons of time tweeting and posting testimonials on sites [rather than

It think "fake buzz" is killing the Internet's credibility. I actually think that spending tons of time tweeting and posting testimonials on sites [rather than working on making better products and services] is exactly what's killing the quality of goods and services in society these days. Fake testimonials are for "As Seen On TV" ads, but for a reliable and trustworthy company that plans on longevity, I think its a 100% bad move. Let the real and unbiased testimonials from people about your business be REAL and UNBIASED if you plan on thriving in the long run of business life. Think about it this way, if testimonials are rigged, what metrics are companies then using to improve their products? Testimonials influence and taint the opinions of others. This is the reason why some people have 100,000 followers on Twitter, because they work for an AD agency that creates phony accounts and then adds those users in order to "Fake" the idea that the account is truly popular. This reduces the credibility of your Twitter account and your entire presence on the Internet. Do you get jealous because a friend or competitor has more "followers" than you? You shouldn't. you should congratulate them instead. You never know how or why they got there, and they may be behind you the next day. "Faking it until you make" it is not a good way to go. You should generate real metrics, a real reputation, and a solid product or service, thats the only way to sustained and long-term success, and its always been that way.

ryanwaggoner 16y ago
...is exactly what's killing the quality of goods and services in society these days. I'm not sure what society you live in, but I live in a society that's jam-packed with amazing stuff. I take most of it for granted most of the time, but I have thousands of amazing products, services, and experiences available with just a few clicks, at prices that are absolutely unbelievable compared with what was available 50 years ago. Besides, this kind of "fake buzz" bullshit has been around for a long time; it's called advertising.
- winternett 16y ago
  And that's the same reason why we had to create "Truth In Advertising" legislation, and why the word Free no longer has to mean anything. And why Wal-Mart foists cheap plastic crap on us, rather than products that truly work and last a long time. If you create a fake world, you can't complain when you'll have to live in it. :) No Disrespect, but honesty, and authenticity is not for sale, and you can't build a house on a fake foundation, it always crumbles eventually.
  - ryanwaggoner 16y ago
    You're cherry-picking, and we both know I could do the same thing, listing brands and companies that do create great products and services, but perhaps we can just agree to disagree. I think the world today is generally better than it used to be. Yes, even some of that "cheap plastic crap" from Walmart. If I want a cheap trash can to go next to the workbench in my garage, it's nice that I can buy one for $3.88 at Wal-Mart, instead of having to purchase a $17 metal can hand-crafted by someone in a local factory. They both do the same job, they'll last the same amount of time, but one is 1/5th the price. And I'm fine with that.
    - winternett 16y ago
      Like I said, No Disrespect, we all have different examples of how this post relates to us in business. I'm mainly stating that ethics weigh heavily in terms of how I do business, and if you take shortcuts or fake moves in terms of building business, your ethics become questionable...
      - ryanwaggoner 16y ago
        * I'm mainly stating that ethics weigh heavily in terms of how I do business, and if you take shortcuts or fake moves in terms of building business, your ethics become questionable...* Oh, I couldn't agree more. I was just taking issue with the assertion that products and services are getting worse. We definitely agree on the importance of being honest.
        winternett 16y ago
        The part about hating WalMart is a recurring "joke signature" that I have just begun to add to all of my posts. They just announced that they're moving into my neighborhood in DC right now, and I'm not too happy about it. Don't worry too much about that. LOL :P
        anamax 16y ago

ryanwaggoner 16y ago

...is exactly what's killing the quality of goods and services in society these days. I'm not sure what society you live in, but I live in a society that's jam-packed with amazing stuff. I take most of it for granted most of the time, but I have thousands of amazing products, services, and experiences available with just a few clicks, at prices that are absolutely unbelievable compared with what was available 50 years ago. Besides, this kind of "fake buzz" bullshit has been around for a long time; it's called advertising.

winternett 16y ago
And that's the same reason why we had to create "Truth In Advertising" legislation, and why the word Free no longer has to mean anything. And why Wal-Mart foists cheap plastic crap on us, rather than products that truly work and last a long time. If you create a fake world, you can't complain when you'll have to live in it. :) No Disrespect, but honesty, and authenticity is not for sale, and you can't build a house on a fake foundation, it always crumbles eventually.
- ryanwaggoner 16y ago
  You're cherry-picking, and we both know I could do the same thing, listing brands and companies that do create great products and services, but perhaps we can just agree to disagree. I think the world today is generally better than it used to be. Yes, even some of that "cheap plastic crap" from Walmart. If I want a cheap trash can to go next to the workbench in my garage, it's nice that I can buy one for $3.88 at Wal-Mart, instead of having to purchase a $17 metal can hand-crafted by someone in a local factory. They both do the same job, they'll last the same amount of time, but one is 1/5th the price. And I'm fine with that.
  - winternett 16y ago
    Like I said, No Disrespect, we all have different examples of how this post relates to us in business. I'm mainly stating that ethics weigh heavily in terms of how I do business, and if you take shortcuts or fake moves in terms of building business, your ethics become questionable...
    - ryanwaggoner 16y ago
      * I'm mainly stating that ethics weigh heavily in terms of how I do business, and if you take shortcuts or fake moves in terms of building business, your ethics become questionable...* Oh, I couldn't agree more. I was just taking issue with the assertion that products and services are getting worse. We definitely agree on the importance of being honest.
      - winternett 16y ago
        The part about hating WalMart is a recurring "joke signature" that I have just begun to add to all of my posts. They just announced that they're moving into my neighborhood in DC right now, and I'm not too happy about it. Don't worry too much about that. LOL :P
        anamax 16y ago