Sorry this site requires JavaScript to be enabled in your browser. See the following guide on How to enable JavaScript in Internet Explorer, Netscape, Firefox and Safari. Alternatively you may be blocking JavaScript with an advert-related or developer plugin. Please check your browser plugins.

It’s intriguing that most of discussions are outward focused. They’re about Google and “do no evil”. About whether any company should enter the China market. About how far “they” should be allowed to go, what “they” should owe us, how “they” should be regulated. Closer to home we’re often mum.
Comments6 Comments  

Comments

Avatar
from Halfdeck 1309 Days ago #
Votes: 1

I agree it’s easy to point fingers at other people "being evil" while maintaining whatever you’re doing is just good business. If you define your own actions strictly by ROI then not doing the same when judging other companies is hypocritical. At the same time, its natural for people to get too close to their work and not realize what effect they’re having on others. In that case, holier-than-thou critics - whether hypocritical or not - serves a purpose.

Avatar
from neyne 1309 Days ago #
Votes: 1

this is an excellent post! Mirrors my thoughts exactly from the recent discussions on black hat on SMX or Lyndon’s linkbait.There is a great saying that I know from hebrew, so sorry if the translation is awkward, but people living in houses made of glass, should not go around throwing stones...

Avatar
from Ruud 1308 Days ago #
Votes: 0

@Halfdeck I too think critics serve their purpose. It’s a balancing act and they (we) are part of the balance. Also, "he who is without sin, let him trhow the first stone" doesn’t mean we can’t criticise or that when we do the validity of our critic is automatically nill simply because of our ethics (or absence of them).@neyne Unrelated: love your avatar :)Knowning your own ethics is as essential as knowing your own SEO theories: search, always question, always test.

Avatar
from neyne 1308 Days ago #
Votes: 0

@ruud There are critics and there are critics. I hate it when a critique turns into a lynching mob. Calling someone out on a move can also be done calmly, reasonably and without getting personal, while remembering all the skeletons in our own closets...

Avatar
from Ruud 1307 Days ago #
Votes: 0

Slashing someone down, killing something off is fun.I think that sums up the motivation behind a lot of lynching mob critique. Happens with stars (whether Hollywood or SEO) and big success (whether Microsoft or Google -- Apple is slated for vilification, I expect).Good point though, good point.

Avatar
from bbcarter 1307 Days ago #
Votes: 0

Wow Ruud killer article, worth it just for the "ad men" ad, but some great questions posed there, thanks!

Upcoming Conferences

Search Marketing ExpoSearch Engine Land produces SMX, the Search Marketing Expo conference series. SMX events deliver the most comprehensive educational and networking experiences - whether you're just starting in search marketing or you're a seasoned expert.



Join us at an upcoming SMX event:

Upcoming Webcasts

Search Marketing Now Learn more about search marketing with our free online webcasts and webinars from our sister site, Search Marketing Now. Upcoming online events include: