Here is my latest thoughts on valleyrags latest blogger…

Hookernomics vs. Freakonmics

http://www.johnmwillis.com/sud.....eakonmics/

They are treating techs and online personalities like celebrities but it doesn’t wash, nor does it work with but maybe 1% of people online who are so geeky and tech-minded that online authors and more well-known techs really are like celebrities to them. So there’s a limited audience for VW’s druck, and I don’t see that changing much in the future.

Even if techs and online types become celebs in the eyes of all mankind overnight, VW would still be crossing the line from straight journalism into paparazzi style celeb-hunting with their exposes and seamy tactics. It’s not right. I don’t think Britney Spears and Lindsay Lohan should be treated the way they are by the press, either, living in a bubble made out of cameras and questions, unable to turn left or right and see no one staring back so they can just be themselves.

While I’m not exempting VW from responsibility in the Wales saga, you have to think Rachel Marsden is a special case. She is very manipulative, and if she can’t get what she wants, she turns traitor and destroys whoever wouldn’t give in to her.

Not only did she screencap and submit her IMs with Wales to VW, but she also stole, I forget, I think it was state secrets from her Canadian boyfriend, and when he dumped her, she did him in with the “evidence” too. Then she tried to explain that off with, “Oh, I guess giving me those papers was the least he could do since he wouldn’t buy me jewelry. ” Sure. She took those papers, no one just hands that kind of stuff off, especially not to a complete whackjob like her.

You can say, “Oh, but VW still shouldn’t have printed all that about her and Wales”, but let’s get real - that’s what VW *does* and we all know it. So did she. She’s very manipulative. She has no class or dignity or respect for her um, “friends” at all.

But I detest VW’s exposes all the same (no matter how informative they are, it’s still the lowest, snarkiest, most disrespectful form of journalism out there - I think the National Enquirer has more class than they do sometimes) and there’s no reason not to think that with enough of a protest, and with enough drop-off in readers, they may very well just knock it off. Keep up with trying to get their advertisers out of there, maybe you can make enough headway that you really will hit them where it hurts, not to mention you might sully their reputation in the ad industry beyond repair.

Another thought - maybe someone should start a Valleywag-rag.com and expose all of *their writer’s* weaknesses - I hear Nick Denton is a veritable gold mine of unsavory stories all by himself - and just think, once they start taking that sh*t, maybe they’ll finally stop dishing it out…

Last week I noticed only two legitamate advertisers on their site, Alaska Airlines and BMW. So I called them and asked them why they would tarnish their brand by adverising on a site with rumor-mongering and sex trade. The ads were being served up without their knowledge and at least one of them is no longer there.

I don’t feel sorry for any Internet exec that appears on Valley Wag. If you can’t stand the heat, get out of the kitchen and back in the obscure toil that most of us live in every day. They had a choice…they get all the trappings of the position.

You know why I like Valleywag? Because they’re funny, and they’re not afraid to mercilessly ridiculous, humourless, self-important buffoons like yourself. Spare me your “concern for the poor victimised Valley workers” - as usual, your concern is for no-one but yourself. I find your poorly disguised moans about your tough, tough life and mean, mean valleywag just sickening - why don’t you man up a little? Just for a trial?

Face it Arrington - you don’t inspire people’s love. Rather the opposite. The same instinct that makes me waste my valuable time writing you this comment - ie, thinking you’re an absolute turd in desperate need of flushing - inspires Valleywag to dish the dirt on you, too. If you weren’t such a pompous little shit, we wouldn’t feel the need. You can hate VW, and perhaps you’re supposed to - I take a great deal of personal pleasure in seeing your massive head deflated a little each time they write, and I’m sure a whole lot of other people do too.

Like they say, “Those who mind don’t matter and those who matter don’t mind!”

You mean to say it was a place where scam artists like you could operate freely without being held accountable?

You’re above all of this. Vwag picks on you because a) you’re a celebrity in Silicon Valley and b) they wish they were even half as accomplished and influential as you are. Wasn’t Nicholas Carlson’s last job as a junior news hack at a sh*tty little outlet called Internet News? He obviously failed as a credible journalist, so he’s trying to make his mark as a gossip blogger. Pathetic.

Don’t lower yourself to these guys, Mike. They’re just sad.

Perhaps many Silicon Valley tech people are sort of second-rate, wannabe celebrities. No desire other than to build a great startup?

Hmmm. Many industry people I know are very into the parties, the dating, and the trips to Davos (or wherever). They like the titles, the money, and the limited degree of celebrity available to a successful Valley executable or tech visionary.

Nothing wrong with it, but they should perhaps treat Valleywag the same way Hollywood treats the National Enquirer: tolerate if possible, and sue when it gets too outrageous.

with that, i assume (like denton) i’m entitled to my very public opinions.

you get the picture.

mike, dont let your personal life (or lack there of at the moment) affect your blog.

It looks like Denton’s ValleyWag is actually doing a good job of uncovering abnormalities around Mr. Wales of Wikipedia, while Arrington is giving the impression that he would have let it go cencored if it was exclusive news to him.

Or just jealous of them breaking the news.