The Internet has become the unabashed source of public information. Led By Google and other search engines, people rush to the net to confirm or deny virtually any subject that comes into question. It’s where people go for the truth. I find it absolutely amazing that a vast number of the population subscribe to the theory that If you see it on the web, it must be true.
Is it really?
At one time, I did have some faith in what I found on the web. While some companies and individuals go out of their way to be honest about their products and services, there are as many folks out there who are plain and simply, scammers.
Nickel a DanceOver the past few years in my career as a freelance writer for hire, a nickel a dance kind of guy, I found myself thrust into the role of expert for subjects and matters often beyond my expertise. I became the expert and the source of information for a variety of topics from plumbing repairs to legal matters, boat propellers, fashion, annuities, automobile reviews, medical conditions, drugs, hearing aids, locksmiths, New York City apartment rentals, steroids and dozens of other topics of which I must admit, my knowledge was limited at best. You name it and chances are, I wrote about it - no matter how complex the subject matter was. I became an advanced know it all with a degree in BS and a legend in my own mind.
FYI Numerous articles that carry the bylines of company founders, officers or technicians are in fact authored by yours truly and others like myself. It got so bad that I actually started believing much of what I wrote.At one point I authored a series of articles about scientology and did a series for … uh, never mind, I don’t want to go there.
I have been asked to write favorable, positive reviews for products I have never used, let alone heard of and to provide as many as ten positive reviews under ten fictitious names and locations for a company. A nationally known hardware chain hired me to do the same. I wrote a series of articles on how to train a dog, the whole time watching my dog exhibit a medley of bad things I had supposedly knew how to fix. Eventually my conscience got the best of me so I stopped accepting those kinds of assignments early on in my career, after my nose began taking on a Pinocchio-like appearance.
It’s amazing what a guy will do for a measly nickel a word, and incidentally, I am still available for hire … truthfully.
Is it really?
At one time, I did have some faith in what I found on the web. While some companies and individuals go out of their way to be honest about their products and services, there are as many folks out there who are plain and simply, scammers.
Nickel a DanceOver the past few years in my career as a freelance writer for hire, a nickel a dance kind of guy, I found myself thrust into the role of expert for subjects and matters often beyond my expertise. I became the expert and the source of information for a variety of topics from plumbing repairs to legal matters, boat propellers, fashion, annuities, automobile reviews, medical conditions, drugs, hearing aids, locksmiths, New York City apartment rentals, steroids and dozens of other topics of which I must admit, my knowledge was limited at best. You name it and chances are, I wrote about it - no matter how complex the subject matter was. I became an advanced know it all with a degree in BS and a legend in my own mind.
FYI Numerous articles that carry the bylines of company founders, officers or technicians are in fact authored by yours truly and others like myself. It got so bad that I actually started believing much of what I wrote.At one point I authored a series of articles about scientology and did a series for … uh, never mind, I don’t want to go there.
I have been asked to write favorable, positive reviews for products I have never used, let alone heard of and to provide as many as ten positive reviews under ten fictitious names and locations for a company. A nationally known hardware chain hired me to do the same. I wrote a series of articles on how to train a dog, the whole time watching my dog exhibit a medley of bad things I had supposedly knew how to fix. Eventually my conscience got the best of me so I stopped accepting those kinds of assignments early on in my career, after my nose began taking on a Pinocchio-like appearance.
It’s amazing what a guy will do for a measly nickel a word, and incidentally, I am still available for hire … truthfully.
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