Ok, some of you might have heard about this, but for those who don't, there's new reasons to be paranoid on the internet. For a while now, people have been being paid by companies to build trust with various people on chat forums and after posting enough, making friendships and building confidence, advertise products. You remember when Lil'Tony told you about the new video card he bought, or NewbKnight told you about the new Adidas shoes that helped him score the winning touchdown at his football game? Well, they do, and they made a few hundred dollers for it.

A few weeks ago, the guys at Penny-arcade received a very interesting e-mail about the subject. A few days later, they were shown in a Candadian Globe and Mail article. Quite amazing what companies will do today. Lie to us through commercials and now lie to us by pretending to be our friends. Thoughts?

Well, as I sit here typing on my NASBRO keyboard, you make me wonder, using my iMind, from the makers of iPod, about this subject...

Yeah, this subject makes my shiver in my new Converse All-Stars. What kind of company would do such a thing? And what will happen when you can't even trust your high quality Pentium 4 supporting computer with a Cicero flat screen moniter?

Oh dear, now I feel more inclined to go buy converse.

...but they uise sweat shops...

...but my friend red wears them...

oh the dilema!

This makes me so nervous I need to go eat some Breyers ice cream to calm down. (It's delicious by the way)

The only answer to this is to subscribe to AOL's new anti-friend-advertising software. It warns you every time that someone tries to recommend a product to you when they are hired by the company.

And how might I get a job working for these fine folks?

Apply at their website I would guess. Hype Council has a scarily easy to use website. Really forward too.

Lol. When I clicked that link, I got a popup warning that said, "Warning: Hypecpuncil.com is attempting to read from Hypecouncil.com. This is a potentially unstable blah blah blah." I thought that was funny.

I'm not going to advertise anything. Partially because you would all laugh if I tried to advertise any of my computer stuff. (my PC is a dinosaur) And partially because I swear, on...some person's grave, that I do not work for anybody. That's right, I am 100% advertising free. Just like Juicy Juice is 100% juice, I am 100% advertising. (that's right, I get to advertise the cool products)

It sounds like a kinda nerdy job to join forums and chat rooms to make friends so you can advertise things to them...

This is so weird it makes me wanna go play my copy of Quake 4...bought it for only $59.99 too.

I'd take nerdy job any day if they paid me well. I would love driving to the office in my Subaru WRX STI.

(To be clear, I would NEVER join an advertising company.)

I could never work in advertizing, advertizing is so sleazy in my opinion, I just couldn't ever do it.

...can you make money by already hitting up your already online friends? cuz that would be a win win situation XD

All the years I've spend advertising products to my friends and NOW I find out I could have gotten paid for it.

Not surprised at all that sony was one of the companies. Sony is actaully "we will make you life a misery" evil. I stopped buying anything sony related when I found out about they were putting virusses on people's computers. Though Microsoft isn't much better, but atleast with microsoft you know that the Norton etc. they for put on your computer damages it if you try to remove it. *accepts large bundle of money from microsoft*

Bethesda owes me money. I've got several people hooked on the Elder Scrolls franchise! PAY ME NOW!

Heh, Sony and Microsoft have been looking worse and worse as time goes on because of all the mudslinging the fanboys do. They're like two presidential candidates, by the end of the run they both look like utter, total dirtbags because of all the BS dug up about them.

Me neither, makes me sick....blauh!*throws up* and if any body on here does that sh*t, dont bring to me or you'll get a kick in the @$$....so dont try it you sleazy advertizers!!!......hehe.


It's so true it's almost sad, they cant even compete fairly anymore in these days...

I never really listen to people's opinions on products, because I've found "crappy" games to be good and the "best" electronics to suck beyond notice.

But I guess I really should return that pack of M&Ms that kid told me to buy last week...

While writing this I am stockpile-ing for the predictable siege and the catapult attacks are going to sux but maybe I will be ready. I not only would, but used to, work in sales. I am acctually kinda decent at it, but I don't like the attitude of the higher-ups, they are kinda......twisted and inhumane when it comes to business.

Yeah, thats how it works sometimes....