Comments on: Brian Clark of Copyblogger Lashes Out at Me

By: Richard X. Thripp

Richard X. Thripp — Thu, 04 Nov 2010 10:24:00 +0000

Well, basically anyone older than you can say that you haven’t reached their level of awareness because of your age so you can’t understand their perspective. It’s elitism, really.

I have noticed a disturbing trend. Men with beards all act like Mr. Clark.

By: Nat

Nat — Wed, 03 Nov 2010 20:37:25 +0000

Wow, the more responses I read from Brian, the less respect I have for him. Has he always been this much of a jerk and I just didn’t get it, or did he go off the rails somewhere along the line?

He’s absolutely right about the freedom of speech issue, but to call you out for being young and (apparently) self-unaware seems a little douchey to me.

I’m in my 40′s, so by Brian’s logic I’ve reached and moved beyond that self-awareness point, and I still think this was a valid argument about using words like “always”, “never” and so on.

It’s too bad he apparently likes to talk down to and insult people who disagree with him rather than further the conversation like a mature adult.

By: Richard X. Thripp

Richard X. Thripp — Fri, 04 Sep 2009 21:04:26 +0000

Ha ha, thanks. You could even say I’m trolling. But I think I’m more refined than most trolls.

By: Charles

Charles — Fri, 04 Sep 2009 06:43:49 +0000

“This is a traffic grabber”

The gall! I love it

By: Richard X. Thripp

Richard X. Thripp — Thu, 03 Sep 2009 23:26:19 +0000

Ha ha that could be. I’ve read Study in Scarlett and The Red-Headed League a long time ago, and I’m a big fan of the Jeremy Brett series. Holmes would probably use the words pedantic and sophomoric and talk about self awareness. It all sounds stuffy to me.

Do I remind you of Watson then?

By: Stephen Miracle

Stephen Miracle — Thu, 03 Sep 2009 23:12:09 +0000

I am in the middle of reading “Hound of the Baskervilles” and Brian just reminded me of Sherlock Holmes in this comment.

By: Richard X. Thripp

Richard X. Thripp — Thu, 03 Sep 2009 15:09:39 +0000

I also dislike Office Depot, Staples, Fry’s, and other stores bandying about the word “Free.” Then you find out it’s free after mail-in rebate with a combined purchase. That’s always on the flyer, but it’s in such fine print that many people need glasses to read it.

In advertising, guarantees are always bad too, because there will be fine print that basically nullifies the warranty. Instead of being absolute with an asterisk, advertisements should be truthful with no asterisk.

That’s just what Copyblogger is discouraging.

Thanks for commenting, Kristi!

By: DoFollow

DoFollow — Wed, 02 Sep 2009 19:45:27 +0000

I think that advertising that overuses the words always, never, and other non-vampire words start to sound bogus. Because there isn’t a whole lot that you can guarantee will always do something, and never do other things. The only thing you can say is there is (almost) always fine print. I would rather a site skipped the fine print and just said things will almost always work instead of saying it always works, and then putting in itty bitty print “90% of the time under specified perfect conditions” or something of the sort. Good for your for standing up!

~ Kristi

By: Richard X. Thripp

Richard X. Thripp — Wed, 02 Sep 2009 19:24:38 +0000

Also saying the lens will always work is an implied warranty. It could cause legal problems. Anything absolute in advertising can cause legal problems.

Yeah, he is doing that well. Note that the post was written by Ali Hale, not him.

I’m trying to attract attention here too, if you didn’t notice the title. Glad you enjoyed the debate, or comment war if you’d like to call it that.

By: Victor Augusteo

Victor Augusteo — Wed, 02 Sep 2009 13:41:26 +0000

hahaha. I have to admit here, I’m really entertained by you two. Never before I have witnessed a debate like this.

For one, I agree with Richard. The “vampire word” has its use still. For example, if you want to sell a photographic device, such as a camera, you can’t say that your device will always work for everybody. little children and elderly people will not be able to lift that 10kg lens. (can’t find good example on top of my head now, too tired from swimming )

BUT, Brian is also doing what his blog is doing best, to attract attention and create discussion. I’ve been reading copyblogger for years and the posts there are always full of confidence, so it fits his personality.

Anyway, you both are defending your point in a fair fight, and thanks for the enjoyable posts and comment war