Ethical Blogging: What Are The Monkeys Afraid Of?

It's a shame I have to make this post, and although it may seem petty to some - I believe it needs to be made. Scared Monkeys, Steve Huff, The Political Teen and I all wound up going down the same road together with our web logging of the Natalee Holloway story.

Unfortunately, one of that groups appears to have decided to try and set itself apart in a most unethical manner - Scared Monkeys.

For non-web loggers, Site meter is a standard in measurement of web log traffic. It registers a tick when a visitor comes to view the page. It is also linked to advertising revenue for web logs who run ads - which I do not. Clicks can come from comments, as well as people coming to read your web log.

Two weeks or so ago, Tom at Scared Monkeys sent around an email slamming Ian at The Political Teen for practicing, in his opinion, unethical blogging. This resulted from Ian posting a story possibly emailed to both, but perhaps first posted at Scared Monkeys.

Here is that email to Ian CCing all named above:

Guy, we have worked long and hard the last month to get into a pissing match, but this has got to stop immediately. We are all working hard, giving information back and forth, helping each other out. But when you copy a post off of another persons site without a link or attribution, and then say you got it from someone else on it, that is crossing every line that bloggers hold over the mainstream medias head.

We did a post at 11:13 today: At 12:19 you guy put up this post. Thanks to arubagirl for bringing this information: (she translated it into English)

So we called Aruba Girl on the carpet, asking why she translated something we found and gave it to Ian. She said she did not and got her feelings hurt and created an awkward situation for us all. We came to find out that the post was taken from our site and no attribution was given.

Guys, this is the lowest breach of protocol that we can do in the blog world. I do not want to get into a battle, the cause is not about that, we are all trying to help Natalee. But you can not lift posts from another site. That is not cool. Please remove the post, or at least have the common courtesy to give attribution. It is my understanding that Aruba Girl emailed Ian and asked what happened and he responded that he figured she emailed it to him. Be that as it may, mistake do happen, but as of 10:35 tonight, there is still no attribution. We are bloggers , not the MSM… Tom

I want to be clear here. I have never entered Scared Monkey's chat area. Because their traffic was spiking so dramatically I thought I would take a look, only to find out I have been banned from there without ever even having entered. Perhaps the Monkeys were afraid I would figure out those silly Shango posts, who knows. Above left is a screen cap of that notice - click to open. Three emails for clarification have gone unanswered. My last email from them was asking for a link to their Miller interview - which I did link to, as did Ian.

Now I have been informed that they are misleading people with their readership numbers. They have placed a site meter counter within their chat room. See image at right . This makes it appear as though their work is being read by tens of thousands everyday and matches the readership numbers they have at TLB - a web log ranking system where they appear to be the 14th highest read web log at present. That's a sham.

Here is their actual web log readership statistics - less than 25% of what they would have people believe. Every time someone makes a comment in an area where there is relatively nothing to read written by the web log authors, they take credit for a new reader of their work. Given their previous heavy handed treatment of Ian, for what amounted to perhaps a slip in protocol - from a solid blogger while he was on vacation with limited access to email, I have no choice but to call them on this unethical behavior. They are taking advantage of a terrible tragedy through unethical practices designed to make them appear as something they are not - good web loggers. At least not in my opinion given the facts. Chat host? Maybe. And there's nothing wrong with that. But what they are doing is simply misleading.

I would never advocate boycotting Aruba, frankly - but I am advocating boycotting their chat room as a result of this discovery. And, please, I do not want any more traffic on my web log from commenters. I have more than enough already. Please consider using the chat features at Blogs For Natalee - hosted by Ian in the future if you value genuinely honest, ethical and collegial behavior in web logging.

I apologize for this post. But, as I said, I felt it needed to be made.

In terms of full disclosure - I currently am averaging from 1000 to 1500 comments a day and that should be taken into account as regards my own site meter numbers currently averaging about 45,000 visitors a day.

Comments

[Dan]

Bethany you can get an IP from an email I do it all the time. I wrote to them 3 times ... no response. And they had plenty of my emails

[letsbefair]

I believe it. Someone posted something about Tim Miller's money raising efforts as well. Good capitalists...

[((((elan))))]

no wonder they want all the traffic, it equals more money in their pockets.

[~R~I~P~~O~F~F]

Dan you have to blast them about donations. They beg for money every 3rd page over there.

Im not believeing they are wanting posters to pay for their trip.

[raoul]

Dan, with all due respect, I think it would be better to remove this entry from the site. I know you don't realize it, but it comes across as very unprofessional. It's also a distraction for all of us.

[M]

Dan, I think I love you. Haha, just kidding. Thank you for pointing all of this out. I will, as I have been, continue to come here.

All I could think of while reading that post was Seedyrum's tagline....People with nothing to hide, hide nothing.

Go Dan!

[~R~I~P~~O~F~F]

Someone needs to ask RED from scared monkeys what hes asking for donations for his trip to aruba for when texas equisearch pays expenses for their volunteers.

[ripoff]

Ripoff - Where do you think Texas Eqquasearch GETS the money to pay for their volunteers?

[Hahaha]

hahahahahahahahahahaha!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

GET A LIFE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[~R~I~P~~O~F~F]

Texas Equisearch is a charitable organization where their expenses can be viewed by anyone who donates.

Last time I checked Red at Scared monkeys isnt a charitable organization. So why does he need money to go when texas is paying for his trip in the first place.

People are so stupid to give their hard earned money to motherfuckers like him.

[bgcntry72]

I have been banned from SM a few times.
The 'Coffee Clutch' makes it difficult to find true, factual info buried amongst the recipe-swapping, chattering, TMI-sharing, and home-avatar-making workshops.
The Goderators will ban a 'nonregular' if he posts a disagreement to ANYTHING one of their lead idiots posts.

[bgcntry72]

More on the monkeys...
Fawking pathetic flexing of web-muscles.
Go visit the site and try to find info...
What you will learn is what everyone had for supper and breakfast, how drunk most were last night, as well as this morning, who actually peeled their fat asses off of their chairs and fed their kids or did laundry, and whose husband 'wanted some' last night.

[caseyschenkofsky]

Number nudging/faking stats as has been described, that would be one thing, and I am still confused by the specific criticism.

Aren't all the blogs that create message boards in effect increasing traffic through non blog posts? Or should I consider roughly 80 posts that say "Discussion #..." blog posts but not an endless number of reader generated "Natalee Discussions" posts (not a criticism just a question)? And aren't some of the posts here or perhaps variations on them also being posted at a site that does have ads and revenue sharing with posters? Seems like anyone who puts as much effort into this (as most of the bloggers have) would have some interest in generating revenue... I just can't knock that.

I appreciate the fact that I am able to continue questioning posts here, and of course appreciate the efforts made by all of the bloggers to help find Natalee Holloway and other missing persons.

[bgcntry72]

Hopefully this case will end soon so that the 'monkey junkies' can go back to chatrooms, personal ad sites, and partypoker with the rest of the web based, lowest common denominator jagbags.

[bgcntry72]

I disagree with the whiny nature of this post, but the SM crowd is a group of overweight, soon to be single mothers sitting in filthy houses, peeing in cups to avoid missing what Wick3d or absolut found in their Cheerios this morning.

[bgcntry72]

ScaredMonkeys is linking to this thread now...
Roll up yer pantlegs, and break out some donuts and mayonaisse.

[LMAO]

Dan, the best way to "be the bigger person" here - not to mention a professional, mature person - would to be to let your work speak for itself. Obviously you haven't done this, but whatever. I spend a lot of time on the Scared Monkeys website, and correct me if I'm wrong, but I don't believe I've ever once seen them post anything derrogative about you... Like I said, let the work speak for itself.

[Jan]

Well all I know about Monkeys is this - over the weekend when Ian had a problem with the Pol Teen site I tried to make a post thread about it on Monkeys and got sent a personal message that it was improper and I should not be doing advertising for the PT site on Monkey threads - I was highly irritated. Many people go to both sites and also this site for information about this case. I thought it was a pretty low road to take. Then when Ian was nice enough to mention the Tim Miller chat on his site on Sunday that would be taking place on Monkeys once again I thought Ian was certainly taking the higher road when Monkeys seems to think they should be the ONLY blogger place for this case. Acutally I enjoyed Monkeys early on - but having to read through all of the constant quotes which are long and deep over and over and all of the personal patting each other on the back and the ridiculous monkey jokes get rather old. Also it seems unless you are one of the regulars no one bothers to answer your questions. And now every time I step away from my computer for maybe 15 min I have to resign in. So my personal recomendation - stick to Political Teen and Rheilworld - and get the best!!!

[~R~I~P~~O~F~F]

Here is a typical day at Scared Monkeys:

Good Morning everybody.
YAAAAA!!!!! Look at my monkey
I need some coffee
OH I need some coffee too get some for me
ok BRB
What should I eat for breakfast
Hi Sally did you sleep good
Have some coffee sally we are so glad youre here
Ok Im back and I just burnt some toast
Im going to make some more toast
BRB
Hurry making toast we will miss you
Look at my new smiley?
I love it!!
Thanks!!!
Have one too!
ha ha ha ha thats so funny you just made my day

[caseyschenkofsky]

I feel that important points are being raised here.

I thought that (loosely defined) a blog would in essence have posts in (reverse) chron order, hyperlinks, and usu be constructed with some kind of online publishing tool:
http://birdhouse.org/blog/archives/2004/02/daily_planet_on.php

Dan, of course, is following this form in his blog. But isn't the sheer mass of comments/discussion/message board posts a stretch in terms of being part of blogging? Don't you think? I'm glad that Dan has on occasion encouraged others to start their own blogs, and wish that more than one person would take this advice:
http://ihoppers.blogspot.com/

The comments, regardless of their content are not essential to the blog, which I think AbleAdvocateDan (who has a blog) might have pointed out:
http://spaces.msn.com/members/AbleAdvocateDAN/PersonalSpace.aspx?_c

If it wasn't him, don't remember who posted about that. Someone did... Again, since it looks like the bulk of both sites consists of comments in the forum/discussion areas/columns, I fail to understand the beef.

[Jan]

Rip off -- that was too funny!!!! And dont forget how they are all so proud of their avatars!

What ever they are??? who cares!

[websleuth2]

Dan. Get over it. This is stupid.

[Guest]

I have to say that the first thing that put me off about the monkeys was when they banned a member for not speaking highly of Julia Renfro at Aruba Today just because she had plugged SM in her newspaper article the day before. No one over there has ever thought highly of Julia after she spoke so highly of Joran on a program where Natalee's mother was also appearing, but no one was ever banned for that until Julia mentioned SM in her paper. Now, they are asking the monkeys to pay for Red's trip to Aruba because, in essence, "all monkeys" will be going. In the beginning I did not have a problem with them asking for donations to keep the site going. But with the banner ads now and all the members, I wonder why they are still asking for money. Then to ask monkeys to pay for Red's trip (and any that is not needed will be donated to TES) really turned me off. I can't really believe that they have asked that. I am in shock. It happened last night, but my jaw is still on the floor over that one. I will donate to TES, because they need it and they will search for Natalee with or without Red's help. But never to SM or to the "Send Red to Aruba" fund. And saying it is an "opportunity for all monkeys" was unreal to me. I'm done with SM.

[cindy]

Dan, You need to relax. You've sounded very angry for quite awhile now. This rant just makes you sound jealous and petty. Why are you so worried about competing with someone for whom you express so much contempt? It's a free country; maybe they're not doing the same thing you trying to do.

[atlgirl]

Dan, you are absolutely pathetic. Scared Monkeys isn't "afraid" of anything, certainly not you. In case you forgot, this isn't a competition, this is about finding Natalee.
Your sad attempt at trying to make yourself the "best" is transparent. Tim Miller chose to give an interview to Scared Monkeys, not you. Red has now been invited to go to Aruba with Texas Equisearch, not you. If it WAS a competition, you would be losing badly.
Let me also add that attacking arubagirl was over the top. She has been nothing but gracious in helping those of us in the US connect to what is happening in Aruba, and she is absolutely appreciated at Scared Monkeys.
But, you know what, if slinging mud makes you feel better, sling away. We monkeys could care less because your credibility is going down the toilet.

[JaZzY]

Red was invited to go join TES by Tim Miller, who recognizes the sincere support of many members of SM. Any and all funds go towards TES, after Red's trip cost is paid for.

No one is forcing anyone to read SM. Yes there is good natured chit-chat, sometimes even to the point of the mundane, but, there is also community support for Natalee. Yes there is silly banter about avatars, banana drinks and food, but, there is also probing discussion in the case. Yes there was Shango and the mystery verses, but, there is also participation from valuable individuals like Aruba Girl and Native Lingo, to name a few.

Aruba Girl didn't deserve to be singled out. She has been an angel who is very dedicated to Natalee and helps in translating stories, and giving real scoops. If she desired to be exclusive to SM, she wouldn't include Ian or Dan in her correspondences. If she wanted personal glory, she'd use her real name, as I'm certain her real name isn't "Aruba Girl". If nothing else, she is owed an apology.

[Jane]

I'm glad to see this topic is still here. I'm not through venting, yet.

For all those complaining about this topic being here...It is has its own thread. No one looking for news about Natalee HAS to click on it and read, you know.

That is what started the whole discussion on SM. People thinking they had a right to impose their expectations on Dan's web log. He said from the beginning that this is his log, and he enjoys the freedom to write what he wants. The Monkeys need to get over themselves. They are NOT the central figures in this tragedy.

[westcoast]

WAY TO GO DAN!!!

It's about time one of you bloggers said something to that team over there at scared monkeys. And I commend you for doing it in an ethical manner. THEY are NOT ethical over there. Just take a look at their moderators. In all the boards and forums that I take part in I've NEVER, and I mean NEVER seen such bullshit moderators ever and obviously this is ok for Tom and Red that it be run in that manner. I received an email from one of their moderators warning me that I had better watch my canadian bred ass as they would ban me. For what you say??? For nothing. I post in a respectful manner and always had with other members of that forum. It was because I had a differant view than they wanted over there.

I sent them an email back and told them if they were going to run their forum in such an unethical, one sided manner they could go ahead and ban me immediatly. I have been boycotting that site for 2 weeks now and will continue.

Good for you for bringing this to the front Dan!

[westcoast]

I'd like to also add, to the guest above, that I also noticed the continuous posts at scared monkeys needing money for their website. What has this come to? Sending money to a blogger to read their website? Insane! Absolutely insane! As for them donating it to Equusearch..HAHAHA! Thats all I got to say 'bout that.

[westcoast]

to bgcntry72

You hit the nail on the head there bgcntry! I'm still spitting juice on my monitor with laughter. Scared monkeys is all of what you have described in your posts.

I'll give them credit on one thing. They sure know how to get rid of traffic at that site. They ban everyone and anyone with an opposing view. First opposing view gets you something like 5 days banned. Then they go onto ban you for good I guess for the 2nd opposing view.

I told them to ban me 2 weeks ago but they haven't yet. Maybe today is the day [rolleyeballs icon]

[Neddy]

Thank you very much Dan, for the comments at Kerfuffles. I stand corrected. I found the info about the Allmans at your blog. I hope in my next life I can be "hip" and not dyslexic. It is satire; I am not really boycotting your blog.

[danisbest]

well dan

at least we know who emailed aruba girl and who has become chummy with the folks at scared monkeys

ihop just can't let you go can she.

dan take out a restraining order on this whacko!!

[SandeeDee]

Scared Monkeys is an intolerant site. I was banned for expressing an opinion they did not agree with. I think they are typical ring wing nuts. In other words, the type that believe everyone is entitled to their opinion.

[clintcarter]

I have not read all of the above but I don't see mention (THERE's blog logic) of one important motive for a site to be proactive in this way -- competition. With hits equaling $ for ad revenue and the ease with which networks can be established on the Web, that's already a source of revenue for keyboard entrepreneurs everywhere. What kind of $ are those guys making for their ads?
The batch of blogs RWV is in with are obviously maximizing their search potential with the omnipresent link lists and references and trackbacks. With efforts already made in that direction and the Natalee Holloway story an 'Alaskan Pipeline' for budding blogologists it's clear some factions want more of the pie.
So isn't that the American way? To capitalize on a situation that noone else is stepping forward to 'seize'? Would we expect less from Horace Greeley?
This blog itself has been an example of different ideals learning to communicate. It feels like a way to influence and be influenced without the possibility of exploitation; without the capitalism. As conglomerates grow larger the independent voice will be a treasure. The voice of the people.
Dan your argument against the commercialization and the alienation it provokes is a good one for this forum. You've also been great at keeping the hate down here that is so common on some of the blogs on your list.
I just checked out the SM site. The highest total hits under any topic = 13? Many with none? And the endless links?
Perhaps you can even afford to choose who you want to associate with ?