You Can't Be Careful Enough

They say that bad television inspires bad behavior, and here’s proof.

Here’s more: A certain Nosy Parker in Seattle posts an ad on Craig’s List suggesting that “she” loves to be dominated, and waits for 24 hours and collects all the slathering male responses, then posts them on a website for all to see.  Some of these men posted from their work addresses, while others sent photos of their private parts, while still using their real names. Over 170 responses were received in one 24-hour period. This “false bait” scenario was made famous by NBC’s Dateline, a show that garnered top ratings for establishing and secretly filming pedophile traps around America.

Expect repercussions in the Pacific Northwest as this unwanted publicity ascends through the Internet hierarchy.  At the same time, another Internet sensation was unmasked as naked self-promotion.  “Lonelygirl15” created a firestorm, probably among the same population that fell for R. F. Jason’s Craig’s List stunt.  As reported by the Los Angeles Times, it was that big bad talent agency Creative Artists that was behind the buzz.  More details and links in the New York Times article by Virginia Heffernan.  Soon, these hoaxes and annoying privacy invasions should be sufficient to deter all but the dimmest of thrill-seeking web surfers. By the way, Craig’s List seems to be enjoying land office growth, and according to Online Media Daily, now receives almost 14 million hits a month.