Welcome to Trust Me, I’m Lying: Confessions of a Media Manipulator

Ryan,
I just saw the article where you were talking about Greenpeace and the Shell Oil hoax, and was reminded of my own experience with this org that I thought I’d share.

Once upon a time, I was a regular donor to Greenpeace. Then one day a letter arrived in my mailbox asking for donations to help them fight the charges of “sailor-mongering” leveled against them by AG Ashcroft (a man I had already despised for quite some time). Now, I remember the day this happened, and I too was outraged at this action, considering the activists weren’t doing any such thing, but rather hanging a banner noting that the ship in Miami had timber from the Amazon that was banned in the US.

Thing is, the letter arrived close to three months AFTER Ashcroft had dropped the charges. Better yet, it was dated over two months after they were dropped as well, meaning whoever decided to distribute the letter was knowingly telling lies, asking money to fight a legal battle that didn’t exist. Now, I don’t doubt this letter was being written before the dismissal, but it certainly wasn’t finished and sent out, given the date on the letter itself. So I immediately stopped my sponsorship.

A few months later, I get a cold call from them asking once again for my support. I told them I didn’t support scam artists and told the lady on the phone about the fraudulent letter. After I finished, she comes up with this for a reply, “Yes… but we really need the money.”

At that point I laughed and requested that they not contact me again.

HEy Ryan,

Been reading the book and enjoying it. Hope you don’t mind that I”ve added my interview you with you here in the comments.

http://blogcastfm.com/blogcastfm/confessions-of-a-media-manipulator-with-ryan-holiday/

Congrats on the launch. Learning so much even from the posts you’ve been writing to promote the book.

-SRini

Really hoping you to see you on the NYT Bestseller list for many weeks to come.. Good Luck!

I heard you on Coast to Coast Am this morning. I bought the Kindle Version of the book so I am anxious to read it. I have a small DVD website that I am trying to get rolling and I am hoping to get some ideas on taking it to the next level. I am tired of paying AMAZON and Ebay 15-25% commission. Good job by the way on the radio. Very interesting stuff!!!!!! I learned alot.

I would not normally read a book on this subject matter and I am not usually the first in the know about what is “trending,” but because you are some kind of freak mastermind at this game, within a week of its release I am already reading your horrifying little tome.
I am on page 35. I am thoroughly disgusted and terrified by the system and shamed at my own lemming-like belief in its validity. (Unless, of course, you are lying about this too. ??? Please???)
So, yeah, I will be doing my little part in assuring your virality, by sharing you on Facebook and tweeting the f**k outta you.

Most of the way through the audiobook version — quite disturbing yet not surprising.

I would like to point out that although your descriptions of the bad guys as dickheads et al is apt, they do have a professional designation, which is sociopaths, which is to say people without a conscience. You describe an online universe that rewards sociopathic behavior.

As someone who works hard to publish true, thoughtful and balanced articles, I’m hoping that by the end of the audio program you will have used your considerable imagination and intelligence to propose an alternate universe that rewards integrity.

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