A play-for-pay review
I’m a consumer. Like pretty much everyone I know. I purchase things, not always necessary, within the limits of my own finances. And, given the current models of commerce, I shop online. Which brings me to the next point. I also need advice, to allow me to get the maximum value for my limited dollars, and so I tend to read the reviews left by my peers.
In fact, on the odd occasion, I’ve been called upon to add my commentary to the wall of knowledge. Little things; did the lens fit my camera body, for an example. This is a peer-driven world, and I’d like to believe that we all try to avoid misleading others. Hence, the dismay while watching the most recent Marketplace episode, on CBC. There is another side to the cube. Paid reviews.
In fact, the episode was aimed at tracking down one woman that appears in a kaleidoscopic number of testimonial video reviews. I didn’t realize that this was a profession, as such. For a trivial amount of money, there are individuals that will “play the part” using your provided script. Praise for a fistful of dollars. The conclusion, after watching the episode is that “buyer beware” is as true now as it was when the slogan was posted in a wall mosaic, centuries ago.
On another note, last evening there was an incident of terrorism, in Quebec City. I know the area, and when my son posted the bulletin on social media, I took the time to get informed. The media does its best, but the story has changed over the last twenty-four hours as new details are revealed. Still, the terrorism tag is holding true.
