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don't be evil
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Scientology
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don't be evil
online advertising
Tom Cruise competing with gay travel for Google AdWords clicks
On the heels of his interview with Oprah on Friday, actor Tom Cruise (pictured here, trying desperately not to look crazy) has signed up for a Google AdWords account in order to lead the inevitable follow-up searches to his "offical" site, TomCruise.com. For now it's just a countdown clock ticking off the seconds until 9am PST on Monday, May 5th. The ads appear if you enter "tom cruise," as the screenshots from Hollywood Newsroom make clear. But our own tests reveal that he might want to cast a wider net for search terms, because even Google seems to think Cruise, or at least his fans, want to get away on a big, gay boat — and I don't mean the MV Freewinds. More »
media
"Google Me" documentary an irony-free, feel-good flick with literal cult appeal
Jim Killeen, former bit-actor and current small businessman, decided to turn the typical act of searching for other people with his same name on Google into the premise for a documentary — Google Me. He tracked down a number of other Jim Killeens around the world, from Australia to Ireland, and spent some time to get to know them and ask them a few questions. The result is an hour and a half of "gee whiz" encounters and white male bonding. See Jim meet Jim! And Jim! And Jim! See Jim get grossed out by vegemite and haggis! See Jim uncomfortable as the particulars of a swingers party are explained! You can watch it all for free on YouTube. But what was the most interesting thing about the film? More »
10:00 AM on Sun Apr 27 2008
By Jackson West
1,963 views,
10 comments
Latest by n/a: About 15 years ago, filmmaker David Berliner's "The Sweetest Sound" had a similar conceit. He tracked down anyone he could find with his name via phonebook, newspaper ads and however else people used to search for each other during those more »
online advertising
Google helps Scientology get out its message of total freedom and truth
The dollar's sinking value wasn't the only reason Google crushed Wall Street's expectations for the company's first quarter. The Church of Scientology helped, in its own small way. The church paid for advertising space on YouTube to convey its message that "you are an immortal spiritual being. Your capabilities are unlimited." That is, if you can stomach the olive oil shots and spare a little cash. We're surprised Google's human filters didn't catch the ad. We've heard they're plenty familiar with the way an organization can use crafty words to create false expectations in order to lure warm bodies.
online video
Scientology caught lying in propaganda video
Facing a flurry of criticism on YouTube from Anonymous, Scientology responded by releasing their own video that featured glossy Hollywood production value. Now Scientology.org has been turned into a web video destination to disseminate slick propaganda. But anti-Scientology activists began fact checking the "In Support of Human Rights" video that purports to feature public officials extolling Scientology's commitment to improving the world — and, not surprisingly, many of the unnamed officials don't exist or were quoted entirely out of context. More »
nerdfight
In battle with Internet commenters, Scientologists strut their production values
Anonymous, the culty group with origins on the 4chan message board, began a war on Scientology after some blog posted a clip of Scientologist Tom Cruise acting erratically enthusiastic. How did they strike back against this online video? By holding real-world protests whose only noticeable result was more videos. Now, in a YouTube video titled "Hate Crimes & Terrorism Directed at Scientology," Scientology is fighting back. With Hollywood production values. This war will not end until one of the sides hires Chris Crocker. Below, the clip whose slickness is meant to terrorize the Web into submission: More »
internet protests
Ten videos to prove Anonymous is the best Internet TV since LonelyGirl15
The Internet-inspired protests against Scientology on February 10 were the results of the most spectacular viral campaign the Web has ever seen. Protesters across the globe thronged into the streets, clamoring for the eradication of Scientology's "toxic values." And the result? A lot of Internet video. Honestly, the best stuff I've seen since LonelyGirl15, but hardly effective. What, did they think chanting "Do not want" would send Tom Cruise into Namibian exile? Here's the sum total of Anonymous's efforts: More »
scientology
Internet protesters gather in real world to mock Scientologists
A loose coalition of Internet users calling themselves "Anonymous" have, they say, "declared war" on the Church of Scientology. But they're going beyond the usually ineffective methods of online protest. "Our struggle is directed against the toxic ideals and behavior the corrupt, violent and abusive leadership of the church," the group declared in one YouTube video. Scary, right? Well, maybe as scary as a grumpy lolcat. Check out the clip: At protests over in London today, the gathered Anon wore masks from a 2005 Natalie Portman vehicle and chanted "Do Not Want." Can haz SP?
scientology
Put a little squiggle in front a search term in Google and you get results for both that term and the terms Google considers synonyms. So as you can see here from this screenshot, Google considers Scientology to be a synonym for cult. Which is totally brave of Blogoscoped and us for pointing it out. Bring on the 2.5 million page views.
Google screenshot is newsworthy, and we will not be removing it
Put a little squiggle in front a search term in Google and you get results for both that term and the terms Google considers synonyms. So as you can see here from this screenshot, Google considers Scientology to be a synonym for cult. Which is totally brave of Blogoscoped and us for pointing it out. Bring on the 2.5 million page views.
microsoft
Tomorrow is Caturday!
CONFONZ — Yes, cheezburgers have taken over the IntarWeb. Who are we to go against the grain? Bitching and moaning won't help. The Conference Fonzerelli is still here, though his reign of terror is coming to a rapid end. With the weekend, and the Sea Siren parade coming up, the Fonz needs to trade in his leather jacket for a Spongebob-colored cardboard box. In an effort to get him out the door faster, he's wrapped up a nicely flavored selection of little dots for your mastication. After the jump, the Reiser alibi gets stronger, Semel on a Cruise, the Ballminator gets with L. Ron, and did the WSJ change its story? More »
friday facts
Church of Scientology in Second Life
FACT: Despite speculation to the contrary, there is so far no evidence that the Church of Scientology plans to establish a huge presence in virtual world Second Life. No secret deals for vast tracts of First Land have been revealed either by the Church or Second Life purveyor Linden Lab. Reports of a massive outreach initiative, involving dozens and eventually hundreds of customized avatars controlled in shifts by Church personnel and sent on conversion missions throughout Second Life, are also unconfirmed. The technology to translate a Scientologist E-meter into a device that can function virtually between two avatars has also not yet been perfected. Certainly, insinuations that the Church of Scientology might have some influence over the inception, implementation, or future of Second Life are, to date, unsubstantiated.
earthlink
