Warning

Sometime tomorrow night I am going to run a “Ten Questions With..” interview with the CEO of Mypleasure.com. This is an online retailer of sex toys; if you’ve linked to my blog, please be forewarned.

I don’t think there’s anything offensive in the interview, but I’m not you. I won’t post it until 6:00 pm Pacific time. By the way, before you split (if you are going to split), check out these two tidbits:

• AdAge published its annual Largest National Advertisers report. Great info for every marketer and any company that is using an advertising business model.
• ProBlogger published an A to Z list of products, services, tools, etc. for bloggers. Interesting stuff if you’re into blogging.

Comments

[Anthony W.]

While I do understand and appreciate the gentle warning regarding the interview with Dr. Gandos, I beleive what you will find in the article, "I have not read it yet", Is that the adult novelty industry has drastically changed in the past few years. Our clientele at www.g1sextoys.com , are overwhelmingly married couples looking to "spice things up". For the most part, Gone are the "in your face" raunchy adds. We spend a lot of time and resources on educational articles for women and couples. The interent has allowed sex-positive comapnies to thrive, and is slowly driving the raunchy companies out-of-business. Information is power- I don't believe you would be offended at all visiting our site at www.g1sextoys.com.

Anthony W.
owner
www.g1sextoys.com

[Amy]

While I do understand and appreciate the gentle warning regarding the interview with Dr. Gandos, I beleive what you will find in the article, "I have not read it yet", Is that the adult novelty industry has drastically changed in the past few years. Our clientele at www.southcoastpleasure.com , are overwhelmingly married couples looking to "spice things up". For the most part, Gone are the "in your face" raunchy adds. We spend a lot of time and resources on educational articles for women and couples. The interent has allowed sex-positive comapnies to thrive, and is slowly driving the raunchy companies out-of-business. Information is power- I don't believe you would be offended at all visiting our site at www.southcoastpleasure.com or www.mypleasure.com.

Amy B
owner
www.southcoastpleasure.com

[Harry Chong]

Andrew,

I don't get why you're being so hard on Guy, just because he has an open mind? I mean do sex toys really harm anyone or is it immorally wrong? Plus Guy's just giving an interview he's not getting involved in the industry.

[Brad Hutchings]

I can't wait... Will Guy play the "clueless investor" or the "smart investor"? Will he (in)advertently ask what their biggest selling product is? Will he ask about their return policy? Will they disguise the package as being from CDW so you can have it shipped to you at the office? When customers order, are they chatty and creapy or all-business?

Guy, if this doesn't shoot your Technorati rating into the top 20, I don't know what will!

*********************

Almost all these topics are covered (or uncovered, depending on your perspective), as a matter of fact.

Guy

[Adam]

This is exactly the kind of thing that makes me trust your motives and authenticity, Guy. Classy move, I'll be back for the interview.

[Aner Ravon]

I would reserve the term smut to totally different subjects. Ones were people get hurt or hurt other people would be at the top of my list first. Sex toys are an example of one space in which the web offers significant added values of absolute personalization and anonimity. It is also a niche in which going to retail store usually carries a lot of baggage, making it interesting to see what kind of liberation (in the good sense) the internet can provide. From a pure professional perspective it's a very interesting case study. The fact the whole subject offers possible personal benefits does not hurt the reader. On the contrary. And you have to admit it's more fun then reading another product review or another opinion about web 2.0 and it's impact. Some people find anything that has to do with sexuality offensive or simply distasteful. But I personally look to see what kind of inspiration and insight I can borrow from a successful case study in a such an untrivial market.

[Andrew]

Guy: I appreciate your warning, but am disappointed in your decision. When there is so much that is good and clean in the world, why dive into the smut.

I heard a good analogy once that pointed out that both the pigs and eagles work just as hard as each other to care for their young and provide for their needs. But when the pigs have liesure time, they romp in the mud. The eagles on the other hand sore in the pure clean air of the sky. I don't understand how someone of your prestige who has sored in the air can take a dive into the mud. For now I will take your link off my list.

Best of luck Guy. I think you are a great person and hope you will change your mind.

***************

Andrew,

You haven't read it yet. How do you know it's smut?

How do feel about The Screwtape Letters?

Guy

[Aner Ravon]

Guy, i think that's a "ballsy" move and you are a certainly a hype master!

As an Israeli who lived in the US for long years have a bit of perspective regarding the so-called cultural differences. I think the difference between Americans and the rest of the world are far overrated. I am familiar with the US puritan image, of course, but with all due respect, I don't think there are too many underaged minors that follow your blog. I also don't imagine there are too many *virgins* that follow the blog. So let's face it, we ALL know what sex toys are regardless of nationality. Whether we find them or the industry interesting is indeed a personal choice.

Anyway, it is polite to give the heads up. In reality, it will only increase the number of readers of course. I'll certainly read.

[Kelly G]

It's not just parents worried about kids. I agree that Americans (US) are way too uptight in a lot of ways.

However, like Rolphus posts above, a lot of work places will frown on such things. I know my own is such a place. If we inadvertantly run into a pop-up that could trigger the program -- we have to let the CTO know so that they know it was an exception and not punish you for it.

Many organizations raise the point that you are using their equipment during working hours -- thus they are within their rights to set the limits. Certainly, in general, something that sets off the filters is not work-related :)

[Gerald Buckley]

And I think that is precisely what makes Mr. K such a remarkable person. He DOES think of that one person in the audience who might just gratefully remove a link thanks to his notification. That's not me... But, all the same I thank him for being kind and considerate enough to do so. Well done Mr. K!

*********************

Gerald,

You're very kind. Thanks!

Guy

[Guruh Roy]

You could proceed with it, it does not a matter. Like what Andraz said, no need to worry since they maybe could get something better then what you will post.

*************************

It's no so much the reader I'm worried about. It's the reader's reader. Suppose, for example, your blog's topic is Christian family values. You've linked to my blog because of your interest in evangelism and entrepreneurship, and the applicability of my topics to your readers.

So you in turn have hundreds of readers. Then one day, out of the blue, Guy writes about sex toys, and your readership gets surprised. Some react negatively. I just don't want anyone blindsided because of me.

Guy

[Andreas]

I agree to Andraz and I'm glad that we Europeans are a bit more relaxed about "those" things. I would never have even thought about sending out a warning in advance if I cover some sex toy interview on my blog or somewhere else.

[Harry J. Chong]

This has nothing to do with the post, but I have to ask you a question Guy. How many times a day do you hear an "entrepreneur" tell you that s/he has something so revolutionary and so amazing it'll knock your socks off? I find this irritating as I keep encountering these so called entrepreneurs who only reveal their awesome secrets if I sign an NDA. Which usually turn out not to be so awesome.

***************************

Harry,

This happens several times a week. The idea is never revolutionary or amazing. In fact, the more someone insists on an NDA, the less likely it merits an NDA.

Guy

[Rolphus]

I'm personally not offended or bothered by talk of sex, sex toys, or anything else... but I do appreciate the heads-up, not least because I often read this blog during breaks from work in the office, and I don't particularly want to start setting off alarms within content-filtering applications.

Many thanks, Guy!

[Roger]

What a terrible way to go through life, worried about the slightest bit of racy material (not you Guy, the kind of people who might be offended) that you or your kids might see or hear. How do those sort of folks even *have* kids?

[andraz]

Man, sometimes you americans just go over the top with this warnings regarding sexual content, nudity and bad words. Come on, how many below 18's are actually visiting your web site? Yeah I do realize that probably some or at least children are browsing around and some end up here, but they will learn what sex is and what sex toys are anyway, right? Probably they have already since they have net access. And probably they have seen something much more "exciting" than, from what I expect to see here.

anyways, re from frequent reader.