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All we hear about these days from mass media outlets is about how much money you can make on the web. All of today's ad money goes to pluggin' a corporate website. From The Gap Store Online where you can spend your money to Pepsi World which is just more ads. But the Internet is about information, Right? Not about money or corporate identity. When your online looking for literary criticism about Toni Morrison you shouldn't be bombarded with another interview with Oprah Winfrey about her movie, Beloved.
But let us also face facts, in the world of mass media the people who are willing to spend the money are the people who's sites are going to get talked about. That money comes from corporations pluggin' a product or image.
Hence, the Corporate Websites Suck Button (oh, yes another button campaign only with a twist). So here's what you can do to help link together original, independent web content. Download the Corporate Websites Suck Banner and the HTML code on the right. Then link the banner to a non-corporate site that you believe people should know about. It can be your friend's site, your personal journal, computer hacks, a non-profit organization, art work, your kid's garage rock band, or the local high school.
Whatever it's your choice, if you don't have a site you'd like to help plug, than link the banner back to this page so others can know that you're making a statement against corporate sites and they can join in.
This is our way to stand up and say the Internet is not just a corporate slogan.
But aren't corporate sites just as valid in certain respects as other sites that aren't huge and have a stake in the Dow Jones or Nasdaq?
Of course they are. But they aren't the ONLY source of valid information. People should be able to choose wisely between any sources of information. The problem is there's no level playing field. I don't have the money to place a 30-sec ad on TV during Super Bowl Sunday (or any other day of the year for that matter) to drive people to my site. But because someone else can they all of a sudden are a "valid source of truthful information."
The point is to help spread the word to as many people as we can. I'm not anti-corporate. If I were I'd have no means of living. I'm anti-ignorance.
No, not all corporate websites suck, nor do all c ompanies suck. That is, don't take this to heart. It's just a "catch phrase" to help get attention to what we're trying to do. I debated if I should put this banner up
since too many people will probably read it as a "this is a universal truth" when really this is just a "hey check this out, our work counts too!"
Tell me what you think or tell me about your site at suck@weinstein.org. Your site will get posted here for all to see.
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Support Independent Content
HTML CODE:
<a href="http://www.site-your-linking-to.com">
<img src="suck.gif" alt="Corporate Websites Suck" border="0"></a>
<br><font size=-2>
<a href="http://www.weinstein.org/suck/index.html">
Support Independent Content</a></font>
Sites that Support Independent Content
http://www.weinstein.org/
http://www.unamerican.com/
http://www.webzine98.com/
http://www.webzine99.com/
http://www.webzine2000.com/
http://www.zinecities.com/
http://www.bjord.org/
http://blort.meepzorp.com/
http:///www.newgrounds.com/
http:///www.webzine.ws/
http:///www.timstract.com/
http:///www.socialoutcasts.net/
http://www.explodingcigar.com/
http://www.milkandcookies.com
http://www.silversow.com
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How to Leave the Planet
1) Phone NASA. Their phone number is (713) 483-3111. Explain that it's very important that you get away as soon as possible.
2) If they do not cooperate, phone any friend you may have in the White House - (202) 456-1414 - to have a word on your behalf with the guys at NASA.
3) If you don't have any friends in the White House, phone the Kremlin (ask the overseas operator for 0107-095-295-9051). They don't have any friends there either (at least, none to speak of), but they do seem to have a little influence, so you might as well try.
4) If that also fails, phone the Pope for guidance. His telephone number is 011-39-6-6982, and I gather his switchboard is infallible.
5) If all these attempts fail, flag down a passing flying saucer and explain that it's vitally important you get away before your phone bill arrives.
-Douglas Adams
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