The Atlantic's Scientology Advertorial

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The Atlantic's Scientology Advertorial

Posted by Unknown on Wednesday January 16, 2013 @05:04AM from the history-of-a-time-to-come dept.

magic maverick writes "The Atlantic recently ran an 'advertorial' for the 'Church of Scientology'. During this time, they filtered comments and removed negative comments. While they have since apologized, incisive.nu has an interesting run down of what they did wrong, from both a moral and business perspective." It turns out these sponsored stories are commonplace, and a serious source of revenue: "Native ads are critical to The Atlantic’s livelihood. They are one element of digital advertising revenue, which in 2012 accounted for a striking 59 percent of the brand’s overall advertising revenue haul. Unclear just how much of the digital advertising revenue stems from sponsor content. We’re working on that."

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The Taliban and Cthulhu by Anonymous Coward · 2013-01-16 05:13 · Score: 5, Funny

This was recently mocked by both the Onion and Boing Boing. I think this is one of the first times that I'm less afraid of Cthulhu than the alternative. Actually, Cthulhu looks pretty damn reasonable when he wears a suit and a tie.
Re:If you sleep with a dog, you get fleas by Black+Parrot · 2013-01-16 05:14 · Score: 2, Funny

I think a better analogy might be two dying dogs, lying down together in a last feeble attempt to fend off the cold.
Hey, they're both just chasing the Almighty Buck. You should show a little patriotic respect.

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Sheesh, evil *and* a jerk. -- Jade
Re:Slashvertisement by Black+Parrot · 2013-01-16 05:16 · Score: 4, Funny

You don't see the difference between product placement and a cult using a newspaper to ruin more lives?
When does slashdot run ads for crack cocaine? That would be similar to what we are talking about here.
Well, Slashdot is always pushing bitcoin. If that won't ruin your life, nothing will.

--
Sheesh, evil *and* a jerk. -- Jade
Re:Slashvertisement by thePowerOfGrayskull · 2013-01-16 05:31 · Score: 4, Funny

When does slashdot run ads for crack cocaine?

My god man - how can you say that so callously? I just ordered my twenty-seventh Raspberry Pi board - this month!
Insensitive clod.
Re:If you sleep with a dog, you get fleas by tripleevenfall · 2013-01-16 05:37 · Score: 4, Funny

Excuse me sir, We at the CoS have trademarked the term "cult" and your use of it is forbidden by copyright. You'll be hearing from our legal team.
Re:If you sleep with a dog, you get fleas by gstoddart · 2013-01-16 06:22 · Score: 3, Funny

Does he good? Or does he evil? It matters not you say. Watch him anyway you say.
Burma Shave? :-P

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Lost at C:>. Found at C.
Re:If you sleep with a dog, you get fleas by PhxBlue · 2013-01-16 06:33 · Score: 5, Funny

Pfft. If you were really with the CoS, you'd have made Slashdot remove the post.

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!#@%*)anks for hanging up the phone, dear.
Re:Slashvertisement by Hentes · 2013-01-16 07:42 · Score: 3, Funny

When does slashdot run ads for crack cocaine?

There's a weed story every other week.