WebProNews, Jupitermedia: Retraction Demanded
I don't know who sourced David Utter's article from WebProNews yesterday, but they're absolutely off the mark:
It seems that famed Lockergnome publisher Chris Pirillo nearly needed to have to run to a local Kinko's to prove to Jupitermedia staff that he did indeed qualify as a member of the online media.
According to a Jupitermedia rep, Pirillo of Lockergnome and TechTV fame was “extremely nasty” when he was asked for a sample of his work. It seems that the unfortunate rep didn't recognize the diminutive diva of daily discourse, and that set Pirillo into a paroxysm of rage.
Fortunately for all involved, peace and civility returned to the proceedings when the Jupitermedia system finally disclosed Pirillo was indeed pre-credentialed as a member of the Fourth Estate and issued his documents. It isn't clear if the Jupitermedia rep was required to submit an on-the-spot resignation for not recognizing him instantly.
A photo of the miniature media mogul shows a smiling face that obviously belies the fierce warrior within. Perhaps he could avoid future inconveniences by stamping his Lockergnome logo on his amply-sized forehead before attending another convention.
Uh… must've been some other Chris Pirillo in the room, because that certainly wasn't me. If anything, when our names weren't found on a list, I was indifferent in my response. I didn't raise a stink, I didn't get angry, and I wasn't anywhere near what has been claimed. No, seriously – I don't demand retractions all that often, but this was just downright rude, David /WebPronews – and Jupitermedia; I hold you accountable. I hate when I get blamed for things that I didn't do. I was never asked for my credentials directly, and any kind of possible situation was clarified and rectified almost immediately. I originally didn't care to carry around the conference bag since I had a backpack with me, but almost apologetically took it from the registration rep after being guilted into it.
Nobody melted down, man – at least, not when I was in the room. If you need real witnesses as to my general candor at this conference, I can find 'em for you – but I'm not even close to being guilty, so I'm struggling now to figure out why I should be defending anything that I DIDN'T DO. “Extremely nasty?” Would someone at Jupitermedia care to define that phrase for me? Methinks someone has me confused for someone else… and I wasn't alone in the room. And I certainly would have diffused any situatoin with humor. If you're going to start rumors about me, at least base them in some kind of truth? Rage, indeed. The only public meltdown that I know of is this one. This is nothing more than sensationalism – something I'd expect of a tabloid; I'm looking forward to reading about my impending male pregnancy after being abducted by UFOs and forced into a weight loss program. Nothing happened – certainly not something nasty, and certainly not from my words or actions.
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6 Comments
Fogarty
August 10th, 2005
at 11:43pm
Ah, tabloid sensationalism at its finest! I imagine it's misinformed pap like this that gets The National Enquirer in so much trouble on a regular basis. The unfortunate result of such misinformation is that, no matter how many retractions are made, there will be people out there inclined to believe only the worst.
Crapmongers!
Mike
August 11th, 2005
at 7:30am
This is a little bit overblown I think, nonetheless I have posted Lockergnome: Redux this morning as a gesture of good will.
If you see me shuffling around the conference wave me down and I'll buy you a free coke or something. I'll be the bald guy with the big black hat on.
MrDee
August 11th, 2005
at 12:56pm
I always considered Chris Pirillo as the Whitney Houston of the Tech Industry. ;)
sara
August 11th, 2005
at 2:19pm
Famous enough to get the (mis)attention of the tab wannabees.! I particularly liked the alliterative “miniature media mogul”. If that's the worst thing that ever happens to you in this life, consider yourself to be lucky. And for those who know you either in person or on the blog, you certainly do not need to be defensive about anything that is said or written about you.
Jeber
August 13th, 2005
at 9:06pm
Sorry dude, I just couldn't resist…
My response.
jules
August 17th, 2005
at 8:54pm
*miniature media mogul*- would you prefer to be called “triple M” for short? Okay, that was a bad one….