Why I am NOT Attending RJ’s Party at the Playboy Mansion
I’ve thought a lot about whether or not to post this — I know posting it will most likely result in some lost business. I expect some people will say I’m being “self-righteous” or trying to force my morality on others. This is not my intent.
But sometimes I think it’s important to take a stand and let the chips fall where they may.
I’ve received many emails over the past few days about the “Rich Jerk” and his upcoming “Internet Marketers Party” at the Playboy Mansion. It’s being promoted as the hottest networking opportunity ever — and that’s probably not far from the truth.
I was in fact personally invited to this party by Ryan (RJ’s front man), as their guest (no cost) — this was right after the Affiliate X-Ray launch (which I helped with) –Â before most people even knew about the event.
But I respectfully declined. I wouldn’t even go if they paid me, BECAUSE it’s at the Playboy Mansion.
From a purely business standpoint, it’s a great example of marketing the “event” — something Dan Kennedy harps on continually. I’m sure in terms of dollars and prestige, this will be a very successful event for RJ and many others.
But I don’t think you can go to that event without, in some part, putting your stamp of approval on all that “Playboy” stands for — and as a conservative Christian who considers pornography to be one of the plagues of modern society, I could never entertain the idea of setting one foot inside that place.
Frankly, I’m surprised at how easily self-professed “family men” are justifying their attendance. They say they’re going there strictly for the business networking, and I believe them. But I wonder if they’ve really thought this through from any angle besides business.
My friends, you can’t go to the “Playboy Mansion” without associating yourself with “Playboy” and ALL that it stands for — going to the Playboy Mansion is the same as placing an advertisement in Playboy Magazine. You can’t play in the mud without getting dirty.
Think about it . . .
Now obviously some people don’t have the same views on pornography as I do, and for you there’s no conflict of interest. But if you think like I do that pornography is wrong, that it’s harmful to society, that it increases sexual abuse and violence against women, that it breaks up marriages and causes irreparable harm to families, then how can you go to this thing?
I invite your comments — I will print all of them (as long as there’s no personal attacks or profanity)Â whether you agree or disagree. Let’s talk about it! 
Paul
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June 23rd, 2007 at 9:32 am
Wow, I really admire your integrity and your frank opinion. God Bless.
June 23rd, 2007 at 9:36 am
Hi Paul
I absolutely agree with you about pornography and I do admire you for being so candid about the subject.
Cecilia
June 23rd, 2007 at 9:45 am
Paul,
I agree with you my friend. I thought it was sick
the way I received tons of emails from marketers
that up until now, I had at least an ounce of respect
for.
The ones you mention (or not mention, I know
who they are)would sell the skin off a dead cat
if it meant they would get their face in the public
eye.
There was even a special offer on a well known
marketing forum with some girl trying to raise
money for a dress to go to this thing. She even
said she was looking forward to the sex room at
the mansion. How pathetic. Like I want to support
that and buy her product.
I plan on unsubscribing to all the marketers who
attend or promote this thing. This is just wrong
and charity or not charity, most of these marketers
are using this for their own personal and financial
gain and that is just wrong.
I respect your decision and judgement and I hope
these big name marketers realize that sometimes
following the herd makes them look like a turd.
June 23rd, 2007 at 9:46 am
Paul, I admire your stand and of course like all of us you are entitled to your opinion. However I was under the impression that the marketing event as it were, was prior to going to the Playboy Mansion, could you not have attended that and not gone to the Party at the Mansion?
Secondly, perhaps you can help me out here, I am a little puzzeled as to why you had to mention this, would it not have been better to let sleeping dogs lie?
Personally I am not a fan of the “Rich JerK” I think anyone who tries to belittle his audience is a “Real Jerk” and I would not support him or his tactics and I wish everyone would stop subscibing or buying into his or that marketing nonsense.
June 23rd, 2007 at 9:48 am
Paul,
I don’t know why this post would hurt your business - I really hope that’s not the case. I admire your ethics and your integrity to stand by what you believe in.
I’ve seen many e-mails promoting tnis event and the folks that have sent me the e-mails have hurt their credibity with me by jumping on to this “event” bandwagon.
For those of us that are offended by RJ, associating with him could do more harm than good for their professional reputation.
June 23rd, 2007 at 9:49 am
Hello Paul,
I’m not used to make posts, and I also may ask you and your readers to please forgive my “not that good English”…I’m not a native and leave outside the US.
If you allow me so, I may tell you that I personally consider your decision as not the best one…let me tell you why.
Despite of your moral and opinion about pornography, I do think that you can play in the mud without getting dirty, to use your words.
Please correct me if I’m wrong…but wasn’t it exactly what Jesus did his entire life? And not only him as also thousands of his followers all over the world…still those days?
If you say that you don’t feel comfortable attending the event…I can understand…if you say that you simply don’t want to go, I can understand as well…and I can also understand if you say that you don’t support Playboy and all that it represents. But this would be a perfect opportunity to give your moral values even more solidification…being in the “mud”, to use your own words…and remaining clean.
This is only my humble opinion…and I’m posting it as you asked for.
Thanks for reading and keep up the always great job.
Luiz Rocha
June 23rd, 2007 at 9:49 am
There’s nothing wrong with backing up your moral values by your actions. I think most people will simply respect your position on the RJ event and move on. It certainly doesn’t make me want to unsubscribe from your list or criticise your moral values. If anything it has the opposite effect.
Gary Smith
June 23rd, 2007 at 9:51 am
Hi Paul
As a very open minded guy, I do not have a problem with playboy and other topics that conservative Christians would not back up. But that is not the issue here.
I think you make a good point, Paul.
When someone chooses to follow a certain direction in his or her life, then you should follow that with all your heart. If you are a conservative Christian or have similar believes regarding pornography and you would go to the playboy mansion…..
Hmm, well, it is a bit contradict in my opinion. Such believes come before business at all times or you would sell your soul to the devil in a matter of speaking.
So, I think you made a very wise decision regarding your life’s mission and belief, hope I am allowed to say that. I can only respect that with all my heart.
Ray
June 23rd, 2007 at 9:51 am
Hi Paul,
Thank you very much for taking such a clear and strong stand at this point!
I can tell you one thing for sure, Paul: You’ve definitely NOT lost my business because of your stand. On the contrary, I’ll be even more likely to buy your products in the future.
I’m so glad and grateful that you didn’t bend your knees to money.
My highest respect and gratitude goes to you and your integrity, Paul.
Warmly,
Klaus Dahl
http://www.klausdahl.com
June 23rd, 2007 at 9:51 am
Regarding that justification thing — it’s a version of “I only buy Playboy for the articles”. Remember folks, you are who you hang with.
June 23rd, 2007 at 9:53 am
I honestly don’t think of pornography when I think of the playboy mansion but think of a very successful magazine. You certainly are entitled to not go but I don’t believe that people would not understand your view and that you are entitled to it. Everyone has to stand by their beliefs.
If you loose subscribers over this, I would not loose too much sleep over it.
June 23rd, 2007 at 9:53 am
I too admire your integrity and will be praying for you in this. Thanks for being willing to take this stand. I know my husband would do the same thing. Blessings, Phyllis
June 23rd, 2007 at 9:54 am
Agree completely…while I personally have no use for porno and agree with your assessment of it, this is a free country so some people will see it as valuable. Not me. But I also don’t want to “judge” others who do. I am sure, if invited, we would have opted out as well.
June 23rd, 2007 at 9:58 am
Alah most gracious and most merciful bless you.
At last! We can identify ourselves with a guru who has a solid ground on which he stands!
Am now persuaded that it is not just for the money, you have a life too!
Alah bless
June 23rd, 2007 at 9:58 am
Well to each their own is all I have to say. That is definitely a different perspective on it, and an admirable one at that. Most of what I’ve heard in terms of my marketing friends discuss it is that it sickens them that the gurus charge thousands of dollars to attend these things lining their pockets even more. Sure it might be a great networking event, but honestly, even at RJ’s supposed discount price to attend, is this really necessary?
Davin
http://www.davinatorbiz.com
June 23rd, 2007 at 9:59 am
It’s refreshing to read your post.
You have honesty and integrity.
Thank-you.
Carry on!
June 23rd, 2007 at 9:59 am
I could not agree more. It looks like a lot of people have lost their direction and are so enamored with their so-called hot air success. The fact is that when we leave this world all we can take with us, is who we are and what we stand for. Nothing more nothing less is exceptable. I would not invite the rich jerk to my home for dinner no matter how wealthy he tells everyone he is.
Regards,
Joel Weeks
June 23rd, 2007 at 9:59 am
Thank you for taking a stance on this. Being a woman in this business, I am shocked by how blatantly sexist this entire thing is. Obviously they are eliminating any women from wanting to attend. Too bad these guys don’t just make their donation to charity and meet in a more respectable location. Guess that would take a real man. It is sad that they can’t think of any way to enjoy themselves other than drinking too much alcohol and gawking at playboy bunnies. Hopefully none of them have children, because it certainly is setting a poor example.
June 23rd, 2007 at 10:00 am
Hey Paul;
Amen. I agree with you.
Great to see another marketer stand up for their belief.
I’m kind of surprised at some of the people that are going in the “name of charity”.
Thanks;
Gary Knuckles
June 23rd, 2007 at 10:04 am
Well put Paul.
I for one will be taking more notice of what you say from now on.
I’m sure many that don’t agree with your viewpoint must recognise that you are someone they can trust.
God Bless,
Paul
June 23rd, 2007 at 10:05 am
I agree wholeheartedly with your posting. When I started getting e-mails regarding the event, I was downright offended. First of all because it was touted as a “Men Only” event. Where does that leave the rest of us? And, secondly, all the reasons you stated. There might be enough money in an offer to get me there,
But, right now I can’t even imagine what that amount could possibly be.
Kudos to you for taking a stand. Not everyone has the the confidence to do such a thing. You have gained enormous respect from me.
God is blessing you now!!
June 23rd, 2007 at 10:05 am
Even though there’s no PR value being passed on this site. . . I would have to agree with you on the PLAYBOY Party. It’s all about S E X. doh! At least the right jerk is throwing it
June 23rd, 2007 at 10:05 am
While I do not understand the correlation between nudity and violence against women other than rape, I know that it plays a huge part in broken marriages and separation from the church. There are plenty of information sources and locations for business meetings that do not include women flaunting themselves, which only serves to distract participants from the business side.
Having the party at the Playboy mansion is simply a method to sell more magazines and propaganda. Only a strong Christian can be tempted multiple times inside the devil’s playground without taking some of the “candy”. That is not a place for married or God-fearing men. It is also not a place for any business outside the adult industry.
Thank you for expressing your views Paul. I am glad you stepped forward.
June 23rd, 2007 at 10:06 am
It’s interesting that Playgirl never approached the readership of its counterpart, and that “sexploitation” is considered in many circles so acceptable and mainstream.
Though I’m not religious, and fall into the live-and-let-live camp, I too would find this kind of a setting uncomfortable, having witnessed the behaviors of both men and women at these kinds of events in the past to be less-than-civilized or honestly stimulating.
Disconcerting and unseemly are the words which come to mind - and how anyone could find this social scene romantic and not distasteful is way beyond me.
Personally, I’ve always found Hugh Hefner himself beyond arrogant and gauche… and have also found it sad that his pretty daughter, Christy - his heir tapped to inherit and manage the Playboy empire - to be hardly appealing or sexy herself.
Hard, battle-tested young women are as less-than-sexy as some of us can imagine… since a scene lifted from the debauched imagery of Caligula… feels more like a nightmare than a fantasy.
Besides, the gestalt of Playboy and its supposed philosophy lost its hipness sometime in the 70s is no longer that cool or fashionable anymore.
June 23rd, 2007 at 10:06 am
Thank you for taking a stand and for being honest about your reasons for not attending! May God bless you!
June 23rd, 2007 at 10:08 am
It’s nice to finally see someone stand on the side of principle, integrity, and maturity. It’s disappointing that more marketers have not taken a similar stand. Way to go!
June 23rd, 2007 at 10:10 am
H i Paul , You personally have to do what you believe in . I’m sure there’s other ways to promote this Charity .
Rich Jerk wants to do outrageous things that way he gets attention . I’m laughing to myself if everyone acts like him he wouldn’t be called rich jerk just a ” J E R K ” Hey you can call me
” RICH JERK SHEL “
June 23rd, 2007 at 10:14 am
Hi Paul,
You are not alone. I feel the same way. I have been really surprised by how some have tried to justify and rationalize a reason to go. Money is not everything and there will always be another opportunity to network.
I’m sure you will get a great deal of flack from your stand, as will I for agreeing with you, but you certainly have my respect.
Warmest regards,
Ellery Coleman
June 23rd, 2007 at 10:17 am
Good one Paul. I agree. I never liked the rich jerk’s tilt and this just further solidifies my low opinion of him.
June 23rd, 2007 at 10:18 am
Hi Paul… I agree, and disagree.
I do not disagree with your decision… I would not go had I been invited.
I do disagree with the thinking you used based on anyone attending. The tone of your post gives the impression that anyone who does attend approves of porn.
While I totally understand why you are not going… just to take it a bit deeper.
Does this also mean you would never attend an event or purchase a book written by someone who has committed murder, sells porn, convicted felon or just downright unethical, etc (think you get my drift), and recommend these events or books to others - even if you thought they were good?
Larry Flynt - publisher of “Hustler” magazine is the undisputed King of Porn. I would love to spend a day just talking to him - but I’ve never purchased or do I approve of Hustler magazine.
In addition to being the King of Porn… he is also the King of defending our (mine and yours) right to free speech - 1st Amendment.
While he had his own personal reasons (his porn rag) for defending his right to free speech, we have benefited as well.
I have recommended his book, “Sex, Lies And Politics: The Naked Truth: The Naked Truth” to hundreds of people.
Does the mere fact that I have shared this book with others mean I approve of Larry Flynt? Not hardly.
Like I said… I totally understand why you are not going - personal choice.
I do have to disagree on your statement about “approving” the behavior or giving your seal of approval by attending the event.
I used to go to a job I “disapproved” of for years… but went anyway
Sincerely Yours,
Andrew
June 23rd, 2007 at 10:18 am
You have every right to your belief system. As a fundamentalist Christian, your views are understandable. A mass mailing to your list, 99% of which is not going, regardless of their beliefs or have likely heard about it is, as you said, a mistake. Who cares? Why inject your belief system into such a shallow pool? You create a position for your self that now becomes colored by separations, not inclusion, all over a little known event outside our circle.
See you in church.
Tom Justin
http://www.tomjustin.com
June 23rd, 2007 at 10:20 am
AMEN, Paul! I couldn’t agree more. I am a mother and a grandmother. The RJ’s method of marketing and foul language really offends me and my husband. Did you notice that he is NOT inviting women to this so-called “event”? I have had a wonderful career in the sciences for almost 25 years. I was one of the 1st women hired by the Boeing Co. to be an Aerospace Engineer on the Apollo Moon Program in the 1960’s.
I have written a children’s book about the Stars (not the Paris Hilton types) (grin). Our family is a 3rd Generation US Marine Corps family. I have traveled all over the world and met many wonderful people. Throughout my career I NEVER was subjected to the kind of verbal abuse that the RJ spews out.
Thank you for pointing this out. You are an honorable man.
God Bless you and my very best wishes!
Sara
June 23rd, 2007 at 10:20 am
Paul,
While I admire anyone who takes a stand on ANY issue these days, I wonder how you decided to draw the line in the stand over this one.
I am assuming you get traffic and/or cash from google adsense or yahoo publishing net or even amazon right?
HOW can you do this? They all have millions upon millions of porn sites spidered…so….explain to me why they are different? I don’t really expect an answer…just wanted to point out where you’re just a touch hypocritical. Take care.
June 23rd, 2007 at 10:20 am
I’m glad to see someone stand for something.
Personally I would not go because I won’t have anything to do with RJ. Anyone who associates with someone who calls you a loser is nuts.
June 23rd, 2007 at 10:22 am
Paul,
Thank you so much for posting this message. I didn’t know others felt this way, too.
It’s truly confusing how many self-professed Christians and “dedicated family men” are promoting the event and planning to attend. While it obviously catches attention, it seems like there should be less-damaging ways to accomplish the same thing.
And isn’t it interesting that many of those attending feel the need to justify their participation?
SaRita
June 23rd, 2007 at 10:23 am
Great post Paul!
This post should not cost you any Unsubscribes or lost business.
On the contrary, I feel it will strengthen your relationship with your subscribers and business partners.
This event is definitely very controversial and not something that I would have foreseen in a million years in this marketplace.
I commend you on your stance & appreciate you standing up for what you believe in.
Thanks!
Tom
June 23rd, 2007 at 10:25 am
Paul,
I agree with you wholeheartedly and support your views 100%.
It’s good to see that there are still a few Internet marketers out there that have a sense of integrity.
Regards.
Chris
June 23rd, 2007 at 10:27 am
As a female marketer I felt completely excluded from the marketing for this event. Why would I want to attend this marketing event when the highlight of the event will be the “half naked, half plastic, living barbie dolls” in bunny suits?
The playboy mansion and Hugh are not icons for family and marriage so I would think the marketing for this event also exlcudes most (happily) married men. Imagine explaining to your wife that you are going on a business trip and seminar that will be held at the “Playboy Mansion”. That is like saying that you buy Playboy for the “Articles”.
June 23rd, 2007 at 10:27 am
I actually read your e-mail and post because it was a nice change of pace from all the other e-mails I was getting on this event.
I think it’s a bit funny how so many marketers who are promoting this event publicly justify it to themselves and their readers. I have yet to see one that just said “I’m going to the playboy mansion for RJ’s seminar.” All of them state something like “I’m against RJ, don’t like him, I’m a family man, but the networking will be nice!”
Having a background in psychology makes this especially interesting to me.
However, my personal stance is that I don’t care if someone decides to go. If they want to go for the networking — great! If they want to go just to say they went to the PlayBoy Mansion — more power to them!
Although I respect your opinion, and agree that there are several dark sides to the porn industry (many porn stars are drug addicts, been sexually abused when they were younger — well over 90% according to one popular study, etc.), I don’t think that porn itself is necessarily bad as long as it’s not abused or hurting anyone.
As such, I don’t have any specific things against PlayBoy and view this event more so as a big gimmick that many marketers are jumping on just to be a part of. In fact, my wife even wanted the two of us to go there (she just started getting into internet marketing).
However, I’m one of those people who actually enjoy talking about business and networking. I’d be afraid that I’d get too excited about throwing ideas out there while all the others are focusing on the nearly naked girls.
Ahh well, to each his/her own.
Brian
June 23rd, 2007 at 10:28 am
Paul.
What you said is exactly what my thoughts were when I got the first email about it.
I wonder how many of the attendees are bringing their wives?
I guess we have to stoop this low now to get attendance to a seminar.
I am not going to unsubscribe from your list and if anyone is liberal enough in
their thinking to be OK with this seminar they shouldn’t either.
If they expect you to be tolerant of their views they should be of yours.
Who knows Paul, maybe this post will save a marraige.
June 23rd, 2007 at 10:29 am
I just received your email..
In this “new age” of anything goes, and gross immorality.
It takes someone of strong , moral , religious,
character for someone to say no to Sin. Obviously you just did.
I really don’t know you , but I greatly Honor and respect your convictions.
I have a fairly new online site, http://www.chromecityevents.com
Which is for online Single Events, and also features online dating. For now it is not very sucessful…who knows if it ever will be.
I also have had chances to put x rated links or ads on my site to “get it going” . To that I not only say no, but I also say no to selling your Soul to
to bed with (pun intended) anything associated with “Playboy”.
God Bless America, God Bless our Armed Forces, who everyday are fighting and dying for our Freedom. And may You also be Blessed.
Jz
June 23rd, 2007 at 10:30 am
Hi Paul
I’ve got no bad feelings about playboy.
What does bug me is the way RJ talks, acts, communicates.
In one of the last Emails he was describing what he was doing
in the bathroom to one of the mothers while his buddy the right
hand man was minding the baby.
I’m not convinced that this is just some persona that he uses to get
attention.
And the language… you can’t just make that up.
I think his mind is twisted.
Gives the rest of us marketers a bad name.
I for one, have removed myself from his mailing list.
Thats my two cents worth.
Den
June 23rd, 2007 at 10:32 am
Paul,
Taking a stand is a good thing. The adage, “If you stand for nothing you will fall for anything.” applies. I have made it a habit not to judge others but I do try to stay away from things that directly affect myself, my family, or those I am close to. When it comes to morals I believe there has been a steady decline in the four decades plus I’ve been on this planet.
Business partners that keep their word, teenagers with strong work/moral ethics, products that deliver on advertiser’s claims, marriages that last the duration, etc… etc…
It all falls back to what you believe in, and what you stand for. Taking a stand is admirable and I for one respect it. There is a balance in all things and everyone is free to choose…. the pain comes when too many people make poor decisions. I’ve made my fair share…
God speed,
Adam
June 23rd, 2007 at 10:33 am
Paul, whilst I understand your comments and your sincerity with your beliefs, I do not agree that this event condones pornography and all that it entails. I am sure most of the ‘Gurus’ going to this event are pretty sensible and do not need to keep the sins of the world on their shoulders.
Lets face it, depravity has been around for a very long time!
This event is for charity with as much publicity as possible, and I am sure that most people going will have a damm good time and will be talking about it for years to come.
P.S. I would like to go because I am sure that everyone will have a really fun time - lucky people!
June 23rd, 2007 at 10:34 am
Paul, I’m surprised it took so long for anyone to voice this view and I was beginning to wonder if there was any moral integrity left among the top level marketers?
I’ve been impressed with the business knowledge of many of the top “gurus” and with their professed success oriented mindset and view of family values I had made assumptions about them that turned out to be incorrect in a few cases. The others I’m unsure of, but at least you’ve made yourself clear, which is definitely to your benefit.
I received emails from a few of these top people over the past few days and in one case it was the wife who wanted to attend (for which I’m sure he was grateful) and in another case the Playboy bunnies were considered a “necessary evil” in the name of charity. He was “willing to put up with them”.
But there is the risk of disappointing a few of us. Yes, in terms of pure numbers, the people on their list who they promote all of this to will be very receptive because there are more of them in the world. But some of us are evaluating the character of our leaders and this has an effect on our enthusiasm in following them.
What happens after they get back home from the party and face those
on their list? I’m sure we’ll be hearing stories of what we missed out on in hopes of stimulating us to more action so that we can attend the next one.
I agree with you, Paul. Even if a person isn’t the type to normally be attracted to such an environment, there is an automatic statement being made when attending an event of this type, and it’s even more widespread when it is promoted to people who look up to them as leaders.
Paul, I’ve seen your name a number of times and I’ve never known much about you, but now I’ve learned something that is very important to me and I appreciate it very much.
thanks,
Rande
June 23rd, 2007 at 10:35 am
Paul,
To each his own. You are right about “the end justifies the means”. Too many use this to make things relative.
My thought is “what does it profit a man to gain the whole world only to lose his soul”. Whatever you may ‘lose’, may you get back 100 fold.
Thanks for standing your ground.
John
June 23rd, 2007 at 10:36 am
Of course its wrong to go. The Rich Jerks whole gimmick is profanity, crude, rude in the name of the almighty dollar. It only shows how low people are willing to stoop to make a buck, especially using the combination of good and evil (Charity & Porn). There are more important things in life than money. Don’t get me wrong, its nice to have and we do need it……….but its the love of money that gets people in trouble. I too admire your integrity.
June 23rd, 2007 at 10:49 am
Paul,
Taking a stand is a good thing. The adage, “If you stand for nothing you will fall for anything.” applies. I have made it a habit not to judge others but I do try to stay away from things that directly affect myself, my family, or those I am close to. When it comes to morals I believe there has been a steady decline in the four decades plus I’ve been on this planet.
Business partners that keep their word, teenagers with strong work/moral ethics, products that deliver on advertiser’s claims, marriages that last the duration, etc… etc…
It all falls back to what you believe in, and what you stand for. Taking a stand is admirable and I for one respect it. God speed. There is a balance in all things and everyone is free to choose…. the pain comes when too many people make poor decisions. I’ve made my fair share…
God speed,
Adam
June 23rd, 2007 at 10:50 am
Hello Paul,
It’s refreshing and reassuring to see someone stick to their principles.
I myself am not a Christian, but strongly hold to the belief that everyone should be allowed to practice whatever belief they choose to believe in (as long as no harm befalls others - directly or indrectly) … You are standing by your chosen belief, and there can be no greater sign of your truth.
So, thank you.
Kind regards,
Vic
June 23rd, 2007 at 10:51 am
Paul you are the first person I have heard that has been willing to take a stand on this issue and I applaud you. Money is always nice to have, but to specifically promote and participate in an event that compromises moral values and family integrity is not where it is at for me. I have received emails from a variety of big name marketers promoting this event and have simply deleted them. I have even considered clicking to unsubscribe from some of their lists. Good character and a good reputation is too important to trade away for any money. I will be watching more closely for your emails and your recommendations in the future. Your stock rose significantly in my books. Thanks.
June 23rd, 2007 at 10:53 am
I agree with you Paul. I would hope that even the men who are not Christians would be able to see the damage that Playboy does to our
woman, families, and society.
I was surprised to see so many big name marketers promoting this event.
June 23rd, 2007 at 10:57 am
I am so glad that someone has acrtaully stood up to say something. I was beginning to think that I was the only one feeling that way. Playboy and all it stands for degrades women and doing it in the name of charity or anything ese does not matter.
Yet,it’s these same marketers that will tell us about their wives, their family and what it means to them. Isn’t this double standard.
Well, I run a Christian Business Magazine and I won’t compromise my standards not even for the opportunity of meeting these internet marketing experts.
June 23rd, 2007 at 11:00 am
Stick to your guns. Only petty people would hold this against you. If your business partners can not honor your personal convictions - find new partners. All My Best, Tim
June 23rd, 2007 at 11:01 am
Well all I can say is that family integrity and morals are still alive and well. Not too many people are willing to stand up for what is right in the site of God and take the ridicule that is sure to follow. However I know for myself you have a customer for life because I believe as you do and God will reward you and prosper you beyond your wildest dreams for taking a stand for HIM!!!!!
God Bless You,
BJ
June 23rd, 2007 at 11:04 am
I fully agree with everything you have said. Thanks! You won’t lose business - there is a backlash coming against tasteless marketing on the internet. No matter how great a networking event this could be, sincere women marketers won’t have a look-in. I have received at least 6 invitation e-mails from some of the top internet marketers and one from the RJ himself. The invitation web page is gross and just one look at it tells anyone with a little bit of refinement that if you are a woman, an internet marketer looking for networking partners, all you will probably get is a bunch of very rich, inebriated marketers all thumping each other on the back and trying to look wonderful for one another under the guise of a ‘charity event’. Good luck to them but after hearing the RK was selling his business because he is nearly bankrupt I can only wonder if this is another stunt to make him more money. The only freedom we have in life is to chose our environment and that means who we hang out with! Best regards.
June 23rd, 2007 at 11:07 am
I appreciate your candor on this…it’s actually refreshing. I agree with you, too. I cannot believe that they selected that mansion for a Internet Event and the way some of the gurus talk about it it’s like “hear no evil, see no evil”. Frankly I find it disgusting.
But…I guess it shows their morals and lack of character.
Boys will be boys? I have yet to see any woman promote this event.
June 23rd, 2007 at 11:08 am
Dear Paul
I agree completely, society has has lost its values and morals. I’m a Christian too and have to stand up against this. In this world today you have to speak up even if all your list unsubscribes and you end up pennyless. 70 years is nothing on this earth compared to eternity without God.
God Bless you Sir!
Stew
June 23rd, 2007 at 11:10 am
Paul, I do not beleive it is necessary to declare the religion to which you subscribe to make your point.
Morals are morals and you either understand the degradation and exploitation that the ‘Mansion’ represents or you don’t.
Any time someone precedes their statement or sales pitch with- ‘I am a family man’, it is obvious that they themselves understand there is an issue with what they are doing or selling. When I received an email about the event from a top online marketer, whom I previously held in high regard, I read it through beleiving there would be a punch line.
I also do not want to sound as if I am on a high horse. Quite the contrary. However, using the facility not only supports but is now promoting the ‘Mansion’, which in turn endorses its exploitive industry.
I know I should not have even gone there, but it is remarkable if not scary how many self-proclaimed family oriented people can become so open minded and find so many reasons to justify supporting the very industry that many claim they will not stand for in their own online businesses.
Once again, I am in no way claiming to be righteous. This event that has so many big name guru’s attending truly has me concerned about the double standards being displayed in the name of business or should I say the dollar?
June 23rd, 2007 at 11:16 am
Hi Paul,
Quite frankly I don’t share your religious beliefs, and I may have an opinion that is less critical than you in terms of varying degrees of ‘the playboy’ aspect.
However……
I’m all for a free world and a right to free choice. My personal belief is to do what you want as long as it causes no one any harm (We could probably debate the harm playboy may or may not cause and what evidence there may be to support either argument - but that’s a seperate issue).
As far as you are concerned, and your choice not to attend - I have nothing but respect for you taking your stand based on your beliefs.
May your God bless you and yours.
Regards
Randy
Randolf Smith’s Marketing Blog
June 23rd, 2007 at 11:17 am
Hi Paul,
I am sure you will get many replies praising your ‘integrity and frank opinion’ (together with keyword links to their websites). Lots of integrity there then.
However, I choose not to list a website here. Because your post deserves a genuine reply, that is not tainted with the normal one liner nonsense, just to get a link back.
You post is is misguided in the extreme Paul.
Looking at ‘pornography’ does not do any of the things you suggest.
What is pornography? It is either simply pictures of naked bodies. Or men and women (or men and men - women and women) engaged in a sexual act. And then recorded in some manner for others to look at.
Pornography is an extension of the fact that sex is a natural human desire. And that looking at good looking bodies or people having sex is something that most people (men and women) find a turn on.
I respect your right not to find it a turn on.
Just as I don’t find American Football much of a spine tingler (Though I am sure lots of guys do)
But all this puritanical Christian stuff that anyone who goes along to this party is somehow sacrificing their morals, and promoting violence against women and the breakup of families is just nonsense.
The Playboy Mansion is simply a place where loads of young women who want to get rich and famous pander to some guys to try to achieve their dreams ie Pictures in magazines, tv appearances etc.
Nothing new there. People do this all the time when they laugh at there new bosses jokes to try to ingratiate him that they ‘are on his team’ and should be promoted etc.
Who’s the more manipulated?
The wage slave in their cubicle 8 hours a day? Or the attractive girl trying to achieve her dreams and retire at 35?
Hats off to these girls. They are making it happen.
Recording Sex between consenting adults. Without coercion or drugs. Is as valid a thing to do as any other. As is watching it.
Guys having sex with other women might well break up marriages.
Thats not the fault of porn. That’s the guys fault!
And if he is looking at porn rather then having sex with his girlfriend, then that indicates deeper problems that are not the fault of porn.
I also don’t believe it either increases violence against women or increases sexual abuse.
The US has some of the toughest pornography rules of any country (and rightly so). The women (or men or whatever) are having consensual adult sex. They have to have regular drug check ups to confirm their health. And they are well paid.
It is probably a better job then 95% of the population has to participate in!
As to looking at it. Well, most people enjoy that. And they have no reason to feel guilty about it. Any more then they should feel guilty about watching American Footballers throw themselves about, (consensually), and get well paid for it.
The Playboy mansion in my mind stands for fun and good looking women.
All good.
I would be happy to have an advert in the magazine (the price might be a tad high though…)
An audience of guys that like sex? Hmmm weird bunch!
You should go and feel damn good about getting the invite.
Stuart
June 23rd, 2007 at 11:19 am
Yes, I totally agree with you Paul, but…
You mentioned you helped with the X-Ray launch.
That means you’re already playing in the mud promoting “Rich Jerk” and ALL that he stands for. If he isn’t portrayed as a Playboy, I don’t know who is
To me it’s like this: Playboy Mansion = Rich Jerk, Charity = Ryan.
So one can argue either way:
Well, I’m there because I’m a friend of Ryan and I’m there for business reasons and I want to help him raise money for Charity.
Or, well, I promote the Rich Jerk and his products, so therefore I’m already “dirty”, I might as well hang out at the Playboy Mansion and just consider it as a personna I’m creating for myself
Nobody is perfect… as long as we personally understand what our goal is in what we do and take responsibility for our own actions, it’s all good
Tim
June 23rd, 2007 at 11:20 am
Hi Paul… I have several points to make here: Firstly, I both admire and respect your commitment to the principals you adhere to i.e. your moralistic views and your Christian views.
Secondly, I applaud your courage in making your feelings public via this blog when, in all fairness, you didn’t have to.
Thirdly, and with great respect towards your views nevertheless, I totally disagree with your automatic assumption that “Playboy” and the “sleaziest, dirtiest, most harmful aspects of pornography” are intrinsically entertwined.
I actually chose “Playboy” as the subject of a Thesis I wrote many years ago when doing my Masters Degree. I went into the study with a very similar viewpoint to yourself… but emerged 2 years later with a radically differing opinion.
I see “Playboy” as a legitimate and successful attempt to break down both the social and sexual inhibitions of ‘everyday Americans’ (and indeed, much of the western world).
Hardcore pornography (the details of which I have no need or desire to share here) and “Playboy” are about as far apart as Paris Hilton and “maturity” (hush my mouth…did I say that???…lol)
I am an aetheist and so don’t feel bound by the same dogmatic constrictions that so many Christians do. This gives me the ability to ‘observe’ with my own eyes and form opinions based on such observations over many years. As such, I am in no doubt whatsoever that “Playboy” - although an iconic success story in every field of endeavour that it has embarked on - is a tame and harmless component of the global adult industry.
I say this because I do not for one second believe that explicit (but otherwise physically and emotionally harmless) sexual acts between consenting adults is anything to be ashamed of. I also have no problem with folks over the age of consent being able to make a choice of viewing such acts for their own erotic pleasure.
Ironically, having viewed a lot of so-called erotic material via Playboy TV I can personally vouch for the fact that 95%+ of it is boring and not worthy of my viewing time. Give me the Discovery Channel ANY DAY!!! Hells bells…even Fox News is more exciting!!!
But my opinion of Playboy’s ‘less than masterly television production quality’ is no sleight on the incredible corporate success of the Playboy company - and more importantly, the amazing (and untarnished) life of Hugh Hefner. NB: I wish I had 1% of that guy’s charm and youthfulness for his age!!!
Paul… you are a Christian. You uphold Christian values. You assumedly follow strict Christian principals when it comes to sexuality… and like I said right at the beginning, I respect that totally.
However, just as ‘Playboy and all that it stands for’ cannot in any way be realistically or fairly associated with the depraved, cruel, humiliating and degrading attributes of certainly SOME aspects of hardcore pornography… nor can YOU and countless other Christians be fairly associated with the millions of despicable, violent, sexually twisted, soul-destroying acts of pedophilia that a STAGGERINGLY DISPROPORTIONATE NUMBER (relative to mainstream society) of members of the clergy, priesthood and other Christian-backed organizations including fostercare homes and religious schools have engaged in over the last few decades!!!
But Christians as a whole can’t be blamed for the terrible acts against humanity by an alarmingly high number of it’s members!
Contrary to the often blinkered (in my humble opinion) views of Christians and other relious folk, pornography on its own does NOT automatically lead to rape and other forms of abuse by the readers and / or views of such materials. Rather, it is pornographic material/s in the hands of sociopaths and psychopaths (and others prone to sexual violence) that has the potential to incite sexual abuse!
Playboy can’t be blamed for the actions of sociopaths and psychopaths!
Alcohol on its own doesn’t automatically cause an intoxicated person to become irrational and violent. But when consumed in large enough quantities by persons already prone to violence… well, it can be a dangerous catalyst!
But should we ban alcohol? No! Heck, even Jesus drank the stuff!
Fourthly and finally… the real issue here is NOT “Playboy” or the “Playboy Mansion”… it is the childish, immature antics of a socially deluded dwarf-amongst-men who goes by the name of “the Rich Jerk” who is the ONLY issue in my opinion.
I realise that the “RJ” concept is a marketing ploy, and a clever one at that, but it simply isn’t clever enough to win ME over! Personally, I couldn’t care less that “RJ” is having a “night out with the boys” at the Playboy Mansion!!! So damn what???!!!
THE VENUE DOTH NOT MAKETH THE MAN!!!
Even if “RJ” was holding a “get together” over a cup of tea and biscuits in the main event room of the Morman Tabernacle in Salt Lake City - with all proceeds going to charity - I still wouldn’t attend!!!
I think the guy is an outright moron. He is offensive - yes, even to an aetheist like me!
So, even though you and I have very different viewpoints on Playboy, pornography and sexuality, I’m with you all the way on one thing here Paul…
“I AINT GOING TO INDULGE MY FANTASIES AT THE PLAYBOY MANSION EITHER!!!
Good on you for taking a stand:)
Oh, and thank you (from me, personally) for your truly outstanding contribution to Internet Marketing over the years you have been involved. You are a great influence and inspiration to all who know you.
June 23rd, 2007 at 11:23 am
I totally agree with you too. I just amazed why people who disagree with RJ way of marketing still want to attend a meeting that organize by him. Isn’t it a confusing.
God Bless!
June 23rd, 2007 at 11:25 am
I admire the stance that you have taken. Money at the expense of your own values is not worth having.
I dislike the whole image of the Rich Jerk. I have never spent a dime on any marketing which thinks it clever to disrespect the customer.
June 23rd, 2007 at 11:25 am
I don’t believe in religion, but I believe in God, and I completely agree with your reasons for not attending.
June 23rd, 2007 at 11:28 am
[Sorry - corrected version ... missed some words out!]
I have absolutely no time for religions personally, but not going to RJ’s party because he’s an a**hole is reason enough. I’m not talking about this online ‘persona’ that he fosters as a joke (although a tedious one by now), but about the fact that his ebook is one of the lowest quality ones I’ve read in the IM industry, the fact the he preys on newbie IMs with over-inflated marketing hype and the fact that I think a lot of his other stuff is ludicrously overpriced for what it is.
I’m sick of most IM ‘gurus’ to be honest. Hype is all part of marketing - I know that - but the extreme hype they generate to sell the Get Rich Quick dream to newbies who are looking for role models is way overboard. They breach the trust of those who look up to them in order to make a buck. And RJ is at the forefront of all that.
More credit to IM ‘gurus’ who tell it like it is: there is no get rich quick, you can’t make a million under your duvet - you’ll have to work your butt off for many months and face the fact that the huge majority of people will fail (I reckon at least 95% of people who try IM will fail).
IM is a business just like any offline business and it needs the same dedication and persistence. Eventually - if you get your head around that and don’t give up - you just might make some money. Buying book after book and course after course will certainly do no good whatsoever.
If you want to take a religious stance on it, then consider also doing so on the incestuous IM guru lists that shovel one load of rubbish after another at the newbies when - if they wanted to avoid ‘false testimony’ - they’d be telling the newbies not to buy it all … the last thing they need is another ebook … what they need to do is get out there and take action. Everything bit of instruction anyone needs to make a living at IM can be had for about $50 - one decent guide and a couple of books on marketing.
Anyway, rant over!
June 23rd, 2007 at 11:28 am
Hi Paul,
I have to agree with the other comment. It takes real guts to stand by a principle. Putting morals first before profit shows your human side so I for one will be remaining on your list.
Just because ‘everyone else’ is doing something it does not make it right to follow if it does not feel right in your heart.
June 23rd, 2007 at 11:30 am
I agree 100% and consider the people listed as “pornographers,” open supporters of an industry that is destroying families and children. I will never purchase anything from Dan Kennedy, John Reese, Yanik Silver and the others listed again. THEY are the true JERKS.
June 23rd, 2007 at 11:32 am
Good for you, it’s sometimes hard to take a stand, but integritiy shows! As they say ‘ If you stand for nothing, you’ll fall for everything”
June 23rd, 2007 at 11:32 am
Paul You are dead right and i give you my vote. It is not about morality or being religious but you just cannot mix everything in the name of business, certainly not this event at the Playboy Mansion. Internet marketing is fun but this is what happens when you start playing with it.
Generating revenue is a skill , marketing is a talent which one is blessed with and you need to thank the universe for giving you the opportunity to make the big numbers. When money starts rolling in very easily you think you can get away with anything in life. This is a classic case which proves this fact… I am happy with your stance Paul and i dont think it is going to reduce your business infact i can tell you it wil infact increase as a result of your post.
take care
Vish
http://www.spiritual-simplicity.com
June 23rd, 2007 at 11:38 am
I appreciate your stand in this regard. I am a Christian, too, and whole-heartedly agree. At this point, I am broke, and just trying to start an internet business, but as broke as I am, here is not a price on this earth that could be paid to me that would get me to set one foot inside of this event. In fact, after receiving an invite myself and all the obscene speech in that invite, I unsubscribed to his list. I thought he was kidding at first, but then I saw he was serious (Rich Jerk.) I admire his business success, but there are many more with integrity I would rather learn from. Thank you for your stand. And by the way, you probably in actuality won’t lose business and may gain business after word gets out that you stood on the right side of an important issue.
June 23rd, 2007 at 11:38 am
As a woman in internet marketing, can I say I am so wholeheartedly sick of the whole testosterone driven thing (the Playboy party). I realized, like so many things, IM is male dominated, and for a lot of men, this ‘titillating’ thing brings out the perpetual adolescent.
But come on guys… a little bit of sophistication goes a long way.
I agree Paul, it suprises me that a lot of family oriented men would go - and that their wives are not kicking up a huge stink about it. But you know, one thing I have learnt is the way people can justify something in their own mind.
I know I certainly don’t speak for ‘all women’ - and that quite a few buy pornography with their partners. And would probably think that I am ‘narrow minded’.
But I think that pornography encourages, at least subconsciously, looking at women as objects, and completely devalues relationships and sex by turning it into an empty shell of that which is based on love, equality, and a deep connection with the other person.
I know a lot of women who participate in those industires say that it is empowering, but if they were truly empowered individuals they wouldn’t be in the industry in the first place. They buy into the illusion and the power imbalances, and the (self and other) perception of sex and people as objects too. And anyway, those women are some of the best actresses Hollywood has never seen
I agree Paul, that by going to the Playboy mansion and being in that environment, you are being a part of it. It seems a big price (personal integrity) to pay for the opportunity to network, of letting the adolescent into the drivers seat.
June 23rd, 2007 at 11:50 am
No networking opportunity (or any other opportunity for that matter) is worth sacrificing your integrity.
My wife and I are both full-time copywriters and we recently had a referral sent to us from a good client. However, the referral turned out to be a guy who wanted my wife to write a sales letter about a particularly “racy” ebook where he required “a woman’s voice” in the sales letter.
My wife respectfully declined, telling him that as a copywriter that since it’s required of her to “put her mind” deeply into the subject matter…and this subject matter was a place where she really didn’t want to put her mind for too long.
He seemed a bit flabberghasted, and immediately came back with different project…which turned out to be along the same overtly sexual line. Again, she declined and referred him to a different writer.
It’s the ‘hard’ choices like these that slowly but surely will add up to either strengthen or weaken a marriage.I’m happy to say that my wife and I have enjoyed 15 years of marriage, and I have every reason to believe that we’re in this thing forever.
I too am a Christian, but I am certain that there are plenty who are reading this post who are not. In today’s culture, it may seem “prudish” to make a stand a not go to the Playboy Mansion or refuse to write an overtly sexual sales letter.
Perhaps if there were more men who would make hard choices like this, we wouldn’t have the 50%+ divorce rate that plagues this country. The Christian Church is not off the hook - the divorce rate is even HIGHER in churches.
But I do not follow Christianity blindly and adhere to the “thou shalt not’s” contained in the Bible because “that’s what the Bible says so that’s what I do”. To the contrary…I follow the ‘rules’ simply because they make sense. Although let me be quick to say that I am FAR from perfect and I struggle with pulling my eyes away from a scantily-clad woman as much as any other red-blooded American male!
As a married man, it’s foolish to put yourself in a situation where you are tempted to cheat on your spouse. Adultery destroys families. I should know…my parents divorced because of adultery, and my life, my brothers and sister’s lives and our children’s lives were forever changed because of a very bad decision one of my parents made over 20 years ago.
My hat’s off to you, Paul. My prayer is that God will bless your marriage…I’m sure He already has…
June 23rd, 2007 at 11:52 am
As a newbie to internet marketing I have been subscribing to lists, reading blogs, etc. to check out people that I would like to learn from. Several have already been eliminated as I read through sales pages or blogs that made me question their integrity. You will definitely be staying on my list to read and do business with as I grow my own business.
If taking a moral stand costs business then, in my opinion, that is business that we can do without.
This nation needs to take a gut check and move back to the morals that made us a great nation to begin with. Thanks for doing your part.
June 23rd, 2007 at 11:52 am
Regardless of what anyone thinks negatively about your decision, you understand that we can’t please everyone. No matter what you do in life you will never make everyone happy.
I am impressed you are making a public stand and you and I both won’t be attending.
In my opinion, networking opportunities are a dime a dozen and there are many events one can attend to accomplish this.
June 23rd, 2007 at 11:53 am
Regardless of what anyone thinks negatively about your decision, you understand that we can’t please everyone. No matter what you do in life you will never make everyone happy.
I am impressed you are making a public stand and you and I both won’t be attending.
In my opinion, networking opportunities are a dime a dozen and there are many events one can attend to accomplish this.
June 23rd, 2007 at 11:55 am
Bravo, Paul. I wholeheartedly agree!
June 23rd, 2007 at 11:59 am
Hi Paul,
In today’s permissive society, we need more people like you. I myself not a saint, but as a future parents I will try my best to keep my children away from bad influence.
Sincerely,
Bob
June 23rd, 2007 at 11:59 am
I agree with you, and I’m not even Christian. I agree simply because I’m sick of people pretending they can separate their personal values from their “business” values. If you have no problem with pornography, go to the event. If you do have a problem, don’t go. But don’t pretend that your business actions are not connected with your personal values. They are. There’s only one you, and every single thing you do, think and say impacts on who you truly are.
June 23rd, 2007 at 12:00 pm
Hi, Paul!
I tend to agree with you, somewhat. A lot of the guys are going and saying it’s for charity, and that is justifying their decision to go… And the networking factor is going to be amazing, I’m certain. It’s a genius marketing tactic, to be sure! But it sure caters to the men, doesn’t it??
I would absolutely love the opportunity to network with all of these people and contribute to charity… but as a woman walking through those gates? Not in this lifetime!!!
I can’t imagine any serious woman marketer being able to go there and be taken seriously. It’s a little disillusioning to watch seemingly intelligent men approve of this whole shindig, and justify it the way they are.
Good for you, in keeping your head on your shoulders and voicing an unpopular opinion.
Warmest regards
Lisa Preston
June 23rd, 2007 at 12:01 pm
I respect your stand - I actually unsubscribed to every list that sent me an invitation to that event - personally I was offended by their sending out general invitations to that event. I appreciate knowing there are still honest people out there selling on the internet. Thank you for posting this blog.
June 23rd, 2007 at 12:06 pm
Thank you for speaking out!!
God Bless.
June 23rd, 2007 at 12:21 pm
Man, I admire your courage for saying what many men are afraid to say and that is: pornography robs a man’s sense of self-respect. Thanks for taking a stand.
June 23rd, 2007 at 12:23 pm
I feel you have every right to take a stand
on this.
Its just not the porn movies, its the whole
entertainment industry. You have rappers
singing the most disgusting lyrics possible.
All this is available 24/7 to young people.
MTV is one of the worst offenders with
the groups saying lyrics that put all females
down.
Bill
June 23rd, 2007 at 12:24 pm
I agree with you Paul. Whole-heartedly, actually. There’s a saying here in my country - “If you go to a bar to only drink water, people will STILL think you are drunkard.” And that is exactly how I feel about this party. I believe I have no right to speak anything for or against this party because I don’t have the money to attend seminars OR “networking opportunities” as this one but I also believe that we need to draw a line.
Although I am not religious AT ALL, I still think this is “immoral”. If it was promoted as a fairly INFORMAL event where the attendees simply happen to be Internet Marketers, it would be ok. But saying that it is an internet marketing event and a business networking opportunity would not only be wrong, it would too far from the truth.
Anyway, that’s just my 2 cents on it. Everyone is free to have his own opinion
June 23rd, 2007 at 12:26 pm
Good for you! I thank you for having the courage to say “I am a man of principles, and I will not compromise my principles for some nebulous opportunity…NO SALE!”
June 23rd, 2007 at 12:27 pm
Paul
Praise God for your stance on a subject of morality which supercedes all else, even successful business ventures.
Pornography is a blight on our society and offends an Infinite God.
I wonder if any of these lemmings going to the party are worried at all of the eternal consequences of this outrageous offense against our All Merciful and Loving God?
Please pray that The Holy Spirit enligthtens all involved with organizing and participating in this decadent event and please pray for the state of their immortal souls without passing judgement of any kind on the individuals.
This is meant to speak the Truth on sinful behavior that separates God’s creatures from His Eternal inheritance that He has prepared for each one of His creations of Love.
Praised be Jesus Christ now and forever and may He bless all who read this.
Greg
June 23rd, 2007 at 12:29 pm
Dear Paul,
I really admire you for taking a stand against attending the Playboy mansion (and everything it stands for). I was actually planning to purchase a product from this RJ (though I was uncomfortable with the Rich Jerk label), until I discovered the party plans. I am now boycotting products from anyone that I have learned is promoting or attending.
I may lose out on some terrific tools for my business by not purchasing from the “gurus” involved, but I would feel better building a business without supporting the “Playboy mentality”. There will always be good information & tools available through other sources.
I also am not trying to force my standards on others, but the entire concept of a competitive marketplace means that I can CHOOSE where to spend my dollars.
Thank you for the good information you always provide and for having the guts to actually “put your money where your mouth is”.
Bravo!
Brennan Kingsland (By the way, my grandmother was a Galloway)
http://www.setourteachersfree.com
http://www.educationwatchdog.com
Straighten-Out Public Education NOW!
June 23rd, 2007 at 12:29 pm
I must agree with everything that you said. I am also a Christian and recently purchased the Rich Jerks ebook. The information was useful but his language is certainly not for the faint of heart. He could of certainly made just as many sales without the vulger language, in my opinion.
Thank you for the free resources here on your blog and good luck! I have been planning a blog for sometime now, I just haven’t managed the commitement part to it yet……lol.
God Bless You and Stand Proud For Jesus!
June 23rd, 2007 at 12:36 pm
Your point is well made. It shows how easily we can justify behaviour without considering the big picture or the long term repercussions.
Rgds
Kevin
Audio - How to maximize backend sales to explode profits
June 23rd, 2007 at 12:37 pm
Wow. I could write a few pages on this topic, but I will just say great job.
Someone who has an opinion and sticks with it. I would wonder just how much work will be done during that conference.
June 23rd, 2007 at 12:40 pm
Hi Paul
I am with you on this.I read the RJ sales letter & wondered why such people want to get involved.Networking-maybe-but after too many drinks I doubt it will be no more than a number of cliques huddled in the corner & others ignored & the rest chasing whatever they think they can catch.
I am not narrow minded but there are in my book lines which should not be crossed.Obviously we are all different so let them get on with it.
Regards
Brian
June 23rd, 2007 at 12:46 pm
Although I very much respect your views, Paul, and applaud your decision to make them known, I’d disagree with the bit about going to the mansion being the same as putting an ad in the magazine. But then again, holding and promoting a much-publicised party there is kind of like putting out an ad for the magazine. Maybe. I can’t agree at all with anybody thinking you’re trying to force your morality on others. You’re not - you’re just expressing your preferences, and giving a perfectly valid reason for them. On the other hand, if I had two party invitations for the same night, one at the White House and the other at the Playboy Mansion, I think I know which one I’d probably enjoy more …
June 23rd, 2007 at 12:46 pm
I agree with you on this on wholeheartedly. I share your views on porn.
There is no such thing as innocent porn. It may start that way, (soft porn) but the viewer needs to constantly up the notch to get the same thrill, and it degrades them further. Porn has not enriched our society in any way.
You are guilty by association, guilty by enabling, and guilty by silence.
I got an invitation too but when I got an FU email, I unsubscribed. I don’t care how rich this JERK is, I do not want email like that arriving in my house.
June 23rd, 2007 at 12:47 pm
“You can’t play in the mud without getting dirty.”
Amen.
Brother you have your priorities straight. No amount of money or business is worth compromising your beliefs.
God Bless you
June 23rd, 2007 at 12:49 pm
Paul,
Interestingly enough, just yesterday I posted something on my own blog, “When to Say No to a Sale”–and one of the reasons if it doesn’t fit with your values. http://principledprofit.com/good-business-blog/2007/06/23/270/
While I personally am not a conservative or a Christian, I am fully in support of your decision not to do something that compromises your values. In fact, when I get a new client inquiry, I send a template e-mail that specifically says I will reject the assignment if it’s not in alignment with my own values.
I have to tell you I’m turned off by the whole “rich jerk” concept and have never participated in anything he’s done. After all, I spend a good chunk of my award-winning sixth book, Principled Profit: Marketing That Puts People First discussing how building cooperative relationships even with your competitors is a path to business success. I have personally done quite well in my business by being both nice and genuinely helpful whenever possible.
You may want to have a look at the Business Ethics Pledge campaign I’m doing at http://www.business-ethics-pledge.org — trying to create a tipping point toward values in business.
June 23rd, 2007 at 12:53 pm
I compliment you on standing up for what you believe in. I too am a conservative Christian and if we do not stand up for what we believe in, others will have us go their way. Jesus said we cannot serve God and money or we will love one and hate the other. I for one will stick with Jesus and I am behind you all the way on this. God bless you for sticking up for what is right even if it is not popular in today’s society!!
June 23rd, 2007 at 12:53 pm
There is every reason not to go to this event and all of them are about the rich jerk’s obnoxious and unpleasant marketing. The playboy mansion sounds just perfect for what he pretends to be. The whole thing is a sham just like the playboy image. It’s all marketing.
As for the pornography aspects, I respect your opinion. I agree with you to some degree but I think it’s all pretty irrellevent to this event.
Playboy is all about image. It isn’t real life. Marketing is all about image and most of that isn’t real either. It’s all about dreams. Ethics seem to be absent in both areas.
I think the rich jerk’s approach is just as harmful by suggesting that money is everything and anyone who doesn’t have it is a failure. In fact I guess it is that sort of attitude that leads to people becoming involved in the pornography industry. It’s all about getting money.
June 23rd, 2007 at 12:57 pm
I think you made a wise decision. I like RJ and I think he’s funny. But anyways, don’t feel bad at all for speaking your mind.
God bless.
Lisa
June 23rd, 2007 at 12:58 pm
I also respect your integrity too, Paul, and in fact, your public stand has made me want to do MORE business with you.
I feel bad for the wives and daughters of these IM “family men”.
June 23rd, 2007 at 12:58 pm
Bravo! You’re doing what you believe is right, and that is commendable. I didn’t see where you told anyone not to go – you just suggested they think carefully before they do.
Playboy has built a business on objectifying women. If you are a woman, or a man who has a mother, wife, daughter, or sister, how can you even remotely support an operation that considers women as merchandise? Yes, I know Hugh Hefner’s daughter runs the company. It doesn’t change the facts.
And then there’s “Rich Jerk†… I’ve known plenty of wealthy people, and the jerks, by and large, are not happy. I understand the attraction of making money – I don’t understand the desire to be a rich jerk.
June 23rd, 2007 at 12:58 pm
Well I’m glad that I wasn’t the only one against this party. It’s not the fact that it is at the playboy mansion or the site promoting it is bordering on pornography, but I emailed this paticular well known internet marketer about the fact that the rich jerk is vulgar and crude and he was in a sense promoting him(the rich jerk). And I asked him, did he want his well known name(nationally at least) along with a few other well known internet marketers, also going, associated with this type of event.
Thank You for being in agreement with me.
Cas E. Smith
June 23rd, 2007 at 1:04 pm
Hi, Paul !
I knew from previous correspondences that you were a person of faith, but (as they say) the proof is in the pudding, and you have just proved it “in spades” :o)
About 3 weeks ago, I received an email from RJ. I didn’t know anything about “RJ” and the “Rich Jerk” way back when, so… I “bit” and signed up for his announcement list (it could hardly be called a newsletter). The mounting problem I had seen coming from him was the fact that once you adopt such a persona, you have to keep “topping” yourself just to keep the same place in the reader’s mind. In other words, I saw his ramblings getting more and more offensive with the filth he spewed… sooner or later, that “lifestyle” spills over into and contaminates everything you think, say, and do (?) - IN that order.
I’m not a prude by any means, but I shudder to think where “RJ” might be headed (as well as those others who seem to be following his lead). I really hope my worries are groundless and that their spouses and children will not suffer bec