When the most notable personality in the search industry resorts to using four letter words, something is wrong. That is exactly what crossed my mind earlier today when I saw that Danny Sullivan told Robert Scoble and Jason Calacanis to fuck off. Here’s the direct quote, in context:

Want to be like Robert — and Jason Calacanis — and keep equating SEO with spam? Then fuck off.

I don’t think I’ve ever used the F-word in any of my writing, and my apologies for being so crass. But I’ve had enough of people trying to advance their own personal agendas (Jason hoping someone will care about Mahalo; Robert hoping someone will watch his videos) on the back of an industry that is full of plenty of people who do good work.

If you know Danny or take the time to read his post thoroughly, it becomes clear that this is not an attempt to use vulgarity for the purpose of attention.

And, before being criticized as a bandwagon jumper here, I need to come right out and say that I have had my share disagreements with Jason Calacanis in the past. For more on that small battle, check out these posts, in order — and read the comments!

Dude, Where’s the Mahalo Toolbar?
Jason Calacanis & Mahalo: Hypocrites to the End
The Facts, Revisited: SEOs p3wn Calacanis

While Danny’s post goes to great lengths to criticize both Scoble and Calacanis, some seriously valid points exist here. One such example is how painfully obsessed Calacanis is with over promoting himself and his skewed logic, even if it does produce attention.

Anyways, if this is a war, I’m on Sullivan’s front lines — armed and ready with an itchy trigger finger.

Lots to do now, but I’m hoping to address this more in depth over on Search Engine Journal, provided I get the editorial permission from Loren.

In the meantime, please post a comment here and sign up as an official fighter in the SEO war against Calacanis and Scoble!

I initially caught word of this last night from Loren Baker, who sent me an email while he was out at SES in San Jose. I wanted to post it up to SEJ, but Arnold had already beat me to it.

If you’re interested in checking out what the new ads look and behave like, check out these examples from Aaron Zamost at Google:

Warner Album Browser running on Warner Music Group video

20th Century Fox’s The Simpsons running on Warner Music Group video

New Line Cinema’s Hairspray running on Ford Models

BMW 3-Series Convertible running on Killswitch Engage

And here’s some additional commentary from Aaron:

YouTube InVideo Ads details:

- YouTube InVideo Ads are animated overlays which appear at the bottom 20% of a video shortly after launching. If interested, users can engage in a deeper interactive experience by clicking on the overlay. This experience can consist of a video advertisement or Flash interactive takeover. The original video is temporarily paused and the user can always restart play by closing the ad. Note that if a user does not take action on the overlay, the ad will close.

- The ads are presented within partner content and targeted by channel: genre, demographic, geography and time of the day.

- YouTube will not place advertisements on all YouTube videos. YouTube is only placing ads on content from select partners.

More at the YouTube blog too.

As humans, we often get so caught up in the desire for money, power and influence that we begin to lose focus of simple truths. My mother has always told me that “…what goes around, comes around.” — and I’m thankful that lesson has stuck with me. Another lesson she taught was that “if you tell the truth, there’s less to remember.”

With these principles in mind, I can’t help but blog about how amazed I am today. I’m shocked at how much I am surrounded by those who look past such simple philosophies. I certainly understand the eagerness and motivations to succeed.

When you can only become successful though while stripping the loyalty and trust from those around you, is your success truly worth the efforts? Of course it’s not…

But sadly, the same question I pose falls upon deaf ears.

And so it is, perhaps… that changes should be in store. If not for those around me, then for myself and those I care about. I’m done ranting — but if you have read this far, then please sit back and make sure you’re doing something good today.

For now, I’m heading for a drive to blow off some steam.

The Jimmy Fund and the Boston Red Sox are teaming up with Sports Radio WEEI for the annual Jimmy Fund Radio-Telethon. Last year’s event raised $2.9 million for the support of research and care for both children and adults dealing with cancer.

Tune In Online, or on NESN
While I could sit here and ask you to donate, the point would not resonate. I want you to tune in and listen to the radio telethon and hear these children, their stories and their dreams.

You can tune in to NESN, or on the various stations of WEEI throughout New England. If you’re outside of the area but have Internet access — you can also tune in to a live stream from www.weei.com. Just look for the “listen online” link in the upper right corner.

Why I Care…
We’ve all been impacted by cancer, so here is why I love the Jimmy Fund and everything this event recognizes.

In 1995, I lost a great friend in Anthony Phung to bone marrow cancer. I remember the day in 7th grade, sitting at our lunch table — when Anthony told us that he had cancer. We all laughed it off, assuming it was a joke. At 12 years of age, hearing this from your best friend is something that you cannot imagine being true. Less than three years later though, Anthony had passed on.

Next, my grandfather Everson Howes lost his second battle to cancer. Cancer didn’t stop there though, as it went on to claim the life of my father figure and mentor, Bob Zappe. The loss of Bob was unlike anything I’ve ever experienced — and from that day forward, I’ve promised myself to do what I can to help raise awareness and to help do what I can to get others involved.

And even today — my family continues to pray for my grandmother who’s fighting esophageal cancer…

Click Here to Donate Online

Check it out — I’ve got a new blog that’s entirely personal in nature — but should be good for other dad’s too. You can check it out at www.adadsblog.com – Be sure to let me know what you think!