We’re paying top dollar to be told that we’re either bullshit artists, or wasting away our time and careers. That my friends, is bullshit.

The search marketing industry is all frenzied now that Jason Calacanis decided to upset some of the best SEOs in the industry. Again. The question I’m left to ask is — Why are we really surprised?

When Calanis’ stated that SEO is bullshit in his keynote at SES Chicago, everyone was ready to tear him a new one. Neil stepped in, proved him wrong, and then slowly, Calacanis repositioned himself as someone the industry paid attention to.

Yesterday in his keynote at SMX Social Media — Calacanis infuriated the industry again, prompting some prominent figures to literally walk out. This time, we’re being told that SEO is a wasted industry, and that we’re fighting off ranking problems instead of creating good content.

Unable to say anything without reaching around to pat his own back, Jason then adds that using a human service is a better way to go about it. Really Jason? I bet Mahalo would qualify as a human powered service, right? Sigh.

As an industry, let’s just put ourselves in a position to stop dealing with this type of juvenile behavior. How you ask? With one simple step. Get him off of the conference keynotes.

The truth is, SEO’s don’t care about Mahalo. It’s a no name search portal that uses biased human editing to control SRPs. Notice, that’s not a SERP — because Mahalo is not an engine.

Furthermore, Calacanis knows next to nothing about SEO. While I will say that he’s more related to SMO than he is SEO and SEM — people who are paying a premium to attend events like SES and SMX are really tired of his whole charade.

Jason Calacanis is quickly becoming that annoying ass kid in the restaurant that screams bloody murder when he doesn’t get his own way. He’s doing this whole thing for attention — and all we’re doing is setting him up to do it again and again and again.

This blog post shouldn’t even need to be written, because like Calacanis — it’s irrelevant to the search industry. I just hope some of three three readers I have here on my blog will hear me out and turn away from clown.

Yesterday, my most recent contribution to the Bruce Clay Newsletter went live. Improving Search Marketing Efforts with Analytics was aimed as a follow-up to my March 15th article, Search Marketers Need Web Analytics.

If you have some time, check it out and let me know what your thoughts are. As always, props goes out to Lisa Barone, Virginia Nussey and Susan Esparza for their mad editing skills.

You do normal every day activities — and end up partially tearing your bicep. Of course, it could be much worse.

Considering this is my right arm though, and I have to keep it wrapped, in a sling and avoid picking anything up — it makes everyday things like typing and using a mouse a challenge.

Still awaiting an MRI and word from the doc on whether lancing and/or surgery will be needed to repair it. All indications though are that it’s a partial, minor tear that should not require anything further than being careful. Assuming the tear has stopped bleeding, the hematoma shouldn’t be a concern either as it’s pretty minor for this type of tear. Guess that means my muscles are small. :)

Matt McGee of Small Business SEM hosted the 2008 SEO March Madness / NCAA Tournament Bracket over on Yahoo Fantasy Sports… and, I came in second place.

As Matt indicated last week, we all got schooled.

A big congratulations goes out to Taylor Pratt of Gonzo SEO for the cakewalk victory.

One of the main reasons my blog has been lacking new posts is because I’ve been using Twitter more often. A couple weeks ago, Barry Schwartz threw out a short and simple tweet that grabbed my attention.

Shortly thereafter, his post I Don’t Expect My Employees To Work Harder Than I Do, Do You? hit the Cartoon Barry blog.

Since then, I’ve been wanting to write this post. Despite it being weeks overdue, it’s a message that needs to be repeated. Often.

I’ve gone off before on various rants regarding team etiquette and the costs of poor management in the workplace. While I feel that these things are paramount to optimal results and productivity, nothing beats a solid work ethic.

I’m willing to bet that if you took a poll around the office where I work, the majority would tell you that I do nothing. I hang out in the kitchen, talking shop with designers, IT folks and site installers. I’m addicted to caffeine, and since it’s freely flowing at the single brewing office machine - it’s a hang out of mine I frequent.

Unfortunately, outside of the office - people cannot see me working until 1 or 2AM. It’s the cost of being in an salary job and taking yourself seriously. I work with some amazing clients — and I’ll be damned if they don’t deserve my attention and best efforts. Thing is, I can only work really well in spurts before I get fried out at the office I work at. It’s a dark, stale and tense environment that is simply not conducive to quality organic optimization.

As a result - I get up and do my thing more often than not, and log a solid three more hours a night from home when I know I can devote every second of my time to what needs to be done.

Tying this back into Barry’s post - one could argue that those who support my efforts (I don’t really have a team. I’m sort of the lone man on the organic island) would be driven to work at a lesser level because of my behavior and the poor example that I set for them. I get that, and know that I need to improve how I come across while in the office. As Barry wisely states:

I figure, you set an example and hopefully it encourages them to work harder.

Continuing on that same path, I have to call attention to the closing statements in Barry’s post and the question posed to readers:

I do expect that if I work for someone they work as hard as I do. I expect that. If it is your business, you should care more about your business then I do. Sometimes, be it with clients or other work, I get the feeling that I care more about their business then they do. That bugs me, it really does. Why should I work my brains out and pick up the pieces when they care less than I do?

Anyone ever feel that way?

Yes! Working for a Fortune 300 organization (we’re slipping, and I think I can see how that may happen) you realize that there are people who are just there while there are others who are truly dedicated to the company and its customers.

In any event, I often feel like I’m working for various people who slack. Those that pass the buck and try to act as though they’re assisting you are the ones that bother me most. I’m not an idiot, and I’m certainly not naive enough to buy your BS stories repeatedly. If that makes me some sort of outcast for not admiring you and your incredibly lazy ways - so be it.

I’m not going to assassinate my character for your ego.