My earliest “international experience” was with GigaOm; a tech web site. The gentleman in question is a NRI (Non Reliable Indian) who has made it big via Business 2.0 magazine.
Starting off his blog, he used his moles and undercover agents in the silicon valley to tip him off on the start ups. As the blog “grew” in “dominance”, the gentleman started off Broadband Blog.com domain to mirror the telecom events in India.
However, the “relationship” soured because the egg faced dude modified my write ups to an extent that they couldnot be recognised. The fury of my writings was reduced to gentle rapproachment to the telecom companies. This of course, was an insult to injury, since I had to take extra pains to send up write ups to him. Even though, out of sheer courtesy, I had to “admit” that the write ups were “good”.
Sushubh decided to set up Broadbandblog.in which would mirror the developments happening in India. We nearly got a lawsuit threatening to revert back the domain name; some unnamed lawyers got in the picture; a flurry of emails sent back and forth till we decided to call it quits.
It was a sad state of affairs since we violated no frigging law of the universe. Still, it was disheartening to see an overgrown idiot behaving like an imbecile; this dangerous game of wits was clearly beyond the capabilities of his bird brain. He is the front runner for asshole of the year 2006 and stay tuned for announcements by the new year eve. Unless of course someone more “meritorious” trumps this chap from the hallowed pedestal, his nomination still stands.
Now the scoop comes through that his website is slowly morphing into a business venture and he’s obtained funding for the same. As he grows in stature (and so does his ecosystem), I am sure that things would look good for him.
The anger isn’t personal. The ire is directed towards prostituting the real interests of the customers at the altar of commercial interests. We went in with the ‘brand name” because Giga OM does get significant readership. Some of my earliest write ups are still there. However, they don’t really serve the purpose for bringing about a change in the perception nor the corporate practises. Yet, a trafficked website can pass off lies as truth. This is something that I have to conciously avoid at all costs. My biases do creep in, often in good faith though.
I learnt couple of things in the process and this was hopefully one blip which came and went away. Still, being threatened with a lawsuit only serves the purpose of gagging and stifling the voice. Someone has to hold up the mirror and show to the world that one particular gentleman is anasshole; unfortunately the ‘duty’ fell on my nimble shoulders.
I wish all the best to the gentleman in his new venture. My middle finger goes up in appreciation.
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Unfortunately, I don't have the originals. In the "new avatar", Om Mallik seems to have removed the earlier write ups.
As if I care now. It doesn't really matter at all.
Still, glad to know that this was 'idea plagiarism'.
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