30MOD: Session 026 - Benedict Arnold and other Betrayals

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In this session we talk some betrayal. Listen now.

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You can reach Chuck on Twitter @Romba and Curtis @86Cujo. Feel free to tweet us away, but be sure to use the hashtag #diabolical30 for all tweets about the show. Who knows, your tweet could be featured on an upcoming show!

YELP Take My Money… For That 5 Star Review?

Recently, a San Francisco court ruled that it was lawful for Yelp to accept money, in the form of Ad Blocks, to manipulate an establishment’s star rating. Normally, something like this wouldn’t appear on our radar, however, we feel this sets up a bit of a slippery slope. Many of us rely on applications like Yelp to make informed decisions on where to stay, eat and visit when traveling or visiting unfamiliar areas. The idea that some nefarious places can show up as 5 star recommendations due to the amount of money that has been given to Yelp, just doesn’t sit well with us. Though Yelp adamantly denies practicing this, they are a corporation and as such are looking to make a profit. The courts have just given them an easy way to accomplish this and in doing so have possibly rendered the user raiting on Yelp as moot. We shall see what comes from this, but a great rule of thumb- take your Yelp reviews with a grain of salt going froward. Check the links below to learn more.

Useful Links:
SFWeekly Article on Court Ruling
YELP Wiki

Lando Calrissian – A Friendly Betrayal

When you think betrayal, you probably immediately think of Lando Calrissian from Star Wars fame. While it’s true that Lando did initially turn his back on his old buddy Han Solo, we feel he was completely warranted in doing so given the circumstances. After all, Lando was the Baron Administrator of Cloud City and had to strike a deal with The Empire to ensure his city remained safe and free from Imperial control. Lando made our list for his friendly betrayal, but for our money, he certainly redeemed himself in the end and proved that he wasn’t such a scoundrel after all.

Useful Links:
Lando Calrissian Wiki
The Empire Strikes Back Wiki

Benedict Arnold – A National Betrayal

Does it get more serious than betraying your nation? As history judges, the answer is clearly no. Over 200 years later, the name of Benedict Arnold is still reviled in the United States. The dude did turn his back on his nation when it, arguably, needed him the most, so we can’t really say we think the hate is unjustified. It’s an interesting thing, however, to imagine the level of guilt and remorse Arnold must have felt over his action. He did go on the say that if he had his way, upon his death, he’d like to be buried in his American uniform… and most chilling of all, that he wished he had never taken it off in the first place. Check the links below to learn more on the dubious betrayer.