Telling the Truth

[Sally Sensational]

As many of you already know, I am a freelance writer. I write articles that show up in ehow and other informational sites. The group that I write for provides a giant list of articles to select from.

An ongoing issue I've had, though, is that I often encounter article topics in which the request is obviously for information that is either factually incorrect, provides a way for a law to be broken, or takes advantage of the gullible.

For example, this week I have an article about eye exercises. I picked it because it seemed like a good companion article to one I wrote about botox treatments for adult strabismus - a legitimate topic about a legitimate treatment for a condition that I happen to suffer from. You write what you know, after all.

Sadly, my research into the eye exercise thing leads me to believe that whoever came up with the original topic and put it on the list was actually looking to have an article written about those bogus eye exercise programs that claim to correct any and every vision problem.

I cannot, in good conscience, write an article that tells people that, if they do a certain set of eye wiggles every day, they can throw their glasses away. However, if I write an article about eye exercises that help to correct actual eye muscle and focus problems and relieve eyestrain, I am changing the topic from what was originally requested, which feels a bit unethical on its own.

It's quite an ethical dilemma. I've come down on the side of writing a truthful article and taking the money, even if it's not what they originally asked for.

What do you all think? Would you write what they wanted, no matter what? Or take the money for it, knowing that you didn't actually fulfill their request?

[Gail Simone]

You can always apologize for a factual error. You cannot apologize for posting a lie deliberately.

[Karen El]

I've always felt that if you are going to make the effort to lie, you should do it outrageously.

[Charles RB]

Originally Posted by Sally Sensational

What do you all think? Would you write what they wanted, no matter what? Or take the money for it, knowing that you didn't actually fulfill their request?

I say you're making the right decision in writing a truthful article: if they don't like the truth, that's their own tough shit.

[Bob Violence]

You should be as specific as you can about what eye exercises can or cannot do. It's the truth, don't apologize for it.

[Hurricane]

Do you have the option of picking a different topic?

If not, I'd go with what the guy above me said.

[LewisH]

the option to reject your article if it isn't what they want so just write you you are comfortable with.

[Sarah Beach]

Tell the truth. Period. That is what you are being paid for, whether it's what they want or not.

On your specific problem: explain what the eye exercises CAN do, and what they cannot do.

If they have intellectual miopia as well as visual miopia, that's not your responsibility.

It's either that, or don't take the money.

[Azrael52]

I've been wrestling with this same issue (only different). I've been trying to decide if I should write for ad copy or not. The only different here is that with yours, not everyone knows they're reading B.S. With ad copy, you know that it's the biggest batch of lies and fluff there are.

Go with the truth, girl.

- Ray (a drop of golden sun and the name I call myself)

[heystacy]

I say go with the truth. You can always defend your position and that you write fact-based articles.

[dupont2005]

this is why i failed as a salesman. i got hired at the mall to sell cellphones in one of those little kiosks. i didn't exect to make any money but it was the fall of 2001 and just about everybody was getting their first cellphones. that christmas season i made about $1000 a week in commission. then it all started to dry up. i sold cingular. we definitely had the coolest phones but our service was pretty bad for anyone who lived outside a fairly well populated area. we have a marine base nearby, and our phones did not work up there. i was told to push phones on the marines. i couldn't do it. these stupid phone contracts are like a refinance on a home the way they lock you in no matter how shitty the deal is. well, i couldn't sell anything, i wasn't off commission anymore, and was milking the clock for minimum wage. that is until the new hire was promoted to manager (since promotions were strictly based on sales) and fired me. i had a couple opportunities to work on car lots as a salesman and i don't think i have what it takes. it's also the reason i'm not going to bother with a real estate license

[CutterMike]

Simple question: Could you live with yourself after writing the lie just for the easy money?

[FeminineMystique]

Originally Posted by Karen El

I've always felt that if you are going to make the effort to lie, you should do it outrageously.

I'll be honest

This makes me a little suspicious of your earlier claim that you were a ninja-cyborg-pirate-lion tamer.

[Night Swordsman]

Originally Posted by FeminineMystique

I'll be honest

This makes me a little suspicious of your earlier claim that you were a ninja-cyborg-pirate-lion tamer.

Actually she is a Samurai-Neanderthal-Coast Guard-Monkey Poop Scooper. But do not tell anyone. <Grin>