That's the miracle of Amazon! It's like Internet dating. In the early days, you could get slimed as an author on Amazon by someone bearing a grudge, or jealous, or whatever. And because there were so few reviews posted, this stank.
This quote highlights the early challenges and peculiarities of Amazon's review system, drawing a comparison to Internet dating to emphasize the unpredictability and potential for unfairness. In its nascent stages, Amazon's platform was still developing, and with a limited number of reviews, each one carried significant weight. An author could easily be unjustly criticized or 'slimed' by someone harboring personal grudges, jealousy, or malicious intent, simply because there weren't enough reviews to balance perspectives or to establish credibility. This situation underscores the vulnerability of online platforms where user-generated content, meant to be helpful and honest, can also be exploited or manipulated. The analogy to Internet dating is apt because, just like in early online dating profiles where authenticity was uncertain, early Amazon reviews could be unreliable, leading to a distorted perception of an author's work. Over time, such issues likely prompted improvements in review systems, verification processes, and moderation policies to ensure fairness and authenticity. Still, this quote captures a period of raw and sometimes chaotic growth, reflecting on how online communities can be both a blessing and a curse for content creators, where the power dynamics can shift unexpectedly and unfair assessments can influence reputation significantly.
