Slog - Comments on Be Reborn In the Waters of the Mighty Amazon

Comment by demo kid

demo kid — Tue, 12 Aug 2008 13:10:21 -0800

When Amazon screws over independent booksellers, they're lucky if they get the missionary position.

Comment by boxofbirds

boxofbirds — Tue, 12 Aug 2008 13:18:23 -0800

"evangelism" is a pretty common term in corporate marketing.

Comment by StC

StC — Tue, 12 Aug 2008 13:21:14 -0800

@2 iawtc

Comment by joey

joey — Tue, 12 Aug 2008 13:32:27 -0800

yeah, amazon didn't co-opt evangelism. it's been going on for years.

Comment by lusk

lusk — Tue, 12 Aug 2008 13:32:41 -0800

Thank Apple Computer (Guy Kawasaki et al) for "evangelism" in a corporate context.

I think it's helpful that corporations use a title that let us know that their message is bullshit, personally! :D

Comment by Carl Eller

Carl Eller — Tue, 12 Aug 2008 13:34:56 -0800

Considering they haven't filled the music editor position which has been posted since April, it's clear Amazon is trying to hire people that don't exist. There's a cultlike mentality that goes with working for Amazon, so this is perfect.

Comment by rjh

rjh — Tue, 12 Aug 2008 13:36:13 -0800

@5: So your definition of evangelist is one who spreads a message of bullshit? Interesting.

Comment by inkweary

inkweary — Tue, 12 Aug 2008 13:40:55 -0800

What about Kindle Youth Pastors?

Comment by MacBastard

MacBastard — Tue, 12 Aug 2008 13:48:34 -0800

"Evangelist" is a pretty common title in tech companies. To "evangelize" a product is common enough, but the term is even used in companies internally as a way to get people on board with a project, or use a new code base or software product.

The tech Evangelist is part cheerleader, part knowledge base, and part consultant. It's a little uncommon in tech to find people that are not only extremely technically proficient, but also able to relate in a positive way with most people, tech-savvy or not. A good evangelist will have those qualities.

Comment by Lawrence Molloy

Lawrence Molloy — Tue, 12 Aug 2008 13:50:01 -0800

Reading too quickly, I thought it was a story about a bunch of evangelicals in the Amazon prostelitizing with Kindles.

Comment by Lawrence Molloy

Lawrence Molloy — Tue, 12 Aug 2008 13:50:15 -0800

Reading too quickly, I thought it was a story about a bunch of evangelicals in the Amazon prostelitizing with Kindles.

Comment by jmr

jmr — Tue, 12 Aug 2008 14:11:00 -0800

As others have said "Evangelist" has crept into some marketing and tech job descriptions.

Even the "Father of the Internet" now has Evangelist in his job title.

Comment by elenchos

elenchos — Tue, 12 Aug 2008 14:20:03 -0800

This post is an example of how far from ever having an actual job Stranger writers are. Evangelist! Flip the calendar, it must be 1991 already!

True, it is awesome to not know what having a career is like. Corporate jobs do totally fucking suck, and let no one tell you different. But it does make it hard to relate to your readers.

Comment by inkweary

inkweary — Tue, 12 Aug 2008 15:14:25 -0800

The use of the term evangelist to describe a position which is essentially equivalent to salesman suggests a level of commitment akin to unquestioning faith in the product. Most of the early Chrisitian evangelists ended up as martyrs. Perhaps this ad is for an entry level position.

Comment by Soupytwist

Soupytwist — Tue, 12 Aug 2008 15:26:38 -0800

@6 - This person does exist, it just so happens to be one of their CUSTOMERS or current employees who doesn't already have experience evangelizing Kindle, so the job will remain open for the next year.

Tech companies love to open jobs for new positions and magically have the perfect person appear, who just so happens to be just like the hiring manager who opened the job.

Comment by music obscurist

music obscurist — Tue, 12 Aug 2008 15:35:48 -0800

RE: Music editor position. The same position or another version been posted since long before April. If Amazon hasn't already contacted you to apply, due to your established highly specialized knowledge of certain genres, don't bother. They aren't looking for more pop, rock, dance, or hip-hop specialists. Especially not indie rock or anything that would be reviewed in the Stranger or on Pitchfork.

Comment by Good luck with that

Good luck with that — Tue, 12 Aug 2008 15:40:43 -0800

@16 - I didn't apply; I just read the job description. They want you to name your top 10 record labels and artists from this year. I couldn't come up with two I liked. I forwarded it to a friend who covers music for a weekly in another state and even he couldn't come up with 10 he likes from this year.

Comment by NapoleonXIV

NapoleonXIV — Tue, 12 Aug 2008 15:51:27 -0800

Whenever an Amazon Youth Pastor asks you to touch his Kindle, you should say no, and report it to the proper authorities.

Comment by x girl

x girl — Tue, 12 Aug 2008 15:52:26 -0800

re: music editor position - yes you will need to know a lot about music - but the only TRUE qualification is will you be willing to work and work and work and work and work and work and work like a dog. can't imagine why they haven't found anyone.

Comment by QuimbyMcF

QuimbyMcF — Tue, 12 Aug 2008 16:34:52 -0800

If missionaries are the next step, then digital magic underwear can't be far behind.

Comment by E

Tue, 12 Aug 2008 16:54:34 -0800

Microsoft's been naming folks as evangelists of their various projects and technologies for at least since the Win95 era...

Comment by Self-Hating Hipster

Self-Hating Hipster — Tue, 12 Aug 2008 18:17:17 -0800

COMMENT DELETED: OFF TOPIC/SPAM

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Comment by Tim Appelo

Tim Appelo — Tue, 12 Aug 2008 23:02:11 -0800

There is no religion at Amazon, except that of Mammon. And that's a GOOD thing.

Comment by Snortttttttt

Snortttttttt — Wed, 13 Aug 2008 10:55:45 -0800

Managers are big drunks there.