What I find especially disconcerting is the proposed amended definition of “expert”. By their new definition, an “expert” is anyone who proclaims extensive personal interest and experience (and not simply one who has a professional training or studied expertise) with regards to a particular product or service.
Consider the initial motivation for implementing the Interstate Commerce Commission. It was established initially to monitor and regulate the sales of illegal and unsafe products and services crossing state lines, but has since devolved into a tax-collection mechanism. So one has to consider too with these amended changes to include blogs and social networking sites the potential next regulatory steps with regards to 1st Amendment issues, tax claims and property seizures, domestic terrorism survelliance….
What if as a blogger of political or social issues, Im enthusiastic about the efforts of a community service organization, a public awareness campaign, or god forbid, a political action group? I think the implications extend much further than simple consumer “protection”…
Marvelous! This is an excellent topic for a blog.