this post was submitted on 21 Oct 2025
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This is an ad.
For fuck's sake.
Go and look at my post history on Lemmy. I'm more than established on here, as I am on Mastodon. I'm not a ad, this wasn't a paid review. They sent me the device and had no idea what I'd write about it. If it was terrible, I'd have said so. That's...how this works. In the case of the AYN Thor, it's just genuinely a VERY good handheld. I stand by what I've written. You would too, if you got one.
I loathe that you don't know me, didn't check my history with Lemmy, and just called me a paid shill. Fucking shitty.
As to reviewing this handheld and liking it. Its like if you got sent a Steam Deck, and gave it a good review...would you consider that an ad? A product which holds up to scrutiny? My findings seem to be pretty in-line with others who have reviewed the device.
Ugh.
I would consider them giving you the device for free to be putting their finger on the scale at the very least.
Yes, also ad for your blog.
This is not 'my' blog. Its my friend's: Gardiner Bryant. I contribute there because I love gaming and I love writing.
Should we start removing all links from this community, do you think? Because sharing links to sites (by your own 'logic') are just ads. Right?
tbf, I kinda can't blame anyone for being critical of a review of a niche product. We live in a capitalistic influencer hellscape. We are post authenticity. Everything is a grift, everything is a hustle, everyone is a paid sponsor. Modern subversive advertising has made everyone suspicious of anyone who boasts a company or product.
half this community is "${game} released on steam!", these are just as much ads as this post is
I feel like in the 2000s before the monetization of the internet became the norm, people were more able to share their art and writing in forums. There were entire sites dedicated to grassroots art-sharing without any profit motive.
Yes, grifters exist, but we're all so cynical these days, not just at the corporations, but everyone. I miss people just sharing things with each other without any suspicion that dark money is involved.
I looked at the blog and it looks like a mere $182 changed hands for the month, and I assume most or all of it goes to Gardiner Bryant and not the OP. Is that comparable Instagram "influencers" hawking Gwyneth Paltrow's Goop in a paid sponsorship deal? Maybe this is just a person who was excited enough about a new console that they decided to write about it, and honestly, good for them.
I make no money from Gardiner's site, or any other way I've done these articles. They're just because I love to write and because I love the gaming scene. Thanks for realizing that!