Amazon: Belief, Bias, and the Evangelical Underground

[Henry Lesil]

I do suspect there is something rotten in the state of Amazon. The Institute for Creation Research, an evangelical antiscience mill, sponsers the Wonders of Creation, a series of publications advocating biblical literalism over science. They seem to have at least one fan on the Amazon Forum Team.

My review of the mineral book was briefly posted then vanished. While I was monitoring two other critical reviews vanished. I became suspicious and sampled reviews posted on the entire series. Recent reviews were glowing and rah-rah; anything critical was a couple of years back. I'm not going to conclude that the Amazon team itself is promoting the books (content of the series is just too loopy). I do think their team has a mole.

Those curious can find my commentary on the mineral book through goodreads or google books.

 

[curious cat]

I do suspect there is something rotten in the state of Amazon. The Institute for Creation Research, an evangelical antiscience mill, sponsers the Wonders of Creation, a series of publications advocating biblical literalism over science. They seem to have at least one fan on the Amazon Forum Team.

My review of the mineral book was briefly posted then vanished. While I was monitoring two other critical reviews vanished. I became suspicious and sampled reviews posted on the entire series. Recent reviews were glowing and rah-rah; anything critical was a couple of years back. I'm not going to conclude that the Amazon team itself is promoting the books (content of the series is just too loopy). I do think their team has a mole.

Those curious can find my commentary on the mineral book through goodreads or google books.

I am sure Amazon pursues its business interest putting objectivity somewhere down on its list of priorities. I found them selling some rubbish no decent merchant would ever touch and giving it star reviews. Pretty low way to make more money on the top of the billions they are making the honest way.

 

[Skeptic Ginger]

Hang out, get to know the community a bit and maybe we won't think you are spamming your commentary.

 

[Henry Lesil]

Rather harsh Ginger -- I'm not spamming anything.

FYI the Wonders series presents itself as educational/homeschooling texts. You don't learn of the creationist-biblical content until you check the text.

That's not legit.

 

[Henry Lesil]

You're likely correct Curious. Three reviews removed in a short amount of time makes me suspicious and I would suspect an individual employee was responsible. Whether they are a fan of the mindset or just on the take I don't know.

 

[Skeptic Ginger]

Rather harsh Ginger -- I'm not spamming anything.

FYI the Wonders series presents itself as educational/homeschooling texts. You don't learn of the creationist-biblical content until you check the text.

That's not legit.

Don't overlook the nuance: "maybe we won't think"

I have not said that is what you are doing, I said it looks that way and it does.

Now you add that this is about creationism and homeschooling texts? Are you sure you're not in the wrong forum?

 

[Henry Lesil]

no Ginger I'm not -- new here. A better forum?

 

[Henry Lesil]

capped

For anyone interested I did get a critical review to stick by submitting for a hardback edition instead of the kindle. This pretty much confirmed my suspicion that a non-neutral Amazon employee was responsible for removing recent critical commentary on the series (there are some critical reviews on "Wonders of Creation" series, but very few and years back).

Also discovered that The Institute for Creation Research distributes free copies of the various series books expecting positive reviews on Amazon. Confirmed Purchase reviews for this series are almost nil.

I understand those that see this as a teapot tempest issue -- all publishers seek positive reviews. The camouflage packaging of Christian fundamentalist creed to present as science education text is what sparked me.

Anyway thanks to all who contributed. Worthwhile in spite of some trolling.