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October, 2024

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An apology for my fraudulent votes and abuse of the photographers program

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Sklar
Posts: 8864 - Karma: 31,612
Hi everyone,
I'm writing this to explain my situation regarding my participation in the photography program, and my use of multiple accounts to aid my own content.
Over the past winter I used multiple accounts, 3 including my normal account, to up-vote my content and down-vote competing content in order to have my content more visible on the homepage and front page, thus gaining more views and in accordance with the photography program receiving more money. This action violated the trust of the Newschoolers staff, content producers and members.
The fraudulent votes also took away the opportunities for the other participants in the program and other members, which is why I've refunded my payment to go back to them and other producers.
I apologize for any who may have been negatively affected by my actions. I'd also like to thank Schmuck and Bishop for their help this winter, working with them was a great opportunity and I'm sorry that it is ending in this fashion. As for others affected or not, I hope I haven't burned too many bridges through these actions.

I will still be around skiing in the future, however I think I'll take a step back from newschoolers for a while and reevaluate what my plan is going forward. In the meantime you can keep up with me at my facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/MattSklarMedia
See you on the slopes,
Sklar

Jul 1 2013 5:38PM
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CaptainObvious.
Posts: 5712 - Karma: 20,638
Yessir
Jul 2 2013 1:43PM
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CaptainObvious.
Posts: 5712 - Karma: 20,638
Hadn't thought about Donator threads. Alright, whatevs, I don't know shit.
Jul 2 2013 1:44PM
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geist
Posts: 493 - Karma: 984
 shady
Jul 2 2013 1:45PM
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danbrown
Posts: 11939 - Karma: 21,826
my mistake- the 700+ downvotes came from the aliases alone. that does not include the ones that came from the main account
Jul 2 2013 1:46PM
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Mag
Posts: 8155 - Karma: 14,809
Haha I thought it was pretty funny how he managed to advertise himself. Reminds me of when Google was getting investigated for taxes, for some reason I was watching the court hearing, and he was basically just telling the world about all the new features and projects Google is working on.




Also, I don't see why everyone's so quick to judge. How many of you, given a situation like this, if you were sure you would get away with it, wouldn't do it, of course there's never an opportunity like this, but you get my point.
Jul 2 2013 1:52PM
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MustBeMattyB
Posts: 495 - Karma: 2,147
I've known Matt for like 12 years now, He's a good guy and takes some really good shots. Neither of wich are excuses, but he still has put up some really good content and helped the site regardless. He did handle the situation whether it was forced or not and I'm glad its all sorted out. I'm interested to see the content he and others (now that they have a chance) put out in the future.
Jul 2 2013 2:05PM
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BroBomb
Posts: 500 - Karma: 1,726
Wow, wow, wow. You're telling me people actually have time to start extra Newschoolers and login in and out to bump their own photos? AND Sklar lost his cute orange username?!?!?

Come on guys, let's move onto something real, like how Kaya Turski won't answer my Myspace messages. JEEZ
Jul 2 2013 2:12PM
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Mag
Posts: 8155 - Karma: 14,809
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Jul 2 2013 2:17PM
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africans_eatants
Posts: 107 - Karma: 112
am i the only one who doesnt care if they get to see more sick skylar photos?
Jul 2 2013 2:36PM
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scarsimd
Posts: 668 - Karma: 773
this! Mousseau is bossing
Jul 2 2013 2:46PM
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00000000
Posts: 11075 - Karma: 82,508
Just trying to make Newschoolers a better place!

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Jul 2 2013 2:48PM
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Huck_Norris
Posts: 11487 - Karma: 18,627
Holy fuck that is an astronomical number.


Jul 2 2013 2:50PM
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2_fadez
Posts: 7780 - Karma: 4,183
Woop dee doo
Apologizes are words out the mouth, which doesn't pay back all the shit he did to others. A real man doesn't apologized after getting forced to do it. A real man wouldn't go and downvote everyones shit for their own MONETARY PROFIT. Its fraud, literally. He was profiting off these pictures by abusing the system.

There are plenty of photographers out there, and they are a hardworking dime a dozen, so keep the respectable ones and ditch the scumbags like OP.
Jul 2 2013 2:52PM
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TheClap.
Posts: 21664 - Karma: 4,140
someone is a little too upset for something that didn't even affect them.

He got caught, apologized, gave back the winnings.

time to let it go and move on
Jul 2 2013 2:57PM
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zahava
Posts: 7791 - Karma: 12,039
#freebarry
Jul 2 2013 2:57PM
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Forcillo
Posts: 3801 - Karma: 3,580
Hahahahahaha Barry Bonds.
Jul 2 2013 2:58PM
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2_fadez
Posts: 7780 - Karma: 4,183
I'm not a photographer or any type of media fanatic but I hate seeing shit like this go on in a website that I enjoy using. I'll continue to vent all I want because it is fucked up and shouldn't just be pushed aside
Jul 2 2013 3:00PM
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Huck_Norris
Posts: 11487 - Karma: 18,627
Bro... You are FULLY torqued right now.
Jul 2 2013 3:06PM
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theblackrod
Posts: 2162 - Karma: 575
what upsets me the most is that he changed his name, which i hope wasn't done to attempt to hide and avoid the "sklar" bad rep...
Jul 2 2013 3:13PM
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theblackrod
Posts: 2162 - Karma: 575
i take that back.
Jul 2 2013 3:13PM
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Backyard.Skier
Posts: 5397 - Karma: 1,497
i dont get what is happening here
Jul 2 2013 3:19PM
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Rozbrook
Posts: 586 - Karma: 236
I think it's funny how OP was caught for fraud and his name is Barry_Bonds
Jul 2 2013 3:26PM
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Randy_Quench
Posts: 5447 - Karma: 4,343
he changed it after he made the thread and got caught. at least hes got a sense of humor.
Jul 2 2013 3:30PM
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CaptainObvious.
Posts: 5712 - Karma: 20,638
Why do you take it back? It would appear to me that he did, in fact, change it.
Jul 2 2013 3:30PM
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emopoppins
Posts: 3996 - Karma: 269
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Jul 2 2013 3:31PM
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ChillTeenDad420
Posts: 1858 - Karma: 5,512
obv if you're posting 6 pictures of the same feature over a 6 day period you're a front page whore and have little professional discrimination over what photos you're putting out. not surprising cheating was done to make them front paged. (no disrespect for the homies in the photos)
Jul 2 2013 3:34PM
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Mr.CarrotCake
Posts: 162 - Karma: 112
for the people who are mindlessly typing out words about how "gay,pussy,and stupid" he was should first think about how many mistakes you are not proud of. im not saying what he did was right but your not perfect either so if everyone could stop being such dicks to eachother it would make skiing alot more fun for everyone. pce
Jul 2 2013 3:39PM
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casual
Posts: 6712 - Karma: 6,748
This is bullshit.

The kid denied and denied, minimized, defended, and acted like a prick about it. He willingly and knowingly literally cheated other people for a shot at a few hundred bucks and for the opportunity to what....make a measly living as a ski photographer? Give me a fucking break. The only reason...and I mean the ONLY reason this kid made this thread is because he was forced/strongarmed into doing it. There's no sincerity whatsoever. It would've been one thing had he of his own volition fessed up, taken accountability and done the right thing because it was simply the right thing. But, that's not what happened. He was cornered, threatened with a permaban and clearly decided he was out of options. I have no respect for someone who plays the part of Mr. pennant because it's just the next move.

He didn't do the right thing...what's to embrace? This is the equivalent of a thief being court ordered to write an apology letter, or a kid's mom dragging him to a neighbor's door by the ear. He wants to be a ski photog. This website is basically the epicenter of the industry he wants to work in. What choice does he have? Post a "deal with it" meme and tell Doug to go fuck himself?

I don't give a shit as to the outcome, nor do I care about a kid who snaps of photos of spinnyflippies and earns the same money a 15 year old would in a week at a summer job, but it's literally painful to read people like you defend this kid. I'm not saying he needs to be chastised forever more, but really...it takes a REAL man? No, it takes a manipulative, sneaky fuck to put himself in this position to begin with, and this lipservice is about as self-serving as possible.
Jul 2 2013 3:45PM
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2_fadez
Posts: 7780 - Karma: 4,183
you're one of my favorite posters on this site
Jul 2 2013 3:48PM
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danderson.
Posts: 6560 - Karma: 5,252
Very lame. For the journalist program, it is outlined very specifically to never do something along these lines and I'm sure the same goes for the photographer program. Whatever punishment you have coming is deserved and I feel no sympathy towards you.
Jul 2 2013 3:54PM
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Randy_Quench
Posts: 5447 - Karma: 4,343
been meaning to do it for years now, but this thread finally brought me to donate to NS so I can get the inside scoop.

guess there is a silver lining to this story.. NS just made 5$.
Jul 2 2013 3:57PM
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Session
Posts: 5379 - Karma: 22,190
#freesklar
Jul 2 2013 3:59PM
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CaptainObvious.
Posts: 5712 - Karma: 20,638
I just did the same thing. I obviously wasn't in the loop and therefore was apparently wrong in my previous comments. And now the merciless wrath of the goddamn world has come down on me. $5 in the bank. More knowledge on my back.
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Jul 2 2013 4:06PM
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danderson.
Posts: 6560 - Karma: 5,252
.
Jul 2 2013 4:08PM
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JWeinstock
Posts: 3439 - Karma: 1,352
.
Jul 2 2013 4:09PM
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t_rob
Posts: 6433 - Karma: 11,458
I want to be friends with you.
Jul 2 2013 4:39PM
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Karkoskier
Posts: 2999 - Karma: 4,661
Props to you for coming clean, but I've always wondered how many other people make fake account for this reason. Making fake accounts just to rate your stuff up and other people stuff down means you're insecure. If you're really that concerned with what other people on the internet think of what you post then don't even post it.
Jul 2 2013 5:07PM
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schmuck
Posts: 1974 - Karma: 53,161
Matt,

I was incredibly disappointed in you when I was informed of this situation, and still am, however I'm pleased to see that you opted to take the high road and publicly admit your mistakes as opposed to putting your tail between your legs and having this piece of dirty laundry aired out on your behalf. I feel that the community deserved and needed to hear it from you, and everything else aside, it takes a lot of guts to admit when you've done something so wrong, especially in such a public manner. People make mistakes in life, and while this is unquestionably a big and bad one and you've more likely than not burned many a bridges because of it, I hope and trust that you'll learn from this and become a better person as a result.



Jul 2 2013 5:30PM
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danbrown
Posts: 11939 - Karma: 21,826
This one flew right over your head...
Jul 2 2013 5:31PM
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Parrish
Posts: 8695 - Karma: 1,008
This brings up an interesting point that reddit had in their news recently with their voting system. As the first few upvotes and downvotes effect a posts drastically. There was a mod in advice animals that was actual the owner of quickmeme, he wasn't happy about how livememe which in his defense was a flashy clone of quickmeme was knocking in on his business, which he makes a killing through reddit, and more specifically advice animals.

Turns out using only like 6 alt accounts he was able to downvote at the right time posts not using quickmeme and upvote post using quickmeme to in a way determine early which is the key to a posts life what would happen to the post for his own personal game.

http://www.reddit.com/r/technology/comments/1hfizk/the_reddit_sleuths_who_brought_down_a_meme_empire/

Maybe should work on a way to fix this way of manipulating the system guys...
Jul 2 2013 7:10PM
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00000000
Posts: 11075 - Karma: 82,508
Check out this thread for a bit more info -- https://www.newschoolers.com/ns/forums/readthread/thread_id/750864/
Jul 2 2013 7:13PM
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jeremy.g
Posts: 4931 - Karma: 459
For everyone saying this isnt a big deal or it doesnt really matter, you are wrong. The world of photography (action sports photography especially) is incredibly small, and very difficult to succeed in and build a name for yourself. What sklar did was no momentary lapse in judgement, it was a completely self-serving, meticulous, and thought out effort to deliberately fuck over his peers and climb to the top while undercutting them. As a photographer i take a great pride in my work, i poor my soul into it and because of that it means the world to me. when other people notice and appreciate what i have created it fills me with so much stoke i can't really put it into words. no matter what you do you should take great pride in your work, and i cant imagine how empty a feeling praise or accolades that i obtained illegitimately would feel.

im going to have to completely agree with casual. on this. there is no heartfelt apology here, just an attempt to save what little face he can. in this industry, skiing, heck even life, we should be trying to lift up and help our peers, not shove them over on our way to the top. imo, when your peers succeed it tends to benefit you as well. Magnum photos was founded in 1947 in part by two of the greatest photographers who have ever lived, Cartier-Bresson and Capa as a cooperative agency whose members supported each other, without the hierarchy of a normal news organization. the photographers held the rights to their work, as opposed to the magazines who published it, as was customary to the time. Magnum developed into in my opinion the most successful agency for documentary photography to date and i cant imagine anyone would really disagree. (sorry to nerd out there)

i didnt come here to preach but this is fucked up by any industry or moral compass you look at it with and people need to realize that. this is a small industry and photographers and videographers need to have each others backs. I dont think Sklar is really gonna realize how stupid this was until he sees the doors he has closed because of this. everyone knows everyone in this industry and word of mouth goes farther than a portfolio.
Jul 2 2013 7:15PM
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[~_~]
Posts: 20239 - Karma: 1,273
NS poured the glass and Sklar drank from it.

Who is really to blame?
Jul 2 2013 7:17PM
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PBraunstein
Posts: 1448 - Karma: 3,804
elaborate?
Jul 2 2013 7:22PM
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[~_~]
Posts: 20239 - Karma: 1,273
Let's say NS parked their bike on a bike rack in a small Bavarian village, but didn't use a bike lock based on their reasoning that it's a small, quaint village in which everyone knows each other and abide by the honor code. NS comes back to find the bike stolen. When news of the theft eventually reaches the village, the village unanimously condemns the thief and consoles NS for being victimized.

Based on the responses in this thread, it seems most people share the opinion of the village: that NS was victimized by a single rotten apple who is solely to blame. (I would also assume that these types of people blame the banks for the housing crash.)

However if NS came to me complaining that their bike was stolen, I would criticize them for failing to lock up their bike. (I would assume that these types of people blame the federal government for creating a system that removed mortgage risk and allowed the banks to loan carelessly).

My point is that both NS and Sklar are to blame. But unlike Sklar, NS's failure is not a moral one; it is a managerial one. By not being cynical enough, NS invited the inevitable.
Jul 2 2013 7:38PM
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[~_~]
Posts: 20239 - Karma: 1,273
And to fend off you emotive thinkers: I should note that yeah, it's pretty rotten what Sklar did. And it's a bummer that NS can't be trusting of a small community. Still, if I were NS I'd be first in line to share some of the blame (acknowledging mistakes is how we improve, right?)
Jul 2 2013 7:42PM
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forrest-cole
Posts: 1145 - Karma: 495
I would post pics in the BC section like right after or before sklar and they would be downvoted almost immediately. Pretty fucking lame because i would also upvote your shit..
Jul 2 2013 7:57PM
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TijmenDal
Posts: 4849 - Karma: 1,295
This is important. And very true.

On the one hand, it's good he's come out (whether it was because he had to or not doesn't matter (too much) here). He faced whatever he needed to and took 'responsibility'.
Of course it's a MAJOR dick move and he lost all respect (from me anyway). Hopefully he's learned a VERY valuable lesson. This is something that's going to chase him for a couple years at least.
Jul 2 2013 7:58PM
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