interesting side to this conversation is the movement to and fro with the climbing community reporting climbs vs. not reporting climbs. reporting a first ascent vs. not reporting.  why do you climb? are you a "soul" climber, just doing it for yourself, no other reason? not that there is anything wrong with that. or are you promoting what you do for any reason (feeding your ego, getting sponsorship? or are you just sharing information you think others might want?). 
  
in "the game" this board sits somewhere in there, along with "hotflashes" and the rest of the climbing media. we are "user publishes" vs. an editorialized medium, but there are few differences beyond that. 
  
in the end i don't care about the egos or whatever drives you all to post your exploits here...just that you do. if you choose not to, fine, but the reality is that is why we are all here. 
  
the author is pretty awesome though. he WAS sponsored, but decided that he didn't want to play the game anymore. bully for him.  the game/bs/etc will go on without him.