Over at Slate, media critic Jack Shafer compiles a long list of reasons why the press loves to quote Gawker Media boss Nick Denton. Shafer hypothesizes that many reporters wish they were as free as Denton and his bloggers to write whatever they wish, and thus they write about the Gawker empire instead. He also claims that Denton uses the press to hype his product, and that Denton uses his many negative statements about the blogging business to build credibility with reporters. One idea that Shafer only glances upon, though, is that Denton plays the blog skeptic to the press in order to discourage competitors.

In a piece on Denton earlier this month (which Shafer discusses), New York Times's David Carr also mentions, as an aside, that Denton's "practice of poor-mouthing his own enterprise may have some competitive advantages."

Gelf has collected some memorable Denton quotes about Gawker Media and the blogging business in general. Taken together, this sample suggests that discouraging competitors is, in fact, a Denton goal.

Nickdenton.org, March 2004

"Blogs are likely to be better for readers than for capitalists."

Fortune, October 2004

Denton laughs at the notion of going public and confesses that he's never even had a business plan.

The Independent, November 2004

Denton likes to point out that even at 2.5 million unique visitors per month, his sites are only just starting to "get the numbers that actually register with media buyers".

New York Times, May 2005

As for the blog revolution, Denton said, "Give me a break."

New York Obesrver (mirrored at nickdenton.org), October 2005

"I do find bizarre the level of interest in the finances of a private company," Mr. Denton instant-messaged. "A small private company …
Without an office, even."

New York Times, July 2006

"There is no doubt that there is a bubble right now."

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