Offer walls and marketplaces: the real alternative to "scamville"

Let me just say one thing up front: well done, Mr. Arrington! From the first clash with Offerpal (former, it seems) CEO Anu Shukla, through this post and others, there's been quite a stir around offer walls and the big question of the legitimacy of their offers (some news sites in Israel literally copied the post's words. But that's another type of scam). Beyond the provocation, there are a few actual issues here, that I think are left out since "scamville" and CEOs being replaced are much more sexy.

Here's the thing: if the social gaming industry is a viable industry (which I think it is) it should, at one point, start to mature as one. Maturing doesn't mean moving slower or becoming less appealing to users, on the contrary, there's still huge potential and a momentum so strong can't just be stopped by a few posts. But what it does mean is that you start getting attention for your mishaps and you need to start addressing this attention in a tone that is way, WAY milder and more responsible than just saying "this is sh*t and bullshi*t" (look here for some current thoughts of industry leaders and how I'd respond to them).