Over on Shawn Collins’ AffiliateTip blog, there’s an interesting discussion in the comments of a post on Internet Retailer’s favorable look at the affiliate industry  over whether or not affiliate marketing is soluble enough (or “bringing sexy back”) to survive.

I’ve chimed in with my utopian views on what affiliate marketing is and where it’s headed in this fragmented/social/mobile culture, and there are a few other interesting viewpoints being expressed there as well (although none from the ignorance economy party yet).

Here’s one from “Cowls Lannish” on how affiliate marketing can best be expressed with an ‘N Sync metaphor:

Maybe this will help, OK, I think we can all agree that if Internet Marketing was NSYNC, then hello, Affiliate Marketing would totally be Justin, why? Because he is FABULOUS!!! He is sexy and can sell anything he puts his pretty little smooth face on.

Ok, then Lance Bass, well he would be Viral marketing because well, he never shuts up, he’s always like, look at me, look at me, Im so progressive, Im breaking down barriers, lets talk about me, look at my webpage blah blah blah…

It goes on for a while like that.

Beyond that comment, it’s an interesting debate. Chime in and let others know what you think.

(Having a picture of ‘N Sync on my blog makes me feel dirty).