I've Given Up on SEO Or Deos It Still Work ?

well if you want long term sites, better build something real. build a real e-commerce site selling real service/item and go with media buys as well as facebook. SEO should be applied too but shouldnt be your main concern.

I think in 2012 localization and offline/online combo work best with websites. For example, you do forex and make a site to sell forex services then you go make seminars in your city. Way easier and more sustainable imo than doing seo all the time.

SEO still works but you shouldnt consider it as something to do for 8 hours a day especially if you are just creating affiliate/review sites

I came through an Inforgraphics on Similar Topic. It's worth reading

seobook.com/learn-seo/infographics/death-of-seo.php

Now also SEO works pretty well.

Some small changes:

No spun content..Google now hate spun content...
Place links on niche related sites...Example: if your site is health niche means buy or place your links related to health categories..
Dont do wiki,socail bookmarking,forum posting, blog comment in large....Try to build links slowly and steady....

Thanks