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A product to die for!

by Istvan Horvath
27 replies
(Mods, I hope this will not break any rules - but if it does, please, move it)

Usually, I am proud of my products but I've never been in a situation where standing by my own "brainchild" would be a matter of life and death.

It happened to my very good friend: A couple of months after releasing (quietly) his excellent book about how to become stress free, he just was hit by the biggest stressor - a rare kind of ugly cancer.

Most people freak out when they are diagnosed with something like that. Others abandon everything, including writing, and so on.

Well, this guy did something different. His book and his teaching is based on the classic Epicurean philosophy and he decided (using his own words)
"I had to reschedule my priorities. Rather than write my next book, I will use my disease to document my application of Epicurean tenets, attitudes, life skills as a way of self-medication..."
Now I don't know many people who would walk the walk in this way - demonstrating in a life/death situation the validity of their own product.
My good old friend (we know each other for about forty years) did it!

Can YOU stand behind your product like this?
#die #product
  • Profile picture of the author Charlotte Jay
    Wow, that is kinda cool. I would love to see more IMers stand behind their products like this, myself included!
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  • Profile picture of the author DPM70
    Hey Istvan, your post made me feel for you and your friend. I like to think that if faced with such a hard-hitting illness, I would have the same kind of attitude. I know a lot of folks would sink with this kind of challenge, but a lot of the warriors here are hard-wired into the idea that something good could come out of this. I wish you and your friend all the best.
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  • Profile picture of the author KenThompson
    Originally Posted by Chris Kent View Post

    I consider that to be more of a religious book, based on your quotes. Though I would like to inspect it further, I refrain from judging or review it without reading it first.
    You sure do walk the fine line with contradicting your self.

    Not only that, but where do you get "religious" from the mention
    of Epicurean tenets which are based on Epicurean philosophy?

    Your attitude seems a bit callous, but... ok.


    Ken
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    • Profile picture of the author KenThompson
      Originally Posted by Chris Kent View Post

      I'm not contradicting myself at all.

      Epicureanism is a system of philosophy based upon the teachings of Epicurus. I'm not sure how the application of the tenets of a system of philosophy can be a way to self-medicate cancer. In my view, that is a belief, and not based on any logic, hence why I deem it to be similar to a religious belief.
      Based on what you said, earlier, you certainly did contradict your self.

      Yes, I know it is a system of philosophy. Well, what you choose to believe is
      fine. What you choose to believe is based on the logic you accept - which is
      fine once again.

      Choosing to believe in pure logic and only believing what you can hold in your
      hand and see, feel, smell and taste is another form of religion - is it not? Sure,
      it is a metaphorical religion. It is a set of beliefs.

      You reject out of hand, it seems, what you are "not sure of." You seem to
      pronounce judgment on it because it does not fit your view of reality. Of course
      that is fine.

      Callous? How so? Having had cancer myself, I do not like seeing other cancer victims rejecting treatments that are based on logic in favour of those that have no logic behind them.
      You mean, in favor of those that have not been studied and blessed off, pardon the
      pun, by the medical establishment.

      You assume that which is not understood, by science, has no logic.

      That is logical.

      It is callous, in my opinion, because of your tone; because you (and your beliefs)
      attempted to completely invalidate what was essentially a positive message in
      the mind of someone else.

      You strut in here and totally dismiss something you consider to be illogical and
      therefore invalid. And you did it for the worst possible reason, in my mind. You
      did it because you do not understand what may be behind it.

      Philosophical systems are entirely based on logic - blistering logic, I may add. But,
      they are not the domain of modern science. The truth is, modern science has not
      figured out how to study very many aspects of the universe which include aspects
      of philosophical systems penned thousands of years ago.

      But...

      Perhaps you feel it is ok to do that because you have had cancer and survived. I
      can see where you can rightfully speak from a certain perspective as a cancer
      survivor.

      But your attitude of completely negating anything you do not understand, or has
      been accepted by science, is another matter altogether.

      So, we are on different sides of some imaginary fence - which is cool.


      Ken
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    • Profile picture of the author digesource
      Originally Posted by Chris Kent View Post

      I'm not contradicting myself at all.

      Epicureanism is a system of philosophy based upon the teachings of Epicurus. I'm not sure how the application of the tenets of a system of philosophy can be a way to self-medicate cancer. In my view, that is a belief, and not based on any logic, hence why I deem it to be similar to a religious belief.

      I also don't judge a book until I have read it. It would be foolish to judge it based on a couple of sentences, second-hand.

      Where's the contradiction in that?

      Callous? How so? Having had cancer myself, I do not like seeing other cancer victims rejecting treatments that are based on logic in favour of those that have no logic behind them.
      based on logic and provable scientific fact, yet the scientific community, chemical companies, and most Doctors fail to get behind it. And just as a side note, Chemotherapy is responsible for multiple destructive side effects, and has a low percentage of success in saving lives.

      I personally believe Cancer has it's roots in our emotional physiological makeup, and that the mastery, or the lack thereof, of our emotions and inner response mechanisms nurtures the development of our physiological health. I have come to this conclusion after over 30 years of esoteric studies on the materials of schools of higher thought, and various spiritual practices.

      Darin
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  • Profile picture of the author Geoff1
    Awesome.

    I hope your friend finds health and happiness. That is a terrific post.

    I think that everyone that releases a product should be able to stand behind it like that. I know that each of us are different however I do believe that the last reason to put out a new product is because of money.

    It should be to enhance someones life. To add value and improve someones business.

    Geoff
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  • Profile picture of the author Istvan Horvath
    Hey, Chris,

    don't take the self-medication literally - he just went through radiation.

    (hint: I blogged about this...)
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    • Profile picture of the author Istvan Horvath
      Originally Posted by Chris Kent View Post

      I'm glad you didn't take it badly because that was not my intention.
      I don't think anybody had any "bad" intentions - so thanks to everybody for taking the time to read it and comment on it.
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  • Profile picture of the author DPM70
    "however I do believe that the last reason to put out a new product is because of money"
    Actually, that's the first reason. Otherwise, how the heck else would we survive?
    My other tricks are based on Ray Mears' and Bear Grylls' talents.. Oh, and Gloria Gaynor - I will Survive. Best of luck All Warriors. Enjoy the Wedding.
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  • Profile picture of the author KenThompson
    Istvan...

    Sorry for crapping up your thread. Just rubbed me the wrong way.


    Ken
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  • Profile picture of the author Bradley J Anderson
    Wow! When I first saw the thread title, I thought it was just more of the typical, over-the-top marketing hype, but you really meant what you said!

    This thread has clearly gone way off-kilter, so I'll try to keep this on point with your OP, Istvan.

    It's easy to think that, if faced with such a challenge, we would certainly be able to rise to the occasion, but I have seen many people I have known over the years in the same situation, many much stronger than I, simply give in to the hopelessness, accept the (supposed) 'inevitable', and basically lie down and die. It's very sad, but unfortunately true. A solid support system of family and friends is crucial in times like these.

    I applaud your friend's decision to become a 'self-testimonial'. It certainly is refreshing to hear that someone is so adamant and unflinching regarding his own teachings and beliefs. It seems a lot of products today are designed solely for the purpose of making money, with no thought as to how accurate they may be or the effect they may have on the well-being of others, in whatever ways.

    I'm not familiar with Epicurean philosophy, myself, but obviously it's a huge part of his belief system and sometimes, especially when dealing with deadly diseases and other tragedies, the 'truth of the matter' means absolutely nothing against that firm, unwavering belief. The power of prayer has proven this many times over, imo.

    I'll be sure to send out positive words and energy on behalf of your friend. Best wishes to you both, Istvan.
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    • Profile picture of the author KenThompson
      Originally Posted by Bradley J Anderson View Post

      This thread has clearly gone way off-kilter, so I'll try to keep this on point with your OP, Istvan.
      Good idea, Bradley...

      I had to lie face down on the cold cathedral floor, with outstretched arms,
      and sing Gregorian chants for twelve hours.

      Every couple of hours, or so, Istvan would walk in and utter something,
      scowl and walk away.

      Oh well...


      Ken
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  • Profile picture of the author Shazia Mirza
    Wow, I agree that is pretty cool. Unfortunately, this doesn't really apply to IM products as much as it would to other niche specific products.

    This is because, products launched by internet marketers (that aren't full of fluff) are usually something the IMer has done at one point of his life. This holds true for me as well.

    One may not go back to the same thing if one was going broke, but one would still believe that the certain IM product works.

    Okay, that last line sounded like gibberish lol.
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  • Profile picture of the author premiumplr
    I'd love to say that the good times make us, but not really. The truth is that we only grow from our suffering. The product that your friend is creating will be one of growth and discovery and those always make the best products.

    I'm sorry to hear about another's suffering but I'm glad that he is not wallowing in pity. As my uncle used to say when life throws you lemons slice them up and get the tequila.
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    • Profile picture of the author Istvan Horvath
      Originally Posted by premiumplr View Post

      As my uncle used to say when life throws you lemons slice them up and get the tequila.
      I can relate to that
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  • Profile picture of the author chiwawa
    Your friend is courageous. I wish him good health and happiness too. Plus i don't think the book is religious.
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    • Profile picture of the author bretski
      I think that Bradley got the point.. in spite of a situation that would probably make me curl up in a little ball of pity and self destructivism, your friend has made a decision to press on; to move forward with his work and really stand behind his product and work. For me, that was the key phrase.

      I know of many product creators and "writers" who outsource their stuff. For them, it is a product. Git 'er done and move on to the next one.

      Your friend is leaving behind a legacy. Not because he will die from cancer but because we will all die one day. He is not leaving behind a business. He is leaving behind a piece of himself...
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      • Profile picture of the author Kay King
        Istvan -

        I was confused at first about the "belief in his product" but then it made sense to me. It's not really the product - but the fact that his product CAME from his own core belief system.

        When faced with life threatening disease, I think we reduce our focus to the basics of thought and life and activity that form the core of who we are. All extraneous events and people and thoughts are clearly not all that important and what we truly believe is what gets us through the hard times.

        Clearly your friend's product was not shallow musing that he jotted down and sold but was the standard that he lived by. You could see it as standing by a product - but I think the product was about his core belief system and that was his lifeline to hold onto.

        kay
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        • Profile picture of the author Istvan Horvath
          Originally Posted by Kay King View Post

          Clearly your friend's product was not shallow musing that he jotted down and sold but was the standard that he lived by. You could see it as standing by a product - but I think the product was about his core belief system and that was his lifeline to hold onto.
          The Canadian ING Direct has a returning phrase in its TV commercials: Couldn't have said it better myself!

          That was the only thing, Kay, that came to my mind reading your reply.
          Thanks!
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  • Profile picture of the author Zabrina
    Awesome story, I'm glad your friend is okay!

    I've got a product something like that... not life-and-death, but about a condition. All the advice comes from scientific research and my own experience with that condition. It feels great to create something out of how you found help that can then help others so much.
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  • Profile picture of the author brendan9971
    **Sending you and your friend metta**

    It IS really great to see someone really stand behind their product. So many of us write these great ebooks, with the majority of the content either reappropriated from somewhere else or content that's 98% theory. I wish him the best!
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  • Profile picture of the author williamrs
    Nice story!

    If I lost my campaigns and had to start everything over again I'd certainly trust my IM products to re-build my online business... not sure if it's a valid comparison, though, since losing my campaigns would be just a small problem compared to having cancer...

    Good luck to your friend!


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