Here's what Satanic Cults and the New World Order taught me about Marketing

125 replies
We're all sheep who have been conditioned since birth to look to authority figures for guidance in all aspects of our lives.

Think about that. Think hard. We have an inherent need to seek outside guidance rather than use our own minds to look for guidance within ourselves. Even when the answers to our questions are slapping us in the face, we ignore the painful reality of having to use our own brains and look beyond for someone to teach us those answers.

Don't believe me? Here's a real life example many of the veterans here on the forum may remember:

A few years back, I posted a thread here on this very forum explaining, in detail, how I built a simple little site and earned money in a relatively short period of time. That free info was enough for just about anyone to copy my methods, and the site itself because I posted a link to it, and replicate my results.

Guess what happened - dozens of people posted replies and literally begged me to convert my post into a .PDF and sell it to them as a WSO, after I had already posted the info for free.

Hundreds bought the product and I made thousands of dollars.

The free info I gave them wasn't enough. They wanted more. They took it upon themselves to elevate me into a position of leadership so that they could pay to follow my teachings... because without being able to look to a leader for guidance, they would have had to do the thinking themselves, even though what I sold to them was exactly the same as what I had written for free.

At the time, I didn't really, truly understand what was happening. But now after delving into things like conspiracy theories, the psychology behind why people join and follow satanic cults, the hive mind, mental conditioning and how small groups of people pulling the strings use the results of that conditioning to rule the world uninhibited by morals or laws ... I understand.

Look around you with an open mind and you'll see how people elevate themselves into leadership roles to gain money and power over you.

I'll use this as an example - Do any of you know what a "False Flag Attack" is? It's when a government stages an attack on it's own people so that it can rob them of their money, their rights and their liberties.

Here's how it works - Govt. stages an attack. Pres. gets in the media talking about terror and how he will protect us from threats... but freedom comes at a cost - the cost is in the trillions, the cost is the rapid erosion of rights, the cost is less privacy, yadda, yadda. You know the drill... and we, the people say "dear leader, protect us from the tyrants!"

Well floks, here's a real-time, real-life example of a false flag attack that's happening on this very forum right now.

The internet marketing industry is in ruins! The tyrants have taken over and the ruling elite has been treating us like cattle being led to the slaughter so we're all yelling "Something needs to be done, someone please help us!"

And that same ruling elite is now setting up new sites, with slick marketing videos and kind hearted clean cut fun guys and gals professing to be your saviours. They're here to help us, but at a cost...

People. Start thinking for yourselves. Realize and accept the fact that you don't need to look to a higher power for guidance. Break out of that mindset, become a free, independant individual and you'll never fall under someone else's spell again. Do things for yourselves and you'll never be taken advantage of again. If "Something needs to be done" do it, don't wait for someone else to tell you what you need to do.

"Should I buy this $X,000 product or membership or coaching or mentorship package?" I dunno, that's like asking if you should spend tons of money to give up your free will and put your future in someone else's hands.

What I wrote above is powerful and I know deep down that very few, if any of you will truly understand or even want to take your future into your own hands... and that in itself is also powerful, to the right person - the person who sees opportunities where others feel helpless ;-)

Hope you enjoyed my ramblings and I'm very interested in seeing your reply.

Paul
#cults #marketing #order #satanic #taught #world
  • Profile picture of the author bradlean
    whhhooooo! very spooky and scary title...

    better not to call some bad spirits it might dwell in you!

    Better call the guy up there!
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    • Profile picture of the author Jill Carpenter
      I like the cherry flavored koolaid myself. So much so, I bought an original vintage glass koolaid pitcher on ebay and it is one of my treasured possessions. And I have the matching plastic koolaid spoon too!

      :p

      I know people who have lots of money and still buy lottery tickets.

      It is in our nature to dream - and to buy dreams...
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      "May I have ten thousand marbles, please?"

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    • Profile picture of the author scrofford
      Originally Posted by bradlean View Post

      whhhooooo! very spooky and scary title...

      better not to call some bad spirits it might dwell in you!

      Better call the guy up there!
      And this is one part of what the OP is talking about! Dude it's not about the title of "calling up spirits" or "the guy up there!"

      This information is very true and very few people will pull there heads out of there @%!!#% to take a look around and see what the OP is talking about. They want to be told what to do and how to do it. Most people won't make a decision- even a very simple one for themselves. It's really sad.
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      • Profile picture of the author bradlean
        Yeah I know that!

        I read his article.

        Captivating someones eyes or having a great headline is a strategy!

        Lol...
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  • Profile picture of the author WD Mino
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    • Profile picture of the author Michael Shook
      A very excellent post. A lot of good marketing ideas contained therein.

      I have thought for a while that the idea of self-selection is one of the most powerful marketing ideas ever thought of.

      I might add the US educational system as a whole in there as well, with NWO and the satanic cults.
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  • Profile picture of the author TrekkieGrrrl
    Yes, you do have those with the tendency to follow. In all honesty, the majority of people are like that. They need leadership. They need someone to hold their hand and tell them exactly what to do.

    Then you have those whose natural tendency is to lead. They blaze ahead, doing things their own way.

    Then you have those that are the "Now the student has become the Master" types.

    They study.

    They listen.

    They learn.

    They act.

    And then, if they keep on that path, they succeed.
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  • Profile picture of the author admin
    Administrator
    So Paul you vanish for years and then suddenly reappear just to stir **** up?

    :-)

    Welcome back!!
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    • Profile picture of the author Paul_Short
      Originally Posted by admin View Post

      So Paul you vanish for years and then suddenly reappear just to stir **** up?

      :-)

      Welcome back!!
      Thanks Allen,

      I was abducted by aliens ;-)
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      • Profile picture of the author myob
        Originally Posted by Paul_Short View Post

        ... I was abducted by aliens ;-)
        Hey, it happens. Try to get over it.
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      • Profile picture of the author drmani
        Originally Posted by Paul_Short View Post

        Thanks Allen,

        I was abducted by aliens ;-)
        So, Paul, how's the view from outside the Matrix?

        Welcome back (with such a bang, too!)

        All success
        Dr.Mani
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        • Profile picture of the author Paul_Short
          Originally Posted by drmani View Post

          So, Paul, how's the view from outside the Matrix?

          Welcome back (with such a bang, too!)

          All success
          Dr.Mani

          Thanks Dr. Mani.

          The view from out here is pretty cool. BTW, the red pill tastes like strawberries, just like you told me it would ;-)
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      • Profile picture of the author TrekkieGrrrl
        Originally Posted by Paul_Short View Post

        I was abducted by aliens ;-)
        We only abduct the best.
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        Hab SoSlI' Quch!
        YMMV = Your Mileage May Vary LLaP = Live Long and Prosper
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        • Profile picture of the author Paul_Short
          Originally Posted by TrekkieGrrrl View Post

          We only abduct the best.
          And the green aliens were by far the hottest ;-)
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        • Profile picture of the author Roaddog
          People. Start thinking for yourselves. Realize and accept the fact that you don't need to look to a higher power for guidance. Break out of that mindset, become a free, independant individual and you'll never fall under someone else's spell again. Do things for yourselves and you'll never be taken advantage of again. If "Something needs to be done" do it, don't wait for someone else to tell you what you need to do.
          I essentially agree with this, but there is a gap in the logic. We all at one time or another have been, and need to be followers. You can not walk into any trade, game, business, or life and be an instant expert. We are conditioned to be followers, because as infants we have to follow. Mom and Dad (if you were lucky enough to have either or...) Not because of some great conspiracy, by satanistic government monkeys.

          But because it is human nature.

          It is when you don't break OUT of the nest, matrix, spaceship or whatever analogy you wish to use, that is indeed, when there is problem. Some people do forever follow, because it IS easier than using your own brain to think outside the box.
          And not just accept what is basically foisted on you.

          I do believe in the old saying one needs to be a good follower BEFORE being a good leader.

          There will be forever followers and few that break out and become their own leaders. It's no different in any industry/business. Consider it boot camp, hazing or any other rite of passage.

          The internet marketing industry is in ruins! The tyrants have taken over and the ruling elite has been treating us like cattle being led to the slaughter so we're all yelling "Something needs to be done, someone please help us!

          As far as IM goes... I got no argument there.

          Jim
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          • Profile picture of the author paulie888
            Originally Posted by Roaddog View Post

            I essentially agree with this, but there is a gap in the logic. We all at one time or another have been, and need to be followers. You can not walk into any trade, game, business, or life and be an instant expert. We are conditioned to be followers, because as infants we have to follow. Mom and Dad (if you were lucky enough to have either or...) Not because of some great conspiracy, by satanistic government monkeys.

            But because it is human nature.

            It is when you don't break OUT of the nest, matrix, spaceship or whatever analogy you wish to use, that is indeed, when there is problem. Some people do forever follow, because it IS easier than using your own brain to think outside the box.
            And not just accept what is basically foisted on you.

            I do believe in the old saying one needs to be a good follower BEFORE being a good leader.

            There will be forever followers and few that break out and become their own leaders. It's no different in any industry/business. Consider it boot camp, hazing or any other rite of passage.




            As far as IM goes... I got no argument there.

            Jim
            You've hit on an important point here. Everyone, at some point in time, will have to follow a leader before they're ready to lead for themselves. It's a rite of passage that prepares you and makes you ready for leadership, if you're willing to accept that responsibility.

            Sure, you could try to be a leader from the very start and experiment and fumble your way to success, but would that be an efficient use of your time? Do you want to say that you did everything from scratch and sacrifice an untold amount of time and wasted effort in the process, or go the efficient route and implement proven processes and methods taught and espoused by an authority figure?

            Of course, there are people who stay far too long in this comfort zone and don't want to rock the boat. Ultimately, it'll depend on what your goals and objectives are. If following someone lets you achieve them in a faster and more efficient manner, then that might be the best course of action for you to take. At the end of the day, you have to ask yourself what you're planning to achieve, and whether your present course of action is congruent with this.

            Paul
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            • Profile picture of the author Paul_Short
              Ok, I'm not the type to get into public arguments (anymore) but I know this will ruffle some feathers. *sigh* here goes:

              Several people in this thread have used the term "it's human nature."

              If we're talking about monkeys or human babies, yes, I agree that they will do things because it's built into them as instinct and they really don't have control over their thoughts and actions.

              But we as human adults have the ability to make conscious decisions. We can learn behavior and act/react accordingly. As adults, however, saying that you did or didn't do something that you have full control over and attributing your actions to "human nature" is a cop-out. It's a way of not taking responsibility for your own actions.

              If it's human nature to blindly follow the leader when it's obvious you're being led to an undesirable situation, what about the leader who is also human? Why doesn't the leader fall victim to human nature? Is s/he not human as well?

              The fact is, everyone has the ability to determine their own fate to varying degrees. Yes, there are many situations where you can't because of external factors and influences, like if you have a physical or mental imparement, or you live in a communist country, but saying something is human nature is like saying "I ran up my credit card debt and can't pay now because it's human nature to want things I can't afford." Or, "this big bad guru sold me an expensive crap coaching program and took advantage of me because it's human nature for me to follow leaders."

              I'm not buying it for one minute.

              Paul
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        • Profile picture of the author Matt Morgan
          Originally Posted by TrekkieGrrrl View Post

          We only abduct the best.
          Are you linked to the free masons?
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  • Profile picture of the author Sarah Harvey
    I bet some people reply to this thread that are similar in nature. They will each say how they identify with the thread starter and then all it takes is one look at their own posts on this forum. I bet I can find a few posts where they say 'how fantastic someone else is and how they should sell their stuff for oodles of money.'

    Well nice try with the title. The only reason this thread interested me was because I have this insane notion of ripping people about believing in satan. Well I have hobbies...so sue me. I have my reasons.
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    "Find the problem and provide the solution."
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    • Profile picture of the author scrofford
      Originally Posted by Sarah Harvey View Post

      Well nice try with the title. The only reason this thread interested me was because I have this insane notion of ripping people about believing in satan. Well I have hobbies...so sue me. I have my reasons.
      That would be in "Off Topic" forum lol!
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    • Profile picture of the author jimmel196
      I think Paul is exactly right. People have been conditioned to be followers. I often told my kids, who are now grown, that you should always attempt to be a leader. If your not going to be a leader the be a loner. But whatever you do, don't be the follower. In my profession as a paramedic for 28 years you learn really fast about the leadership mentality or people will die right in front of you while waiting for you to decide what to do. People want so badly to mimic success that they will spend small fortunes attempting to copy the success of others. I certainly do not believe in re-inventing the wheel but I also don't believe in following the sheep to slaughter. Just a few of my thoughts
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  • Profile picture of the author Michael Oksa
    Hi Paul,

    And...are we also conditioned to respond to posts like this?

    What I mean is that people may be "sheep", and may be aware of it to some extent. But the really powerful stuff is the stuff we have no idea about. We're sheep in ways that we can't even imagine.

    But, is a programmed response the defintion of sheepness? If so, do all of the responses to your OP prove it? Including mine?

    (Allen's doesn't count because he's not responding to the post, per se.)

    All the best,
    Michael
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    "Ich bin en fuego!"
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  • Profile picture of the author bravo75
    Superb post. I had a similar experience here on this forum. I gave away an article I wrote that made me a substantial little bit of dough. I gave away the article, the landing page, how to create the LP, how I found the keyword. I outlined every step crystal clear. I must have received about a 100 PM's asking me to outline everything exactly step by step. I stopped answering after about 20 PM's.
    I failed to capitalize on a WSO at the time. Silly me.
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  • Profile picture of the author CDarklock
    Originally Posted by Paul_Short View Post

    People. Start thinking for yourselves. Realize and accept the fact that you don't need to look to a higher power for guidance. Break out of that mindset
    Got to dissent here.

    Do you know what the single biggest complaint about my last product was?

    It doesn't tell you where to get the idea and the content for the product.

    It tells you exactly and specifically and in great detail how to make ebooks, audios, and videos, but it does not tell you what to put in them.

    So now I'm making another product, which tells you what to put in them.

    And lots of people will buy that one, too. But it still won't be enough for them. So they'll complain. And I'll take that complaint, and I'll make another product.

    I really, really like it when people complain about my products. Because those complaints become more products, and those products become more money.

    Because these people do not want to think for themselves, and on some level, they shouldn't have to.

    You only have so much room in your head to think about things. There are only so many hours in a day. Whatever is hard for you to think about, you should go find someone else to think about it for you.

    Which is why whenever I find something difficult, I go buy a product about it... or even hire a writer for the specific purpose of researching it.

    I can think for myself. But I want that thinking to be about the things that matter to me. I don't have time to worry about something silly like how to drive traffic to my site. I want someone else to think about that, and just tell me what to do.

    And there's nothing wrong with that, so long as I'm using the time I save to think for myself about other things.

    Where it goes wrong is when you go to someone else ONLY so you don't have to take responsibility. Some people don't think for themselves because they don't want to be wrong. If you get someone else to tell you what to do, and it doesn't work, it's not your fault - that jerk gave you bad information.

    Which is just avoiding responsibility, and if that's what you're doing when your stuff doesn't work, go get a job. You're not ready to own your own business. You have to own your work, first.
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    "The Golden Town is the Golden Town no longer. They have sold their pillars for brass and their temples for money, they have made coins out of their golden doors. It is become a dark town full of trouble, there is no ease in its streets, beauty has left it and the old songs are gone." - Lord Dunsany, The Messengers
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  • Profile picture of the author Sarah Harvey
    Well with 5002 posts on this forum, you'd wonder what products you bring out?

    I wish I had all the time in the world too.
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    "Find the problem and provide the solution."
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    • Profile picture of the author WD Mino
      [DELETED]
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      • Profile picture of the author Paul_Short
        Thanks for all your feedback and the welcomes everyone. I gained quite a bit of insight from most of your replies.

        I didn't respond to each individual reply about my original post because I wanted to see how the conversation developed on it's own and it was quite enlightening. Definitely proved some of my thoughts about how people feel ;-)

        If anyone else wants to jump in here feel free to do so. I'll be around and checking the thread frequently today and will try and reply where I can.

        Thanks again folks!

        Paul
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    • Profile picture of the author Caleb Spilchen
      Originally Posted by Sarah Harvey View Post

      Well with 5002 posts on this forum, you'd wonder what products you bring out?

      I wish I had all the time in the world too.
      Hi Sarah,

      It's kinda disrespectful for you to call Caliban out for 5,000 posts, and completely off the topic of the thread. He doesn't have "all the time" in the world, but it's also his JOB, to watch the forum.

      Why?

      Because he can get new great ideas for his products, ideas that will change his mindset, and ultimately help him.

      See, all the info that is shared in here every day? That is stuff, that he can take in his mind, use, and then come up with his own system to doing it, that will be easier for the end user.

      Your post sounds like your calling Caliban out for being active, and creating products.. And making the assumption that his stuff is "crap" because he posts here often.

      Just to let you know, I go to school {in fact class starts in 4 minutes}, and I can still post on this forum, and have time to do 1k days.. Well, I'm sitting in Class...

      @WD Mino -- How are things

      ---

      Back on topic...

      Caleb
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      Canadian Expat Living in Medellin, Colombia

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      • Profile picture of the author Paul_Short
        Originally Posted by Caleb Spilchen View Post

        Hi Sarah,

        It's kinda disrespectful for you to call Caliban out for 5,000 posts, and completely off the topic of the thread. He doesn't have "all the time" in the world, but it's also his JOB, to watch the forum.

        Why?

        Because he can get new great ideas for his products, ideas that will change his mindset, and ultimately help him.

        See, all the info that is shared in here every day? That is stuff, that he can take in his mind, use, and then come up with his own system to doing it, that will be easier for the end user.

        Your post sounds like your calling Caliban out for being active, and creating products.. And making the assumption that his stuff is "crap" because he posts here often.

        Just to let you know, I go to school {in fact class starts in 4 minutes}, and I can still post on this forum, and have time to do 1k days.. Well, I'm sitting in Class...

        @WD Mino -- How are things

        ---

        Back on topic...

        Caleb
        I spoke to Caliban yesterday for about 3-4 hours and I can personally say he is a very intelligent, interesting and extremely hard working dude who has a lot of excellent ideas and staying power in IM.

        While we obviously don't see eye to eye on some things, that's very cool because I love discussing opposing viewpoints with good people. Cal is cool.

        Paul
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        • Profile picture of the author Caleb Spilchen
          Originally Posted by Paul_Short View Post

          I spoke to Caliban yesterday for about 3-4 hours and I can personally say he is a very intelligent, interesting and extremely hard working dude who has a lot of excellent ideas and staying power in IM.

          While we obviously don't see eye to eye on some things, that's very cool because I love discussing opposing viewpoints with good people. Cal is cool.

          Paul
          I don't know if you took my post the wrong way... But I'm actually supposed to meet Caliban for dinner in a few months, I respect the guy a lot and that was point

          Back to topic
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          Canadian Expat Living in Medellin, Colombia

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          • Profile picture of the author Paul_Short
            Originally Posted by Caleb Spilchen View Post

            I don't know if you took my post the wrong way... But I'm actually supposed to meet Caliban for dinner in a few months, I respect the guy a lot and that was point

            Back to topic
            Oh, not at all. I quoted your post because you were sticking up for him (and rightfully so) and added my own hat-tip to yours. :-)

            Some quick replies to others:

            @Alex Lin: Getting advice is a good thing, but blind faith in someone based on perceived power is what I don't agree with. My best advice to you is to not necessarily look for advice from the loudest trumpet, but from the people who are quietly and successfully doing what you want to do. Plus, spread your time out getting advice (not dreams) from several different sources and build your business plan using the fragments that best fit your overall goals. Then work hard and work smart to get what you want.

            @alcymart: Thanks Bernard! :-)

            @Andy: Yes, I'll definitely set my sights higher next time, LOL

            @Martin: Actually, the threats came from specific trolls via Twitter's DM system. Specific people with whom I had prior dealings of a personal nature that went sour wanted to keep me away from Europe. And, as you know, in today's climate of heightened security around the world, just the mention that someone is a threat can be a major hassle if one wants to do a bit of leisure traveling. I wanted no part of that drama so I simply took down the target (my Twitter account) and walked away. No biggie, I can build a new account again without much trouble.
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        • Profile picture of the author Johnny12345
          Originally Posted by Paul_Short View Post

          I spoke to Caliban yesterday for about 3-4 hours and I can personally say he is a very intelligent, interesting and extremely hard working dude who has a lot of excellent ideas and staying power in IM.

          While we obviously don't see eye to eye on some things, that's very cool because I love discussing opposing viewpoints with good people. Cal is cool.

          Paul

          Paul,

          Don't listen to anything Caliban says. He's been brainwashed by Microsoft.

          I have it on good authority that he has two large, framed pictures in his home: one of Bill Gates and another of Keanu Reeves. At least, that's what I heard.

          John
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          • Profile picture of the author Andyhenry
            Originally Posted by Johnny12345 View Post

            Paul,

            Don't listen to anything Caliban says. He's been brainwashed by Microsoft.

            I have it on good authority that he has two large, framed pictures in his home: one of Bill Gates and another of Keanu Reeves. At least, that's what I heard.

            John
            That's why he said borNEO before?
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            nothing to see here.

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      • Profile picture of the author Paul_Short
        Originally Posted by Marianne Gonne View Post

        Now this is an intriguing thread.

        Here's my input:
        The Century Of Self Part 1 (of 4) Happiness Machines

        It's a 4-hour BBC documentary called "The Century of the Self" about how corporations and governments use Freudian thinking to control the masses, and asks the deeper questions about the roots of our consumerism.

        Who has the inclination to watch an intense 4-hour documentary? I'd wager 99.9% of people on this forum wouldn't. But it just might interest the .1% who really want to understand human psychology, mind control and mass manipulation. Because - for better and worse - that's valuable information. And not just for business purposes.

        (And as for some of the more, shall we say, conspiracist aspects of this thread: "Just because you're paranoid, doesn't mean they're not after you.")
        Thanks Marianne, I hadn't seen that video series before. Bookmarked!! :-)

        Paul

        PS to people who judge based on statistics, this is how you give thanks, by taking the time to write them a personal note. *zing!*
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        • Profile picture of the author Qamar
          Everyone are leaders on their own right. And every leaders are accountable for whom they lead.

          One can be a leader at home but a follower at the working place. A respectable leader at a big company yet only a follower when at home. This is how the world operates. Not everyone are born leaders.

          If everyone wants to be a leader than who's going to be the follower? If everyone wants to be an architect than who's going to stack the bricks?

          In every war the general will be the leader and the soldiers will be his followers. Soldiers will have to obey the instruction of their general or else they face punishments. That's how the battle field operates.

          Imagine if every soldiers exercise their own free thinking in a battle field, would a civilization ever exist? I doubt so.

          To me there is nothing wrong of being a follower provided the things/teachings that are being taught are logical, enriching his knowledge and can also contribute for the betterment of his future. As a matter of fact it is the right thing to do.

          It will only be wrong if a follower choose to follow the wrong leader.

          So How can we know whether or not a leader is wrong?

          Well that's where the power of human's reasoning comes in.
          This reasoning power is inherent in every humans, use them! Use them to the fullest possible.

          If it is clear cut that they are being led into the hell pit by the leader, than why follow? If they are too stupid or lazy to use their reasoning power, then the onus is on them.

          On the other hand , If a follower choose only to follow his/her "self" in everything they does, I am quite positive that they are taking the route to disaster.

          Because the "self" always thought that it is them who are only right while others are wrong.


          Qamar
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    • Profile picture of the author Meharis
      Originally Posted by Sarah Harvey View Post

      Well with 5002 posts on this forum, you'd wonder what products you bring out?

      I wish I had all the time in the world too.
      Your signature reads: My Annoying and very real Marketing blog. "I am Eternal"
      I don't know about your marketing but, your posting certainly is very Annoying...
      Regarding "I am Eternal", well I hope you change your style, otherwise will be a
      real pain around here.
      Next time you could try "doing your home work" before opening your mouth
      and/or posting at this Forum.
      Meharis
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  • Profile picture of the author bravo75
    Wow, the penny has finally dropped. Now I know how Frank Kern does it.
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  • Profile picture of the author jasonmorgan
    Could you convert this into a PDF for me? I'd be happy to buy it as a WSO to cover your time an expenses.
    Signature

    I'm all about that bass.

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    • Profile picture of the author Paul_Short
      Originally Posted by jasonmorgan View Post

      Could you convert this into a PDF for me? I'd be happy to buy it as a WSO to cover your time an expenses.
      rofl! I was wondering when someone would pop in and say that :-)
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      • Profile picture of the author AdamSlade88
        Dont you mean we are "sheeple"?

        I agree with what you say. We are being programmed & conditioned since we were born to be followers and not leaders. Why is it that the top 10% of the population are financially free? because the 10% make their money from the 90%
        Signature
        "All Achievements, All Earned Riches Have Their Beginning in an Idea"
        Napolean Hill
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  • Profile picture of the author profitsforall
    This post probably just positioned you as an authority figure for outing all those authority figures that are using our inbuilt tendency to follow against us.

    Unless that was your intention
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  • Profile picture of the author Ernie Lo
    Paul marvelous post, claps for you! I'm one of the few people on this forum who "get you" and watch people like Alex Jones, Gerald Celente and other regularly.

    It's a big bad evil world out there and it's a shame that 99% of people are clueless, brain dead sheep but thats how it goes I guess.
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    • Profile picture of the author profitsforall
      Originally Posted by Ernie Lonardo View Post

      Paul marvelous post, claps for you! I'm one of the few people on this forum who "get you" and watch people like Alex Jones, Gerald Celente and other regularly.

      It's a big bad evil world out there and it's a shame that 99% of people are clueless, brain dead sheep but thats how it goes I guess.
      So you have your authority figures to follow just like everyone else.
      Are you really in the 1% you consider enlightened, or are you as blinkered as everyone else.
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      • Profile picture of the author Ernie Lo
        Originally Posted by profitsforall View Post

        So you have your authority figures to follow just like everyone else.
        Are you really in the 1% you consider enlightened, or are you as blinkered as everyone else.
        I doubt I'm blinkered to be honest. I agree that you should never "follow" anyone to the point where you agree with 100% what they say but I've always gone down the "be different" path and so far it's served me very well.

        Infact thats one of my strengths I believe, being a good judge of character and spotting BS about the way us humans think and live and being able to go down my own path.

        People think I'm crazy though
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        • Profile picture of the author paulie888
          Originally Posted by Ernie Lonardo View Post

          I doubt I'm blinkered to be honest. I agree that you should never "follow" anyone to the point where you agree with 100% what they say but I've always gone down the "be different" path and so far it's served me very well.

          Infact thats one of my strengths I believe, being a good judge of character and spotting BS about the way us humans think and live and being able to go down my own path.

          People think I'm crazy though
          Ernie, there's also no hard and fast rule that you have to agree with everything that an authority figure espouses.

          Someone who's intelligent and not overly "blinkered" can and should be able to filter what a leader teaches, and extract only the salient and relevant points for himself, instead of buying into everything wholesale.
          Signature
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  • Profile picture of the author Steadyon
    Dear Paul_Short,

    Having filtered out the various tenuous ideas you have mangled up, there is some good common sense in amongst it.

    The key thing being that each person needs to take more individual responsibility for their own success.

    By the way, it appears you don't have a very high opinion of people in general, or don't recognise it when someone helps you.

    Why do I think this?

    Well, it is because you have made over 2,700 posts in the past. So obviously you have spent a lot of time on the forum at some point. Yet, you have never felt the need to click the Thanks button for anything.

    Just a factual observation.

    That immediately creates a slightly altered impression that I may not otherwise have had.

    Take that or leave it, but it is kinda strange in my eyes.
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    • Profile picture of the author profitsforall
      Originally Posted by Steadyon View Post

      Dear Paul_Short,

      Having filtered out the various tenuous ideas you have mangled up, there is some good common sense in amongst it.

      The key thing being that each person needs to take more individual responsibility for their own success.

      By the way, it appears you don't have a very high opinion of people in general, or don't recognise it when someone helps you.

      Why do I think this?

      Well, it is because you have made over 2,700 posts in the past. So obviously you have spent a lot of time on the forum at some point. Yet, you have never felt the need to click the Thanks button for anything.

      Just a factual observation.

      That immediately creates a slightly altered impression that I may not otherwise have had.

      Take that or leave it, but it is kinda strange in my eyes.
      Wow - second post to mention post counts.

      Post count and number of thanks given out is a statistic, not a meaningful way of determining the quality of a Poster.
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      • Profile picture of the author Steadyon
        Originally Posted by profitsforall View Post

        Wow - second post to mention post counts.

        Post count and number of thanks given out is a statistic, not a meaningful way of determining the quality of a Poster.

        I disagree.

        Statistics (at least ones honestly recorded, unlike most government ones) are meant to provide some information.

        So in other words, all statistics create an impression in the mind, whether factual or not, based on those statistics.

        Post count, Thanks given, Thanks received, as well as post content, all add up together to paint a picture. That is all. Even if this is an incorrect picture.
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      • Profile picture of the author sal64
        So if I purchase multiple products from a guru, does that make me a sheep? Or is it because their products are actually helpful to my business?

        Powerful message? Not really.
        Signature
        Internet Marketing: 20% Internet - 80% Marketing!
        You Won't See The Light Until You Open Your Eyes.
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        • Profile picture of the author paulie888
          Originally Posted by sal64 View Post

          So if I purchase multiple products from a guru, does that make me a sheep? Or is it because their products are actually helpful to my business?

          Powerful message? Not really.
          Not necessarily, I'd think it'd be dependent on your individual circumstances and scenario. If you're in a position to benefit from a guru's products and advice, I see nothing wrong in taking it.

          There are no hard and fast rules here, and the last thing anyone should do is be rebellious and contrarian just for the sake of being different.
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        • Profile picture of the author Paul_Short
          Originally Posted by sal64 View Post

          So if I purchase multiple products from a guru, does that make me a sheep? Or is it because their products are actually helpful to my business?

          Powerful message? Not really.
          If the products help you in your business then of course you're not a sheep for buying them.

          Example: If I bought a MacBook Pro because it's a good quality computer and it helps me in my business, or even because I think MBPs are nice looking machines, that's cool.

          But if I buy that computer because I secretly want a bromance with Steve Jobs because he's my Idol and I'd do anything he says... then that's baaaa baaaaaad.

          It's not hard to make the distinction.

          Paul

          Disclaimer: I do NOT have a secret crush on Steve Jobs, no matter what anyone tries to tell you.
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          • Profile picture of the author paulie888
            Originally Posted by Paul_Short View Post

            If the products help you in your business then of course you're not a sheep for buying them.

            Example: If I bought a MacBook Pro because it's a good quality computer and it helps me in my business, or even because I think MBPs are nice looking machines, that's cool.

            But if I buy that computer because I secretly want a bromance with Steve Jobs because he's my Idol and I'd do anything he says... then that's baaaa baaaaaad.

            It's not hard to make the distinction.

            Paul

            Disclaimer: I do NOT have a secret crush on Steve Jobs, no matter what anyone tries to tell you.
            Paul, you definitely brought up a very pertinent example here, as Steve Jobs seems to have cultivated an almost messianic quality that resonates with the Apple fanboys who worship him unconditionally.

            I feel that has played a huge part in Apple's meteoric rise to success over the last few years, starting with the iPod, progressing to the iPhone, and now culminating in iPad mania that seems to know no end.

            I have personally talked to some of these fanboys who seem to think that Steve (and Apple) can do absolutely no wrong, and will blindly snap up any products that are released by them. He's been able to develop a cult-like following of sheeple that will blindly believe and buy anything that they're told to buy, and of course this has resulted in astounding and unequaled sales for Apple.

            Paul
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            • Profile picture of the author Paul_Short
              Originally Posted by paulie888 View Post

              Paul, you definitely brought up a very pertinent example here, as Steve Jobs seems to have cultivated an almost messianic quality that resonates with the Apple fanboys who worship him unconditionally.

              I feel that has played a huge part in Apple's meteoric rise to success over the last few years, starting with the iPod, progressing to the iPhone, and now culminating in iPad mania that seems to know no end.

              I have personally talked to some of these fanboys who seem to think that Steve (and Apple) can do absolutely no wrong, and will blindly snap up any products that are released by them. He's been able to develop a cult-like following of sheeple that will blindly believe and buy anything that they're told to buy, and of course this has resulted in astounding and unequaled sales for Apple.

              Paul
              I wholeheartedly agree, Paul.

              Steve Jobs is without a doubt one of the modern day masters at nurturing a cult following.

              Paul
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        • Profile picture of the author K. Rondo
          Here's a slightly altered quote from a well known, but deeply
          misunderstood, philosopher who can get the point across
          better than i.

          Obviously, this doesn't apply to everyone because many haven't,
          and never will, ask the question, "for what?"



          The [philosophical] question "for what?" is rooted in the old habit of supposing
          that the goal must be put up, given, demanded from outside--by some
          [external] authority (ex. little green men).

          Having unlearned faith in that, one still follows the old habit and seeks another
          authority that can speak unconditionally and command goals and tasks.

          The authority of conscience now steps up front [...]. Or the authority of reason.
          Or the social instinct (the herd). Or history with an immanent spirit and a goal
          within, so that one can entrust oneself to it.

          One wants to get around the will [dominant drive(s)], the willing of a goal,
          the risk of positing a goal for oneself; one wants to rid oneself of the responsibility.
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        • Profile picture of the author Online Bliss
          dozens of people posted replies and literally begged me to convert my post into a .PDF and sell it to them as a WSO, after I had already posted the info for free.

          Some people can learn all by themselves and not go to College.
          However some need structure.
          And of course some just try everything and think that by paying for it
          there will be a shortcut to success, but they never act on it so it doesn't happen.

          Great post Thanks.
          Signature
          You've got it Made
          with the Guy in the Shades!
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    • Profile picture of the author Paul_Short
      Originally Posted by Steadyon View Post

      Dear Paul_Short,

      Having filtered out the various tenuous ideas you have mangled up, there is some good common sense in amongst it.

      The key thing being that each person needs to take more individual responsibility for their own success.

      By the way, it appears you don't have a very high opinion of people in general, or don't recognise it when someone helps you.

      Why do I think this?

      Well, it is because you have made over 2,700 posts in the past. So obviously you have spent a lot of time on the forum at some point. Yet, you have never felt the need to click the Thanks button for anything.

      Just a factual observation.

      That immediately creates a slightly altered impression that I may not otherwise have had.

      Take that or leave it, but it is kinda strange in my eyes.
      When I left the forum a few years ago, it was running on a different software platform than it is now and that platform didn't have a thanks button. So your assessment about my opinion of people or my appreciation for them taking part in discussions with me is pure speculation, but that's ok.

      Thanks for alerting me to the importance of the thanks button. I will make more use of it from now on.

      Paul
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  • Profile picture of the author AFI
    As my father used to tell me all the time:
    "There are those who lead and there are those who follow. There are those who make things happen, those who let things happen and then there are those who wonder what happened."

    Good advice I'd say.
    Signature

    Learn about Internet Marketing from my dofollow comment blog.....Make Extra Money At Home...
    I WILL BUILD YOU YOUR OWN CUSTOM AMAZON REVIEW SITE - HUNDREDS SOLD!
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  • Profile picture of the author jasonmorgan
    Signature

    I'm all about that bass.

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  • Profile picture of the author StanleyOnline
    WOW...pretty deep stuff.....I truly belief in everything you say..I've been trying to "re-program" my brain from all that brainwash in my life for the past year...so yea I deeply understand your point..
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  • Profile picture of the author eQuus
    Leaders and followers are mostly born not made. My neighbor is the head nurse at a maternity ward, and she once told me the nurses could tell if the newborn is a lion (or a lioness) or a sheep just by looking at them.
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  • Profile picture of the author Andyhenry
    Hey Paul,

    Great to see you around and posting again.

    It's funny but I was thinking about this just this morning while on my daily coffee and book time (that seems to be most of the time now )

    I'm not going to get into the NWO stuff but I have been following things for a while and the problem-reaction-solution activities are pretty scary.

    As for the 'need' for answers I think that what's happening in IM reflects life in general and I've tried to wake people up about it for a while now but run into so much resistance that sometimes I wonder if I'm wasting my time.

    The issue is the same one that philosophers and thinkers have in the past referred to as 'the tortured mind' - the inherent problem of human existence.

    Man has always asked "what is the meaning?" or "what is life about?" and looked externally for answers.

    He sees the confusion of life, the brutalities, the revolts, the divisions of religion, ideology and nationality and asks what is one supposed to do?

    As part of living we take our measurement of what is the 'right' way to behave or the 'right' way to think from our family, friends, environment, community, religion etc. and we become programmed in our responses.

    We get spoon-fed our reality and we ask "tell me what is out there, what lies beyond the horizon?" and we end up living a 2nd hand life based on what others tell us is reality.

    Is it any wonder then that we develop a habit of expecting our answers to come from 'trusted sources' rather than our own experiences?

    The problem is - as can be seen in IM constantly - what people are really looking for is a system for how to live rather than to live. Searching for other peoples answers is substituted for finding our own answers.

    So rather than create our own future and experience our own truths - we're happily taking someone else's reality in its place and kidding ourselves it's the same thing.

    This causes a huge problem - ultimately we're not living true to ourselves and even if we make someone else's system successful and make money - we end up feeling like we haven't made our own success on our terms.

    It's easy when you're struggling to think that this is just a mental exercise reserved for people who have the luxury of not being desperate, but in fact it's the same for everyone, if you want true success you need to create your own version of it.

    Sure you can model what works for others - within the context of how it applies to your own journey.

    As soon as you want all the answers from other people - you're starting out on a road that only leads to one place - frustration or emptyness.

    Andy
    Signature

    nothing to see here.

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    • Profile picture of the author Paul_Short
      Stellar post, Andy, and thanks for the welcome back :-)

      I'm tempted to steal that reply and use it as my own... oh, wait... nevermind ;-)

      Originally Posted by Andyhenry View Post

      Hey Paul,

      Great to see you around and posting again.

      It's funny but I was thinking about this just this morning while on my daily coffee and book time (that seems to be most of the time now )

      I'm not going to get into the NWO stuff but I have been following things for a while and the problem-reaction-solution activities are pretty scary.

      As for the 'need' for answers I think that what's happening in IM reflects life in general and I've tried to wake people up about it for a while now but run into so much resistance that sometimes I wonder if I'm wasting my time.

      The issue is the same one that philosophers and thinkers have in the past referred to as 'the tortured mind' - the inherent problem of human existence.

      Man has always asked "what is the meaning?" or "what is life about?" and looked externally for answers.

      He sees the confusion of life, the brutalities, the revolts, the divisions of religion, ideology and nationality and asks what is one supposed to do?

      As part of living we take our measurement of what is the 'right' way to behave or the 'right' way to think from our family, friends, environment, community, religion etc. and we become programmed in our responses.

      We get spoon-fed our reality and we ask "tell me what is out there, what lies beyond the horizon?" and we end up living a 2nd hand life based on what others tell us is reality.

      Is it any wonder then that we develop a habit of expecting our answers to come from 'trusted sources' rather than our own experiences?

      The problem is - as can be seen in IM constantly - what people are really looking for is a system for how to live rather than to live. Searching for other peoples answers is substituted for finding our own answers.

      So rather than create our own future and experience our own truths - we're happily taking someone else's reality in its place and kidding ourselves it's the same thing.

      This causes a huge problem - ultimately we're not living true to ourselves and even if we make someone else's system successful and make money - we end up feeling like we haven't made our own success on our terms.

      It's easy when you're struggling to think that this is just a mental exercise reserved for people who have the luxury of not being desperate, but in fact it's the same for everyone, if you want true success you need to create your own version of it.

      Sure you can model what works for others - within the context of how it applies to your own journey.

      As soon as you want all the answers from other people - you're starting out on a road that only leads to one place - frustration or emptyness.

      Andy
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  • Profile picture of the author Martin Luxton
    Paul, I want to follow you!












    What's your Twitter address?


    Martin
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  • Profile picture of the author StanleyOnline
    wow..pretty deep stuff..i truly belief in what you say...ive been trying to "re-program" my brain from all the garbage i was thought....thanks for this valuable info!
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    • Profile picture of the author Roaddog
      Originally Posted by Steadyon
      By the way, it appears you don't have a very high opinion of people in general, or don't recognize it when someone helps you.

      Why do I think this?

      Well, it is because you have made over 2,700 posts in the past. So obviously you have spent a lot of time on the forum at some point. Yet, you have never felt the need to click the Thanks button for anything.
      I wouldn't expect thanks or congratulations, when you think for yourself,
      in fact expect quite the opposite.




      [/QUOTE]
      But we as human adults have the ability to make conscious decisions. We can learn behavior and act/react accordingly. As adults, however, saying that you did or didn't do something that you have full control over and attributing your actions to "human nature" is a cop-out. It's a way of not taking responsibility for your own actions.[/quote]It is a learned and earned to take control over oneself. And not everyone achieves or for that matter deserves it.

      If it's human nature to blindly follow the leader when it's obvious you're being led to an undesirable situation, what about the leader who is also human? Why doesn't the leader fall victim to human nature? Is s/he not human as well?
      See above

      The fact is, everyone has the ability to determine their own fate to varying degrees. Yes, there are many situations where you can't because of external factors and influences, like if you have a physical or mental imparement, or you live in a communist country, but saying something is human nature is like saying "I ran up my credit card debt and can't pay now because it's human nature to want things I can't afford." Or, "this big bad guru sold me an expensive crap coaching program and took advantage of me because it's human nature for me to follow leaders."

      I'm not buying it for one minute.
      Not buying what?
      That there will always be leaders and always be followers?



      One compliments the other.

      Up rests on down
      light on dark
      To paraphrase Lao Tsu

      You know why he wrote that book, because he wasn't a follower

      If you didn't have followers you wouldn't need leaders.
      If you didn't need leaders you wouldn't have followers.

      What is it your trying to say, that your omnipotent.
      When you can come and levitate across my front lawn, I will buy any product you have.

      (Same thing I tell the people that knock on my door early Saturday morn.)


      You can compare humans to the internet. There are bits of info all over. no one site has the magic button. Yet it is all linked together.

      There are PEOPLE that at this very moment, far beyond internet marketing, that are trying to figure out how to harness one of the most powerful mediums of control ever invented to harness all the sheep. So in that respect I agree with you, that it is more important than ever to think for ones self.

      You know I was starting to write a lot of stuff I just deleted, because the underlying meaning of this post is the two things you don't talk about in bars.

      And if I continued on, this thread could well last for...

      centuries


      p.s.
      I know the that your sitting there with a smile because your getting the reaction that you wanted, from some of the posters.
      Just wanted you to know that I know,

      All in good fun

      Jim
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      • Profile picture of the author JohnMcCabe
        It is a learned and earned to take control over oneself. And not everyone achieves or for that matter deserves it.
        As I mentioned earlier, to take control over oneself is to also take responsibility over the outcome. Realizing that only you can truly be responsible for your decisions and their effects is both very freeing and quite chilling to some. By assuming that level of power, you put yourself on an island alone, and that can be a very lonely and frightening place.

        To quote V.M. Smith in "Stranger in a Strange Land"...

        Thou Art God.
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        • Profile picture of the author Roaddog
          Originally Posted by JohnMcCabe View Post

          As I mentioned earlier, to take control over oneself is to also take responsibility over the outcome. Realizing that only you can truly be responsible for your decisions and their effects is both very freeing and quite chilling to some. By assuming that level of power, you put yourself on an island alone, and that can be a very lonely and frightening place.

          Lonely is the head that wears the crown. - Some freakin philosopher I'm to lazy to look up at the moment

          To quote V.M. Smith in "Stranger in a Strange Land"...

          Thou Art God
          Exactly, if you get there. Its a journey back to ones self that most will never reach.

          Guess where he got that from?

          Has 5 letters and starts with a B

          People should read for themselves ( speaking about sheep listening to middle management), more people should go to the sources of things and find out for themselves. Some would be amazed.

          And just to clarify, I am not into just one view of theology and or philosophy.

          You study all, and when things become redundant, (a common denominator) , if you will, then you are starting to learn.

          Same way I have learned alot in IM, to see the redundancy in a lot of rehashed products.

          You may all leave the Temple now grasshoppers

          I am going to go study my navel now.


          Jim
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          • Profile picture of the author Dennis Gaskill
            This is one of the most interesting threads I've seen in a long time. Thanks, Paul.

            Originally Posted by Paul_Short View Post

            Think about that. Think hard. We have an inherent need to seek outside guidance rather than use our own minds to look for guidance within ourselves. Even when the answers to our questions are slapping us in the face, we ignore the painful reality of having to use our own brains and look beyond for someone to teach us those answers.
            This is something I've written about many times in various contexts. People are afraid of failure, not realizing failures are simply learning bridges we cross on the road to success. Abdicating their power to make decisions is a way to avoid responsibility for those decisions, and hence to protect the ego. The ego, which should be our servant, has become master to many for lack of training.

            Guess what happened - dozens of people posted replies and literally begged me to convert my post into a .PDF and sell it to them as a WSO, after I had already posted the info for free.

            Hundreds bought the product and I made thousands of dollars.
            That's funny. You could still make a killing today despite the prevalence of the "freebie" mindset, simply because so many are unwilling to do their own research and TRUST in their own judgment. It's quite the conundrum for many would-be marketers, isn't it? They are trying to be followers in a field where real success requires a more than average capacity for self-determination.

            Look around you with an open mind and you'll see how people elevate themselves into leadership roles to gain money and power over you.
            And...when you learn to recognize this phenomena based on evidence (as opposed to the conspiracy mentality that creates evidence based on a pre-existing biases) you start seeing it in many different venues.

            Great stuff, Paul.

            Originally Posted by Roaddog View Post

            I essentially agree with this, but there is a gap in the logic. We all at one time or another have been, and need to be followers. You can not walk into any trade, game, business, or life and be an instant expert.
            Jim, one needn't be an expert to be successful. A lack of expertise doesn't mean you need to be a follower either. I was earning a full time living online before I'd ever heard of the term "internet marketing." I just started a website (back in 1997) and tried whatever came to mind that seemed logical. I kept doing what worked and quit doing what didn't work. That's all it took. People underestimate themselves and overestimate others all the time in this business.
            Signature

            Just when you think you've got it all figured out, someone changes the rules.

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          • Profile picture of the author CDarklock
            Originally Posted by Roaddog View Post

            Has 5 letters and starts with a B
            Borneo?

            No, that's six letters.
            Signature
            "The Golden Town is the Golden Town no longer. They have sold their pillars for brass and their temples for money, they have made coins out of their golden doors. It is become a dark town full of trouble, there is no ease in its streets, beauty has left it and the old songs are gone." - Lord Dunsany, The Messengers
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            • Profile picture of the author myob
              No, Burma...............
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      • Profile picture of the author Paul_Short
        Originally Posted by Roaddog View Post

        Not buying what?
        That there will always be leaders and always be followers?
        No, that the human nature excuse is valid.

        As for the rest of your post... ;-)

        Paul
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  • Profile picture of the author Paul_Short
    @Craig Desorcy Thanks, I hadn't seen that video before either.

    @Martin Luxton LOL, I dumped my Twitter account a few months back because I had over 5000 people stalking me, a few of which took it upon themselves to alert authorities and say I was somehow a threat to the national security of several countries in the European Union. I'm not kidding.
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    • Profile picture of the author Martin Luxton
      Originally Posted by Paul_Short View Post

      @Martin Luxton LOL, I dumped my Twitter account a few months back because I had over 5000 people stalking me, a few of which took it upon themselves to alert authorities and say I was somehow a threat to the national security of several countries in the European Union. I'm not kidding.
      Paul,

      If you were using some of the words in your title and posts I'm not surprised if you triggered a few Google Alerts in places like Cheltenham.


      Martin
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    • Profile picture of the author Andyhenry
      Originally Posted by Paul_Short View Post

      @Craig Desorcy Thanks, I hadn't seen that video before either.

      @Martin Luxton LOL, I dumped my Twitter account a few months back because I had over 5000 people stalking me, a few of which took it upon themselves to alert authorities and say I was somehow a threat to the national security of several countries in the European Union. I'm not kidding.
      That's a shame - if you're going to be a threat - it might aswell be to the entire world rather than just Europe
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    • Profile picture of the author TrekkieGrrrl
      Originally Posted by Paul_Short View Post

      *snip* a few of which took it upon themselves to alert authorities and say I was somehow a threat to the national security of several countries in the European Union. I'm not kidding.
      Which is why we had to abduct you. Duh.

      How's your reprogramming working for ya?
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  • Profile picture of the author alcymart
    I love it! Great post, keep em coming!

    I liked escpecially 2 parts of your post Paul...

    1) At the time, I didn't really, truly understand what was happening. But now after delving into things like conspiracy theories, the psychology behind why people join and follow satanic cults, the hive mind, mental conditioning and how small groups of people pulling the strings use the results of that conditioning to rule the world uninhibited by morals or laws ... I understand.

    2) Look around you with an open mind and you'll see how people elevate themselves into leadership roles to gain money and power over you.

    Take care,

    Bernard St-Pierre
    Marketing Consultant
    Copywriter/Teacher
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    • Profile picture of the author JohnMcCabe
      First off, welcome back, Paul, and thanks for starting this thread. When I read your OP, I figured this one was headed for the dumper for turning political. I'm glad it didn't, because there's some really good stuff here.

      One thing I noticed is that a lot of people are confusing leadership with expertise or utility. You might buy multiple products from someone to learn what they know, or because you believe they know more than you about something and you trust their recommendations. But ultimately, you make your own decisions.

      That is not "following the herd" in the manner I believe Paul was talking about. Being a sheep (or sheeple) would be more akin to buying a course because Joe Gooroo told you to buy it. Several gooroos are testing their power with emails to their lists with nothing more than a link and a command to "get this now."

      Caliban raises a good point. There are spots in our lives that we do allow others to lead us because we have other things we'd rather think about. In these instances, if the herd is going in the same direction you want to go anyway, who cares who is leading?

      Lastly, many people prefer to let others do their thinking and deciding for them because deciding your own fate also means being responsible for that fate. Taking responsibility for your decisions and the results of those decisions can be a very lonely place, especially when the outcome is less than what was desired.

      It's far less painful to say "I got scammed" than it is to say "I screwed up."
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      • Profile picture of the author Andyhenry
        Originally Posted by JohnMcCabe View Post

        You might buy multiple products from someone to learn what they know, or because you believe they know more than you about something and you trust their recommendations. But ultimately, you make your own decisions.
        I sometimes buy people's products just to support them - or even just to see what their take on something is. I often buy something, realise they're just repeating existing stuff, and then delete it. But I don't ask for a refund because I actually just wondered what they thought.

        Originally Posted by JohnMcCabe View Post

        It's far less painful to say "I got scammed" than it is to say "I screwed up."
        That's the truth behind many people's reliance on others.
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  • Profile picture of the author Alex Lin
    Interesting post. Most newbies including myself feel like a chick without a head. It is hard to travel the IM journey without an advisor.
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  • Profile picture of the author shizah
    I think it's Dan Kennedy who actually recommends a book for marketing purposes that is about a cult. If I can find the info. I'll come back and post it.
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    • Profile picture of the author ExRat
      Hi,

      Various replies to various posters -

      Hi Marianne Gonne,

      I love those type of films and regularly spend four hours on them - I love the Zeitgeist series (on Google Video). A couple of quotes from Zeitgeist addendum -

      'It is no measure of health to be well adjusted to a profoundly sick society.' J. Krishmurti

      'None are more hopelessly enslaved than those who falsely believe they are free.' Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe.
      I also like stuff that helps me to think differently, more accurately, more clearly - and to be able to construct better arguments for the purpose of learning.

      Currently I find Stefan Molyneux is my favourite. His username on youtube is stefbot.

      He deals with a variety of subjects around philosophy, but if you go to his channel and click 'most viewed' or 'best rated', that is a good start. I have discussed his work with others and we often disagree with Stefan, or each other - and that's the beauty of it. 'The story of your enslavement' and the 'statism is dead' series got me hooked.

      One of Stefan's quotes from the 'enslavement' video - 'To see the farm, is to leave the farm.'

      Hi eQuus,

      Leaders and followers are mostly born not made. My neighbor is the head nurse at a maternity ward, and she once told me the nurses could tell if the newborn is a lion (or a lioness) or a sheep just by looking at them.
      So is this in line with your own findings, or are you basing your statement on what 'she once told me?'

      Hi Paul S,

      Disclaimer: I do NOT have a secret crush on Steve Jobs, no matter what anyone tries to tell you.
      Bill Gates tried to tell me that you do have a secret crush on Steve Jobs and that's why he broke up with you.

      Hi Andy H,

      ultimately we're not living true to ourselves and even if we make someone else's system successful and make money - we end up feeling like we haven't made our own success on our terms.

      It's easy when you're struggling to think that this is just a mental exercise reserved for people who have the luxury of not being desperate, but in fact it's the same for everyone, if you want true success you need to create your own version of it.
      Re-posted your quote for it's awesomeness and accuracy.

      Hi Qamar,

      If everyone wants to be a leader than who's going to be the follower?
      Good point, but it makes me want to quote another part of your comment -

      In every war the general will be the leader and the soldiers will be his followers. Soldiers will have to obey the instruction of their general or else they face punishments. That's how the battle field operates.

      Imagine if every soldiers exercise their own free thinking in a battle field, would a civilization ever exist? I doubt so.
      ...and then add -

      Some might suggest that if we encouraged every soldier (and every individual) to be more free-thinking, then we wouldn't have wars at all and would have something much more resemblant of 'civilisation.'

      What you appear to be saying is that because something is as it is right now, that's because it has to be - which is something close to the opposite of free-thinking. If there are no soldiers because there is no need for them, there is no need for any generals and if one can visualise that scenario - yes, we could all be leaders.

      It's worth remembering that many of the situations which we take for granted nowadays that require leaders and followers - where that situation occurs nowadays through free choice - they often originate from a situation where the followers were made to be followers by force.

      I believe that by understanding this, we make better choices now, about whether to become 'followers' of particular things or not.

      Hi Sarah Harvey,

      Well with 5002 posts on this forum, you'd wonder what products you bring out?

      I wish I had all the time in the world too.
      Keep reading and learning here and one day your wish may come true too! Search the forum for 'passive income'.
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      • Profile picture of the author Andyhenry
        Originally Posted by ExRat View Post

        Some might suggest that if we encouraged every soldier (and every individual) to be more free-thinking, then we wouldn't have wars and would have something much more resmblant of 'civilisation.'
        This is a common issue.

        I was in the military for 14 years so I've seen this from several angles and while I'm not sure I can communicate my thoughts effectively right now (I'm in a rush as I'm about to go out) I can tell you that in my experience (of many years and of a bunch of leadership training courses........

        The whole is usually much better served by letting the individuals excel and combining their efforts than by trying to make them all fit into a rigid structure.

        A soccer team is a good example of this - Yes it's vital that you play as a team, however you need to let the individuals shine in their own way - if your star striker prefers to shoot with his left foot - you place him and feed him accordingly to emphasise his strengths so that his part in the team is even more rewarding.
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        • Profile picture of the author ExRat
          Hi Andy,

          I agree with your point and I think I get how it ties in with my response to Qamar. Another way of putting what I am saying is that in response to their point -

          Soldiers will have to obey the instruction of their general or else they face punishments. That's how the battle field operates.
          I am suggesting that the arguments supporting the validity of this approach are simply a method of programming soldiers to believe that this is the best way for the whole unit to succeed, in order that those soldiers believe that their personal sacrifice is a noble action for the cause. When in truth, I believe that there is no possible scenario where violence is the best solution, therefore all war is by it's nature, the opposite of noble at it's core.

          The individuals may take individual noble actions, but those actions are on behalf of a leader who's cause is not noble.
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        • Profile picture of the author Steven Wagenheim
          Paul, your OP is living proof that your presence here has been sorely missed.

          There is no way for me to follow it, or any of the incredibly deep replies
          with anything that will add any real value to this conversation because as
          I said in another thread, I left deep thinking behind when I hit 53.

          But I have never been a follower. Maybe I'm an odd ball but I've always
          marched to the banging of my own drums. When I started IM, I initially looked
          for some "how to guides" but when I quickly discovered that there was a lot
          of dreck out there, I said screw it and started looking for my own answers.

          I do so many things that most people would say are "not by the book" such
          as 1997 style sales pages, PDFs without cool formatting and on and on,
          that you'd have to wonder how I make anything at all.

          Honestly, I don't know. All I know is that I've always had a pretty good
          understanding of what makes people tick and have used that understanding
          to tap into whatever marketplace I'm targeting.

          It isn't rocket science. It isn't even hard. You simply need to drag your
          butt out of bed in the morning and do it.

          It isn't the X's and O's that makes a person successful (list building,
          article marketing, PPC, whatever). It's what I call the X Factor. And the
          sad part is, nobody can teach it to you. It's something that you have
          to feel within. It's a sense of knowing what's right, based on a little
          common sense and a lot of living, and just doing it.

          Simple things like courtesy.

          How many home business owners are just flat out rude?

          Do you not think that there are going to be people who won't want to do
          business with them?

          I think a bigger problem than being a sheep is being a fox in a hen house,
          killing all the chickens and thinking nobody is going to mind.

          We don't live in a bubble. Everything we do, and I do mean everything,
          affects our business and our lives. Some things have a small effect. Some
          have a greater effect.

          Some (look up Joe Kumar) can literally destroy our careers.

          I'd rather be a sheep who at least does the right thing than a bull who
          has just destroyed all the China in the shop.

          I try to live my life by one philosophy.

          Do right by people.

          Some will thank you, some won't even notice. Some will hate you anyway.

          You will never make everybody happy. I'm sure even Mother Theresa had
          her enemies.

          Paul, you're obviously one very bright bulb (seems to be a thing with Paul's
          around here) and I am really looking forward to what you will have to share
          with this forum.

          Yes...you have been missed.
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  • Profile picture of the author Caleb Spilchen

    Oh, not at all. I quoted your post because you were sticking up for him (and rightfully so) and added my own hat-tip to yours. :-)
    That's what I thought ;-)

    Caleb
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    Canadian Expat Living in Medellin, Colombia

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  • Profile picture of the author BionicMan1973
    This was very impelling and knowledgeable.I FEEL YOU!!!I would rather,to make my own decisions,and create a path for myself,than letting someone tell me what I NEED TO DO.
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  • Profile picture of the author Perseus Shearer
    I don't see the harm in duplicating some else's strategies - if it works for them, why can't it work for you? The mark of a creative person is to change the idea/strategy up; make it your own.
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    • Profile picture of the author BionicMan1973
      Originally Posted by Perseus Shearer View Post

      I don't see the harm in duplicating some else's strategies - if it works for them, why can't it work for you? The mark of a creative person is to change the idea/strategy up; make it your own.
      We all have to learn ,from someone else.They was the driving force to create,so you can still do the same,but add your own little flavor to it.
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  • Profile picture of the author Marvin Johnston
    Originally Posted by Paul_Short View Post

    We're all sheep who have been conditioned since birth to look to authority figures for guidance in all aspects of our lives.
    Look around you with an open mind and you'll see how people elevate themselves into leadership roles to gain money and power over you.

    *****

    The internet marketing industry is in ruins! The tyrants have taken over and the ruling elite has been treating us like cattle being led to the slaughter so we're all yelling "Something needs to be done, someone please help us!"

    *****

    People. Start thinking for yourselves. Realize and accept the fact that you don't need to look to a higher power for guidance. Break out of that mindset, become a free, independant individual and you'll never fall under someone else's spell again. Do things for yourselves and you'll never be taken advantage of again. If "Something needs to be done" do it, don't wait for someone else to tell you what you need to do.


    What I wrote above is powerful and I know deep down that very few, if any of you will truly understand or even want to take your future into your own hands... and that in itself is also powerful, to the right person - the person who sees opportunities where others feel helpless ;-)
    I can see you don't really have many opinions ... try getting one sometime .

    As I read though the responses, it was fascinating to see the comments that looked more like spam (not talking about the welcome back posts) ... or me too posts (and that is funny given your post) in that they really didn't say anything useful to address your OP. And this tendency appears to be a cultural thing, both here on the WF and in society in general.

    Why? I don't know. But I do see people being trained as sheep. Sam Carpenter wrote a great piece called "Getting naked - Conditioning for Compliance" that expresses the same thought albeit a bit more strongly with respect to the TSA here in the US.

    An story I heard some time ago expresses the ideas clearly ... at least to those that can think . Some marketing people were in a cab in NYC talking about marketing (surprise.) The cab driver overheard them and commented something to the effect that marketing just didn't work.

    Oooohhhh?

    I don't remember how the conversation shifted, but in response to something, the cab driver said he used Dentyne gum because he really didn't have time to brush his teeth between meals.

    I think your OP is starting to identify some problem areas. At some point we need to stop identifying and start doing. Of course we all know that too.

    Marvin
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  • Profile picture of the author Paul_Short
    Now this is the type of Warriorforum thread I LOVE! Very enlightening stuff.

    @ExRat: Roger, for the record, I broke up with Bill.
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    • Profile picture of the author ExRat
      Hi Paul,

      Roger, for the record, I broke up with Bill.
      Well you would say that - you said the same thing when Mark Zuckerberg dumped you. I know - Sergey Brin told me when we were on our honeymoon.

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    • Profile picture of the author Michael Shook
      It is easy to follow somene when they convince you that they are saying what you are thinking.

      One of the hardest things I have found in my few years of teaching and counseling is to help people understand that their choices are theirs to make.

      If it is their choice to follow someone around, then that is their choice. And even stranger, if you are the person who convinces other people that they are in charge of making their own decisions, are they not following you.
      (not you in the Paul Short sense, but you as a generalized pronoun)

      It is my belief that we live in a marketing world. In the sense that there seem to be a great deal of messages we receive in a day trying to convince us to make particular sets of decisions with a particular set of choices which others are perfectly willing to define for us.

      I saw a cool video on TED by Sheena Iyengar about making choices.

      The Art of Choosing Video

      I suspect that making choices that are defined by others is at the crux of many marketing campaigns.
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      • Profile picture of the author Paul_Short
        Originally Posted by JMichaelZ View Post

        It is easy to follow somene when they convince you that they are saying what you are thinking.

        One of the hardest things I have found in my few years of teaching and counseling is to help people understand that their choices are theirs to make.

        If it is their choice to follow someone around, then that is their choice. And even stranger, if you are the person who convinces other people that they are in charge of making their own decisions, are they not following you.
        (not you in the Paul Short sense, but you as a generalized pronoun)

        It is my belief that we live in a marketing world. In the sense that there seem to be a great deal of messages we receive in a day trying to convince us to make particular sets of decisions with a particular set of choices which others are perfectly willing to define for us.

        I saw a cool video on TED by Sheena Iyengar about making choices.

        The Art of Choosing Video

        I suspect that making choices that are defined by others is at the crux of many marketing campaigns.
        Michael, you brought up a great point in your reply and it touches on the real reason I wrote my original post from the standpoint I did.

        I wrote it so that the reader would have to think for themselves in order to find the real answers.

        ...but if Paul is saying we should not follow others, isn't he saying that if we follow his premise we are really following him?

        It's a conundrum, isn't it?

        Who do I follow? Who do I listen to? Who do I look to for guidance in this situation?

        The real answer is they have to think for themselves if they want to find the answer.

        And thanks for the video link. I can't get enough of this kind of thing.

        --

        To everyone - Imagine if I had written the exact same post from a different stance. Imagine if I had said it this way:

        These people do not think for themselves. They do not realize or accept the fact that they don't need to look to a higher power for guidance. They cannot be allowed to break out of that mindset, become a free, independant individual and need to be kept under our spell. They don't do things for themselves and we can take advantage of them again and again. If "Something needs to be done" they will wait for us to tell them what they need to do and we will profit from them whenever we want.
        Instead of the way I did:

        People. Start thinking for yourselves. Realize and accept the fact that you don't need to look to a higher power for guidance. Break out of that mindset, become a free, independant individual and you'll never fall under someone else's spell again. Do things for yourselves and you'll never be taken advantage of again. If "Something needs to be done" do it, don't wait for someone else to tell you what you need to do.
        Chilling, isn't it?

        I bet the outcome of the thread would have been a whole different story than it is right now. I bet the vast majority who read it would have elevated me to that leadership role as a mind control and manipulation guru again, because I would have been talking about how WE can manipulate THEM by becoming THEIR leaders.

        Muahaha!

        Paul

        PS - Conversations like the one in my modified 'chilling' quote above go on all the time in IM circles. I know as fact. I've sat in on dozens of them.
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        • Profile picture of the author Andyhenry
          Originally Posted by Paul_Short View Post


          The real answer is they have to think for themselves if they want to find the answer.
          As long as they're not thinking for themselves just because you told them too.

          It really is a crazy world we live in, and you could say that the deeper you look, the crazier it gets - especially when you open your mind just enough to not take the news at face value when it doesn't make sense and ask yourself "in what situation DOES this make sense?" because in many cases the truth is out there, it's just burried below the headlines that contain only fiction in order to give you the version of events someone wants you to have (the first version always sticks best so they're very quick to give you one right away).

          On the other hand - since our world is created by our mind and we really only see what we believe and what we already are - if the world is a crazy place perhaps the only place to change it is inside.
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          • Profile picture of the author CDarklock
            Originally Posted by Andyhenry View Post

            if the world is a crazy place perhaps the only place to change it is inside.
            Cultivate an attitude of perpetual amusement.

            If everything we see amuses us, maybe we won't be so depressed all the time.
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            "The Golden Town is the Golden Town no longer. They have sold their pillars for brass and their temples for money, they have made coins out of their golden doors. It is become a dark town full of trouble, there is no ease in its streets, beauty has left it and the old songs are gone." - Lord Dunsany, The Messengers
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          • Profile picture of the author Roaddog
            See, I could only think of Borneo, Bristol, and Belize. But none of them are five letters; they're six, six, and six...

            EDIT: Aaaaaaand I ruin the joke by being too stupid to realise that Bristol is seven letters until AFTER the message is posted.
            NOW that's funny original thinking.

            You know nowadays ya just never know who's going to get bent out of shape because of semantics.
            So I erred on the side of caution.

            And the word is.......Billy

            He got it from Billy

            Mystery solved:rolleyes:

            Jim
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            • Profile picture of the author CDarklock
              Originally Posted by Roaddog View Post

              He got it from Billy
              BILLY MAYS, THAT IS; THE IDEAS OF BILLY MAYS ARE ETERNAL AND WILL NEVER BE COMPLETELY WASHED AWAY FROM THE PUBLIC CONSCIOUSNESS... NOT EVEN WITH OXY-CLEAN.
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              "The Golden Town is the Golden Town no longer. They have sold their pillars for brass and their temples for money, they have made coins out of their golden doors. It is become a dark town full of trouble, there is no ease in its streets, beauty has left it and the old songs are gone." - Lord Dunsany, The Messengers
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  • Profile picture of the author John Henderson
    Originally Posted by Paul_Short View Post

    We're all sheep who have been conditioned since birth to look to authority figures for guidance in all aspects of our lives.

    Think about that. Think hard. We have an inherent need to seek outside guidance rather than use our own minds to look for guidance within ourselves. Even when the answers to our questions are slapping us in the face, we ignore the painful reality of having to use our own brains and look beyond for someone to teach us those answers.
    Fake Steve Jobs is way ahead of you here, Paul...

    Probably the biggest thing I've taught the team at Apple is that people never know what they're supposed to think about anything. This is true in Hollywood, in the book business, in the art world, in politics. And especially in technology.

    So we put out a new phone and everyone is sitting there wondering what they should think about it. What I realized many years ago -- and honestly, it still amazes me -- is that most people are so unsure of themselves that they will think whatever we tell them to think.

    So we tell people that this new phone is not just an incremental upgrade, but rather is the biggest breakthrough since the original iPhone in 2007. We say it's incredible, amazing, awesome, mind-blowing, overwhelming, magical, revolutionary. We use these words over and over.

    It's all patently ridiculous, of course. But people believe it.
    The Secret Diary of Steve Jobs : There is no spoon
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  • Profile picture of the author donhx
    Originally Posted by Paul_Short View Post


    What I wrote above is powerful and I know deep down that very few, if any of you will truly understand or even want to take your future into your own hands... and that in itself is also powerful, to the right person - the person who sees opportunities where others feel helpless ;-)

    Paul

    So, if I understand you correctly, you are perpetuating the same mythology you are ranting against?

    Can we "insiders" have a secret handshake?
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    • Profile picture of the author Michael Shook
      Originally Posted by donhx View Post

      So, if I understand you correctly, you are perpetuating the same mythology you are ranting against?

      Can we "insiders" have a secret handshake?
      I don't think Paul is ranting.

      I don't know him, but I suspect that he is not ranting at all.
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  • Profile picture of the author brandony
    Paul, nice post and insights.

    Cal, we can never please everybody. Just do the best you can do...and you obviously are.

    Caleb...right on. I think Sarah might not quite get the big picture, but at some point she may. Anyone have any products to recommend to help her over the hurdle?
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  • Profile picture of the author CDarklock
    See, I could only think of Borneo, Bristol, and Belize. But none of them are five letters; they're six, six, and six...

    EDIT: Aaaaaaand I ruin the joke by being too stupid to realise that Bristol is seven letters until AFTER the message is posted.
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    "The Golden Town is the Golden Town no longer. They have sold their pillars for brass and their temples for money, they have made coins out of their golden doors. It is become a dark town full of trouble, there is no ease in its streets, beauty has left it and the old songs are gone." - Lord Dunsany, The Messengers
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  • Profile picture of the author sal64
    Steve Jobs is a brilliant example to bring up. I cannot believe it when I see people lining up outside a store at 1am to be one of the first to get a new product. sheer lunacy and stupidity.

    I guess it comes down to humans being tribal and wanting to belong. Today's world is a lonely place... so maybe that's another reason why we have so many sheeple. Belonging to a cult / club helps to justify and validate their own decisions?

    Great thread... keep it coming.
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    • Profile picture of the author paulie888
      Originally Posted by sal64 View Post

      Steve Jobs is a brilliant example to bring up. I cannot believe it when I see people lining up outside a store at 1am to be one of the first to get a new product. sheer lunacy and stupidity.

      I guess it comes down to humans being tribal and wanting to belong. Today's world is a lonely place... so maybe that's another reason why we have so many sheeple. Belonging to a cult / club helps to justify and validate their own decisions?

      Great thread... keep it coming.
      Don't even get me started about the cult of Apple that has been carefully and systematically cultivated by Steve. I had replied to Paul earlier in the thread about this, and this is probably the best example of a cult (or something very close to it) on massive scale.

      People who have drunk the Apple Kool-aid tend to lose all sense of rational thinking and judgment, and will blindly believe anything and everything that their leader (Steve) says. They obediently and subserviently buy almost anything that the company puts out on the market, and believe every single statement that comes out of his mouth, no matter how outrageous and ludicrous it is....if this isn't the textbook definition of a cult, I don't know what is.
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      • Profile picture of the author drmani
        Originally Posted by paulie888 View Post

        People who have drunk the Apple Kool-aid tend to lose all sense of rational thinking and judgment, and will blindly believe anything and everything that their leader (Steve) says. They obediently and subserviently buy almost anything that the company puts out on the market, and believe every single statement that comes out of his mouth, no matter how outrageous and ludicrous it is....if this isn't the textbook definition of a cult, I don't know what is.

        It's easy to mistake passion for cultism.

        Within the Apple tribe, there are cultists who idolize Jobs.

        But there are also others (like me) who are passionate about
        the PRODUCTS - and admire Steve for creating them, but are not
        total 'fan boys' about the co-founder of the tech company.

        No, I won't stand in line at 1 a.m. to buy an Apple product.
        But I will get out of bed at 1 a.m. if I'm worried about a
        patient's well-being, and drive out to hospital to make sure.

        Behavior doesn't always define a cultist.

        All success
        Dr.Mani
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        • Profile picture of the author CDarklock
          Originally Posted by drmani View Post

          But there are also others (like me) who are passionate about the PRODUCTS - and admire Steve for creating them, but are not total 'fan boys' about the co-founder of the tech company.
          Apple does many things right.

          I have worked very hard to explain why to Microsoft, but they don't listen.
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          "The Golden Town is the Golden Town no longer. They have sold their pillars for brass and their temples for money, they have made coins out of their golden doors. It is become a dark town full of trouble, there is no ease in its streets, beauty has left it and the old songs are gone." - Lord Dunsany, The Messengers
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        • Profile picture of the author paulie888
          Originally Posted by drmani View Post

          It's easy to mistake passion for cultism.

          Within the Apple tribe, there are cultists who idolize Jobs.

          But there are also others (like me) who are passionate about
          the PRODUCTS - and admire Steve for creating them, but are not
          total 'fan boys' about the co-founder of the tech company.

          No, I won't stand in line at 1 a.m. to buy an Apple product.
          But I will get out of bed at 1 a.m. if I'm worried about a
          patient's well-being, and drive out to hospital to make sure.

          Behavior doesn't always define a cultist.

          All success
          Dr.Mani
          Agreed. I was referring specifically to the Apple fanatics in my above post - the kind who will be able to conjure up wisecracks and rebuttals to shoot down naysayers and competitors at a moment's notice, and blindly defend Apple down to their last breath.

          I can appreciate that there is a more rational kind of Apple fan who is just attracted to the technical and aesthetic qualities of their products, but who isn't so besotted with the company that they can find no fault anywhere.

          I don't deny that certain Apple products are technically superior and have that aura of simplicity and ease of use that its competitors have a hard time trying to duplicate. The only Apple fans that I really take issue with are the fanatical ones who have lost all objectivity and are of the opinion that the company can do absolutely no wrong, and think nothing of waiting overnight to be one of the first few to pick up the latest iPhone or iPad.

          Paul
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      • Profile picture of the author John Henderson
        Originally Posted by paulie888 View Post

        People who have drunk the Apple Kool-aid tend to lose all sense of rational thinking and judgment, and will blindly believe anything and everything that their leader (Steve) says. They obediently and subserviently buy almost anything that the company puts out on the market, and believe every single statement that comes out of his mouth, no matter how outrageous and ludicrous it is....if this isn't the textbook definition of a cult, I don't know what is.
        As I said back in post #89, Fake Steve Jobs has explained how this works...

        Probably the biggest thing I’ve taught the team at Apple is that people never know what they’re supposed to think about anything. This is true in Hollywood, in the book business, in the art world, in politics. And especially in technology.

        So we put out a new phone and everyone is sitting there wondering what they should think about it. What I realized many years ago — and honestly, it still amazes me — is that most people are so unsure of themselves that they will think whatever we tell them to think.

        So we tell people that this new phone is not just an incremental upgrade, but rather is the biggest breakthrough since the original iPhone in 2007. We say it’s incredible, amazing, awesome, mind-blowing, overwhelming, magical, revolutionary. We use these words over and over.

        It’s all patently ridiculous, of course. But people believe it.

        We demo FaceTime, and we say that nobody in the world has ever seen anything like this before. Jonny and I act stunned and gob-smacked, as if we ourselves still can’t believe that we’ve just invented video chat.

        Again, this is utterly untrue, a total and absolute lie. But people accept it. They hoot and cheer for us.
        Even though it's a spoof, it's still a good article: The Secret Diary of Steve Jobs : There is no spoon
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        • Profile picture of the author paulie888
          Originally Posted by John Henderson View Post

          As I said back in post #89, Fake Steve Jobs has explained how this works...



          Even though it's a spoof, it's still a good article: The Secret Diary of Steve Jobs : There is no spoon
          Thanks for sharing this, John. There's nothing really revolutionary about many of the new launches in the above quote, it's just that Steve and co. are such masters at manipulation and perception that they can spin what is essentially nothing more than minor tweaks on existing technology into something "revolutionary" for the public. If anything, they're using mind-control tactics (along the lines of NLP) to convince the gullible public about the groundbreaking nature of their products.

          All this points to the glaring fact that the general public are still terrified of computers in general, and any technology/device that simplifies and dumbs it down for them is usually welcomed with open arms. The masses don't want flexibility and control, they want everything spoonfed to them with a minimum of fuss, and this has played a large part in Apple's incredible success in reaching out to the masses with its product strategy.
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        • Profile picture of the author Paul_Short
          Originally Posted by John Henderson View Post

          As I said back in post #89, Fake Steve Jobs has explained how this works...

          Even though it's a spoof, it's still a good article: The Secret Diary of Steve Jobs : There is no spoon
          You see? Even fake Steve Jobs agrees with me about the mind control and people not being able to think for themselves ;-)

          Paul
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          • Profile picture of the author John Henderson
            Originally Posted by paulie888 View Post

            All this points to the glaring fact that the general public are still terrified of computers in general, and any technology/device that simplifies and dumbs it down for them is usually welcomed with open arms. The masses don't want flexibility and control, they want everything spoonfed to them with a minimum of fuss, and this has played a large part in Apple's incredible success in reaching out to the masses with its product strategy.
            I think you've hit the nail on the head there, Paulie.

            Originally Posted by Paul_Short View Post

            You see? Even fake Steve Jobs agrees with me about the mind control and people not being able to think for themselves ;-)
            Oh yes. Real Steve Jobs wouldn't be so blatent.
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            • Profile picture of the author Roaddog
              You see? Even fake Steve Jobs agrees with me about the mind control and people not being able to think for themselves ;-)
              SOME people, c'mon Paul, and as I already said, there will always be those some people. And there are varying degrees of following.

              I'm sure someone was last in line for the kool aid at Jonestown


              To me, I like Aldous Huxley's "doors of perception" idea. To reach certain insights people go thru stages of perception. Sudden or otherwise, some people open more "doors" than others, accidentally, or by grand design, I wouldn't know.

              Most people don't even go near the door unless the room's on fire, something happens to make them go thru that door.

              I am not talking out of my ( four letter words starts with a B....) there you go Caliban... (Borneo.... funny)

              My early life was something else, still effects me today. But it did teach me a lot, because I had to learn certain things and I sought out certain answers.

              The level of maturity today is what concerns me.

              Have you seen American tv lately? Some of the most popular shows?

              It's an insult to a brain damaged rhesus monkey.

              As long as people refuse to grow up and walk thru some of those doors,
              we are going to have exactly what is happening.

              We have more three letter (starts with any letter), Police and gov agencies running around with badges, than I have ever seen anywhere.


              Maybe the gov will deputize the p.t.a next.

              Because some people won't govern themselves.

              Peace

              Jim
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              • Profile picture of the author hypnoskills
                Originally Posted by Roaddog View Post

                I'm sure someone was last in line for the kool aid at Jonestown

                Jim
                And how much of a sheep do you have to be to see people dying in agony all around you and still drink the koolaid?

                Brian
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  • Profile picture of the author WD Mino
    @Caleb Doing well thanks for asking

    I think that there is a number of factors at play. For instance. A person buys a product who has oh let's say they lost their job.

    They come across a site promising to show them how to make money and not just some but a lot overnight. That person reacts on instinct-survival instinct. I don't see that person as a sheep being led. I see that as a person who is desperate and hopeful..

    Whether the product performs or not is another issue.But we are all sheep. There will always be the a group collective mentality within the world. This is how lynch mobs get started people have a desire to be led.to have someone take responsibility for them and show them the way.

    This IS human nature Paul. it has nothing at all to do with being grown up or a child. Humans have a certain psychological reaction to certain words,actions and activities. and everyone has a need to fit in. Not one person on this forum could refute that. So is that being a sheep? No. That is being a human.

    If I punch you in the mouth you are either going to go to sleep,run away or put your hands up . there is no other reaction. That is instilled within each person.

    This is how great copywriters can hit your buttons like they are going out of style or to put it in a term I love they read your mail:p People no matter how intelligent or unintelligent have certain commonalities,not social stature or financial worth but ingrained in every person is 2 things.

    A desire to be accepted and fit in and a desire to be loved. So some people make impulsive decisions in the dating niche for example. "discover 10 proven words that make women want you/men want you.)

    People buy that stuff like it is going out of style-mostly all crap but they buy it anyhow-For the record I never had that problem so I never bought it. But I could go on and on with different examples of Human Nature not reliant upon whether they are older or younger but reliant upon the fact people are people.

    Just my thoughts.
    -Will
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    "As a man thinks in his heart so is he-Proverbs 23:7"

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  • Profile picture of the author sal64
    I suspect that many will buy Apple products due to the imagery they represent as opposed to their worth as a superior piece of equipment. Take note about their marketing... it's not about great hardware... it's about the perceived lifestyle and making customers believe that they will be way cool in their peers'eyes if they own a Mac. Otherwise, why would Apple market the way they do, and create pre-launch buzz the way they do?

    Heck, I will take this one step further...

    My wife and I are coffee snobs. Last year we moved from the traditional espresso maker to a Nespresso machine bu De Lonhgi.

    For me it was just a practical way to make coffee, fresh and mess free. What I didn't bargain on was the marketing behind it.

    I didn't just buy a coffee machine... I am now a member of an exclusive club or family. Their positioning is brilliant, and I have to confess that I have aped their methods into my online marketing.

    So what's the connection between Mac and coffee?

    Both market in a way that appeals to people's aspirations. We are tribal and want approval and to be loved.

    Becoming a free-thinker is perhaps the single most difficult decision anyone can make. People can do it to varying degrees. Even the so-called free thinkers have some sort of ego they respond to.

    It's great advice... but difficult for the masses to take on board IMO. And that's not necessarily a bad thing from a business perspective.
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    • Profile picture of the author Andyhenry
      Originally Posted by sal64 View Post

      I suspect that many will buy Apple products due to the imagery they represent as opposed to their worth as a superior piece of equipment.
      I think they're also excellent at focusing on the out-of-the-box experience. One of the reasons people love their products is that you can buy almost anything and expect to easily understand how to make it work. Their instructions are usually very simple and very clear and the interfaces on the products are newbie friendly.

      Many excellent product creators forget this element and wonder why people don't get excited about their product when they struggled to work out how to get it setup and doing what they bought it for.
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      nothing to see here.

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      • Profile picture of the author ExRat
        Hi WD,

        If I punch you in the mouth you are either going to go to sleep,run away or put your hands up . there is no other reaction. That is instilled within each person.
        You've never been to England then? We only have one reaction to that and it's not in your list. It's based on the law of exponentially incremental reciprocation.
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        Roger Davis

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        • Profile picture of the author WD Mino
          Originally Posted by ExRat View Post

          Hi WD,

          You've never been to England then? We only have one reaction to that and it's not in your list. It's based on the law of exponentially incremental reciprocation.
          LOL that was funny Roger thanks for that. Yes I am sure we have that here too However. that is not what I was referring to but more the natural reaction of a person better known as fight or flight:p
          Thanks for the chuckle though
          Cheers
          -Will
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          "As a man thinks in his heart so is he-Proverbs 23:7"

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      • Profile picture of the author CDarklock
        Originally Posted by Andyhenry View Post

        I think they're also excellent at focusing on the out-of-the-box experience.
        I like to call it "five minute wow." If your product doesn't make the customer say "wow" within five minutes, you fail.

        Microsoft's products usually make you say "gee" after six weeks, because most of the awesomeness of them is invisible. You only realise it in retrospect. "Hey, I haven't seen {problem} in over a month... almost two... gee, that's cool."

        In the long run, that's a good thing, because I frequently find with Apple products that a few weeks down the road they're sort of "meh." But "six week gee" doesn't generate raving fans.
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        "The Golden Town is the Golden Town no longer. They have sold their pillars for brass and their temples for money, they have made coins out of their golden doors. It is become a dark town full of trouble, there is no ease in its streets, beauty has left it and the old songs are gone." - Lord Dunsany, The Messengers
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  • Profile picture of the author Lauryn
    Sir,

    That was an awesome and powerful read! Thanks
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    I Go Hard = "Slanguage" for putting forth a lot of effort.

    Don't be an arse and try to flip something you clearly have no knowledge of against me.

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