a fool and his money are soon parted - Selling BS

[FatStupidAmerican]

Am I the only one willing to admit this?

I think it is the over exposure to BS claims of products that has helped forge the skeptical person I am today.

I've developed and interest in claims in consumer products.

We've all seen detoxing foot pads right? Not to mention the over hyping of Acai. Alkaline water is definitely one of my favorites.

But there are times...... I think think to myself. "I could use the money, I am certainly smart enough to sell this to the idiots."

Does anyone else feel like this?

 

[Netheralian]

My absolute favorite of all time...

http://eternal-earthbound-pets.com/

For $110.00 we will guarantee that should the Rapture occur within ten (10) years of receipt of payment, one pet per residence will be saved. Each additional pet at your residence will be saved for an additional $15.00 fee. A small price to pay for your peace of mind and the health and safety of your four legged and feathered friends.

 

[Laurens]

I'd rather keep my integrity and stay poor than get rich off exploiting people's ignorance.

 

[FatStupidAmerican]

My absolute favorite of all time...

http://eternal-earthbound-pets.com/

For $110.00 we will guarantee that should the Rapture occur within ten (10) years of receipt of payment, one pet per residence will be saved. Each additional pet at your residence will be saved for an additional $15.00 fee. A small price to pay for your peace of mind and the health and safety of your four legged and feathered friends.

Oh man, that is a good one.

 

[FatStupidAmerican]

Really? Am I the only one?

Crap you guys are making me feel bad.

 

[Laurens]

but then I guess you could get into a debate about the fact that most things we spend our money on are foolish or pointless....

iPods, Hair Gel, Strap-ons...

 

[FatStupidAmerican]

It was brought this morning after overhearing a conversation at work.

"I could totally make some extra income on the side helping people Feng Shui their house. All I have to do if check a Feng Shui book from the library and make up the rest."

 

[Squawk]

It's occurred to me too, but my morals keep getting in the way. Pesky things, morals, and I was led to believe that this atheism lark would free me from them. False advertising I say.

 

[TheFlyingBastard]

I understand what you mean. It's such easy money. The thought sometimes pops up in my mind as well. But man, is it ever immoral to exploit people. Back then to the lab to work for a wage that won't get me rich in a million years.

 

[FatStupidAmerican]

I know I wont get rich off of it, but man I got student loans to play back you know.

 

[SagansHeroes]

I have wondered if I could do it... and on an intellectual/sophistication scale I'm sure I could scam people.... but there's no way I ever really could/would, even though money's tight now >.<.... it never literally crosses my mind as an idea.

I guess you could call that morals... but us atheists don't have them apparently, they're reserved for the good faithful people; such as paedophiles, gay bashing closeted homosexuals/hard drug users, religious scam artists, people taking large amounts off the top of their church, Religious charities that take > 50% for "administrative costs" and of course preach their horror stories of eternal torture if they don't accept their faith as a pay off for their "charitable" work....
AND the ultimate example of good morals... forbidding your clergy to have any sexual activities ever, let alone get married, leading to some severe psychological trauma/issues and breeding new confused child rapist, further damaging the psyche of the clergy member not to mention mentally/emotionally/physically/psychologically destroying the child(ren).... All so that when they die you receive all of their inheritable property/wealth, instead of their loving family/wife/kids... (celibacy.... it's not even in the bible ffs)

Don't you feel bad for being an amoral atheist that questions scamming people out of their money?

 

[DepricatedZero]

My take on it has always been this:

Not only could I do it, but I would do it, for certain values of it. There are things that I know are bullshit, and you know are bullshit, and the buyer could know are bullshit. Things like that eternal earthbound pets site.

While on one hand I'm taking advantage of their ignorance, on the other I am providing them peace of mind. I would say that there are two major factors at work as to whether it's feasible or not:

The first point: am I lying to them, or actively discouraging them from the truth? If I have to actively try to hide what I'm doing, then it's bullshit. If I were to sell prayers, I wouldn't be lying - I wouldn't be sincere, but that's beside the point. I actively encourage people to think for themselves, and sometimes that still concludes with theism. If they believe the power of prayer and wish to buy my lip service, so be it.

The second point: does it benefit them in some capacity? Perhaps not actually as important, but I have to know that what I'm selling is beneficial in some way. Again with the above mentioned prayer service. This benefits them, because it gives peace of mind, and whatever other psychotic side effects.

It's not a rip off if they're fully aware of what they're buying and I don't have to lie to them about it.

 

[lrkun]

Am I the only one willing to admit this?

I think it is the over exposure to BS claims of products that has helped forge the skeptical person I am today.

I've developed and interest in claims in consumer products.

We've all seen detoxing foot pads right? Not to mention the over hyping of Acai. Alkaline water is definitely one of my favorites.

But there are times...... I think think to myself. "I could use the money, I am certainly smart enough to sell this to the idiots."

Does anyone else feel like this?

No. Because it goes against my nature; but I can if I have sufficient reason to do so, like I'm in dire need or when it's the only option left for me to survive. Besides, even though I'm not a theist, in a sense, I still have a conscience. What I mean by conscience is my ability to reason and know what's right or wrong. If I think it is wrong, I won't do it.

Are you tempted to do this?

 

[sgrunterundt]

What do people think of Fair Deal Homeopathy? They really do tell the truth. I have not been able to find a single lie on their site. I assume it is made as a joke, it is pretty funny. Yet if people still want to by their product, they will sell it.

 

[Laurens]

What do people think of Fair Deal Homeopathy? They really do tell the truth. I have not been able to find a single lie on their site. I assume it is made as a joke, it is pretty funny. Yet if people still want to by their product, they will sell it.

They're being honest, but they're still charging too much for water...