Con Artists and Knowing the Source of Claims
Posted: Tue Jan 15, 2008 2:31 am
Last night while walking on my treadmill, I found an infomercial selling books on natural cures for all sorts of illnesses.
Kevin Trudeau, author of these books was making some pretty amazing claims. He was giving away two books, only charging shipping and handling costs. It was quite a sell to say the least.
I got curious and wondered what was going on, who would believe him, and if any of his claims were true.
As it turns out, this "expert" on natural health has quite a past... He has been in all sorts of trouble, preying on the vulnerable.
A huge con artist to say the least.
I visited a message board with Trudeau as the topic. Many of the posts sound like what one would find on a religious MB. Feelings of anger, frustration, guilt, stupidity... right along with devotion, admiration, and praise. Many people are huge fans of this guy. He has sold millions and millions of books. And, there are many who have been ripped off and seriously hurt.
It got me thinking....
Isn't it important to know the background of someone who is making some serious claims? Wouldn't it be advisable to study up about a person prior to investing one's time or money in their claims? Shouldn't a person's track record play a part in trust?
Why do some people follow Trudeau and believe all his claims and others can see right through him? This guy uses his run-ins with the law as proof that he is on to the truth. He twists and contorts and justifies and denies reality and yet some still believe him.
How is it that people can overlook all sorts of problematic information so easily? How is it that people will believe the most ridiculous things even from a not-so-great man?
Belief is an amazing phenomenon to say the least. 8)
If you want to see Trudeau at work, check out this video clip from 20/20. The guy is slick... He can rationalize and justify ANYTHING 8) Even when he is caught flat out lying he finds a way to excuse it. Amazing.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YN5ihrECJms
~dancer~
Kevin Trudeau, author of these books was making some pretty amazing claims. He was giving away two books, only charging shipping and handling costs. It was quite a sell to say the least.
I got curious and wondered what was going on, who would believe him, and if any of his claims were true.
As it turns out, this "expert" on natural health has quite a past... He has been in all sorts of trouble, preying on the vulnerable.
A huge con artist to say the least.
I visited a message board with Trudeau as the topic. Many of the posts sound like what one would find on a religious MB. Feelings of anger, frustration, guilt, stupidity... right along with devotion, admiration, and praise. Many people are huge fans of this guy. He has sold millions and millions of books. And, there are many who have been ripped off and seriously hurt.
It got me thinking....
Isn't it important to know the background of someone who is making some serious claims? Wouldn't it be advisable to study up about a person prior to investing one's time or money in their claims? Shouldn't a person's track record play a part in trust?
Why do some people follow Trudeau and believe all his claims and others can see right through him? This guy uses his run-ins with the law as proof that he is on to the truth. He twists and contorts and justifies and denies reality and yet some still believe him.
How is it that people can overlook all sorts of problematic information so easily? How is it that people will believe the most ridiculous things even from a not-so-great man?
Belief is an amazing phenomenon to say the least. 8)
If you want to see Trudeau at work, check out this video clip from 20/20. The guy is slick... He can rationalize and justify ANYTHING 8) Even when he is caught flat out lying he finds a way to excuse it. Amazing.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YN5ihrECJms
~dancer~