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| http://dilbert.com/strip/2015-04-27 |
a blog about Skepticism, MLM, Scams, and Critical Thinking
Showing posts with label Dilbert. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Dilbert. Show all posts
Tuesday, April 28, 2015
This is how many scammers react to questions...
When you ask some scammers (or scammer-taught sheeple / judas goats) about their scheme, they may react this way:
Friday, July 25, 2014
Scam Psychology: is Positivity Training perpetuating Mental Illness symptoms?
A recent Dilbert comic had this quote
"Certainty about the future is a sign of mental illness." (NOTE: There's a second lesson here about "we shall (not) be vindicated".)
Therefore, thinking only positive thoughts about yourself (well beyond what's needed for self-esteem) and your future is also self-delusion.
But wait, you say, are you saying that I can't give myself a compliment? A thumbs up to myself in the mirror?
No, I didn't say that. Going OVERBOARD with such compliments to the point of ignoring reality is dangerous, and so are anyone trying to dissuade you from reality.
But to explain that, we need to explain how the brain works when it comes to social interactions.
"Certainty about the future is a sign of mental illness." (NOTE: There's a second lesson here about "we shall (not) be vindicated".)
Why? Because only the self-delusional are absolutely certain about anything... including the future. And self-delusion is a mental illness.
Therefore, thinking only positive thoughts about yourself (well beyond what's needed for self-esteem) and your future is also self-delusion.
But wait, you say, are you saying that I can't give myself a compliment? A thumbs up to myself in the mirror?
No, I didn't say that. Going OVERBOARD with such compliments to the point of ignoring reality is dangerous, and so are anyone trying to dissuade you from reality.
But to explain that, we need to explain how the brain works when it comes to social interactions.
Tuesday, July 8, 2014
Anti-Scam: Rough Guide to Spotting Shady Opportunities, Part 1 of 3.
This guide is an adaptation of "A Rough Guide to Spotting Bad Science" by "Compound Interest", converted for spotting "shady opportunities". For length reasons, this is presented in 3 parts. This is part 1 of 3.
Headlines are often click bait or link bait, such as "everyone makes money" or "How to turn $289 into $1040 guaranteed"
As Carl Sagan said, "extraordinary claim requires extraordinary evidence". Don't believe the headlines, even if they are made/repeated by people you trust. Remember, they could have been duped. If they don't bother asking for extraordinary evidence, then you cannot trust their judgement on this specific matter.
Without the actual data, any interpretation is just that... an interpretation. You may look at the same data and reach a completely different conclusion. Much like these two gents used the same data and came to opposite conclusions.
A Rough Guide To Spotting Shady Opportunities (part 1 of 3)
Shady Opportunities are out there, waiting to take your money on promises of fabulous income... if you hand over your money first. There are twelve signs. Obviously a shady opportunity may not have all the signs, but the more signs you spot, the more shady the opportunity is.1) Sensationalized Headlines
Headlines are often click bait or link bait, such as "everyone makes money" or "How to turn $289 into $1040 guaranteed"
As Carl Sagan said, "extraordinary claim requires extraordinary evidence". Don't believe the headlines, even if they are made/repeated by people you trust. Remember, they could have been duped. If they don't bother asking for extraordinary evidence, then you cannot trust their judgement on this specific matter.
2) Misinterpreted results
Nothing beats DIRECT access to the data. If you listen to someone's pitch, you are listening to his or her version of what s/he is telling you, which may be just a sales pitch with certain amount of untruth... truth as s/he know it, or the actual truth. You don't know which one it is, or even how much of each.Without the actual data, any interpretation is just that... an interpretation. You may look at the same data and reach a completely different conclusion. Much like these two gents used the same data and came to opposite conclusions.
Sunday, March 30, 2014
Scam Psychology: When They Say "Ignore Negativity", They Really Meant "Ignore Me".
Scammers often trot out the "ignore negativity" in order to train you, like Pavlov trained his dogs to salivate at ringing of the bell instead of at actual food, to ignore criticism against his or her scheme.
This is how you *should* react to such stupid suggestion. Thanks to Dilbert, 30-MAR-2014
This is how you *should* react to such stupid suggestion. Thanks to Dilbert, 30-MAR-2014
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