It's easy! All you have to do is call them up, tell them about investment opportunities or lotteries - you're just telling them what they want to hear, they're convincing themselves, and besides it's their own fault for falling for it. It's entertainment! I can justify anything!
ITT, Nigel and BAI/The Stoat begin a death match.
Quote from: LMNO on February 11, 2010, 05:22:57 PM
ITT, Nigel and BAI/The Stoat begin a death match.
A clash of the titans, no less.
EITHER:
Anything that anyone does that doesn't involve cash for physical good is fraud,
OR:
There is never anything wrong with telling people what they want to hear.
There is no middle ground.
Let the battle begin.
People call psychics.
It would be shitty if it was the other way around.
First, they need to tie their left wrists together, and then choose their weapons.
It'll be like the "Beat It" video.
Quote from: Alty on February 11, 2010, 05:27:41 PM
People call psychics.
It would be shitty if it was the other way around.
In Soviet Russia, psychic call you!
Quote from: LMNO on February 11, 2010, 05:31:47 PM
First, they need to tie their left wrists together, and then choose their weapons.
It'll be like the "Beat It" video.
WEST SIDE STORY OR GTFO!
Quote from: Cain on February 11, 2010, 05:34:45 PM
Quote from: Alty on February 11, 2010, 05:27:41 PM
People call psychics.
It would be shitty if it was the other way around.
In Soviet Russia, psychic call you!
The FUCKERS! :argh!:
Quote from: Alty on February 11, 2010, 05:39:58 PM
Quote from: Cain on February 11, 2010, 05:34:45 PM
Quote from: Alty on February 11, 2010, 05:27:41 PM
People call psychics.
It would be shitty if it was the other way around.
In Soviet Russia, psychic call you!
The FUCKERS! :argh!:
And you're expected to give
them a prediction. And they shoot you if you get it right.
quickly predict they won't shoot you!
Laughing. So. Hard.
Seriously, that's fucked up. Fucking commies.
Quote from: Doktor Howl on February 11, 2010, 05:36:40 PM
Quote from: LMNO on February 11, 2010, 05:31:47 PM
First, they need to tie their left wrists together, and then choose their weapons.
It'll be like the "Beat It" video.
WEST SIDE STORY OR GTFO!
That makes for an interesting debate... which one was
more gay?
Quote from: LMNO on February 11, 2010, 05:47:55 PM
Quote from: Doktor Howl on February 11, 2010, 05:36:40 PM
Quote from: LMNO on February 11, 2010, 05:31:47 PM
First, they need to tie their left wrists together, and then choose their weapons.
It'll be like the "Beat It" video.
WEST SIDE STORY OR GTFO!
That makes for an interesting debate... which one was more gay?
West Side Story. No shit. That was gayer than Liberace's thong collection.
Sperm to Worm, Dr. Howl, Sperm to Worm....
Quote from: Ratatosk on February 11, 2010, 06:09:11 PM
Sperm to Worm, Dr. Howl, Sperm to Worm....
I HAVE NOT FUCKED A WORM.
Yet.
you should, if only because it will allow you to use the word "wormhole" as a double-entendre from then on.
Quote from: Horrendous Foreign Love Stoat on February 11, 2010, 11:46:19 PM
fuck off nigel.
mouth off about beads or something you have personal experience about, like failing at dating and, prehaps I'll listen. I can't be bothered taking your bait. Your fight with everyone else fail, and now you want one with me.
I was actually under the impression that I was making fun of Lysergic, but if you want it to be about you, that's cool too.
Actually, come to think of it, I'm not sure who you are or whether we've ever had a conversation?
Quote from: Calamity Nigel on February 11, 2010, 05:21:30 PM
It's easy! All you have to do is call them up, tell them about investment opportunities or lotteries - you're just telling them what they want to hear, they're convincing themselves, and besides it's their own fault for falling for it. It's entertainment! I can justify anything!
Why are you taking a stab at me Nigel?
There's a big difference between what I do and what they do.
Namely, what I do *is* entertainment.
It's labeled as such.
You know, I don't *just* do cold readings.
You know, I do, shows, magic, on stage ect.
My cold reading topic was just to share some resources I've been researching in order to solidify my ground in it.
I have no intention of becoming a professional psychic type person,(ok that's not completely true, but none that claim any *real* ability) this is merely to supplement my skills in entertainment.
I'm taking a stab at your THREAD, which basically announces in its very title "hey sweet, I'm smarter/better than other people so it's OK for me to fleece them!"
There's a vast ethical difference between selling them "entertainment" knowing you are using psychological tricks that will lead many people to believe it's psychic phenomena, and selling them psychic readings when you believe in them, too.
It's the "Oh hey, average people are just so stupid and easy to take advantage of, haha!" thing that rubs me the wrong way.
Quote from: Calamity Nigel on February 12, 2010, 12:55:42 AM
I'm taking a stab at your THREAD, which basically announces in its very title "hey sweet, I'm smarter/better than other people so it's OK for me to fleece them!"
There's a vast ethical difference between selling them "entertainment" knowing you are using psychological tricks that will lead many people to believe it's psychic phenomena, and selling them psychic readings when you believe in them, too.
I've met people who "know" the world is going to end in 2012 because they're "psychic"
If people really started taking their advice, they would sell all their belongings and hide underground.
At least with the things I tell people, it's nothing more then Barnum statements and psychological profiling, and I would never tell people anything that would cause them to do stupid things.
People who believe they are genuine, on the other hand, will.
Quote from: Lysergic on February 12, 2010, 01:01:25 AM
Quote from: Calamity Nigel on February 12, 2010, 12:55:42 AM
I'm taking a stab at your THREAD, which basically announces in its very title "hey sweet, I'm smarter/better than other people so it's OK for me to fleece them!"
There's a vast ethical difference between selling them "entertainment" knowing you are using psychological tricks that will lead many people to believe it's psychic phenomena, and selling them psychic readings when you believe in them, too.
I've met people who "know" the world is going to end in 2012 because they're "psychic"
If people really started taking their advice, they would sell all their belongings and hide underground.
At least with the things I tell people, it's nothing more then Barnum statements and psychological profiling, and I would never tell people anything that would cause them to do stupid things.
People who believe they are genuine, on the other hand, will.
Well you just go on being superior and taking money from stupid people, then.
I've known a lot of crazy people who had loony ideas but were not bad people.
To me, the ethics of it is all about intention, and I think your intention was pretty clearly stated in your title.
Quote from: Horrendous Foreign Love Stoat on February 12, 2010, 01:03:33 AM
QuoteI was actually under the impression that I was making fun of Lysergic, but if you want it to be about you, that's cool too.
whoops. my bad I guess. I'm on a hyper defensive today, sorry.
No worries, I've been there too. Recently, even. :lol:
Quote from: Calamity Nigel on February 12, 2010, 01:03:16 AM
Quote from: Lysergic on February 12, 2010, 01:01:25 AM
Quote from: Calamity Nigel on February 12, 2010, 12:55:42 AM
I'm taking a stab at your THREAD, which basically announces in its very title "hey sweet, I'm smarter/better than other people so it's OK for me to fleece them!"
There's a vast ethical difference between selling them "entertainment" knowing you are using psychological tricks that will lead many people to believe it's psychic phenomena, and selling them psychic readings when you believe in them, too.
I've met people who "know" the world is going to end in 2012 because they're "psychic"
If people really started taking their advice, they would sell all their belongings and hide underground.
At least with the things I tell people, it's nothing more then Barnum statements and psychological profiling, and I would never tell people anything that would cause them to do stupid things.
People who believe they are genuine, on the other hand, will.
Well you just go on being superior and taking money from stupid people, then.
I've known a lot of crazy people who had loony ideas but were not bad people.
To me, the ethics of it is all about intention, and I think your intention was pretty clearly stated in your title.
Are you saying I'm a bad person?
Cus if you are, I can live with that. No one else I've ever done this kinda stuff for thinks I'm a bad person, except when they really really believe in this crap and I end up telling them the truth when they start to get emotionally invested and I think I'd be making things worse by continuing the act (Like this one chick who seriously thought 2012 was going to happen due to her psychic premonitions which she admitted to me after I'd done some simple cold reading and psychic type magic acts...)
I'm sorry nigel, while I do *hear* and *understand* what you're saying here, I think you've still got me and what I'm trying to say all wrong.
Nearly everyone I've ever done such things for, have walked away happier people, and I'm always happy to explain that what I do isn't exactly psychic as it is advanced psychology, and they can believe what they like.
There are a few people who refuse to believe me, thinking that I'm really a psychic who refuses to believe in my own powers.
Go figure.
Quote from: Lysergic on February 12, 2010, 01:17:22 AM
Quote from: Calamity Nigel on February 12, 2010, 01:03:16 AM
Quote from: Lysergic on February 12, 2010, 01:01:25 AM
Quote from: Calamity Nigel on February 12, 2010, 12:55:42 AM
I'm taking a stab at your THREAD, which basically announces in its very title "hey sweet, I'm smarter/better than other people so it's OK for me to fleece them!"
There's a vast ethical difference between selling them "entertainment" knowing you are using psychological tricks that will lead many people to believe it's psychic phenomena, and selling them psychic readings when you believe in them, too.
I've met people who "know" the world is going to end in 2012 because they're "psychic"
If people really started taking their advice, they would sell all their belongings and hide underground.
At least with the things I tell people, it's nothing more then Barnum statements and psychological profiling, and I would never tell people anything that would cause them to do stupid things.
People who believe they are genuine, on the other hand, will.
Well you just go on being superior and taking money from stupid people, then.
I've known a lot of crazy people who had loony ideas but were not bad people.
To me, the ethics of it is all about intention, and I think your intention was pretty clearly stated in your title.
Are you saying I'm a bad person?
Cus if you are, I can live with that. No one else I've ever done this kinda stuff for thinks I'm a bad person, except when they really really believe in this crap and I end up telling them the truth when they start to get emotionally invested and I think I'd be making things worse by continuing the act (Like this one chick who seriously thought 2012 was going to happen due to her psychic premonitions which she admitted to me after I'd done some simple cold reading and psychic type magic acts...)
I'm sorry nigel, while I do *hear* and *understand* what you're saying here, I think you've still got me and what I'm trying to say all wrong.
Nearly everyone I've ever done such things for, have walked away happier people, and I'm always happy to explain that what I do isn't exactly psychic as it is advanced psychology, and they can believe what they like.
There are a few people who refuse to believe me, thinking that I'm really a psychic who refuses to believe in my own powers.
Go figure.
Lysergic, I realize that this is not going to get through to you. But I don't have a problem with what you are doing, particularly if you are extremely up-front about it and explain the techniques you are using. What I have a problem with is the somewhat sociopathic attitude you seem to have toward the people who are your clientele.
I mean, sometimes I go on rants about bead ladies, because sometimes they drive me fucking nuts. But I'm not sitting behind my torch going "LOL, idiots, I can't believe they pay me for this crap, sucker born every minute eh?"
I find it kind of creepy, dehumanizing, and alienating when people cheerfully make their money off people they consider suckers, and then laugh about it. It is one thing when someone provides an entertainment service and has respect and compassion for their clientele. The people who you find so contemptible, the "stupid people" who believe you have psychic abilities even when you tell them you don't, those people want hope, and something to believe in. They're the ones who deserve the most humanity compassion, and despite your denials and your claims that you try to help people, that is not something I am seeing in your posts... completely the opposite, actually.
Quote from: Lysergic on February 12, 2010, 01:17:22 AM
I'm sorry nigel, while I do *hear* and *understand* what you're saying here, I think you've still got me and what I'm trying to say all wrong.
Lys, save your breath, all she wants to see is the "take money from stupid people" line, and pick a fight over it. Everything else is going to get ignored.
How come no one ever starts epic battles when someone mentions classic subgenius lines like "They may be Pink, but their money's Green," I wonder?
It's exactly the same thing: Fleece the gullible. Same with the Parable of the Golden Bull.
Quote from: Enrico"Most peoples, they are not completely right in the head. Most peoples accept your information like a baby goat accepts your root. If you give them bullshit, though, the person will later find out about it, become angry, but then they will need to go look up the information themselves. They will need to use their own head gravy, instead of relying on other peoples to do their thinking for them . . . in this way bullshit is very very important. So spread bullshit everywhere, my fine friendly frotteur."
Enrico was about to leave when the man called out to him "But what if they never find out that the information is bullshit?"
Enrico turned back to the man. He shrugged. "Fuck em. If they are that stupid, they deserve to stay that way."
So why all the static, folks?
So what's the verdict on PT Barnum?
Or that guy [country] Bill Jones, or whatever his name was. Gambler. Doktor occasionally quotes him.
Quote from: LMNO on February 12, 2010, 02:10:31 PM
Or that guy [country] Bill Jones, or whatever his name was. Gambler. Doktor occasionally quotes him.
Canada Bill Jones.
"It is morally wrong to allow a sucker to keep his money."
Of course, he was referring to people dumb enough to gamble on river boats.
He was a bit of a sucker himself, though.
"I know, but it's the only game in town."
- CBJ, on hearing that the faro game he was joining was rigged.
So: There you go.
Three previous souces, cited repeatedly for the past few years, and yet none of them generated this kind of furor.
Quite the opposite, they mostly got heaps of praise, mittens, and shouts of "W1n".
What's going on here?
This thread brings a tear to my glass eye.
Personally, I see this subject as no different than Robert Tilton's asshattery.
On one hand, I am kind of bothered by poor people being fleeced (you don't see many oil magnates going to a psychic).
On the other hand, as long as it is presented for what it is, the caveat emptor applies.
Quote from: Triple Zero on February 12, 2010, 12:52:25 PM
Quote from: Lysergic on February 12, 2010, 01:17:22 AM
I'm sorry nigel, while I do *hear* and *understand* what you're saying here, I think you've still got me and what I'm trying to say all wrong.
Lys, save your breath, all she wants to see is the "take money from stupid people" line, and pick a fight over it. Everything else is going to get ignored.
Yeah, that's the general vibe I was getting from this.
Quote from: Doktor Howl on February 12, 2010, 02:17:36 PMOn one hand, I am kind of bothered by poor people being fleeced (you don't see many oil magnates going to a psychic).
You might be surprised how many do consult psychics and astrologists though. Naturally, they're not going to make up the majority of the market, but even so, quite a few are into all this New Age stuff and all that entails. Cornering that market could be amusing.
Quote from: Cain on February 12, 2010, 03:09:30 PM
Quote from: Doktor Howl on February 12, 2010, 02:17:36 PMOn one hand, I am kind of bothered by poor people being fleeced (you don't see many oil magnates going to a psychic).
You might be surprised how many do consult psychics and astrologists though. Naturally, they're not going to make up the majority of the market, but even so, quite a few are into all this New Age stuff and all that entails. Cornering that market could be amusing.
Okay, I will go on record as saying this: If the board members of AIG or G/S go to a psychic, etc, I am perfectly okay with the psychic extracting their last dimes from their arses with the infamous "pink glove".
Although in the case of AIG, its not so much "making money" as reclaiming it from its current stewards and returning it to its rightful owners.
Quote from: LMNO on February 12, 2010, 01:57:49 PM
How come no one ever starts epic battles when someone mentions classic subgenius lines like "They may be Pink, but their money's Green," I wonder?
It's exactly the same thing: Fleece the gullible. Same with the Parable of the Golden Bull.
Quote from: Enrico"Most peoples, they are not completely right in the head. Most peoples accept your information like a baby goat accepts your root. If you give them bullshit, though, the person will later find out about it, become angry, but then they will need to go look up the information themselves. They will need to use their own head gravy, instead of relying on other peoples to do their thinking for them . . . in this way bullshit is very very important. So spread bullshit everywhere, my fine friendly frotteur."
Enrico was about to leave when the man called out to him "But what if they never find out that the information is bullshit?"
Enrico turned back to the man. He shrugged. "Fuck em. If they are that stupid, they deserve to stay that way."
So why all the static, folks?
In practical terms - we need a way to make money for food and shelter, and I can't think of a single occupation which would look entirely ethical through a subjectively applied lens. On a daily basis we take advantage of the resources available to us, unavailable to those less fortunate, in order to continue in our careers. Often these resources are information itself which, if freely shared, would likely result in the customer walking away from the sale - do you tell them about the better deal available from your competitor, or do you smile and thank them for their custom?
Unless you are dealing with someone at least capable of being a competitor, then you are trading on the basis of their gullibility/inferior knowledge.
And that's fine, in the sense that I can't think of another way to survive. But there isn't a hard and fast rule which you can apply to determine whether someone is taking advantage
too much, like playing on the weaknesses of the elderly, or targeting the desperation of the poor. One choice is to take something like the Parable of the Golden Bull, or a belief in the holy-power of the free-market, and say everything do-able is all righteous and ultimately fair. The other choice is to say that there are grey areas, but that involves wading through a lot of static.
I would like to make it clear that the parable of the Sacred Bull was written through the mind of Enrico Salazar, and does not necessarily reflect the views of Hoopla. Some days it does, and other days... not so much.
Quote from: LMNO on February 12, 2010, 01:57:49 PM
How come no one ever starts epic battles when someone mentions classic subgenius lines like "They may be Pink, but their money's Green," I wonder?
It's exactly the same thing: Fleece the gullible. Same with the Parable of the Golden Bull.
Quote from: Enrico"Most peoples, they are not completely right in the head. Most peoples accept your information like a baby goat accepts your root. If you give them bullshit, though, the person will later find out about it, become angry, but then they will need to go look up the information themselves. They will need to use their own head gravy, instead of relying on other peoples to do their thinking for them . . . in this way bullshit is very very important. So spread bullshit everywhere, my fine friendly frotteur."
Enrico was about to leave when the man called out to him "But what if they never find out that the information is bullshit?"
Enrico turned back to the man. He shrugged. "Fuck em. If they are that stupid, they deserve to stay that way."
So why all the static, folks?
A. My loathing of Subgenii is on par with my loathing of Venganza and philosophy majors, so I skip all such threads
B. Never heard of the Parable of the Golden Bull.
Quote from: Calamity Nigel on February 12, 2010, 04:10:17 PM
A. My loathing of Subgenii is on par with my loathing of philosophy majors,
:sad:
Quote from: Doktor Howl on February 12, 2010, 04:10:47 PM
Quote from: Calamity Nigel on February 12, 2010, 04:10:17 PM
A. My loathing of Subgenii is on par with my loathing of philosophy majors,
:sad:
If it makes you feel any better, E.O.T. was a philosophy major.
Quote from: Calamity Nigel on February 12, 2010, 04:10:17 PM
B. Never heard of the Parable of the Golden Bull.
:sad: :sad:
Quote from: Triple Zero on February 12, 2010, 12:52:25 PM
Quote from: Lysergic on February 12, 2010, 01:17:22 AM
I'm sorry nigel, while I do *hear* and *understand* what you're saying here, I think you've still got me and what I'm trying to say all wrong.
Lys, save your breath, all she wants to see is the "take money from stupid people" line, and pick a fight over it. Everything else is going to get ignored.
000, I understand your suspicion about where I'm coming from, but in this case I'm simply expressing my distaste for the contempt with which Lys appears to be viewing his clientele, which I am basing on his repeated descriptions of them.
Quote from: LMNO on February 12, 2010, 04:12:36 PM
Quote from: Calamity Nigel on February 12, 2010, 04:10:17 PM
B. Never heard of the Parable of the Golden Bull.
:sad: :sad:
http://www.principiadiscordia.com/forum/index.php?topic=7645.0 (http://www.principiadiscordia.com/forum/index.php?topic=7645.0)
Quote from: LMNO on February 12, 2010, 04:12:36 PM
Quote from: Calamity Nigel on February 12, 2010, 04:10:17 PM
B. Never heard of the Parable of the Golden Bull.
:sad: :sad:
Sorry, I have other shit to do and haven't read everything.
Quote from: Hoopla on February 12, 2010, 04:16:40 PM
Quote from: LMNO on February 12, 2010, 04:12:36 PM
Quote from: Calamity Nigel on February 12, 2010, 04:10:17 PM
B. Never heard of the Parable of the Golden Bull.
:sad: :sad:
http://www.principiadiscordia.com/forum/index.php?topic=7645.0 (http://www.principiadiscordia.com/forum/index.php?topic=7645.0)
Is a very cute and entertaining story.
Does not change my mind about pervasive elitism based on the subjective notion of enlightenment, or the rather sticky notion of justifying taking advantage of people based on their intelligence, though.
Hell, even my 12-year-old reading over my shoulder was disgusted with Lys' posts. I mean, she IS the kid that defends the retarded kids at school, so maybe she was internally comparing him to that, but I still thought that her child-perception was onto something.
You know what? Never mind. Forget I said anything.
Time is fucking short.
this whole subject is retarded. People are stupid. Stupid people have money. I don't have much money, but am not overly stupid. Intelligence is a resource. Resources are finite. I use my resources to acquire resources from others. Casting that in any sort of ethical/moral light makes no sense to me. Should I voluntarily exclude myself from acquiring resources because it may negatively impact others? They certainly aren't giving me the same consideration. They'd stab me in the face if they thought it would provide them some advantage.
Quote from: Emerald City Hustle on February 12, 2010, 06:17:19 PM
this whole subject is retarded. People are stupid. Stupid people have money. I don't have much money, but am not overly stupid. Intelligence is a resource. Resources are finite. I use my resources to acquire resources from others. Casting that in any sort of ethical/moral light makes no sense to me. Should I voluntarily exclude myself from acquiring resources because it may negatively impact others? They certainly aren't giving me the same consideration. They'd stab me in the face if they thought it would provide them some advantage.
I think Bernard Madoff would tend to agree with you.
There is lots of grey area, and each case requires individual consideration. Casting to extremes doesn't provide much illumination.
Well, in this case, and what this specific thread is about, is that I specifically find Lysergic's attitude toward his clientele, and apparently humanity in general, rather repugnant.
Perhaps Rand was right and there is no morality other than survival of the strongest, but I personally disagree.
Quote from: Calamity Nigel on February 12, 2010, 08:52:27 PM
Quote from: Emerald City Hustle on February 12, 2010, 06:17:19 PM
this whole subject is retarded. People are stupid. Stupid people have money. I don't have much money, but am not overly stupid. Intelligence is a resource. Resources are finite. I use my resources to acquire resources from others. Casting that in any sort of ethical/moral light makes no sense to me. Should I voluntarily exclude myself from acquiring resources because it may negatively impact others? They certainly aren't giving me the same consideration. They'd stab me in the face if they thought it would provide them some advantage.
I think Bernard Madoff would tend to agree with you.
I think it depends on how far you take it. Yeah, intelligence as a resource and using it to make a living. That works. It only becomes unethical when you use it to exploit others to the point of their deprivation.
Quote from: Sigmatic on February 12, 2010, 09:21:06 PM
Quote from: Calamity Nigel on February 12, 2010, 08:52:27 PM
Quote from: Emerald City Hustle on February 12, 2010, 06:17:19 PM
this whole subject is retarded. People are stupid. Stupid people have money. I don't have much money, but am not overly stupid. Intelligence is a resource. Resources are finite. I use my resources to acquire resources from others. Casting that in any sort of ethical/moral light makes no sense to me. Should I voluntarily exclude myself from acquiring resources because it may negatively impact others? They certainly aren't giving me the same consideration. They'd stab me in the face if they thought it would provide them some advantage.
I think Bernard Madoff would tend to agree with you.
I think it depends on how far you take it. Yeah, intelligence as a resource and using it to make a living. That works. It only becomes unethical when you use it to exploit others to the point of their deprivation.
Well, yes. Exactly.
Quote from: Calamity Nigel on February 12, 2010, 09:11:45 PM
Perhaps Rand was right and there is no morality other than survival of the strongest, but I personally disagree.
I won't live in that universe.
That breed of morality seems to closely follow "what is, should be". It reminds me of "The Family" and their belief that everyone in a position of authority was placed there by Baby Jesus. Except for Obama. I haven't read that book yet, so I'm unclear of the cause of the selective reasoning, although I could probably guess.
Quote from: FP on February 12, 2010, 09:40:46 PM
That breed of morality seems to closely follow "what is, should be". It reminds me of "The Family" and their belief that everyone in a position of authority was placed there by Baby Jesus. Except for Obama. I haven't read that book yet, so I'm unclear of the cause of the selective reasoning, although I could probably guess.
Also, Nancy Pelosi. They're not so keen on her, either, and Baby Jesus must have taken the day off.
Quote from: Calamity Nigel on February 12, 2010, 08:52:27 PM
Quote from: Emerald City Hustle on February 12, 2010, 06:17:19 PM
this whole subject is retarded. People are stupid. Stupid people have money. I don't have much money, but am not overly stupid. Intelligence is a resource. Resources are finite. I use my resources to acquire resources from others. Casting that in any sort of ethical/moral light makes no sense to me. Should I voluntarily exclude myself from acquiring resources because it may negatively impact others? They certainly aren't giving me the same consideration. They'd stab me in the face if they thought it would provide them some advantage.
I think Bernard Madoff would tend to agree with you.
Lys, stop using psychicatry to steal billions of dollars from people.
Quote from: EoC on February 12, 2010, 10:15:59 PM
Quote from: Calamity Nigel on February 12, 2010, 08:52:27 PM
Quote from: Emerald City Hustle on February 12, 2010, 06:17:19 PM
this whole subject is retarded. People are stupid. Stupid people have money. I don't have much money, but am not overly stupid. Intelligence is a resource. Resources are finite. I use my resources to acquire resources from others. Casting that in any sort of ethical/moral light makes no sense to me. Should I voluntarily exclude myself from acquiring resources because it may negatively impact others? They certainly aren't giving me the same consideration. They'd stab me in the face if they thought it would provide them some advantage.
I think Bernard Madoff would tend to agree with you.
Lys, stop using psychicatry to steal billions of dollars from people.
To clarify for you, I had diverged from my criticism of Lysergic's attitude toward his clientele, and was addressing what I took to be the underlying sentiment behind the bolded line in ECH's post by using an extreme example of that kind of philosophy as an illustration of why I disagree with it in general.
Quote from: Calamity Nigel on February 12, 2010, 11:23:32 PM
Quote from: EoC on February 12, 2010, 10:15:59 PM
Quote from: Calamity Nigel on February 12, 2010, 08:52:27 PM
Quote from: Emerald City Hustle on February 12, 2010, 06:17:19 PM
this whole subject is retarded. People are stupid. Stupid people have money. I don't have much money, but am not overly stupid. Intelligence is a resource. Resources are finite. I use my resources to acquire resources from others. Casting that in any sort of ethical/moral light makes no sense to me. Should I voluntarily exclude myself from acquiring resources because it may negatively impact others? They certainly aren't giving me the same consideration. They'd stab me in the face if they thought it would provide them some advantage.
I think Bernard Madoff would tend to agree with you.
Lys, stop using psychicatry to steal billions of dollars from people.
To clarify for you, I had diverged from my criticism of Lysergic's attitude toward his clientele, and was addressing what I took to be the underlying sentiment behind the bolded line in ECH's post by using an extreme example of that kind of philosophy as an illustration of why I disagree with it in general.
To clarify for you, I considered the concept of someone using cold reading to steal
billions of dollars slightly humorous and decided to riff on it.
Maybe next time I do that I should start a whole different thread about it instead?
I'm going to make a pretty extreme statement here, and say that I think that most people, as individuals, are basically pretty decent. It makes them really easy to take advantage of if you are so minded.
The way I feel about Lysergic's attitude is that if you think you're fleecing people, you are. This reflects on you, not on them, nor on anyone else, in your line of work or otherwise. If you think you're providing an entertaining or even an illuminating service for people, even if you're doing something stupid like chain-dancing badly on a public sidewalk, at least your conscience is free from connivance. If you don't think you're fleecing people, you don't have any reason to make the kinds of comments Lysergic has made about what he does and who he makes his money from.
But that assumes you have a conscience.
Quote from: EoC on February 12, 2010, 11:29:08 PM
Quote from: Calamity Nigel on February 12, 2010, 11:23:32 PM
Quote from: EoC on February 12, 2010, 10:15:59 PM
Quote from: Calamity Nigel on February 12, 2010, 08:52:27 PM
Quote from: Emerald City Hustle on February 12, 2010, 06:17:19 PM
this whole subject is retarded. People are stupid. Stupid people have money. I don't have much money, but am not overly stupid. Intelligence is a resource. Resources are finite. I use my resources to acquire resources from others. Casting that in any sort of ethical/moral light makes no sense to me. Should I voluntarily exclude myself from acquiring resources because it may negatively impact others? They certainly aren't giving me the same consideration. They'd stab me in the face if they thought it would provide them some advantage.
I think Bernard Madoff would tend to agree with you.
Lys, stop using psychicatry to steal billions of dollars from people.
To clarify for you, I had diverged from my criticism of Lysergic's attitude toward his clientele, and was addressing what I took to be the underlying sentiment behind the bolded line in ECH's post by using an extreme example of that kind of philosophy as an illustration of why I disagree with it in general.
To clarify for you, I considered the concept of someone using cold reading to steal billions of dollars slightly humorous and decided to riff on it.
Oh. I was unable to see the path to funnay. Thanks for explaining your joke.
Quote from: Doktor Howl on February 12, 2010, 10:07:51 PM
Quote from: FP on February 12, 2010, 09:40:46 PM
That breed of morality seems to closely follow "what is, should be". It reminds me of "The Family" and their belief that everyone in a position of authority was placed there by Baby Jesus. Except for Obama. I haven't read that book yet, so I'm unclear of the cause of the selective reasoning, although I could probably guess.
Also, Nancy Pelosi. They're not so keen on her, either, and Baby Jesus must have taken the day off.
See, EoC, this is a pretty good example of a clear path to the funnay. It's like a direct shot on a sunny day.
Quote from: Calamity Nigel on February 12, 2010, 11:39:16 PM
See, EoC, this is a pretty good example of a clear path to the funnay. It's like a direct shot on a sunny day.
Appropriate metaphor for someone who treats everything like a target.
Quote from: EoC on February 13, 2010, 12:46:41 AM
Quote from: Calamity Nigel on February 12, 2010, 11:39:16 PM
See, EoC, this is a pretty good example of a clear path to the funnay. It's like a direct shot on a sunny day.
Appropriate metaphor for someone who treats everything like a target.
You on that bandwagon too? Just because I didn't get your joke?
Quote from: Calamity Nigel on February 13, 2010, 01:54:08 AM
Quote from: EoC on February 13, 2010, 12:46:41 AM
Quote from: Calamity Nigel on February 12, 2010, 11:39:16 PM
See, EoC, this is a pretty good example of a clear path to the funnay. It's like a direct shot on a sunny day.
Appropriate metaphor for someone who treats everything like a target.
You on that bandwagon too? Just because I didn't get your joke?
No, because you responded with condescension to not getting the joke.
Quote from: EoC on February 13, 2010, 02:03:07 AM
Quote from: Calamity Nigel on February 13, 2010, 01:54:08 AM
Quote from: EoC on February 13, 2010, 12:46:41 AM
Quote from: Calamity Nigel on February 12, 2010, 11:39:16 PM
See, EoC, this is a pretty good example of a clear path to the funnay. It's like a direct shot on a sunny day.
Appropriate metaphor for someone who treats everything like a target.
You on that bandwagon too? Just because I didn't get your joke?
No, because you responded with condescension to not getting the joke.
That's because I thought you were being serious, and if you had been, it would have been a really stupid thing to say.
(http://i1008.photobucket.com/albums/af205/spiff_bucket/274worlds-cutest-kitten.jpg)
Hey EoC, it really turns me on to stick my finger in your ear, is that OK?
:lulz:
I feel like a prude, but I can't even begin to imagine how someone would get off on that.
Quote from: FP on February 13, 2010, 02:34:31 AM
:lulz:
I feel like a prude, but I can't even begin to imagine how someone would get off on that.
I don't think it's because you're a prude... it's because THAT RIGHT THERE IS SOME CRAZY SHIT.
Bickering turns to kittens and ear fetish!?
DAMN YOU PD! :argh!:
(http://fc03.deviantart.net/fs20/f/2007/231/2/8/JUST_AS_PLANNED_by_Kiriska.jpg)
Quote from: Calamity Nigel on February 13, 2010, 02:36:59 AM
I don't think it's because you're a prude... it's because THAT RIGHT THERE IS SOME CRAZY SHIT.
I like to approach these things with an open mind, but Mrs FP wouldn't even let me try. This is probably for the best.
It's a happy ending!
Just not the kind at the massage parlor.
At least, not YET.
Quote from: Calamity Nigel on February 12, 2010, 11:35:29 PM
I'm going to make a pretty extreme statement here, and say that I think that most people, as individuals, are basically pretty decent. It makes them really easy to take advantage of if you are so minded.
The way I feel about Lysergic's attitude is that if you think you're fleecing people, you are. This reflects on you, not on them, nor on anyone else, in your line of work or otherwise. If you think you're providing an entertaining or even an illuminating service for people, even if you're doing something stupid like chain-dancing badly on a public sidewalk, at least your conscience is free from connivance. If you don't think you're fleecing people, you don't have any reason to make the kinds of comments Lysergic has made about what he does and who he makes his money from.
But that assumes you have a conscience.
According to that line of logic, The Family is the most ethically upstanding organization in modern American politics.
After all, they
really believe that they're doing God's work.
Quote from: Emerald City Hustle on February 13, 2010, 03:04:06 AM
Quote from: Calamity Nigel on February 12, 2010, 11:35:29 PM
I'm going to make a pretty extreme statement here, and say that I think that most people, as individuals, are basically pretty decent. It makes them really easy to take advantage of if you are so minded.
The way I feel about Lysergic's attitude is that if you think you're fleecing people, you are. This reflects on you, not on them, nor on anyone else, in your line of work or otherwise. If you think you're providing an entertaining or even an illuminating service for people, even if you're doing something stupid like chain-dancing badly on a public sidewalk, at least your conscience is free from connivance. If you don't think you're fleecing people, you don't have any reason to make the kinds of comments Lysergic has made about what he does and who he makes his money from.
But that assumes you have a conscience.
According to that line of logic, The Family is the most ethically upstanding organization in modern American politics.
After all, they really believe that they're doing God's work.
It's not the only aspect to ethics, though; just one signpost along the way. Actually not doing harm to other people is another one.
Quote from: Alty on February 11, 2010, 05:27:41 PM
People call psychics.
It would be shitty if it was the other way around.
If they were
really psychic, that's what they'd do.
Quote from: Annabel the Destroyer on February 13, 2010, 04:27:59 PM
Quote from: Alty on February 11, 2010, 05:27:41 PM
People call psychics.
It would be shitty if it was the other way around.
If they were really psychic, that's what they'd do.
Nono, those are psych
os.
Quote from: Doktor Howl on February 11, 2010, 05:26:34 PM
Quote from: LMNO on February 11, 2010, 05:22:57 PM
ITT, Nigel and BAI/The Stoat begin a death match.
There is never anything wrong with telling people what they want to hear.
There is never anything wrong with selling people what they want to hear.