Scam Artists Promote Crackpot Genius--And Society Lets Them Get Away With It

--Scam Artists' Conspiracy Theories, Loony Scams, and Social Recognition Make for a Lethal Mix--Generally Accepted by a Laid-Back Public

Louis Pasteur was run out of medical school for advancing the thesis that life forms too small to be seen were responsible for disease. Galileo was imprisoned for life for expounding the thought that the earth was round. Einstein was tossed out of grade school as irredeemably unteachable.

At one time these revolutionary history-makers were assigned a place in their respective societies among the "Lunatic Fringe." Today, scam artists everywhere cash in on a slight variation--pawn themselves off as "eccentric geniuses"--knowing this has great appeal to the masses: those throngs of people from all walks of life who live "inside the box," the multitudes who nod their heads and walk in a straight line. Long memories of past glory loom over these seeming Pied Piper-led parades led by the scam artists.

How does the polished scam artist of today turn such eccentricity to his advantage? Let us count the ways. Here a few of the rules he follows:

> Always push the conspiracy theory over boring conventionalism. This, to better carry off your charade as an "Eccentric Genius." This must be a very dedicated, targeted campaign on your part. You must be like the Hit Man, fiercely concentrating, looking to whack a buck-toothed beaver..

> In keeping with this self-portrait, never accept the Laws of mainstream science. (Gravity, maybe. Nothing else.) You've got your very own (crackpot) science to sell.

> Never stay put on one topic too long. If you do, you risk being challenged to provide annoying things such as "proof" Use "what if" scenarios wherever possible--to change the subject Steer the conversation to another area--inspired hogwash, anything mind-numbingly dull.
Don't forget, a lie, often repeated with rapid fire motion, hammered home, quickly becomes the truth.

> Take a page from the book of Mr. Spock of the old Star Trek series. Adopt his vocabulary. Throw in additional sci-babble used by the Romulans and Klingons. To the layman, this seeming scientific mastery will captivate.

> Always accuse your detractors of being closed minded. This will bring your flock closer to you. After all, your flock will be made up, largely, of people who pride themselves on their open mindedness, and will, thus, automatically reject those party poopers who demand evidence for everything.

> Get a fake degree from one of the many vendors of these, preferably an MBA, or a Doctorate. Wave the superior intellect and wisdom your advanced degree bestows upon you over your adversaries' heads. Make them see the relative stupidity of their own positions--in comparison to yours--and accept humility and blind allegiance to your ideas as the "only way."

> Always cite anything you read on the internet as fact. Your worldly wisdom, gained through your internet prowess, will impress your flock no end.

> Use the word quantum often (Quantum leaps. Quantum regression. Quantum exponentiality.) This will make you sound very scientific.

> Preach Better Living Through Denial.
This would be largely denial of your followers' money--remaining in their own pockets, that is--because they would be giving it to you.

> Make sure all documents employed are loaded with eyeball-bleeding fine print, containing all the best elements of your shakedown. Use legalese out the wazoo--to confuse, distort, cajole, obfuscate, and close the sale.

These are just a few of the tactics you--as recipient of these sales pitches--will run into when dealing with the accomplished scam artist. When you can cut through all of the freeze-dried platitudes, realize that if you think there is good in everybody, you haven't met everybody, and can ferret out the whimsical aberrations of iffy reasoning you've heard (All trees have bark; all dogs bark; therefore all dogs are trees), don't walk, run like a frightened bush bunny for the nearest exit.