[tijlover]

^^
What would really give me a scare is if more people delved into Astrology, as that would lead to it being banned I'm guessing, as there's too much upfront truth to be found, and truth will always be scary to mankind.

I once had an ex-partner who dared me to do a chart and reading on him, laughing as he said, thinking it had no value whatsoever, and when I did, with a scared look on his face he said: Now you know everything about me! And? He never spoke to me again! I pointed out to him his Sun in the 12th house, as a position for potential alcoholics/drug addicts, and he admitted he was an alcoholic!

That's the last thing Presidential candidates would want, people voting astrologically for their leaders. And, if you want a chart on any famous person all you need to do is go to Astrodienst and you'll find a chart on any famous person. No, Trump you can't hide from it!

I even have the astrological profiles of Chris Guinchigliano and Steve Sisolak running for Nevada Governor, and our current Governor: Leo/Moon in Aquarius!

[tazz]

Originally Posted by SportyandMisty

I don't personally believe in astrology, but I have a (possibly) interesting story around it.

A friend's son is now in his late 40s. Let's call him "Bob." He's a bright guy, having earned a PhD in History from a major university. He thought he would spend his career as a professor at a major research university, but his passion for academics faded, never to return.

Bob bounced around for a while doing odd jobs while he spent some time thinking about and researching a business that he might go into. He settled on astrology. He started a newsletter and launched a website, writing weekly horoscopes. He started doing custom astrological charts and consultations ($250/hr). He launched a syndicated column appearing in a handful of publications around the globe.

Then Bob went into retail, opening a store in a tourist-y location, selling all manner of things associated with astrology. He expanded into areas he thought might be adjacent to astrology -- areas he hoped might be of interest to his customers, including magic potions, spells, charms, magic crystals, essential scents, spiritual charts, etc, etc, etc.

Bob makes a pretty good living.

Bob is a con man.

[SportyandMisty]

Originally Posted by tazz

Bob is a con man.

I see your point. Bob probably would reply that he doesn't believe in most of the stuff he sells, but he has found a niche where there is customer demand. He sells customers things they want to buy in response to their asking. He doesn't try to convince anyone of anything, so in that sense he isn't a con man. His objective has always been to find a niche of customers who wish to trade their hard-earned money for a products & services he can sell.

[Tek_Freek]

Bob isn't a con man. He's an entrepreneur. A con man tries to pull a fast one on people who don't want what the con man has to offer. Bob just opened some businesses and waited for people to buy what he offered. Which they did of their own free will.

[ElleTea]

Originally Posted by English Dave

I think we need some safe rooms building in the Las Vegas thread. Never thought I'd see them here.....

I sure wish Dynimagelv was still around.

Why? Everything that has been going on here lately is TAME compared to what you see on other sites!

[SportyandMisty]

Most everyone is familiar with the Occam's Razor heuristic, of which there are many formulations - but the basic idea is that if there are multiple competing explanations, the simplest is most likely to be correct (When you hear hoofbeats, think of horses not zebras".

I find fewer are familiar with Hanlon’s Razor heuristic, which states that we should not attribute to malice that which is more easily explained by stupidity or neglect.

[Tek_Freek]

SportyandMisty wins the Post of the Month award.

[tijlover]

Originally Posted by Tek_Freek

Bob isn't a con man. He's an entrepreneur. A con man tries to pull a fast one on people who don't want what the con man has to offer. Bob just opened some businesses and waited for people to buy what he offered. Which they did of their own free will.

I know a number of people in health care/Doctors who I would classify as con men as well, and they're deeply respected in our society!

My last Orthopedist does the Xray, then requests the MRI, then the MRI with contrast and then tells me that he can't do anything for me, that I need to see a Neck Specialist. Why didn't he direct me to one in the first place before gouging Medicare 3X over plus the office visits ($45 co-pays)? And why didn't he request the MRI with contrast from the start?

Doctors need to be put on a Contingency basis. You don't pay them nothing if they do nothing for you!

[Tek_Freek]

Been through a few of those. Going to my last appointment with a specialist next week. I'll listen to what he says, make another appointment six months out, then call later and cancel. Keeps me from listening to his BS by telling him I won't be back. Considering all the crap he's put me through for no reason I don't think he deserves the respect that talking to him would show. He's given me so little.

I'll have my doctor prescribe the meds I need.

[English Dave]

Originally Posted by tijlover

I know a number of people in health care/Doctors who I would classify as con men as well, and they're deeply respected in our society!

My last Orthopedist does the Xray, then requests the MRI, then the MRI with contrast and then tells me that he can't do anything for me, that I need to see a Neck Specialist. Why didn't he direct me to one in the first place before gouging Medicare 3X over plus the office visits ($45 co-pays)? And why didn't he request the MRI with contrast from the start?

Doctors need to be put on a Contingency basis. You don't pay them nothing if they do nothing for you!

Same here with the NHS. I saw it last year with my wife's mother. Tests and more tests. It doesn't make sense at first, because there is no money exchanged within the NHS. But, it's creating work, so they look like they're busy.

Once you in the NHS system, they're reluctant to let you go. It creates work, so the doctors can look like the world would come to an end without them.

Still, I'm glad it's there. You never know when you're going to be REALLY ill.