WORTHWHILE OR WORTHLESS- A CONSUMER GUIDE TO AVOIDING SCAMS AND SCOUNDRELS. GOING ON A DIET? YOU CAN LOSE MORE THAN JUST WEIGHT. PT 7.

The problem with these ads, and the claims made by the "Interviewed Consumers", is the degree of Truth or Accuracy they contain.

Consider the following:

-  They are ANECDOTAL STORIES.  As I have said before, these are perhaps the worst way for measuring the effectiveness of just about anything.  Without Proper Controls, and a Strict Methodology, any Testimony like this is Basically Worthless.

-  Even if there are "Before" and "After" pictures of the Individual, you have no way of knowing what other "Procedures", "Techniques", or "Products" were introduced to affect the "Outcome", or what we see in pictures and on the screen.

-  The Complete Medical and Physical Background is unknown.  

1)  Were these former Competitive Athletes? 

2)  What Natural Physical Traits did the Individual have,

that made the Transformation Easier or Faster?

3)  Did they have access to "Coaches", who knew how 

to overcome Genetics, or Lifestyle Choices that were made 

in the past.

All these things, and more, can influence the "Finished Product."

However, at least in the above cases, there is an attempt to adjust the Sales Pitch, as it relates to "Before" or "After" Users. 

That is not always the case.  Unfortunately, you often get a "Mix and Match" group

of Individuals, who are not differentiated on Page or Screen.

This is where the FITNESS MODEL, AND THE INDUSTRY, PROVIDES THE GREATEST BANG FOR THE BUCK.

What do I mean?  It is an example of Deceiving Someone, without making any Claims or Promises. It is an IMPLIED DECEPTION.

LOOK FOR PT 8.

LOGIC. WHY SHOULD WE STUDY LOGIC? PT 2. SEEING PEOPLE AND THINGS AS THEY REALLY ARE.

                                                                            

Now you may be Thinking, "If LOGIC IS SO IMPORTANT, WHY DON'T THEY TEACH IT AT AN EARLY AGE, AND HOW COME SO FEW PEOPLE OUTSIDE THE REALMS OF SCIENCE AND PHILOSOPHY KNOW SO LITTLE ABOUT THE SUBJECT?"

Because LOGIC, WHEN STUDIED AND USED PROPERLY, IS THE ULTIMATE "REALITY SHOW."  EVEN SOME OF THOSE IN OCCUPATIONS DEDICATED TO LEARNING AND APPLYING THE SCIENTIFIC METHOD, WILL ABANDON IT WHEN IT COMES TO SITUATIONS OUTSIDE THEIR CHOSEN FIELD.

WHY?

-  LOGIC IS A TOOL, NOT A SET OF BELIEFS.

-  LOGIC DOESN'T DISCRIMINATE.  EITHER YOUR 

ARGUMENT IS PROPERLY STRUCTURED AND VALID,

OR IT ISN'T, AND THE TRUTH OF YOUR CONCLUSION

RELIES ON THE PREMISES.

-  ALL ASSERTIONS MUST BE DEFENDED, NOTHING

IS ACCEPTED AT FACE VALUE.

-  IF YOUR PREMISES ARE UNSUPPORTABLE, THAN 

YOUR CONCLUSION IS VALUELESS.

HOW DOES THIS TRANSLATE TO REAL LIFE SITUATIONS?

LOGIC SHINES A LIGHT ON;

-  PREJUDICE.

-  PRECONCEIVED CONCLUSIONS.

-  IRRATIONAL LINES OF THOUGHT.

-  UNJUSTIFIED DECISIONS THAT HIGHLIGHT 

   A LACK OF KNOWLEDGE AND IGNORANCE  

   OF THE SUBJECT MATTER.

In other words;

All the RHETORIC, LIP SERVICE, AND NEWS

BITES IN THE WORLD ABOUT EQUALITY, JUSTICE

RIGHTS, etc., will mean nothing if they cannot stand up

to the Scrutiny of APPLIED LOGIC.

LOGIC DOES NOT FOCUS ON WHAT YOU 

BELIEVE TO BE TRUE...

...BUT WHY YOU BELIEVE IT.

Fiction- Stories, Myths and Legends. THE LEGEND OF THE VANISHING LIGHTHOUSE KEEPERS. PT 1.

( The following is a work of fiction, but is based on a real event.

All the names, locations and dates are taken from case studies of the actual event.)

The Captain of the Hesperus peered through his Spyglass and spoke

to the man next to him.

"Sorry Moore," he began,"I still don't see any sign of life, and we've

hailed them three times."

Joseph Moore was standing next to Captain Harvie and along with the Helmsman, were the only three occupants on the Bridge.  It was the day after Christmas, but there was no feeling of "Peace on Earth" or "Good will to Men" inside Moore.  The Lighthouse on the island of Eilean Mor was still dark, and there was no sign of his three comrades.

Captain Harvie continued, "When were about 150 yds out, I'll heave to and send in a landing party to investigate.  I assume you'll want to be part of it."

Moore nodded without looking at Harvie. "What could have happened," he thought to himself, "Why can't we make contact?" Moore knew that the bare flagpole, which was located near the living quarters, was a bad sign.

Distress signals indicating problems on the island, could be relayed to neighboring islands or passing ships by raising certain signal flags available to the Keepers stationed on the island.

Captain Harvie was usually annoyed when someone aboard his ship did not answer his questions with a prompt verbal reply. He considered it to be a breach of etiquette and disrespectful to his command.  However, this was different.  He was familiar with the type of man it took to be a Lighthouse Keeper, and confrontation over this matter would lead to no good.  Ultimately, it was his responsibility to get the Light working again and to find out why it went out.  He, therefore, would not risk antagonizing Moore.  This man was his best bet in finding the truth.

End of PT 1.

LOGIC. THE SLIPPERY SLOPE- BOOGEYMAN OF THE IRRATIONAL, AND THE SELF-SERVING. PT 1.

I Have Avoided Discussing this Logical Fallacy, because it Represents a Line of Reasoning so Lacking in any Intellectual Depth, it seems Silly just to Point it Out so others can recognize it.  On its Face, it would seem to be so Obvious that no one would take it seriously.  Sadly, that is not the case.

THE SLIPPERY SLOPE FALLACY-  IS OFTEN USED IN THE FIELDS OF LAW AND POLITICS.  IT IS SOMETIMES THE FALL BACK POSITION FOR THOSE WHO FIND THEIR VIEWS OR OPINIONS ON CERTAIN TOPICS BEING REJECTED, OR SHOWN TO BE INCORRECT. ALSO, IT MAY BE THE LAST LINE OF DESPERATION FOR THOSE WHO DO NOT WANT ANY CHANGE OR ALTERATIONS IN THE LEGAL SYSTEM.  IT CAN ALSO BE USED TO PRESERVE THE SOCIAL STRUCTURE THAT EXISTS AT THE TIME, WHICH GIVES POWER AND PRIVILEGES TO CERTAIN GROUPS. 

SHORT DEFINITION. 

THAT ANY CHANGE IN THE LAW OR STATUS QUO, WILL START A DOWNWARD OR NEGATIVE MOVEMENT THAT WILL ONLY INCREASE IN MOMENTUM, AND RESULT IN CATASTROPHIC CONSEQUENCES THAT ARE FAR WORSE THAN IF THE CHANGE HAD NEVER BEEN MADE.

No Reasonable Person would Assert that any changes in the Law Cannot, and/or Will Not, have no Negative Affects on Those who fall under its Authority.  But Altering the LEGAL SYSTEM IS usually a Case of Measuring what is Gained, Against what is Lost.  That is True in the;

Short Term- Immediate Measurable Results.

Long Term-  Precedents being Set, and How

They Affect Society in General.

However, THE SLIPPERY SLOPE ARGUMENT Usually Includes ONLY NEGATIVE RESULTS THAT DO NOT PREDICT MINOR CHANGES, BUT HIGHLY DESTRUCTIVE RESULTS, THAT OFFER NO POSITIVE OUTCOMES.

There are Examples of this From History, which will be looked at in the Future.