RE: virus: The golden shower of salesmanship

Richard Brodie (richard@brodietech.com)
Fri, 5 Feb 1999 01:36:47 -0800

Wade wrote:

<<I more see it as throwing good money after bad. I like my nose, and will
not injure it. But like I said, I have never done this- never offered my support for things being sold at me- if I find them, that's another question entirely, or if they are offered, or if I seek them for some reason. To this point, I have not.>>

Glad to hear it. As usual I agree with your heuristic. When offered the choice between something advertised, like a brand of dishwashing detergent, and a store brand, I always assume the unadvertised choice is the better value. After all, they don't have to spend all that money advertising.

<<But I've also never taken money, or received it, for the abstract. And it
ain't personal with you, Richard, although in all truth, you have never offered me anything, but insist I pay for it first. Now, what sort of irrationality is that? Where is your product that I may taste it first? >>

Well, actually you may taste it, or even consume it whole, in your favorite library or bookstore. You may have difficulty finding Virus of the Mind in bookstores for the next few weeks as the Oprah appearance has seriously drained supplies. But I know the Harvard Law School library has Virus of the Mind in their collection.

Seriously, Wade, this is the first glimmer I've ever had that you were the slightest bit interested in what I have to say. If you'll send me your postal address I'd be happy to send you a copy of the other book, Getting Past OK, on me. I'm flattered. You seem to have thought things out pretty well for yourself and I'm surprised at your interest.

I have another book on line; it's an updated version of Emerson's essay Self Reliance. I haven't advertised it, but if you like you can read it at http://www.brodietech.com/rbrodie/emerson.htm

Also the first chapter of Virus of the Mind is available at http://www.brodietech.com/rbrodie/vmintro.htm

<<Why do I see a dollar sign in front of your name?>>

You're wearing $-colored glasses?

Richard Brodie richard@brodietech.com http://www.brodietech.com/rbrodie/ Author, "Virus of the Mind: The New Science of the Meme" http://www.brodietech.com/rbrodie/votm.htm Free newsletter! Visit Meme Central at
http://www.brodietech.com/rbrodie/meme.htm