Who Do They Think They Are?!

[Vigilante]

There are really only three main ways to get banned here (or asked to leave, depending on the circumstances):

1. To be such an over the top dumbass that the moderators collectively hate you
2. To be a spammer
3. To have an integrity breach that causes the owner of the forum to not want you in his house as this place suffers by passive association

Those are the three main ways to get banned, although there have been a few creative exceptions. So don't worry about getting banned for bringing things to light. The only thing that usually scatters in the light is cock roaches.

Bullshit artists can't sell their wares here, and eventually head back to the other known bullshit artist hangouts. YOU are the best moderators. Collectively, the forum has a tendency to self regulate. That is always the preferred method of recognizing value or lack thereof.

 

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[Jon L]

1. To be such an over the top dumbass that the moderators collectively hate you.

I don't know why, but that sentence is really quite funny.

 

[Vigilante]

I don't know why, but that sentence is really quite funny.

And yet, surprisingly...it's always unanimous.

 

[MJ DeMarco]

I had believed it would have been punishable, but it seems not.

I don't remove people based on hearsay or accusations. I need concrete evidence I can point to, not "that dude said this and instead he did that!" Anybody can do that.

 

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[Charnell]

One of my favorite quotes - "Everybody has something to say. Not everybody is worth listening to."

Here's another - "You will be the same person in 5 years as you are today except for the people you associate with and the books you read."

I hope to address the younger men of this forum. The 18 to twenty somethings.

Please note: this does not apply to all in that age group but a small segment. If this does not apply to you please disregard.

Please be mindful of who you admire, look up to, follow, associate with, work with and/or befriend.

Why am I specifically addressing young men? While it's not exclusive, it seems this demographic is the "market" that people with ill intentions target. They target them by promoting, flaunting and exuding bravdo, greed, money, cars and playboy lifestyles.

Here on the forum they may post threads of self worth or photos of checks and stacks of cash. They like to clash with the more well known respected members (bravado/hoping to demonstrate they are alpha males). Or they may actually use same respected members to unknowingly "validate" their successes and claims. They may insult and belittle others for not being as "intelligent" or "enlightened" as they are. All while building up and befriending those that seem ripe for the picking.

In the real world they do much of the same thing using their instagram, snapchat and personal blogs.

They build a cult following of young "like minded" men that want all the materials things that money can buy.

They promote mindsets of excess greed and believe the end justifies the means. They idolize and glorify people, companies and movies that should be examples of what NOT to do.

Why the warning?

Some of these type of people will use their cred and "celebrity" with these young men to convince them to do things that are frankly wrong, illegal or unethical. Or, they get them to work for them for free in hopes of bigger payouts down the line. Oddly those payouts never materialize. Or they get them to invest in "projects" like ad campaigns, websites or even businesses. Or they coerce them to pay for mentoring. Mentoring that simply falls short. Or they get them to start credit cards and lines of credit in their name and in turn, allow the "guru" to use at their discretion.

Unfortunately, I know that my warning will mostly fall on deaf ears. Most people only learn through experience in matters such as these. I can only hope someone will read this and it becomes a turning point in their mindset and cause them to dig deeper before becoming enamored with the next alpha wolf flaunting their "success".

Develop critical thinking skills.

Trust but verify. Truth always survives investigation.

It's worth repeating...
"You will be the same person in 5 years as you are today except for the people you associate with and the books you read." I'll add - "Choose better."



Further reading...

https://www.thefastlaneforum.com/community/threads/i-am-not-responsible-required-reading.20271/

"I Am Not Responsible for Your Actions on This Forum, or The Actions Of Any Other Participants.

If you engage in any kind of business activity via either indirect (Phone/Email/Skype) or direct (PMs/Threads/Messages) participation of this forum, you are responsible for your actions, not me or my company. If you engage in a partnership, mentorship, agreement, etc. with ANYONE, you are responsible and liable for any and all actions to that effort.

TFF, MJ DeMarco or Viperion Corporation makes no warranty of any person, any person's financial status, any investment, or any strategy other than to provide a medium to communicate. PARTICIPATE AT YOUR OWN RISK.

DO YOUR OWN DUE DILIGENCE BEFORE ENGAGING IN ANY PARTNERSHIP, STRATEGY, BUSINESS, JOINT VENTURE, RELATIONSHIP, EVENT -- I AM NOT RESPONSIBLE. If you receive emails, private messages, or other solicitations by way of this forum, they are not the responsibility of this forum, myself, or my company. If you feel any solicitations are of illegal nature, please report it to me via email at mj - at -thefastlaneforum.com

If you do not agree nor accept these terms, please leave the forum as you are ineligible to participate here.

Additionally, you should immediately read the forum Terms of Service as your agreement to them is required for continued use and access to this site.

Regards,
MJ @ Fastlane"

Damn, I feel like I missed the boat to reply to the OP, but I'm going to anyway.

I watched and listened to those guys for a few months.

Then I wanted to be those guys for a few months.

Then I realized I couldn't be those guys because I didn't have the credentials to back it up. I'm 25 years old. I don't have the history. I've done some things in my life, but as a whole, it amounts to diddly.

That and I didn't want to put up a front about my real name and what things I'm doing. I have a bit too much... pride ...for that.

 

[Okraz1]

Law 27

 

[AllenCrawley]

Law 27

Textbook.

Law 27 from the 48 Laws of Power:

People have an overwhelming desire to believe in something. Become the focal point of such desire by offering them a cause, a new faith to follow. Keep your words vague but full of promise; emphasize enthusiasm over rationality and clear thinking. Give your new disciples rituals to perform, ask them to make sacrifices on your behalf. In the absence of organized religion and grand causes, your new belief system will bring you untold power.

 

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[Andy Black]

Textbook.

Law 27 from the 48 Laws of Power:

People have an overwhelming desire to believe in something. Become the focal point of such desire by offering them a cause, a new faith to follow. Keep your words vague but full of promise; emphasize enthusiasm over rationality and clear thinking. Give your new disciples rituals to perform, ask them to make sacrifices on your behalf. In the absence of organized religion and grand causes, your new belief system will bring you untold power.

Ugh. That's actually written down somewhere for people to follow?! My mind boggles...



EDIT:

Be careful who you listen to.

Be careful who you follow.


Keep the following saying in mind, not just about you, but about others:

"How you do anything is how you do everything."​

 

[theag]

Why so quiet @Ubermensch ?

I expected toplel when I opened the forum this morning and got nada.

 

[Longinus]

Why so quiet @Ubermensch ?

 

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[Raoul Duke]

Why so quiet @Ubermensch ?

I expected toplel when I opened the forum this morning and got nada.

I wasn't going to post this..... but what the heck.

 

[Greg R]

 

[Yoda]

“Who’s the more foolish; the fool, or the fool who follows him?” - Obi Wan Kenobi

 

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[Ubermensch]

Disclaimer: Although this thread was not explicitly created for me, I thought it prudent for me to respond.

LOL.

Much of this does seem targeted at me, even if indirectly.

Here on the forum they may post threads of self worth or photos of checks and stacks of cash.

Guilty as charged, in posts on this forum, and also on my Instagram profile (signature).

They like to clash with the more well known respected members (bravado/hoping to demonstrate they are alpha males).

Well, that's a pickle.

By nature, alpha males will sometimes clash, as will top-performers.

Also, top-performers often a certain type of attitude, a Floyd-Money-Mayweather way of talking. I don't see this as inherently bad.

In general, I actually avoid clashing with the proven winners on this forum, with the rare exception of @theag. Most people who read our exchanges on this site don't know anything of our private conversations off the forum, and probably don't realize that I take shots at him purely for the comic relief.

I once got into a heated exchange with @Kak; yet, I've heard impressive things about him from Vig.

They target them by promoting, flaunting and exuding bravdo, greed, money, cars and playboy lifestyles.

I can't speak for anyone else, but I actually don't target the young millennials on this site. A teenage, undisciplined brat is the last thing I want around me.

Between Thanksgiving and Christmas of last year, a few young guys asked me to mentor them. I obliged, and I did this free of charge.

This experience is precisely why I work only with older professionals. I don't have time to help a stupidly sycophantic - yet oddly simultaneously supercilious - kid struggling with inbred laziness and inborn slothfulness. This is the type - the book-reading nerd averse to taking real action - that I despise.

God bless the Internet for giving even the most insignificant of nobodies a platform to speak among winners, thereby creating in the mind's of midgets (both mental and monetary) the comforting illusion that they stand with giants.

So, no. I do not target the youngsters.

@theag I knew that $60k a year line was familiar. Iron Solomon used the same line in a rap battle. LMAO... I was very close to actually giving you credit for being clever.

In the real world they do much of the same thing using their instagram, snapchat and personal blogs.

Well, I do have an Instagram... (<<<----)

No snapchat and no current blog, though.

They promote mindsets of excess greed and believe the end justifies the means.

Again, guilt as charged.

Also again, I'm unsure if this is targeted directly at me.

Regarding "the ends justifying the means," I won't make an argument for Machiavelli - or his spiritual son, Robert Greene - in this thread. I will say, however, that you need only look to this forum for evidence of the embrace of Machiavellian thinking.

Simply look at the many references The 50th Law, 48 Laws, Art of Seduction, Mastery, and 33 Strategies (even by those who, with their actions (or lack thereof), disgrace the books).

Those who know me off and on the forum know my story, and know that it bears many similarities to both @MJ DeMarco and @SteveO.

I've shared - with both @SteveO and @MKHB utility case studies written on a $600,000 lighting project I sold and made $100k+ on.

I also shared with both of them a newspaper story about a $3,500,000 PACE project that I closed.

I've already produced millions in sales this year, and am well on my way to having my first seven-figure year in income, and - true to form - I document everything.

 

[theag]

@theag I knew that $60k a year line was familiar. Iron Solomon used the same line in a rap battle. LMAO... I was very close to actually giving you credit for being clever.

I dont know who that is but I stole the line from

 

[Ubermensch]

I dont know who that is but I stole the line from

HAHA old and still great.

 

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[Ubermensch]

Why so quiet @Ubermensch ?

I expected toplel when I opened the forum this morning and got nada.

I need to get you on my payroll as Hype Generator.

 

[Razz]

So, in my short time here it appears this is a recurring pattern. Imagine that, people that want to better theirselves - find something that works, and make a go of it. There will always be people that will buy and sell shortcuts, take them, and go that route to achieve their objectives.

Snake oil is as old as time. Digital snake oil is pretty easy to figure out. Credibility and authenticity aren't just words. Stop telling me how good you are, how amazing your product is. Show me. The whole verification thing, it's needed - but only when you trust someone.

It takes a lot to give trust, gain trust, and respect it. A lot of people will dress it up in various ways to tease out money to further their valueless objectives. These are generally guru's - riding the coattails of others. Selling an impossible dream, providing no real solution.

Ultimately it's up to you to figure it out. If you're looking to buy - a slick salesman poaching on your greed isn't to blame. They always look for marks, from soft targets to preying on vanity. The Internet allows people to mask themselves, but their product... not so much.

Better yourself, it's a learning experience. I've been mislead by digging through some archives and trying to figure out people's process, and yes - they made me feel like a dumbass. But always remember to look at motive, intent, and what the message is all about. It's part of the learning the process.

It's not them - it's you. Make better, more informed decisions. Learn from your mistakes. Trust but verify, show don't tell. A caveat: learn to show only those that deserve it. And don't be afraid to call it as you see it - i.e. a value waster (a**hole) is generally a value and time waster (a**hole). Be responsible and accountable, back it up by giving your word meaning.

You'll learn who doesn't have the same values, or respect for others.

Those that have stuck around here have made this a pretty awesome place. It's an idea playground - if used responsibly. And somehow, the ones that really care - have filtered the BS the best that they can. Most scammers never go to jail - slick vs illegal is a fine line. A rich fool and his money are soon parted.

Learn to create more value in yourself, and you'll learn to make better, more valuable decisions. And trust your gut - it can save a lot of heartache.

 

[Vigilante]

So, in my short time here it appears this is a recurring pattern. Imagine that, people that want to better theirselves - find something that works, and make a go of it. There will always be people that will buy and sell shortcuts, take them, and go that route to achieve their objectives.

Snake oil is as old as time. Digital snake oil is pretty easy to figure out. Credibility and authenticity aren't just words. Stop telling me how good you are, how amazing your product is. Show me. The whole verification thing, it's needed - but only when you trust someone.

It takes a lot to give trust, gain trust, and respect it. A lot of people will dress it up in various ways to tease out money to further their valueless objectives. These are generally guru's - riding the coattails of others. Selling an impossible dream, providing no real solution.

Ultimately it's up to you to figure it out. If you're looking to buy - a slick salesman poaching on your greed isn't to blame. They always look for marks, from soft targets to preying on vanity. The Internet allows people to mask themselves, but their product... not so much.

Better yourself, it's a learning experience. I've been mislead by digging through some archives and trying to figure out people's process, and yes - they made me feel like a dumbass. But always remember to look at motive, intent, and what the message is all about. It's part of the learning the process.

It's not them - it's you. Make better, more informed decisions. Learn from your mistakes. Trust but verify, show don't tell. A caveat: learn to show only those that deserve it. And don't be afraid to call it as you see it - i.e. a value waster (a**hole) is generally a value and time waster (a**hole). Be responsible and accountable, back it up by giving your word meaning.

You'll learn who doesn't have the same values, or respect for others.

Those that have stuck around here have made this a pretty awesome place. It's an idea playground - if used responsibly. And somehow, the ones that really care - have filtered the BS the best that they can. Most scammers never go to jail - slick vs illegal is a fine line. A rich fool and his money are soon parted.

Learn to create more value in yourself, and you'll learn to make better, more valuable decisions. And trust your gut - it can save a lot of heartache.

Best post I have read in a while. Please contribute more often. People like you can change the tide.

 

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[Andy Black]

So, in my short time here it appears this is a recurring pattern. Imagine that, people that want to better theirselves - find something that works, and make a go of it. There will always be people that will buy and sell shortcuts, take them, and go that route to achieve their objectives.

Snake oil is as old as time. Digital snake oil is pretty easy to figure out. Credibility and authenticity aren't just words. Stop telling me how good you are, how amazing your product is. Show me. The whole verification thing, it's needed - but only when you trust someone.

It takes a lot to give trust, gain trust, and respect it. A lot of people will dress it up in various ways to tease out money to further their valueless objectives. These are generally guru's - riding the coattails of others. Selling an impossible dream, providing no real solution.

Ultimately it's up to you to figure it out. If you're looking to buy - a slick salesman poaching on your greed isn't to blame. They always look for marks, from soft targets to preying on vanity. The Internet allows people to mask themselves, but their product... not so much.

Better yourself, it's a learning experience. I've been mislead by digging through some archives and trying to figure out people's process, and yes - they made me feel like a dumbass. But always remember to look at motive, intent, and what the message is all about. It's part of the learning the process.

It's not them - it's you. Make better, more informed decisions. Learn from your mistakes. Trust but verify, show don't tell. A caveat: learn to show only those that deserve it. And don't be afraid to call it as you see it - i.e. a value waster (a**hole) is generally a value and time waster (a**hole). Be responsible and accountable, back it up by giving your word meaning.

You'll learn who doesn't have the same values, or respect for others.

Those that have stuck around here have made this a pretty awesome place. It's an idea playground - if used responsibly. And somehow, the ones that really care - have filtered the BS the best that they can. Most scammers never go to jail - slick vs illegal is a fine line. A rich fool and his money are soon parted.

Learn to create more value in yourself, and you'll learn to make better, more valuable decisions. And trust your gut - it can save a lot of heartache.

^^^ Love this.



I read a story of a business owner who got fed up with his staff always looking for "Who's to blame?".

He wrote a note and put it in his desk.

Whenever the blame game started he'd pull the note out to show everyone.


It said:

"It's my fault."


Then he'd say, "Now, how can we fix it and prevent it happening again?"


Look in the mirror first, then move forward.

 

[axiom]

I'll add a couple things I've learned in the last few months:

If you are providing free work for more than a couple weeks with no contract or paperwork in place, leave.

If your "mentor" is constantly talking about the millions he is going to make, without any recent concrete monetary advancements towards those millions, leave.

If you find yourself surrounded by unscrupulous business activities -- masked as "strategy" -- leave.

If someone continues talking about the same deal for over a year, there's a very good chance he hasn't done anything since. So leave.

If you have SPENT more money on an "opportunity" than you've made after a little while (sometimes it does take money to make money in the short term), it is a scam. Leave.

If your "mentor" has a "God complex", get the hell out of there. False bravado is the true betrayer of deep-seeded insecurity (even if the possessing party is unaware).

At the end of the day, I place the blame on myself for putting up with certain things and people for such a long time. That is on me. Yet I know there will be more guys my age that will be blindsided by their own youth, as I was, and waste six months of their lives (and even some money) on somebody who is wholly undeserving.

Yet I'm finding it difficult to feel bitter. I've realized that this is all a reality of business. Now, I am much more prepared for similar situations in the future.

 

[Guest34764]

Disclaimer: Although this thread was not explicitly created for me, I thought it prudent for me to respond.

This thread was definitely aimed at you, and to say otherwise is just trying to pathetically shield yourself.It's quite obvious at who it was aimed at.

Between Thanksgiving and Christmas of last year, a few young guys asked me to mentor them. I obliged, and I did this free of charge.

Yeah, and you'd never pay them a dime for working with you when It did happen.Not even sure if you could pay workers because you'd always say how many millions you have lined up but you will never close them because they're non-existent.You simply used it to entice your "mentees" to work for you.

So, no. I do not target the youngsters.

No, but you love using them to cold call for your shady partnerships.I find it hilarious how you're trying to say that you hate working with kids but you've done so.It's much easier to manipulate the mind of a teenager or young adult than it is to manipulate the mind of a man.

God bless the Internet for giving even the most insignificant of nobodies a platform to speak among winners, thereby creating in the mind's of midgets (both mental and monetary) the comforting illusion that they stand with giants.

Yeah, and it's pretty great for giving scammers a platform too.Remember Saveonmyvacations.com Ubermensch? Or Costcrushers.com?I'm sure you remember them.

Look, you'll try to deny that you've worked with kids before and that you've made them cold call for you and do this and that.I believe when you have been fooled you learn.The kids and the adults you've F*cked over have just become smarter people.You'll forever be a deranged lunatic who makes no money because that's what you're good at.

 

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[Hristo]

This thread went from some sound advise to a straight up shit show lol no clue why I even read every reply here. Just wasted some time with weird a$$ arguments and now i'm wasting more typing this out.

 

[Guest34764]

Some things just need to be said.The advice Allen offered is great and this thread should serve a purpose as to warning those younger.

 

[theag]

toplels all over the place

 

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[Vigilante]

I'll add a couple things I've learned in the last few months:

If you are providing free work for more than a couple weeks with no contract or paperwork in place, leave.

If your "mentor" is constantly talking about the millions he is going to make, without any recent concrete monetary advancements towards those millions, leave.

If you find yourself surrounded by unscrupulous business activities -- masked as "strategy" -- leave.

If someone continues talking about the same deal for over a year, there's a very good chance he hasn't done anything since. So leave.

If you have SPENT more money on an "opportunity" than you've made after a little while (sometimes it does take money to make money in the short term), it is a scam. Leave.

If your "mentor" has a "God complex", get the hell out of there. False bravado is the true betrayer of deep-seeded insecurity (even if the possessing party is unaware).

At the end of the day, I place the blame on myself for putting up with certain things and people for such a long time. That is on me. Yet I know there will be more guys my age that will be blindsided by their own youth, as I was, and waste six months of their lives (and even some money) on somebody who is wholly undeserving.

Yet I'm finding it difficult to feel bitter. I've realized that this is all a reality of business. Now, I am much more prepared for similar situations in the future.

Welcome back.

 

[axiom]

Welcome back.

It's good to be back.

 

[SteveO]

Or they may actually use same respected members to unknowingly "validate" their successes and claims.

Am I somehow included in this because my name was used a couple of times? Until I read through this entire thread, I had no idea what this was about.

 

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[MJ DeMarco]

I'll add a couple things I've learned in the last few months:

If you are providing free work for more than a couple weeks with no contract or paperwork in place, leave.

If your "mentor" is constantly talking about the millions he is going to make, without any recent concrete monetary advancements towards those millions, leave.

If you find yourself surrounded by unscrupulous business activities -- masked as "strategy" -- leave.

If someone continues talking about the same deal for over a year, there's a very good chance he hasn't done anything since. So leave.

If you have SPENT more money on an "opportunity" than you've made after a little while (sometimes it does take money to make money in the short term), it is a scam. Leave.

If your "mentor" has a "God complex", get the hell out of there. False bravado is the true betrayer of deep-seeded insecurity (even if the possessing party is unaware).

At the end of the day, I place the blame on myself for putting up with certain things and people for such a long time. That is on me. Yet I know there will be more guys my age that will be blindsided by their own youth, as I was, and waste six months of their lives (and even some money) on somebody who is wholly undeserving.

Yet I'm finding it difficult to feel bitter. I've realized that this is all a reality of business. Now, I am much more prepared for similar situations in the future.

OMG, it's deja vu. This road looks familiar...

 

[AllenCrawley]

Am I somehow included in this because my name was used a couple of times? Until I read through this entire thread, I had no idea what this was about.

You never crossed my mind @SteveO