Why are we so gullible?

[martybee]

Why is gullibility so pronounced?
Day after day, the newspapers, magazines and even the internet are filled with advertisements for all sorts of remedies for ailments and for protective products to keep you and your family secure and free from all sorts of afflictions and maladies. This is also true for the protection of our most cherished possessions; in this case firearms!
Not only are we as a majority gullible, but also impulsive. If we hear someone has discovered and purchased a new product that is supposed to end all our worries about properly maintaining our guns and other related equipment, we have to be the next person that buys it and tout it's merits!
After long term use, we begin to see the negative aspects from the use of these "Snake-Oil" products. Most of us however, will not admit to having been duped and will continue in our steadfast recomendations! I guess the old adage, "there is a sucker born every minute" is still true.

mb

 

[Ματθιας]

It goes the other way, too. People badmouth products they've never owned, much less used.

 

[Coldshooter]

It never changes the term snake oil is hardly new. Find some old newspaper advertisements from 1885 to 1910 or when ever the pure food and drug acts came. Feminine distress and liver ailments seemed to be a problem. When I was a child they still sold Carter's and Doan's Little Liver Pills.

 

[Alpo]

It goes the other way, too. People badmouth products they've owned much less used.

You mean "never owned"?

 

[chaparrito]

It never changes the term snake oil is hardly new. Find some old newspaper advertisements from 1885 to 1910 or when ever the pure food and drug acts came. Feminine distress and liver ailments seemed to be a problem. When I was a child they still sold Carter's and Doan's Little Liver Pills.

Snake oil was and is common and people have always been gullible. I once posited to my doctor that 75% of a modern physician's practice involved the placebo effect. He agreed with me. The same is true in lots of product lines. This teensy half ounce bottle of gun oil-eye cream- whatever that I paid through the nose for will seem to renew my gun or banish my puffy eyes because I don't want to admit I was duped.
For the record, Doan's and Carter's Pills are still made and aren't snake oil. Dean's is Magnesium Salicylate; a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory akin to Aspirin (Salicylic Acid) and Carter's pills contain bisacodyl, a strong laxative.

 

[BLACKHAWKNJ]

Everyone is always looking for the Magic Pill, the Cureall, whatever. Have the Blues, depressed, whatever-there's a magic pill-"Mother's Little Helper" as The Rolling Stones sang. Child too hyperactive ?-there's a pill for that. Want a fit and muscular body without all the hard work and sweat and self discipline-all you have to is take.....your love life in the tank ? All you need is......

 

[zzzippper]

Why is gullibility so pronounced?

Okay, I'll bite. Because that is the way it is spelled?

 

[Rustyt1953]

There are those folks who will grab a soapbox and spout "I ONLY use Dr.Pulltheotherone's patented, psychic approved magic gun poultice. Guaranteed to clean, lube, exfoliate, reduce inflammation, stop that painful itch, take the redness out, extend your barrel, reduce bathroom trips, repel boarders, balance "chi", slowly take the gray out and leave you feeling "fresh" all day.

And then there's my hero, Muss Muggins who swears by pig fat and German soldiers.

A pool shark can beat you with a broom handle.

 

[arjay]

Varying degrees of intelligence and ethics.

 

[speedyquad]

OK, I'll play along. It's simple really. Because there IS a chance that it, whatever it is, may work like stated. I don't ever expect anything to be 100% of what is advertised, but if the product does perform better than what I am currently using, and has a comparable "return on investment," then why not try it.

 

[Ματθιας]

You mean "never owned"?

Yes, I meant "never owned".

My mind was going faster than my typing.

 

[M3Stuart]

There are those folks who will grab a soapbox and spout "I ONLY use Dr.Pulltheotherone's patented, psychic approved magic gun poultice. Guaranteed to clean, lube, exfoliate, reduce inflammation, stop that painful itch, take the redness out, extend your barrel, reduce bathroom trips, repel boarders, balance "chi", slowly take the gray out and leave you feeling "fresh" all day....

.

Um, do you mind if I use this description in my next gunbroker ad?

 

[rock doc]

What comes to mind when you see an ad for Recticare? You sure hope it is effective when you risk the embarrassment at the check-out.

 

[vytoland]

marketing/advertising exist to separate the gullible from their $$$.........

 

[redlevel]

Did you know that the word "gullible" isn't in the dictionary?

 

[martybee]

Did you know that the word "gullible" isn't in the dictionary?

Good One!

mb

 

[BigBill]

If anything is read on the internet it's true lol

 

[ATF]

Snake Oil is that the latest and greatest gun oil?

Gotta get me some

 

[rwsmith]

Sometimes it's need......

Sometimes it's need and desperation. Even if non-gullible people get into a hopeless situation, especially where they've run out of options. A relative had advanced breast cancer. They were educated and not gullible but spent a ton of money going to Mexico for laetrile treatments that didn't do anything except give them a thread of home to hang on to. I have had health problems and at times thought I was 'weakening' or in a mentally vulnerable state and thought I should try something. I don't believe in sawgrass, St. John's wort or magnets in my shoes or copper gloves.

But hey, if something works.... I started hearing the cinnamon helped diabetes. I tried it and cut my insulin dose in half. My dr. whom I have utmost respect for tells me it can't and won't work and that change in diet and exercise made the difference. But I hadn't done anything different. All I know is that I'm taking half as much insulin as I did for years.

 

[GatorFarmer]

Snake oil generally worked as well, or better, than other 19th century medicines. Properly prepared it had a high proof of grain alcohol and a decent fose of opium. It might not cure what ailed you, but it would make it stop bothering you.