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Posted 2 months, 12 days ago. http://timothysykes.com/2008/03/04/why-fictional-memoirs-exemplify-the-bullship-world-all-around-us-and-must-be-taught-a-lesson/

Why Fictional Memoirs Exemplify The BullShip World All Around Us And Must Be Taught A Lesson

Tags: Books, Criminals, Manipulation, Rants, Scandals, idiots

If you’ve been reading this blog, you know how much BS there is in finance—and how detrimental it can be—but now it turns out there’s even more BS in publishing. Publishing memoirs that is. (Since my entire life has been based on discovering and profiting from BS—and now profiting by cutting through that BS—is it any wonder I’ve switched jobs to the publishing industry?)

Oprah find James Frey was the most high profile writer to admit his memoir was a lie and there’s been plenty more since. Like those copycat student gunmen who, annoyed by their mundane lives, crave attention and fame through murder these authors feel they must ignore morality to get to the top. Too harsh a comparison? I think not.

In the last week alone, two critically acclaimed memoirs—I won’t even mention their book titles or link to them on Amazon because they don’t deserve any sales—one about growing up in a gangland and another more lighthearted subject—the Holocaust—were exposed as total frauds (read the articles HERE and HERE). Here these criminals are–Margaret Seltzer and Misha Defonseca–and these are what should be their mugshots:

selzer

misha

Listen, writing a book is no easy process—it takes many, many months and many, many sleepless nights—but these authors completed this task, all the while knowing they were cheating. No matter how much money they’d earn or recognition they’d receive, I do not understand how they could live with themselves. Can you? Is potential wealth and fame really so important that people need to throw away everything they know to be right? Now I’m nowhere near perfect, but I could never base my life or livelihood off lies. What kind of monstrous people resort to such acts?

Sure, getting published is tough and controversial non-fiction stories like these that one day might be made into films starring George Clooney give you better odds, but as somebody who’s personally written a memoir, a painstakingly honest one at that, I can never forgive these frauds for what they’ve done.

While they might be less evil than murderers, albeit slightly, thanks to them, the world is a worse place. No different than penny stock View definition in a new window promoters who lie and cheat their way to getting people to buy the fraudulent products they peddle, nor the cold-calling “brokers” who dole out investments claiming to have done thorough research but who in no way could possibly have the time / intelligence considering they’re making 500 calls per day (like those featured in the latest season of Wall Street Warriors!), these frauds walk among us and until they’re publicly exposed, tarred and feathered, they’ll keep on promoting their BullShip.

Now I’ve created my wealth by hopping on the BullShip bandwagon (buying penny stock View definition in a new window breakouts), betting against it when reality intervenes (shorting penny stock View definition in a new window momentum plays when their charts turn bearish), but now I follow a more righteous pursuit, hoping to create a second fortune, an immensely greater one, by cutting through it all and educating people as to the grim realities of Wall Street.

Did these authors / stock promoters / “brokers” ever stop to think there’s actually value in telling the truth? Maybe even MORE value than in lying / cheating and stealing? Maybe their minds are so twisted, they can’t even tell what the truth is anymore.

My point is that if we ever hope to lessen the BS, frauds like these need to be made examples of. There needs to be consequences for their actions. Not consequences like James Frey’s million dollar advance for his next book, in which readers will have fun trying to figure out if he’s lying or not!

So, once again, please remember these newly exposed fraudulent authors’ names—Margaret Seltzer and Misha Defonseca—and pictures:

selzer

misha

that way if you see them anywhere, like at a wedding or hear their names being called, like if they’re being seated at a restaurant, you have the legal and moral right to go up to them and smack them in their fraudulent faces and say “Baaaaaad dog!”

You’ll be making the world a better place.

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19 Responses

  1. 1Richard

    March 4th, 2008 at 3:35 pm

    Hey Timmay, this is Richard, one of your loyal readers from Hedge Against Speculation.

    I have a contest going on for free ad space on my blog. Seeing as how I think your blog is one of the best on the web I would honored if you participated.

    The rules are on my website:
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  2. 2Tony Ellis

    March 4th, 2008 at 3:44 pm

    COIN…will we finally get a squeeze?

  3. 3Stan

    March 4th, 2008 at 3:55 pm

    you mean another squeeze? lol f’in COIN

  4. 4mike

    March 4th, 2008 at 3:55 pm

    i think they squeezed out most shorts already and turned them into longs

  5. 5Stan

    March 4th, 2008 at 4:00 pm

    my best guess is expect the same morning pattern tomorrow as today… it will be easier to short after a morning spike if there is one

  6. 6Tony Ellis

    March 4th, 2008 at 4:04 pm

    COIN hasn’t squeezed yet. You’ll know if it does.

  7. 7mike

    March 4th, 2008 at 4:12 pm

    does Gartman know something that others don’t? it seems that everyone wants a piece of COIN. what are your reasoning guys?

  8. 8Stan

    March 4th, 2008 at 4:17 pm

    ill short COIN in the morning if i can, try to get at least a dollar per share maybe like today. thoughts?

  9. 9lmsmith

    March 4th, 2008 at 5:00 pm

    I am not a fan of shorting Coin- but if you are going to do it- do it during it’s morning high- maybe like 10 or 10:30am…good luck

  10. 10Stan

    March 4th, 2008 at 5:05 pm

    yea imsmith, and hold no longer than 30-60 min.

  11. 11timsykes

    March 4th, 2008 at 5:09 pm

    COIN impressed me with its comeback today, it held its breakout perfectly, i wouldnt be shorting anytime soon, remember last time it spiked it went from 7 to 14 in 2 days, now it could easily hit 20 or even 25 if the squeeze is on

  12. 12Tony Ellis

    March 4th, 2008 at 5:17 pm

    Made a couple round trips on COIN today. Holding overnight again maybe we get some shorts to cover in the mourning!

  13. 13Funterpwave

    March 4th, 2008 at 5:55 pm

    Went short today on COINW at 9.70 and then at 10.55…. I am in with Barber, cant bring myself to cover, I will now watch it go however high it wants to go and will wave it hello when it passes back by me on the way down!!!!

  14. 14mike

    March 4th, 2008 at 5:57 pm

    Gartman discloses his long position on coin.
    this will get many people buying coin.
    do you think he might have insider information that this company will go big?

  15. 15timsykes

    March 4th, 2008 at 6:02 pm

    ahhh shorting a microcrapper like COIN too early and being determined to hold, i thought perhaps i could save u guys from shorting BEFORE a potential short squeeze, but i see my words are no use. u could be might but the risk reward here is soooo bad, u might just have to experience a bad short squeeze first and then maybe u’ll learn

  16. 16Tony Ellis

    March 4th, 2008 at 6:48 pm

    I shorted RCH at 12 after it doubled from 6, covered at 24. That hurts. COIN has the potential to be more painfully!

  17. 17KF

    March 4th, 2008 at 7:10 pm

    Did you decide to nimble on SWC into the close?

  18. 18timsykes

    March 4th, 2008 at 7:23 pm

    nah i’ll short when or as it cracks $20, nice big fat round number with lots of stop losses

  19. 19Funterpwave

    March 4th, 2008 at 7:25 pm

    OK fine, now that you all made me feel like crap (aka got me back on earth), I will set a stop loss at $11.40, but this puppy better not get there, as I will also cover if it hits $8, which was my original target.
    Thank you thank you, now let’s watch. At least it didnt have the AH action it had yesterday.

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