StopSylvia.com: Email From an "Idiot"

[RSLancastr]

All: yesterday I received the following email, and thought I would share it with you here.

"RE: Thank you for opening the eyes of another veiled believer"

Dear Mr. Lancaster I have to say that I stumble apon your site when I was googling a search for fanpages for Browne (I was orginally looking for sites supporting Browne). When I first entered your site I was expecting a typical bashing site, but as I broused I soon saw that your site held a wealth of information. After reading I felt compelled to send you a letter of thanks for stopping yet another idiot from throwing away my precious money & time. Sincerely, [name]

My reply:

[name:]

Thanks so much for writing, and I am glad that my site was helpful to you, but I must take exception to your referring to yourself as "an idiot."

As with most con artists, Browne's con is carefully crafted to take advantage of very human tendencies: the desire to believe that we can communicate with our deceased loved ones. the thrill many/most of us feel when reading spooky stories. The desire to feel that we are "in the know" about the unknowable. And, not least, the desire to believe that someone who caters to those needs is a good person, and would not be making it all up. That last is key to the success of many con games.

So I do not think that believing in Browne's nonsense makes someone an idiot. It means that they are very human. And that they are, perhaps, a bit too quick to assume the good intentions of others.

Again, thanks for your email.

Also, might I have your permission to publish your email?

Best regards,



Robert S. Lancaster
Webmaster,
www.StopSylvia.com

She subsequently gave her permission.

 

[Sledge]

I think that quite nicely answers all the people who've asked why you "waste your time" with the site.

 

[Hellbound]

 

[ExMinister]

Someone who starts out a believer, looks over the evidence, and changes her mind is definitely not an "idiot" - quite the opposite in fact.

What a great thing to have happened!

 

[schrodingasdawg]

This is kind of touching.

Bravo, RSL.

 

[readme.txt]

I think that quite nicely answers all the people who've asked why you "waste your time" with the site.

This is kind of touching.

Bravo, RSL.

I agree with both of the above.

I enjoy reading the emails you receive.

 

[sadhatter]

Someone who starts out a believer, looks over the evidence, and changes her mind is definitely not an "idiot" - quite the opposite in fact.

What a great thing to have happened!

I was about to say, why do the idiots never call themselves idiots? This person actually posted a clear, grammatically correct thought. Almost made me fall over.

 

[Minarvia]

Thanks, Robert! She now knows to look at such claims more critically. I have no doubt she'll question the other "psychics" out there, too.

An entire mindset can be changed when one is ready to accept good evidence. When I finally did, it changed my life. For the better. Well done!

And good for her. She's saved herself about $800.

 

[rjh01]

I was about to say, why do the idiots never call themselves idiots? This person actually posted a clear, grammatically correct thought. Almost made me fall over.

Actually I can answer that question. Anyone who calls themselves an idiot is an very intelligent person. It is their way of saying "I do not know everything, so I must keep my mind open to someone who can show that I am wrong." They do not have such egos as to demand others see their intelligence.

It is people who deny they are idiots who are the idiots.

I was wondering why Robert would call someone an idiot. Not his style. Reading the post I now know.


Edit. I fixed up the tag. Good try. Blame the stupid tag system for the error.

 

[Empress]

Excellent job, Robert, and thank you for sharing. The email exchange shows two things once again:

1. Your site is an invaluable service for those looking for information about SB.
2. You are an inveterate gentleman.

 

[RSLancastr]

I think that quite nicely answers all the people who've asked why you "waste your time" with the site.

Thanks, Sledge! That's part of why I share them.

Thanks, HB!

Someone who starts out a believer, looks over the evidence, and changes her mind is definitely not an "idiot" - quite the opposite in fact.

Exactly, ExM! I meant to say that in my reply, but hit Send too soon...

What a great thing to have happened!

Definitely!

This is kind of touching.

Very, 'Dawg!

Bravo, RSL.

Thanks!

I agree with both of the above.

Thanks - Me too!

I enjoy reading the emails you receive.

Not as much as I do, I'd bet!

 

[RSLancastr]

I was about to say, why do the idiots never call themselves idiots? This person actually posted a clear, grammatically correct thought. Almost made me fall over.

It's a wise man who knows how much wisdom he has yet to attain.

Thanks, Robert! She now knows to look at such claims more critically. I have no doubt she'll question the other "psychics" out there, too.

An entire mindset can be changed when one is ready to accept good evidence. When I finally did, it changed my life. For the better. Well done!

And good for her. She's saved herself about $800.

Thanks, Minarvia! I certainly hope that she has been "innoculated" against the claims of other "psychics."

Actually I can answer that question. Anyone who calls themselves an idiot is an very intelligent person. It is their way of saying "I do not know everything, so I must keep my mind open to someone who can show that I am wrong." They do not have such egos as to demand others see their intelligence.

It is people who deny they are idiots who are the idiots.

I was wondering why Robert would call someone an idiot. Not his style. Reading the post I now know.

Thanks, rj. That's why I put "Idiot" in quotes in the thread title.


Edit. I fixed up the tag. Good try. Blame the stupid tag system for the error.

Gaaah!! And Thanks!

Excellent job, Robert, and thank you for sharing. The email exchange shows two things once again:

1. Your site is an invaluable service for those looking for information about SB.
2. You are an inveterate gentleman.

Thanks, Empress!

 

[little grey rabbit]

So I do not think that believing in Browne's nonsense makes someone an idiot. It means that they are very human. And that they are, perhaps, a bit too quick to assume the good intentions of others.

Its the same reason I support the courageous efforts of Mr Gruener and his self-publication of the stopElie book.

I think that quite nicely answers all the people who've asked why you "waste your time" with the site.

ditto.

 

[desertgal]

Its the same reason I support the courageous efforts of Mr Gruener and his self-publication of the stopElie book.

Which has absolutely nothing to do with this thread.

 

[RSLancastr]

Its the same reason I support the courageous efforts of Mr Gruener and his self-publication of the stopElie book.



ditto.

Thanks, rabbit!

Which has absolutely nothing to do with this thread.

 

[Trent Wray]

Wow man Excellent

It speaks for itself

 

[desertgal]

Sorry, Robert. Your efforts to expose Sylvia Browne as a fraud are indeed honorable, and I didn't intend to imply otherwise.

"little grey rabbit", on the other hand, has been dishonestly pushing an agenda to promote Holocaust survivor and author Elie Wiesel as a fraud and a plagiarist...without evidence.

Rabbit's methods are in direct contrast to your standards of objectivity and research. I find it offensive to see her push the same agenda on this thread, when it really has nothing to do with the topic.

No offense to you intended.

 

[little grey rabbit]

Sorry, Robert. Your efforts to expose Sylvia Browne as a fraud are indeed honorable, and I didn't intend to imply otherwise.

"little grey rabbit", on the other hand, has been dishonestly pushing an agenda to promote Holocaust survivor and author Elie Wiesel as a fraud and a plagiarist...without evidence.

Rabbit's methods are in direct contrast to your standards of objectivity and research. I find it offensive to see her push the same agenda on this thread, when it really has nothing to do with the topic.

No offense to you intended.

well, its the last post of the subject in this thread from me.

But its not my claim, its Holocaust survivor, Niklaus Gruener's claim which he has been pushing, alone, in the face of complete media disinterest.

Mr Gruener hasn't had his "I think that quite nicely answers all the people who've asked why you "waste your time" with the site. " moment yet, I hope he does before he passes on.

Thats all.

I'm glad RSLancastr received some recognition that makes his efforts seem worthwhile, some people do the same thing he does (and I emphasis I am talking about Mr Gruener here), for similar disinterested reasons, and don't always receive that recognition.

carri on.

 

[RSLancastr]

Sorry, Robert. Your efforts to expose Sylvia Browne as a fraud are indeed honorable, and I didn't intend to imply otherwise.

"little grey rabbit", on the other hand, has been dishonestly pushing an agenda to promote Holocaust survivor and author Elie Wiesel as a fraud and a plagiarist...without evidence.

Rabbit's methods are in direct contrast to your standards of objectivity and research. I find it offensive to see her push the same agenda on this thread, when it really has nothing to do with the topic.

No offense to you intended.

None take, desertgal, and thanks! I am blissfully unaware of this agenda. My smiley was confusion about that, not your post.

 

[RSLancastr]

Round 2 in the correspondence...

Here is her reply:

Mr. Lancaster you absoultely have my premission to publish any of my e mails; I only ask that my name be ommitted. I wish you all the best in exposing this vile woman for the fraud she is & I hope that other fans realize this also, hopefully before any harm is done. I certianly am not an idiot any longer for I have discovered the truth. Sincerely, [name]

And mine:

[name]:

Thanks! If/when I quote your email in an article, I will let you know! I will of course remove your name and your email address.

By the way: It takes an intellectually brave person to re-examine their beliefs in the light of new information.

This is something an "idiot" would never do.

Bravo!


Robert S. Lancaster
Webmaster,
www.StopSylvia.com