School of Phenomenal Memory??

[magi13]

Originally Posted by yeti

Morning Brutha,
This is a great site. I am considering a memory course (including pmemory), and am really interested in your comments above. I have little interest in spending 100+ hours to become a card-remembering freakshow, but would love to be able to retain knowledge, particularly when trying to cross reference between books I read, and therefore be able to make connections / construct arguments which, if I were to rely on piles of notes, I could never do.

So to you (and anyone else) I have the following questions:
1) Are you saying you reckon 1% of people who have done memory courses use them in real life, or that you reckon 1% of the population use memory techniques in their lives?
2) Does this ever become unconscious? I would say that many learned skills can become unconscious at a basic level, but the oft used analogy of working out is the opposite: you have to keep struggling on if you want to stay in shape.
3) Linked to the above, how much of a real-life distration is the remembering part, (ie are you constantly staring off into the distance trying to visualise, peg, create stories while the rest of the conversation is happening)?
4) Where is it most useful? Is it just that you dont have to look for your car keys any more, or can you start to see links between information that you would otherwise have not?

Could anyone replying just let me know if they have an interest in a memory improvement company.

The cost of the course is pretty large, but the opportunity cost of 100+ hours is HUGE, so all responses much appreciated.

ps Ive just had a kid and can confidently say that the quickest and cheapest was if improving your memory instantly is to give up alcohol. I anticipate this will last about two weeks.

Tony Buzan <-- good system for the very general overview - Mindmap scribd.com
Harry Lorayne <-- His link system started it all. You can find his books online for free at scribd.com
Dominic O'brien <-- Has a sweet and very effective memory system his book is also listed in scribd.com Just type their names at the search option.

If you have time to read these are free sources, now all that's left for you is to practice it.

The simplest instructions I've seen online are found here if you don't want to read books. (No need to be instructed)

Learn Memory Techniques - Memorise.org

Good luck, it's for his future too. Wish I learned this things when I was younger hehe.

xxx
1) Are you saying you reckon 1% of people who have done memory courses use them in real life, or that you reckon 1% of the population use memory techniques in their lives?

Answer:

It's just that in real life you can use a little note pad or organizer instead of relying on your memory.

2) Does this ever become unconscious? I would say that many learned skills can become unconscious at a basic level, but the oft used analogy of working out is the opposite: you have to keep struggling on if you want to stay in shape.

You have to review things in order for it to become a part of your permanent memory. (spaced repetition)

practice makes perfect


3) Linked to the above, how much of a real-life distration is the remembering part, (ie are you constantly staring off into the distance trying to visualise, peg, create stories while the rest of the conversation is happening)?

Yes you can do it with constant practice, sometimes it's automatic

4) Where is it most useful? Is it just that you dont have to look for your car keys any more, or can you start to see links between information that you would otherwise have not?

Memory techniques are applicable on things you desire to memorize. ^^ So it's applicable on anything.

On the topic of Pmemory <-- it's not a scam, only that it's not original. Everyone copied Dominic O'brien when he revived the method of Loci

[Brutha]

1) Are you saying you reckon 1% of people who have done memory courses use them in real life, or that you reckon 1% of the population use memory techniques in their lives?

The one percent was about people who read memory books. I also don't know the exact number but guessed.

Memory skills require practice and it isn't enough to understand the theory. Neither a book nor a two day bootcamp can give you enough practice but it's probably something that you have to practice like working out in the way magi13 described.

Changing habits is hard, especially if you don't know exactly how your new habits should look like.

[magi13]

Originally Posted by Brutha

The one percent was about people who read memory books. I also don't know the exact number but guessed.

Memory skills require practice and it isn't enough to understand the theory. Neither a book nor a two day bootcamp can give you enough practice but it's probably something that you have to practice like working out in the way magi13 described.

Changing habits is hard, especially if you don't know exactly how your new habits should look like.

Brutha's right here.

Tiger Wood's said in an interview in the past that when you have a bad habit it has to be overcome with another habit that's positive. That's how he changes his bad habits.

All I can add to that is try. :3

[yeti]

Originally Posted by magi13

Brutha's right here.

Tiger Wood's said in an interview in the past that when you have a bad habit it has to be overcome with another habit that's positive. That's how he changes his bad habits.

All I can add to that is try. :3

Thanks Brutha, Magi, Romanianmemorist v helpful indeed. So, just to clarify, after the 'training' stage you get much quicker at all the skills, but still have to consciously decide to use the skills and are using some of your brain 'RAM' by doing it.
Cheers,
yeti

[magi13]

Originally Posted by yeti

Thanks Brutha, Magi, Romanianmemorist v helpful indeed. So, just to clarify, after the 'training' stage you get much quicker at all the skills, but still have to consciously decide to use the skills and are using some of your brain 'RAM' by doing it.
Cheers,
yeti

You'll have to do it consciously for awhile. ^^ example

The major system.

1 = t
2 = n
3 = m
4 = r
5 = L
6 = j
7 = k
8 = f
9 = p
0 = z

So for the first few times you will memorize this. That's what I mean as conscious.

When you think of 1 = t you'll have to think of a virtual image of something starting w/ T ex. Tie. In effect everytime you see 1 = it reminds you of a Your tie.

Later on when it becomes a part of your way of life, it's automatic. Like when someone tells you 07 ah reminds you of james bond. (Dominic system)

You can even make your own thing. if you are to remember something just look around where you are now, what ever items you see, you can visualize a key thought in it.

Like now I'm looking in front of the computer, I have a mouse and I'm sitting on a pillow.

When I want to memorize something short I'll place them or link them on those items.

You become observant. ^^, Train means just to apply it. pm me if you need help or come in to trouble w/ it. My information is free and will cost you nothing.

[romanianmnemonist]

Originally Posted by yeti

Thanks Brutha, Magi, Romanianmemorist v helpful indeed. So, just to clarify, after the 'training' stage you get much quicker at all the skills, but still have to consciously decide to use the skills and are using some of your brain 'RAM' by doing it.
Cheers,
yeti

Just like when you decide to write something. You don't think 'how does writing go again?' You transform information into writen form automaticaly. You mainly think about the information itself. The rules, words, letters, using your hand etc, these things are the automated part. So you will not be concerned with the technical aspect of the process but you keep your attention on the required task, you can't memorize pasively the same way you can't write or read or play the pianno pasively. Attention stability and focus are among the basics of the memorization skill and they will be covered during the course as well through exercices.

[phenomenalmemorybadcustom]

I have signed up for this course, and it did not work for me. I would not be surprised if the school's student retention rate was very low.
The customer service is slow and bad.
Ruslan, the owner of the business, responds to student requests in short and arrogant one liners. According to his behavior the customer is always wrong.
He needs to develop people skills or hire people that don't take offense in answering customer questions.
As he did in earlier posts in this forum, he constantly contradicts himself.
About the refunds, it is true that he was nasty in the process. I am yet to see if I get my money back.
I have reported him with the HI better business bureau. There are already several reports about this phenomenal memory operation. I know that I will have the bad experience in my memory for a phenomenal amount of time.
A business run by such a hateful and unhappy person such as Ruslan will fail.

[magi13]

Originally Posted by phenomenalmemorybadcustom

I have signed up for this course, and it did not work for me. I would not be surprised if the school's student retention rate was very low.
The customer service is slow and bad.
Ruslan, the owner of the business, responds to student requests in short and arrogant one liners. According to his behavior the customer is always wrong.
He needs to develop people skills or hire people that don't take offense in answering customer questions.
As he did in earlier posts in this forum, he constantly contradicts himself.
About the refunds, it is true that he was nasty in the process. I am yet to see if I get my money back.
I have reported him with the HI better business bureau. There are already several reports about this phenomenal memory operation. I know that I will have the bad experience in my memory for a phenomenal amount of time.
A business run by such a hateful and unhappy person such as Ruslan will fail.

Come to light young jedi.

Learn Memory Techniques - Memorise.org

^^, Seriously though, Phenomenal memory is good, they have good memory, but they just lack training in the important parts. Public relations.

I guess they have a lot to prove. ^^,

the basics you may learn from that link above and below

How to Memorize - wikiHow

How to Memorize Verbatim Text : Productivity501

Free memorization information that you can really really apply.

Easy Tips For Faster Reading - Photoreading

Mind Mapping - Step by Step - Adult Education, Education, and mind maps

The links I provided here are all free, and if you practice them, let's say 5 minutes a day, you just shuffle what every topic your interested in, you will improve. This in itself if free and you do not have to pay a single cent.

Just be conscious and learn them in a meditative state <-- deep breathing/concentration.

How do you apply these in real life? Productivity and self improvement in a general sense.

Experiment and try, if one method does not work for you disregard it.

Note:

What works among these things.

Photoreading + Mindmap(i call it, hybrid outline, because literally that's what it is) = best friend in understanding and comprehension. No memorization required here. (your best friend in school and in learning)

The rest you will have to try. Mnemonics/ link system/ journey/peg system and the others you will have to experiment with these. (they work like a mindmap)

example.

In the major system

1 = T = Tea (applying peg)

Applying method of loci/Journey sytem

Visualize a realistic movie of a tea cup (not a picture)

on the handle of the tea cup are 3 different tea leaves (black/green/oolong)

that's how an outline works aka mindmap

O-1 subject <-- subdivided by other sub items ^^

Rote memory - it's the basics, it is a good back up if everything else fails.

Start from the end of what you want to memorize verbatim.

Ex. Stevepavlina.com/forums/personal-effectiveness/4984-school-phenomenal-memory-16.html

You start with memorizing (html) say it 3 times
then (16.html)
till You finish the whole example.

This is your back up.

^^, free info which normally would have cost as much as 300 bucks, more or less. hahaha

[vcassells1]

Originally Posted by Paraselene

Hey there guys,

This is my first post to this forum (though I actually follow Steve's blog religiously), and I haven't provided an introduction. I'm also dragging up a very old thread, and I apologise for this also. I'm also copy/pasting much of this from previous posts. I think it's justified, because I'm essentially warning people of a scam.

The reason I say this is a scam is not because of the product (though I should mention that it didn't work for me, and that it is really only a modified method of loci system, with some bells and whistles attached), but because the money-back guarantee is not a money-back guarantee. Despite the website’s claim that:



Your reasons will simply be rejected as invalid, and your refund withheld. This is certainly my experience.

Additionally, if you dispute this on the forums, your account will be banned, and the post immediately deleted. Again, this is my experience.

Moreover, one should bear in mind that the “testimonials” in the forum are compulsory for the students to receive the next installment of their course. Thus, you should take everything said with a pinch of salt.

Again, sorry for the "one hit wonder", but it may well end up saving people ~£150.

Paraselene.

Hi Paraselene

I have been researching School of Phenomenal Memory for the past few weeks and was about to commit to the course when I read their Terms and Conditions. Needless to say, I was quite shocked by the way many of the clauses have been drafted, especially that concerning refund where certain onerous conditions are attached, not to mention the very wide exclusion of liability. The entire Contract is drafted more like a disclaimer, and it begs the question, why would any right-minded person sign up to such an agreement, when it is clear that the only party that would benefit in the event of a legal dispute would be School of Phenomenal Memory?
All that is left for me to say, is thank you for drawing your experience (as the aggrieved party) to the public's attention - I am infinitely grateful!
All the best.

[arnepedersen]

Originally Posted by magi13

^,^ I'd like to see this system tested on the world memory championships. A test is still the best way to see if something is effective or not after all.

Mattias Ribbing from Sweden went to Cambridge Memory Championship 2009 to see if he could use what he learned from the pmemory course in the memory championships.

He recently finished the pmemory course and had no previous memory training. The total result gave him the 121st place in the world ranking and the price for "Best Beginner."

Ranked #6 in the Cambridge Memory Championship 2009, not that many contestants but his total score is failry good.

After the championship he currently ranks:
Ranks #30 in the world with "15 Minute Numbers" (220 digits)
Ranks #55 in the world with "5 Minute Binary" (210 digits)
Ranks #42 in the world with "5 Minute Words" (36 words)

Source:
Official world memory rankings website
(Click on his name, or cambridge championship for details.)

His post on the pmemory forum:
Course finished! - School of Phenomenal Memory Community

All results verified by current World Memory Champion Ben Pridmore (organizer in Cambridge).

[machoman]

I have been reading this thread particularly for the last week or so and Iam really surprised about some of the people who just complain about how pmemory doesn't work for them due to lack of time and calling it a scam because it is not working for them.Its like going to a gym and telling the owner of the gym that this gym is a scam because it isn't helping him build muscles and as a result labeling it as a scam due to his/her negative experience.

One of most important things that I have learned in reading books on Personal developement in all these months is that if one wants to get any outcome they want they have to first, set their sights of the outcome they want;second,focus their attention on the outcome and last to focus all of their energy on that particular task until they get it.

In case of Paraselene, the most effective thing that he must have done is to think whether this course might have been useful in his later years and based upon that must have purchased the course.So he must not purchase the course in the first place.

Giving reason such as he doesn't have time or his" latest employment does not readily require this mnemonic system." and calling School Of Phenomenal Memory a scam because of not getting the refund is really lame, in my opinion.I mean, if anyone is undertaking this course,following everything that the course provides , and doing all the exercises exactly as the course provides, should have the phenomenal memory as a result of their hardwork. So I find no scam with this course.

I am not telling all of this to insult anybody here.I just want you guys to consider the different sides of the argument. If you want to purchase the course, read the website and the Terms and conditions fully and ask yourself whether you need this course and also make a list of things on how it might be useful to your life before purchasing the course.

[Brutha]

Giving reason such as he doesn't have time or his" latest employment does not readily require this mnemonic system." and calling School Of Phenomenal Memory a scam because of not getting the refund is really lame, in my opinion.

If a business owner claims to have a money back guarantee for any reason and he doesn't honor that guarantee that's what being a scam is about.

If you want to purchase the course, read the website and the Terms and conditions fully

At the time Ruslan claimed that nobody ever asked him for a refund and claimed that he would give a refund for any reason.

If the website would have said that he wouldn't give out refunds the story would be different.
Claiming a certain refund policy is used on the web to convince a customer that the customer carries no risk for buying the product. It's a promise that should be upheld.

If they would say beforehand that they don't give refunds it would be a different story.
Lying about your refund policy just isn't what ethical businesses do.
Ruslan also wrote above at a time where he had given a blogger a refund that nobody ever asked him for a refund.

Ruslans marketing partner came here and said: "I'm just one of you" when he in fact wanted to advertise the product. He also tried to do something similar at another forum when you google his name where nobody knew that he's in fact payed for the marketing. That's again not an ethical business practice.

[Scipio]

Is there a workbook in print with exercises that allow one to get a grasp of these memory techniques without paying hundreds of dollars?

[Scipio]

Originally Posted by Scipio

Is there a workbook in print with exercises that allow one to get a grasp of these memory techniques without paying hundreds of dollars?

Well somebody should come out with this and make some money.

[Niki]

I just got a mail that they are giving away 100 courses for 197usd. I just bought the course because of the discount and will give some feedback in here, and if I like the course I will give more in depth review of it on my blog. Zenpulse — On the edge of things

My blog is not yet configured, but the url wil not change.

At first glance everything looks very professional. I will try to take the first lesson today. I'm expecting this to be a pretty hard course, but the benefits will hopefully make it worth it.

[Niki]

Yesterday I did the biggest part of the first lesson, and today I finished the first lesson and started with the second lesson. The lessons are actually training sessions where you get to practice the methods they teach. Along the way there are tips and examples to get you started. Although there is a lot to do, the memorization process using the pmemory techniques itself is pretty simple. What I noticed is that after a session, my brain feels worked out. Yesterday I did almost the whole first lesson after a whole day of programming at work. Today I finished the 1st lesson and started the second on a fresh brain, straight out of bed. I don't see a really big difference in doing the lessons after a day of work or when doing them on a fresh morning.

I noticed that memorizing the first words of a new day goes pretty slow, but after about 4-6 words, it starts to feel naturally. This has probably to do with the fact that the techniques are new for me, and that it takes some time to have them ready from the moment I wake up. I must admit I have experience with other memorization techniques, but it's not helping that much, because the pmemory lessons(and the book) often state the opposite of what I had learned before about memorization.

I have to admit I'm pretty satisfied with the results already. It does take a brain shift to get used to, especially if you are used to other memorization techniques, but I can imagine that using the methods in daily life is easier than using other memorization techniques. Just because they use a more natural method of memorization.

I will try to post updates after each lesson, I hope this will be a learning experience for everybody.

[Trustme]

Be sure to post how you implement the system in real or at least academic life. Because that's probably what the people here are interested in more and that's a question the owner couldn't answer the last time.

The problem with the course (and I successfully completed it) is that you memorize with a system based on visually encoding and decoding of information. This way there is no "chunking" involved which would happen when you naturally advance in a field of study because the data is stored in an encoded way in your brain.

[anywho]

any further updates from anyone who did the course? I posted some questions on the forums over there. Ruslan's comments are still very rude to people who ask about the course, and confronting him on it led to me being banned from the forum.

Does he atleast behave well when you ask questions about the course after having purchased it?

[Foggy]

In my experience as a student, I have never been unsatisfied with the quality of support I've received, however I agree the Ruslan can be a bit rude at times. On the flip side, I believe that he puts a lot of energy into helping students and making sure they can get from start to finish.

[idearichcashpoor]

Is support required to complete the course? I am thinking of getting the version 1.0 course 2nd hand and wanted to know if one can complete the course without support?

[Foggy]

No, I wouldn't say support is required to complete the course, just extremely helpful.

[dewman]

ok I have read this entire thread and when I got to the part where Darkside posted that they had changed their refund policy to a no-questions-asked policy I was convinced on joining as that was my greatest concern. However when I just looked at the site to sign up... I noticed that he has changed it back to the old finish it first and we will decide if we will refund policy. It just makes me too leary... I know that if it is the real deal ( and by reading what a lot of you have written it is ) that I will not need the guarantee at all. I am not scared to put in the effort or the time. It just remains that I still want that guarantee to be a true no-questions-asked before I shell out the cash. I hope that Darkside still frequents this thread. I hope that he changes his policy, because all I and many others like me want is that ounce of security whether we need it or not. Darkside if you are reading this you may be asking yourself or me "why should I go back to the no-questions-asked refund policy" when the answer is such a simple one, to make money.

[Foggy]

It's definitely the real deal, if there's any question to that. If you pay the money and do the work you will experience obtain an incredibly sharp memory; or at least that's what I've deduced from my experience as a student with access to the student forum that connects with almost everyone taking the course.

I'm not a Pmemory instructor, I promise!

[Carlos 4]

While doing research on Google I found something very interesting that I would like to share with all of you in this forum. Looking for a memory system that really works brought me into contact with Memory60.com to find out that the people on this web site testimonials are the same people from phenomenal memory. Can anyone one of Ruslans friends give a phenomenal excuse on this?

[Brutha]

Looking for a memory system that really works brought me into contact with Memory60.com to find out that the people on this web site testimonials are the same people from phenomenal memory.

Looks like affilate marketing for the same product.

[VIPFaktor]

Does't really look like affiliate marketing as no one besides Russlan himself could have any interest to do advertising here for free, as there's no tracking device integrated anywhere; looks more like online indirect guerilla marketing to me.

And yes, I have seen him doing this on multiple forums, almost any forum where his course is mentioned (probably has google alert set up).

[Brutha]

Does't really look like affiliate marketing as no one besides Russlan himself could have any interest to do advertising here for free, as there's no tracking device integrated anywhere; looks more like online indirect guerilla marketing to me.

That wasn't what I meant. If it would, I would have deleted that post.
I meant that Memory60.com sells the same product and will probably get a affilate commission for it.

[servantofone]

Brutha, I find your comments very strong & very logical. Thanks for being a voice of truth in this thread.

I registered on this forum merely so I could comment on this post. This Ruslan M. character certainly seems to operate in total dishonesty. That is proven by his actions here in regards to refunds. Supposedly the refund policy was changed, but if you now go to the terms page, Brain power, Mnemonics, Memory strategies, Memory development, Improve your Memory, Memory skills, Memory Loss, Memorization techniques, Memory improvement, it certainly doesn't appear to be a 100% Satisfaction Guarantee. The following terms are listed under section 4 (riddled with grammatical mistakes):

You understand and agree to the following “money back guarantee” policy: If, after completing the program (Phenomenal Memory Course, 60 lessons), you are not satisfied with the quality of the product offered, you will be given a full refund of amounts paid. You agree and understand that the circumstances of your dissatisfaction have to be provided. You agree and understand that you have no claim on refund if any of the following conditions apply: You have not completed the Phenomenal Memory Course; You did not perform any program exercises, tests or activity; You did not inform a School of Phenomenal Memory representative of the issues that are concerning you and given School of Phenomenal Memory Corp. adequate time to correct these issues during the program; You violated any part of this agreement; or if you did not request a refund after completing the final lesson.

And even if you trusted someone that has time and time again shown his true character (whether it be in this thread or a post on his own website), this is found in the GMS manual:

If before signing a deal you get to know that your partner is fond of aquarium fish,
GMS® will help you get ready for the meeting. You can just read a book about
aquarium fish and memorize a hundred different species. The terms you use will assure
him that you have spent at least 10 years in the same hobby. This will create an illusion
of your sincerity. Your partner will sign the deal just because he could speak about his
hobby with you. You would present yourself as an excellent specialist in the sphere and
a very interesting person.

Now although I don't know if he (Ruslan M) actually wrote that, he certainly seems advocates his system, which includes you using it dishonestly as a selling point.

[Fake conversation with Ruslan]

Ruslan: "Yes, use my program, it will help you lie to customers so you can sell to them."
Customer: "Oh really, you wouldn't by chance use that on me, would you?"
Ruslan: "This isn't about me. Look at all the testimonials."
Customer: "Are you avoiding the question?"

In closing, to all those who are thinking of purchasing this system. Please note that the owner of the School of Phenomenal Memory clearly acts in a hostile and dishonest manner, and he is not anyone you should be giving your hard-earned $297. I, like many of you, am interested in a phenomenal memory, but if Ruslan M. has a key to it, I'll choose to find another door than the one he is charging taxes on.

There is no way Ruslan has the copyright to the ONLY way to improve your memory. If you believe he does, you might want to go start your own competing business, because he'd certainly send you a multitude of customers. There's a reason namebrands have competition. If one person can make it, someone else can do it as well. If Ruslan figured out a way to do it, I'm sure someone else knows how to do it too. And besides, if the other people selling it actually tell you their qualifications (like they have won World Memory Championships), they are probably doing so because they having nothing to hide. The fact that Ruslan M. avoids telling anyone his qualifications and contiually points everyone to supposed proof, that tells me that he's hiding something. And if he's not, why isn't he marketing his product by winning a few memory competitions himself? Seems like people interested in who won a World Memory Championship might be good potential customers. Oh wait, those people might be smart enough not to buy from him...

[Brutha]

And besides, if the other people selling it actually tell you their qualifications (like they have won World Memory Championships)

The goal of learning a memory system doesn't lie in winning the World Memory Championships.

The goal lies in being able to apply memory techniques to information that isn't naturally structured for being memorised the way a deck of cards is.
Additionally you want to make memorising information that way a habit. Creating habits is difficult because our brain has something like a default way to memorise things.

There is no way Ruslan has the copyright to the ONLY way to improve your memory.

Of course he hasn't.

Now although I don't know if he (Ruslan M) actually wrote that, he certainly seems advocates his system, which includes you using it dishonestly as a selling point.

[Fake conversation with Ruslan]

Ruslan: "Yes, use my program, it will help you lie to customers so you can sell to them."

Memorising information about a subject isn't really lying.
Most of business is about creating appearances. If someone wears a Rolex to to signal certain tings but you aren't rich I wouldn't call that lying.

[servantofone]

Brutha, I hadn't had much sleep before I wrote the last post. I realize now that I wrote rather harshly. Is there any way to go back and edit a post? I'd like to delete\reword that...

Regardless, I agree with what you say. I realize that for most people, winning a memory championship isn't the goal of a memory system. However, I was making an attempt at trying to point out the difference between the credibility of other people selling books\programs on improving your memory and the credibility of Ruslan M. The man called Ruslan simply refuses to give anyone any indication of what his "resume" is. For all we know, he might not even know how to use the system himself, so why should we trust him as the main instructor (especially when he continually dodges all questions pertaining to himself)? Hiding behind testomonials is never a good sign. It would be nice if he would allow a credible person to test his memory in person (like at a memory championship) and see what he can really accomplish. Otherwise, just by the way he dodges questions, I don't trust his credibility.

Originally Posted by Brutha

Memorising information about a subject isn't really lying.
Most of business is about creating appearances. If someone wears a Rolex to to signal certain tings but you aren't rich I wouldn't call that lying.

In reference to what is said in the manual (which is not written by Ruslan M as far as I understand), it reads "an illusion
of your sincerity." Now this could be a result of a poor translation from Russian into English; however, this is rather clear. An illusion of sincerity means that there is no actual sincerity. I am fine with plainly calling that dishonesty. If that's a selling point, then I don't really want to be involved. I don't mind the thought of learning about the interests of a potential client to impress them, but you should be both sincere and honest about "how much" and "how long" you have known.

Brutha, I respect your thoughts. Thanks for commenting on my post.

Good night.