It's Not A Triangle, It's A Pyramid!

There's this idea that you shouldn't trust anyone that doesn't skin in the game.

I generally stop the thought at "anyone."

The idea being if someone is hawking the virtues of X, said hawker should have a vested interest in X.

So if X is a success, we all cheer. If it fails, hawker and you sad.

But there's something off here, right?

This idea is flawed.

Particularly if you understand that they are only hawking because they own it.

They have a biased opinion.

An interested interest.

Rhymes with Fonzie.

If they didn't have skin in the game, they wouldn't give two sheets.

About you or it.

💩💩

And so the balance is weighing the value of skin.

Are they hawking because they believe?

Or because they have to?

Because they have skin and they really gotta make sure this hits?

There are a lot of carnival barkers out there.

Just barking.

And it's got me thinking.

Oh no.

Why the hard sell?

If it's so good, why share?

Why is it so pivotal that we jump on the wagon?

Is it truly because you're enlightened?

Or is it because if we join, you get richer?

When I was in college, there was a buddy of a buddy who had this motivational cassette he wanted me to listen to.

It'll change your life!

So I listened.

It was a dude speaking to a live audience about how he made it.

And about how you could make it too.

How?

By selling.

Convincing your friends and family to buy sheet from you.

But do you want to get really rich?

Convince them to convince their friends and family to buy from them!

You don't even have to lift a finger!!!

I'm listening.

It was a fine tape.

And perhaps I mocked my friend of a friend too much after listening.

But he never brought that sheet to me again.

The line I remember from the tape was something along the lines of, "If your friends sold toothpaste, why wouldn't you buy toothpaste from them?"

And I thought, this dude who gave me the tape is many things, but I wouldn't trust them(.) on toothpaste vouching.

And so the takeaway is this.

Having skin in the game is often a plus.

Having skin in the game is often a minus.

Wisdom, wissmart, is knowing the difference.

Judgment will always be a human skill.

Godly.

Filtering.

Having all the facts before you, and making the call.

Are they selling because they would love for you to see the light?

Angels.

Or are they selling because they need you to help keep them on?

Something else.

🔦