|
In Reply to: Re: Bloated Statistics posted by Analyst on October 27, 2006 at 12:20:26:
I read in the history section on this site that The COG Inc. were denied tax exempt status back at TSC. A NY attorney general investigating the group found activities like money laundering and scams way back in 1974.
I remember tapnessing, running into people who had bought a tape, and I asked them if they'd listened to the tape, and most of them hadn't. They just played it while they were out of the room, and just forgot about it. They had done their civic duty to support some cause, and they weren't going to torture themselves and listen to music they didn't like.
Way back then, before the days of charity front organizations, we were already saying we were raising money to feed poor children in orphanages. When I asked some leaders why we were saying this and how we could say it with a clear conscience, they explained, "our kids are the Lord's work, they are the poor in spirit, the meek." But I never agreed to it. Instead of lying, I learned difficult phrases in the local language, just so I could explain I was raising moey to feed myself and my chldren so I could do something I believed in. As a result I sold a lot less, but I could live with myself.
CDs and DVDs nowadays are probably no different than tapes. I remember a few years ago when CDs were expensive and precious, and getting one free was quite a big deal. I kept them in their cases carefully. Now they're a dime a dozen. I let them sit around stacked up and scratched, and just threw out 300 CDs, mostly software and music that came free with a magazines, or things I have no need for. It must be the same for people owning CDs. I imagine a lot of people buy a CD from those friendly smiling missionaries, and just chuck it aside. So no, I don't think it's more sophisticated at all.
Are they targeting to specific markets? Not more than they would have before. In tapenessing days, we formed teams and hit the offices. They probably do the same now and hit businesses and organizations.
Is their broadcasting more sophisticated? I doubt it too. Probably the same ol lying to themselves about their great success, when they have no market surveys and scientific data to back them up, much less the scrutiny of neutral 3rd parties on their claims.
I'm sure they are finding it cheaper to use their own people rather than outsource technical consultants, but getting their people educated is a risk too. Any taste of real education will trigger their critical thinking skills, and many members will opt to leave.
Have you heard something specific about Eman Artist or other exers being used by TF?
