To make a long story short (especially because I'm a little rushed right now :-) I, like MOST people, was very unclear on the intricacies of MLM and in actuality exactly how money was made -- well it's really not ever *made* just redistributed, but I didn't understand that till I reead this article about 10 years ago.

This article is called the Zero Sum Theory and at least for me, it opened my eyes to the MLM industry and how UTTERLY FOOLISH those who try and hype prospects into believing that "everyone" can make money in MLM, are.

There's always going to be fast talkers and those who buy into the Make Money Fast, Money For Nothing philosophies, espoused by the greedy -- however if YOU read this and take it to heart, you don't have to be one of them... if you ever-endeavor into the MLM realm!

Paul

> By a ZERO-SUM GAME, people mean, if one
> person wins, then another loses. They say
> you can't have everyone win. Well....

> They may say that, but I don't believe it.
> Here's why.

> You can help everyone to win. YOU win, and
> others win too. One way to do this is
> through "technology." What does
> that mean?

> Here's what "technology" really
> means, according to the Merriam-Webster
> dictionary....

> "Technology" means "The
> practical application of knowledge
> especially in a particular area." Take
> notice....

> I'm coming back to that later.... But first
> an example.

> Consider gasoline -- or "petrol"
> for Aussies and Brits. We know that the
> world only has a limited amount of oil. Once
> it's gone, it's gone. Every little bit we
> use up is a piece that can't be replaced.

> One way to look at it is to see it as a
> limited-sized pie. You take a little slice
> of that pie every time you fill up your car.
> And the only way to use more gasoline is by
> taking it away from someone else who could
> possibly use it later.

> NOW, here's how technology can fit into the
> mix. Technology can effectively make the pie
> bigger.

> An example of this kind of technology is the
> development of much more efficient cars and
> car engines. Now, thanks to this new
> technology, the same amount of gas will make
> our cars go further.

> If what we care about is how far we can
> travel, the same sized pie, thanks to
> technology, now can make us all travel
> further.

> It is as if technology has effectively
> EXPANDED the pie.

> It is NOT a "zero-sum game."
> Through technology -- by developing,
> applying, and helping to distribute it --
> you can make everyone win by expanding the
> pie. You can win, and you can help others to
> win too.

> Here's that definition of
> "technology" again....
> "The practical APPLICATION of
> KNOWLEDGE especially in a particular
> area." Technology is KNOWLEDGE and
> its APPLICATION. It doesn't have to mean
> some sort of device. It could even mean an
> E-BOOK or even a plain booklet with the
> right information inside.

> The KNOWLEDGE it contains is half of the
> definition of technology.... The other half
> YOU supply by APPLYING it.

> The first part of technology is knowledge.
> By sharing your knowledge -- such as through
> an ebook -- you can help everyone to win.

> For example, let's say you are an expert in
> creating web pages. By TEACHING your
> knowledge to others, everyone can win. You
> win, because you arrange to receive some
> sort of monetary benefit for your teaching.
> Those who you teach also win, because a
> whole new means of communication is now open
> to them, since they can now create their own
> web pages.

> This is in fact a type of technology --
> KNOWLEDGE and its APPLICATION.

> Let's look at another example....

> Let's say you have learned some of the
> latest, most useful techniques of
> organization. By teaching this to others,
> you are again in fact taking part in the
> spread of new technology. You are helping
> everyone to win.

> You are spreading KNOWLEDGE and its
> APPLICATION.

> So, when people say the spread of technology
> helps society, that doesn't mean you have to
> be at the head of the latest
> streaming-video-on-your-cell-phone venture.

> It could be as seemingly "mundane"
> as creating a booklet containing your
> KNOWLEDGE for others to APPLY.

> Here are some ways you can take part in the
> win/win possibilities which are available
> through technology....

> You can CREATE the technology. That means
> creating new knowledge and new products
> based on that knowledge. This is what most
> people think of when they think of
> technology.

> You can take part in the DISTRIBUTION of
> technology. That means teaching it to
> others, or selling products based on new
> technology to others. By doing this, you are
> also contributing to a win/win situation,
> and expanding the pie.

> And lastly, you can APPLY the technology
> directly. That means, using the technology
> to make your own activities more effective
> and efficient.

> The opportunities are there and open to
> everyone.... This article is to help you to
> see them....

> Now you have to reach out and grab them!

> Dien Rice


The Zero Sum Theory