Is A Travel MLM Really Such A Bad Idea?

Traditional TA’s have taken a lot of heat for our anti-mlm stand. But it appears that there are several other well educated, intelligent people outside the travel industry who agree that travel and mlms are a bad mix as well. In fact, Robert Fitzgerald has dedicated the majority of his career investigating the mlm model, and the horrible impact it has had on our society.

In his book “False Profits” FitzPatrick examines the persuasion techniques of these mlm recruiters, and devastating effects of mlm addiction. We caught up with Mr. FitzPatrick to get his take on the travel mlm model, and the effects that mlms have had on other industries. We are also trying to understand why so many YTBers are so defensive of YTB, despite the fact that over 80% receive zero income. Here is what Mr. Fitzgerald had to say. I wonder if Dr Seligman would like to respond…

“ My book, False Profits, is all about the power of these schemes to lure, seduce and persuade. I boil it down to their ability to manipulate beliefs and values that we treasure. Financial independence, freedom, individuality, a higher purpose for work, a destiny of better times, is part of a supportive community of "winners." In American we tend to equate wealth with goodness. So, when a scheme promises wealth it is like promising salvation, a validation for living. Many of us harbor deep seated longings for wealth and independence and are also deeply frustrated and disappointed that we have not achieved it. MLM unleashes these desperate hopes, frustrations and longings. As you see, it is a shameless manipulation. MLM goes after your very soul. It does indeed have the power of a cult. It uses many techniques -- repetition of aphorisms, strong hierarchical leadership, bombardment with recognition, a phony "community" and a promise of financial salvation, and most of all strict control over thinking and behavior -- that are classic brain washing and cult tactics.But it all starts with our own longings, hopes and beliefs. MLM is an American invention. It taps into special America values and beliefs. As these values and beliefs are spread worldwide in a global market economy, MLM is right there along with them to do its work of exploiting and manipulation. It is like our dark shadow.As you see, it took me a whole book to fully address this "mystery." It is indeed mysterious. But once you examine the claims, promises and techniques used by MLM and understand the beliefs, feelings, hopes and values that are so common among us, the reactions of people are more understandable.What we are speaking about, then, is a terrible kind of fraud. This fraud, like all frauds, steals money. It does so by deception, like all frauds do. But, more importantly, it also grossly manipulates people's hopes and dreams. It steals time and energy and its exploits a person's closest relationships, family, friends, and neighbors. So, it can not only steal money but literally destroy lives.This is, therefore, no ordinary scam. It is a virus that can negatively affect entire industries and communities and have very long term negative effects on people's lives and financial conditions. We talk with victims frequently who attribute their divorces, bankruptcies, family strife and loss of friends to MLM. I have been in two court cases where people committed suicide after being ruined not just financially and but socially by their MLM involvement.”

It's not just that travel & mlms are a bad mix, mlms and anything can be a bad mix when the people who get involved don't understand that they may not be the one driving the cocaine white bently.