Chapter Nine. ''Secrets'' of the Pros

Today we are bombarded with offers of ''secrets'' that are guaranteed to help us live longer, play a musical instrument, hit a golf ball farther, lose weight, pick winning lottery numbers, get rich in real estate, beat the stock market, or restore sexual vigor to a 98-year-old great grandfather. Always there's the implication that we'll be ''let in on'' inside information, good stuff heretofore known to a few cognoscenti who have selfishly kept the information to themselves. Now, so goes the advertising copy, one of the chosen few has broken ranks and will make the miracle-working secrets available to you—for only $19.95, $39.95, or $99.95, plus shipping and handling and sales tax where applicable, allow ...

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