Dodgy audio transformer *advertising* - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: Circlotron
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 22, 2020, 01:26:56 pm
content: The transformer itself is probably a fine piece of equipment, the description is pure audiophool...Quotehttps://www.hificollective.co.uk/components/trans_driver_interstage.html

author: schmitt trigger
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 22, 2020, 02:11:04 pm
content: Have to give credit to the copy persons who actually write these ads.They have a serious-sounding airy prose sprinkled with the proper buzzwords, to convey a warm fuzzy feeling of legitimacy to the unwashed masses. All without saying anything relevant.They should also be very good at writing politician's speeches.

author: AVGresponding
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 22, 2020, 05:10:24 pm
content: The more successful scammers have always had a good line in patter/patois.Most people are gullible because they are too lazy to do their own research, not even a bit of light(ish) reading.

author: PlainName
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 23, 2020, 02:26:55 am
content: QuoteMany people don't know how to research, or where.A good example would be me right now. I am completely hacked off with the otherwise excellent Kaspersky AV and want to use something else. Which? I've been using computers for a loooong while, know what I want, seen the scams. So where do I go to find out which AV to replace it with? There are a gazillion opinions, most of them based on nothing except the owners bias through owning a product. Probably 99% of those will say the AV they use is great and perfect because they've never caught any malware. That's a pretty damning review - I want to know that the AV has tramped on stuff, not that the user has kept away from malware sources.So despite being experienced in the field (or perhaps because of it) I am no wiser about the claims of any AV company and in the end will probably go with the one that makes the most convincing sales blurb. Which is essentially what these scams play on for those people who you say are too lazy to do any research.Another example: just acquired a scroll saw. Had a small one for many years but now got a proper one (partner's birthday prezzy). Which is a good one? How would I know? Sure, gazillion youtube videos but which are reliable or meaningful? Gazillion manufacturers, fan sites, etc. But how do you know that any source is any better than another? You rely on convincing-sounding reviews and stuff in the end, which is what those scams you mention play on.

author: AVGresponding
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 23, 2020, 05:29:37 am
content: That wasn't quite where I was going with that; I was thinking more along the lines of google/wiki or w/e in terms of the basic science behind these claims. People just don't seem to be taught the skill of critical thinking these days, which I'm sure is intentional.After all, how does one expect to get elected, if the voters can recognise untruths?Trying to find which product is best among the sea of options is another kettle of fish altogether, and experience has taught me that only directly trying it myself can really answer the question of "is it what I want/need?".Unfortunately that can lead to quite a few duds as you search for a diamond...

author: PlainName
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 23, 2020, 04:37:51 pm
content: QuoteIt's a skill, and just like any other skill you might be good or bad at it. Are you going to victim-blame people for not having a high IQ, because that's essentially what's happening here.QuoteThat's not research of the science, it's opinion polling.QuoteThat's what the claims do: they present basic science that people can grasp and hand wave the tricky bits. The difference between you and them is where 'tricky' starts, and you're just fortunate that it's quite high up for you.

author: AVGresponding
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 23, 2020, 07:37:35 pm
content: Quote from: dunkemhigh on May 23, 2020, 04:37:51 pmIQ does NOT equate to intelligence.IQ is a highly westernised measure of certain factors, some of which relate to actual raw intelligence, most do not.Critical thinking is NOT an intelligence based skill. It simply is a way to make best use of what intelligence one does have, and I'd argue it's useful to people of ALL intelligence levels.How DARE you assume what level of understanding people can achieve. IQ is an artificial construct and as such is worse than a blunt instrument here; it doesn't just dull down measurements, it actively skews them, and as such has no useful part to play.IQ has been, and continues to be, a means to racialise intelligence. It has no place in a sensible argument regarding educational standards and achievements, except perhaps in measuring relative levels within a particular socio-economic group.

author: PlainName
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 23, 2020, 08:18:29 pm
content: I wasn't equating IQ to critical thinking. It was a simile to illustrate how the same attacks might be viewed with a less biased subject. Could've chosen, say, colour blindness but then it would be harder to relate.

author: Cyberdragon
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 24, 2020, 05:09:24 am
content: Quote from: AVGresponding on May 22, 2020, 05:10:24 pmCorrection...they do read...whatever rubbish they find on FarceBark and Twattler first.

author: AVGresponding
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 24, 2020, 08:12:19 am
content: Critical thinking as a life skill just seems to be taught less and less these days.And I'd not regard farcebook as a worthwhile research tool, unless you have access to the meta-data of course... sadly I agree that far too many people seem to think it is, which brings us back to the critical thinking issue.Anyone who knows how facebook selects the content that you see should be safe, in theory. Anyone who doesn't understand it is doomed to a prison of mirrors reflecting their own views back at them, unless they can use some critical thinking.Mostly a quick trip to Wikipedia is enough to debunk bogus scientific claims, though obviously sometimes you might have to dig a bit deeper, but it's not particularly hard to do. The fairly transparent citation system they have makes it reasonably easy to judge the reliability of the information.Sorry for wandering off topic...I'd try a few free versions of the more well known brands, and see which suits you. Most of them include a trial of a couple of weeks or so of their premium subscription versions, so you can get an idea of the level of protection that provides.