posted on February 7, 2001 09:43:58 PM
The Emperor's New Clothes
by Hans Christian Anderson
Once upon a time there lived a vain Emperor whose only worry in life was to dress in elegant clothes. He changed clothes almost every hour and loved to show them off to his people.
Word of the Emperor's refined habits spread over his kingdom and beyond. Two scoundrels who had heard of the Emperor's vanity decided to take advantage of it. They introduced themselves at the gates of the palace with a scheme in mind.
"We are two very good tailors and after many years of research we have invented an extraordinary method to weave a cloth so light and fine that it looks invisible. As a matter of fact it is invisible to anyone who is too stupid and incompetent to appreciate its quality."
The chief of the guards heard the scoundrel's strange story and sent for the court chamberlain. The chamberlain notified the prime minister, who ran to the Emperor and disclosed the incredible news. The Emperor's curiosity got the better of him and he decided to see the two scoundrels.
"Besides being invisible, your Highness, this cloth will be woven in colors and patterns created especially for you." The emperor gave the two men a bag of gold coins in exchange for their promise to begin working on the fabric immediately.
"Just tell us what you need to get started and we'll give it to you." The two scoundrels asked for a loom, silk, gold thread and then pretended to begin working. The Emperor thought he had spent his money quite well: in addition to getting a new extraordinary suit, he would discover which of his subjects were ignorant and incompetent. A few days later, he called the old and wise prime minister, who was considered by everyone as a man with common sense.
"Go and see how the work is proceeding," the Emperor told him, "and come back to let me know."
The prime minister was welcomed by the two scoundrels.
"We're almost finished, but we need a lot more gold thread. Here, Excellency! Admire the colors, feel the softness!" The old man bent over the loom and tried to see the fabric that was not there. He felt cold sweat on his forehead.
"I can't see anything," he thought. "If I see nothing, that means I'm stupid! Or, worse, incompetent!" If the prime minister admitted that he didn't see anything, he would be discharged from his office.
"What a marvelous fabric, he said then. "I'll certainly tell the Emperor." The two scoundrels rubbed their hands gleefully. They had almost made it. More thread was requested to finish the work.
Finally, the Emperor received the announcement that the two tailors had come to take all the measurements needed to sew his new suit.
"Come in," the Emperor ordered. Even as they bowed, the two scoundrels pretended to be holding large roll of fabric.
"Here it is your Highness, the result of our labour," the scoundrels said. "We have worked night and day but, at last, the most beautiful fabric in the world is ready for you. Look at the colors and feel how fine it is." Of course the Emperor did not see any colors and could not feel any cloth between his fingers. He panicked and felt like fainting. But luckily the throne was right behind him and he sat down. But when he realized that no one could know that he did not see the fabric, he felt better. Nobody could find out he was stupid and incompetent. And the Emperor didn't know that everybody else around him thought and did the very same thing.
The farce continued as the two scoundrels had foreseen it. Once they had taken the measurements, the two began cutting the air with scissors while sewing with their needles an invisible cloth.
"Your Highness, you'll have to take off your clothes to try on your new ones." The two scoundrels draped the new clothes on him and then held up a mirror. The Emperor was embarrassed but since none of his bystanders were, he felt relieved.
"Yes, this is a beautiful suit and it looks very good on me," the Emperor said trying to look comfortable. "You've done a fine job."
"Your Majesty," the prime minister said, "we have a request for you. The people have found out about this extraordinary fabric and they are anxious to see you in your new suit." The Emperor was doubtful showing himself naked to the people, but then he abandoned his fears. After all, no one would know about it except the ignorant and the incompetent.
"All right," he said. "I will grant the people this privilege." He summoned his carriage and the ceremonial parade was formed. A group of dignitaries walked at the very front of the procession and anxiously scrutinized the faces of the people in the street. All the people had gathered in the main square, pushing and shoving to get a better look. An applause welcomed the regal procession. Everyone wanted to know how stupid or incompetent his or her neighbor was but, as the Emperor passed, a strange murmur rose from the crowd.
Everyone said, loud enough for the others to hear: "Look at the Emperor's new clothes. They're beautiful!"
"What a marvellous train!"
"And the colors! The colors of that beautiful fabric! I have never seen anything like it in my life!" They all tried to conceal their disappointment at not being able to see the clothes, and since nobody was willing to admit his own stupidity and incompetence, they all behaved as the two scoundrels had predicted.
A child, however, who had no important job and could only see things as his eyes showed them to him, went up to the carriage.
"The Emperor is naked," he said.
"Fool!" his father reprimanded, running after him. "Don't talk nonsense!" He grabbed his child and took him away. But the boy's remark, which had been heard by the bystanders, was repeated over and over again until everyone cried:
"The boy is right! The Emperor is naked! It's true!"
The Emperor realized that the people were right but could not admit to that. He though it better to continue the procession under the illusion that anyone who couldn't see his clothes was either stupid or incompetent. And he stood stiffly on his carriage, while behind him a page held his imaginary mantle.
posted on February 8, 2001 06:59:54 AM
Gee, does this sound like a certain auction site we all used to be associated with? HA! Tim Koogle (spelling) you are a fool! Yahoo stockholders ~ Fools! Anyone who stays at Yahoo ~ FOOLS!
posted on February 8, 2001 09:11:35 AM
No...but that the emperor is naked and everyone has their reasons not to tell him.
This fable has been utilized to teach children that not everyone is your friend or cares about you just because they tell you something you you want to hear.
And it's also to teach children that because someone does point out faults you should not chastise them.
And if you really read the story it is the Emperor who thinks his people are too stupid to realize that they can't see the truth.
posted on February 8, 2001 09:17:48 AM
This is the last paragraph of the story:
The Emperor realized that the people were right but could not admit to that. He though it better to continue the procession under the illusion that anyone who couldn't see his clothes was either stupid or incompetent. And he stood stiffly on his carriage, while behind him a page held his imaginary mantle
posted on February 8, 2001 10:29:08 AM
jtw74- I'm sorry that I don't have the same mentality that you and AG2 have
that is the reason I don't Get it
color me "DUMB"
posted on March 25, 2001 04:44:38 PM
I am having a problem understanding something here. I thought that people who worked for BIDBAY were not allowed to post here????
Now it is just my opinion, but if someone posts auctions at bidbay and is pro bidbay, they do not work for them, but the difference is when someone takes a check and then posts pro bidbay comments, what does that make them?
posted on March 25, 2001 05:24:06 PM
I am just as perplexed, watching the show, but it is sometimes hard picking the employees out, from the paid flunkies, bad enough, when they are just uniformed free flunkies, but paid ones, well there's one above for sure, maybe two......or......
posted on March 25, 2001 05:41:00 PMI am having a problem understanding something here. I thought that people who worked for BIDBAY were not allowed to post here????
posted on March 25, 2001 05:51:39 PM
LMAO!!!!I read these boards just to get a good laugh.You people are REALLY funny.
jimhhow-They accuse EVERYONE that post something positive about Bidbay of being paid.I don't know what it makes someone that post pro BidBay and takes a check,but I do know it makes alot of other people extremely JEALOUS!!!I have never been paid by BidBay and I never even posted anything positive about BidBay,but they accused me of getting a check.I just asked why all the BidBay bashing?LOOK OUT!!!They attacked me from every direction.
Anyway,I was just amused by this thread and decided to reply.Now if you'll excuse me it's time for a glass of kool aid.
Tonya
It is widely known that I was asked to visit BidBay to discuss some of the issues that members here and elsewhere have had with them.
It is also widely known that I was paid for this visit for my time and trouble that is all.
If this makes me an employee of BidBay and AW wishes to suspend me based on that then so be it.
But the silly thing here is you have people insulting people here calling people "paid flunkies," and you don't even respond to this.
I also find it silly that the only response these people even have anymore is one that includes the fact that I did receive payment.
I could state that the sky was blue above the BidBay offices when I arrived and their response would be something akin to "well it wouldn't take $5,000 for me to realize the sky is blue."
I don't have time for this any longer tonight, as I received some pretty bad news in the past half hour and now must prepare for a trip.
But the skipping record needs a bump. You guys need to get another argument as this one is falling flat.
posted on March 27, 2001 12:29:53 AM
Will some of you folks please stop picking on AG2. And dredging up his old posts.
He has come to believe that he folks at BidBay are serious in their endeavors. My impression had always been that the company was set up as a joke until IPO time when they would cash in their chips and beat feet.
AG2 has preesented reasonable evidence that this is not the case. And the current state of dotcom stocks reinforces the point.
Of course this makes the company even more bizarre. The fact that they are sincere enough to believe their own hype makes them not a bunch of crooks, but rather the 'Gang that Couldn't Think Straight'. The current state of affairs with fees is but naother glaring example. One interpretation is that GT is being 'responsive' to users and needs more time to assess fees. Another is that he simply realizes that fees would scare their tiny user base away. A more honest approach would have been to post the fee schedule, and then respond to user feedback. And make adjustments that way.
These people are simply in the wrong business. They appear to have the appropriate business acumen for running, maybe a pet shop. I would certainly buy an iguana from them.
posted on March 27, 2001 05:53:29 AM
"I would certainly buy an iguana from them."
When I read the start of your post I thought you had had a change of heart. That was funny...pet shop...funny..but iguana????MMMMMMMAYBE a parrot but I do not know about an iguana.
posted on March 28, 2001 11:28:46 AM
jtw74-No problem!I shouldn't have yelled at you,but I just feel like everyone here is attacking me because I'm giving BidBay a chance.
Tonya
