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As the other poster said, I've never heard your interpretation, and you're being too diplomatic/optimistic in your interpretation (or perhaps too geek/tech focu

As the other poster said, I've never heard your interpretation, and you're being too diplomatic/optimistic in your interpretation (or perhaps too geek/tech focused). I first heard "fake it till you make it" 20+ years ago in MLM/Amway circles. Never joined, but had known some people involved, and that was part of the schtick in motivational presentations (much like "you gotta be in it to win it" is used for lottery ticket sales). The gist in MLM was you need to present an image of success to your downline, whether you're actually successful (yet) or not. Drive a bigger car, get fancier clothes, talk about your vacations, etc., to give the impression that 'the business' is already providing those things. In turn, people will be impressed, join up, and then you'll 'make it'. Sick and twisted. Perhaps there are legitimate other uses of the phrase, but many people have heard it used in that context, and it's the primary one I associate it with. That doesn't mean you can't do what you're suggesting, but I agree with the other poster, I think you're being too generous. I think the 'fake it' crowd know who they are, and sometimes it's easy to spot them - going to too many conferences, talking/blogging about how great everything is, vs just doing stuff to progress a business.

mindcrime 13y ago
Perhaps there are legitimate other uses of the phrase, but many people have heard it used in that context, and it's the primary one I associate it with. I first heard the expression in the PUA community. Guys who are too shy to talk to women, and who struggle to get dates, are taught "routines" and "openers" and other "canned" conversational gambits to use, with the idea being that you can go out, "open" women using some stock opener, and have a good conversation (even if it doesn't ultimately lead anywhere). Over time, your confidence improves because you realize that there isn't actually any reason to be scared to talking to women, and you graduate from needing the "canned" material to just being your natural self. "Received wisdom" says that confidence is very important to women as a criteria that they judge men on, so you "fake" the confidence until you "make it" and have the confidence for real.
yajoe 13y ago
For those who aren't aware or understand the reference, Amway is commonly understood and used as a metonym for pyramid schemes in the US. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Amway#Controversy http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Amway#Controversy (Thanks for your post)
- mgkimsal 13y ago
  Thanks for that - I should have linked to what amway was/is (quixtar? no - amway again!) :)

mindcrime 13y ago

Perhaps there are legitimate other uses of the phrase, but many people have heard it used in that context, and it's the primary one I associate it with. I first heard the expression in the PUA community. Guys who are too shy to talk to women, and who struggle to get dates, are taught "routines" and "openers" and other "canned" conversational gambits to use, with the idea being that you can go out, "open" women using some stock opener, and have a good conversation (even if it doesn't ultimately lead anywhere). Over time, your confidence improves because you realize that there isn't actually any reason to be scared to talking to women, and you graduate from needing the "canned" material to just being your natural self. "Received wisdom" says that confidence is very important to women as a criteria that they judge men on, so you "fake" the confidence until you "make it" and have the confidence for real.

yajoe 13y ago

For those who aren't aware or understand the reference, Amway is commonly understood and used as a metonym for pyramid schemes in the US. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Amway#Controversy http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Amway#Controversy (Thanks for your post)

mgkimsal 13y ago
Thanks for that - I should have linked to what amway was/is (quixtar? no - amway again!) :)