Gullibility

 

I am well known in my family for being gullible.

When I was young, whilst on holiday in Scotland, my Dad told me why sheep were able to balance on the side of the mountains. According to him, sheep have longer back legs to help them balance better on the hillsides and terrain to get to the better grass. Of course, I look up to my Dad, so I was bound to believe everything he told me! This story took a longer turn as months later, whilst learning about balance at school, I was asked to write something to show how balance is shown in everyday life. Of course, I wanted to share proudly what my Dad had taught me and I drew a lovely diagram of how the sheep's bodies were built for ultimate balance! I am sure the teachers had a right laugh over that gullible year 5 student!

I have encountered many other moments in my life where I am have been "sucked in" to believe things which aren't true. I am sure everyone at one point or another has, but in the world of writing and publishing, you really have to learn to have your wits about you! I have been made to believe my work is going to be published and in bookshops and that was shattered. I have been led to believe that my book was going to be used by a county council to help children......that did not occur either!!  I have even been told that I would be featured in a whole piece in a magazine about how one of my books came about and I got sold out on that one too!!

So now I am now a lot more on guard when people approach me to say my work is fantastic and they will help me get further!

It is now AI that is trying to tap into my gullibility. I had a message the other day from a supposed person how had looked at my work and liked what he had seen. He told me that he could get me published and help me to boost my work. I thanked him for his kind words and politely said that I have lost my interest currently in being published again as it was too draining a process! He asked for my email and phone number. I gave my email. He then demanded my phone number as he wanted to call me to discuss. I didn't reply again.

When I looked into his profile, it turned out his initial message was a generic piece which was used as posts on his profile.....repeatedly. I wasn't in anyway special or of interest, just merely a clever way to get more business by what was obviously (according to my husband) an AI generated marketing scheme. The younger me would have probably fallen for it, but being the less gullible grown- up I am now, I noticed the "too good to be true" warning signs and let it go,

Maybe I am balanced like the sheep now......still climbing my way up the mountain but with all my limbs the right size and standing strong!