W.C. Fields coined the motto of con-artists around the world when he stated, "Never wise-up a chump!" Con-artists survive and thrive because of the gullible, superstitious and ignorant among humanity, who sadly, seem to constitute the majority of society today. Even in the "Reviews and Guides" section of the category Rocks, Fossils and Minerals, one can easily confirm that when P.T. Barnum observed, "There's a sucker born every minute," he was right on target! When I read an Ebay listing where a seller claims that some rock or crystal they are selling "has power," can be "charged" or "recharged," can "shield" or "provide" you with some imaginary "energy" that "heals and brings luck" I almost want to file a fraud complaint with the police!

Are these sellers REALLY that stupid,

...or are they counting upon the ignorance of their buyers in order to make a buck?

After reading such claims from any one of these con-artists, I can't help but wonder, "Doesn't anyone actually THINK anymore?!"

If a rock or crystal could cure disease or mental illness, bring you luck or cleanse your soul, wouldn't someone in the scientific community (as opposed to some new-age, mystic, crystal dealer in New York)  know and write about it?

If all you had to do get rich and rebuild your love life was to wrap your crystal in banana leaves and bury them in the ground at midnight under the waning full moon, wouldn't it be front page news the world over?

When I see such claims made to sell anything, be it crystals that heal, magic water from some "special" location, some plastic cross that has supernatural power or one of those silly "Heal Yourself Through Prayer While Increasing Your Bust Size" books, I realize that humanity has not really advanced all that far, and that Barnum's statement is just as true today as it was during his life-time.

Because of those sad, gullible and ignorant people who perpetrate, and as such, perpetuate ignorance and superstition,

...the rest of us are left to weep for the future.