One can trace the origins of the first flame wars over Jack Hershey's methods online. Beginning on USENET (misc.invest.stocks) in November 1999 and continuing right up until today on ET's web site, the debate has raged over the validity of Jack's claims. After nearly seven years of discussion, it appears as if nothing has changed. Jack continues to post volumes of material and Jack's detractors continue to demand 'proof' of profitability.
Obscured by verbosity, flaming posts and ad hominem attack, most people miss Jack's methods behind the apparent madness. Jack understood long ago what most web site administrators learn along the way. Controversy breeds interest.
By example, one need look no further than the (now deleted) Traders International Threads in order to see the extremely high levels of page views which surrounded that controversy. A huge influx of interested members flooded the thread not only with posts, but also, simply be reading the comments, the page views went through the roof.
Already, this small thread, in its relatively short life, has rapidly seen an increase in its page views. Jack understands this concept (always has). As a result, he has chosen to post in a particular fashion - one which draws the ire of many posters - but at the same time, generates tremendous interest. What better way to spread one's message.
Doesn't it seem odd to anyone that Jack could have, at any time, put an end to the controversy? Over nearly seven years, he could have posted some trade confirmations, traded in real-time via a chatroom, or provided some other form of 'proof' of profitability. Jack's detractors would have us believe the reason no proof exists has to do with Jack's inability to trade. They make up cutesy nicknames for the old man, attack his personal life and call him a fraud. They wonder aloud why, with all this animosity, doesn't Jack simply end the debate once and for all. And just as it was in 1999, just as it always has been, Jack fails to acquiesce to the demands of his detractors.
Why indeed.
Well, I'll ask you all the question then. If you had several million dollars in the bank, a fulfilling personal life and a goal to share your knowledge with those individuals willing to put forth the work, would you give a rats ass what anonymous posters on the internet thought of you? Of course you wouldn't.
Now, combine the answer to the previous question with the fact that controversy does indeed breed interest, well then, one can easily see why Jack has absolutely no plans to 'prove' anything to anyone.
In an ironic twist, everytime someone decides create a thread in an effort to 'debunk' some part of Jack's Methodology - and "warn away unsuspecting and vulnerable newbie traders" - the exact opposite occurs. The detractors themselves end up creating the increase in interest with their own posts. Smart people, people who never (or rarely) post on ET, people who prefer to lurk in the background read the posts, and search, for themselves, the answers they need. As long as open-minded individuals continue to seek knowledge, they can, on their own, arrive at a conclusion with respect to the profitability of Jack's Methods.
So you see, Jack has neither the time, nor the inclination, to provide 'proof' which would end the controversy. It is the controversy itself which enables Jack to spread the message. In fact, it was a post made by a detractor long ago, which initially generated my own interest in Jack's Methods. Jack doesn't refuse to provide proof because the methods don't work - far from it. Jack doesn't provide proof and chooses to write in a style which generates strong emotional responses because, doing so, helps to spread the message.
While I may disagree with his style of transference and his online demeanor, I certainly cannot argue with the facts. Jack's posts, and more specifically the discussions about Jack's methods, generate a great deal of interest. Is it so out of the realm of possibility to understand that Jack has used his detractors to help spread his message all this time? Believe it or not, that is exactly what Jack has done.
Now, I don't really expect anyone to believe what I have posted here, but I have met the man, and I can tell you this. Nothing he does happens by accident. Call it Guru envy, hero worship or even claim I downed several gallons of grape Kool-Aid. Whatever makes you happy. But the bottom line is this: his systems work. Believe it; Don't believe it - that choice is yours.
Good Trading to you all.
- Spydertrader