FrankSentThis_Dec5_2016 - The Monday Morning Memo

“Ferdinand Waldo Demara was the con man Tony Curtis portrayed in The Imposter – His philosophy of why his cons worked – he, (Demara) had two beliefs. One was that in any organization there is always a lot of loose, unused power lying about which can be picked up without alienating anyone. The second rule is, if you want power and want to expand, never encroach on anyone else’s domain; open up new ones…’

Demara referred to it as ‘expanding into the power vacuum,’ and described it like this; ‘If you come into a new situation (there’s a nice word for it) don’t join some other professor’s committee and try to make your mark by moving up in that committee. You’ll, one, have a long haul and two, make an enemy.’

Demara’s technique was to find his own committee. ‘That way there’s no competition, no past standards to measure you by. How can anyone tell you aren’t running a top outfit? And then there’s no past laws or rules or precedents to hold you down or limit you. Make your own rules and interpretations. Nothing like it. Remember it, expand into the power vacuum!’

In his later years he joined the Los Angeles Adventurers Club and was noted as the only person to lie their way into the club.”

- sent to us by Manley Miller for our edification and amusement

More Information

Contact Us

Address