Bridget Read, a journalist for New York Magazine and author of "Little Bosses Everywhere," explores the intriguing world of multi-level marketing (MLM) schemes. She uncovers how these companies, from Amway to Herbalife, have influenced American politics and social movements, often targeting women's empowerment while masking exploitation. The conversation dives into the deceptive nature of MLMs, their historical roots, and eerie parallels with Silicon Valley investment practices, revealing a complex interplay of ambition, gender dynamics, and economic inequality.
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Origins of MLM Pyramid Scheme
MLMs originated from door-to-door selling in the mid-20th century, transforming traditional direct sales into recruitment-based schemes.
The key innovation is rewarding people for product purchases within their recruited downline, not actual consumer sales, creating a pyramid structure.
insights INSIGHT
Affinity Fraud Powers MLMs
MLMs heavily rely on affinity fraud by exploiting trust within communities and social networks.
The scheme targets friends and neighbors, making it more insidious than traditional lone salesmen tactics.
insights INSIGHT
MLM and Labor Protections
MLMs helped entrench independent contractor status to evade labor protections introduced by the New Deal.
This marginalization feminized the workforce and preempted unionization and labor rights.
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Bridget Read's "Little Bosses Everywhere" delves into the history of pyramid schemes in America, revealing their insidious impact on society. The book traces the evolution of multi-level marketing (MLM) from its origins in the mid-20th century to its current online presence. Read exposes the manipulative tactics employed by MLM companies, highlighting their exploitation of individuals' financial vulnerabilities and aspirations. The narrative explores the intersection of MLM with various social and political trends, demonstrating how these schemes have shaped American culture and economy. Ultimately, the book serves as a cautionary tale about the dangers of unchecked capitalism and the enduring allure of get-rich-quick schemes.
The Feminine Mystique
Betty Friedan
Published in 1963, 'The Feminine Mystique' by Betty Friedan critiques the societal expectations that confined women to roles as housewives and mothers, arguing that these roles denied women their basic human need to grow and achieve personal fulfillment. Friedan coined the term 'feminine mystique' to describe the belief that women could find complete fulfillment in domestic duties alone. Through extensive research, including interviews with housewives, college students, and experts in psychology and education, Friedan exposed the widespread unhappiness among women and the detrimental effects of these societal norms on their mental and physical health. The book played a pivotal role in sparking the second-wave feminist movement, encouraging women to seek careers and personal achievements outside the home[1][3][5].
Think and Grow Rich
Napoleon Hill
Published in 1937, 'Think and Grow Rich' is a seminal work in the self-help genre. The book is the result of over twenty years of research by Napoleon Hill, who studied the habits and achievements of more than 500 successful individuals, including Andrew Carnegie, Thomas Edison, and Henry Ford. Hill distills their wisdom into thirteen principles that, when practiced with persistence and faith, can transform dreams into reality. These principles include the power of desire, faith, specialized knowledge, organized planning, and the role of the subconscious mind. The book emphasizes the importance of maintaining a positive mental attitude, setting clear and specific goals, and taking consistent action to achieve success. It also explores the concept of the 'Master Mind' alliance and the need to overcome fears and doubts to achieve one's objectives.
Journalist Bridget Read talks with Moira and Adrian about the most American of scams, the multi-level marketing (MLM) scheme. Companies like Amway, Mary Kay and Herbalife have had an outsize impact on American politics, and have been an insidious and at times covert part of the backlash against women's liberation, labor organizing and civil rights. This one has it all: eugenics, scammy Stanford-grads, and alfalfa. So much alfalfa. Bridget's book on the pyramid scheme, Little Bosses Everywhere, is on sale now and is absolutely fantastic!
In Bed With The Right 
