The Magic Box Hoax

Rasvar writes "Here is an interesting article from The Florida Times-Union about a high tech hoax that managed to pull in the likes of Blockbuster Video, US West, Ted Turner, Sen Orrin Hatch and numerous others. I actually attended one of the "demonstrations" of this device years back. I came away cynical becuase of the way he presented stuff. Sometimes it is good to be a cynic. This is a very good article on an impressive high tech scam."

Comments

Trusting a Priest?

[JZ_Tonka]

With all the stuff going on in the Catholic Church, and now this to top it off, how is ANYONE expected to ever trust a Priest again?

He's an Inventor(tm)

[dattaway]

He received a patent on his black box, so it must true and not a hoax, right?

Another reason why patents are worthless pieces of paper.

Re:He's an Inventor(tm)

[MisterBlister]

He's really fat, geeky and probably smells overripe as well, three other things he has in common with a lot of Slashdotters.

here is his patent

[smoondog]

Madison Priest's Patent

Editorial: Bwa-hahahahahaha, Dumbasses. Maybe they should invest in Alex Chiu

-Sean

Re:patent

[psychosis]

Makes you wish you had a patent on rubber stamps, eh?

Here is the schematics, from the patent:

[3Suns]

From the bottom of the patent:

+--------------+
| |
Data | YHBT | Data
=====+ YHL +=====
In | HAND | Out
| |
+--------------+

Re:Wanting to believe

[Slash Veteran]

But it sounds like this guy was claiming to jam several megabits of data through the 64 kbit phone switch, which is obviously impossible

You obviously missed the fact that he was using zero point energy combined with low energy physics. These two symbiotic technologies use the 64 kbit switch as an multiplying amplifier, effectively increasing available bandwidth by a factor of 65536. That converts an ordinary DSL line from 1.5Mbps to 98.3Tbps.

jacksonville.com engaging demonstration

[JimBobJoe]

I was deeply convinced and profoundly amazed by the magic box demonstration they have on their site.

Now click here or cliquez ici for those who speak spanish in the audience, and, yes you must have flash...everybody must have flash!

So, note, if you press the "compatibility test" you will see how the blue flows through the magic box far better than it flows through your 56k...box. Yes I know compatibility means how compatible something is, not how it compares to something else, but ignore the words...just watch the test. Again...see how the blue flooooows through the magic box box...but still crawls along on the T3!

In fact, if you press the "test" button next to the magic box box, you will note that the blue comes through sharply, clearly, quickly every time! That's how reliable *your* customers will find the magic box every single time!

[sorry...i couldn't help it...my parents were in Amway...i've seen it all before]

The Quest for the Holy Grail

[DarkHelmet]

"He had a Holy Grail that was the telecommunications equivalent of cold fusion," Mons said.

I'm picturing a bunch of companies with copper networks led by King Arthur galloping with a bunch of coconuts up to a castle. The man (who somehow looks like John Cleese with a peculiar french accent) at the top of the castle says that this is a castle of people with fiber networks.

King Arthur: If you give us food and shelter, you can join us on our quest for the Holy Grail.
Frenchman: Well, I'll ask him, but I don't think he'll be very keen. He's already got one, you see?
King Arthur: What? Are you sure you've got one?
Frenchman: Oh yes, it's very nice.
King Arthur: If you don't show us the grail, we shall take this castle by force!
Frenchman: You don't frighten us you copper-based pigdogs! Go and boil your buttons you sons of silly person. I blow my nose at you so cold, Arthur King. You and all your Silly English Kniggits! I fart in your general direction.... etc

At that point, the Fiber Optic French people catapult a gigantic light-based switch at them.

King Arthur and his Men: Run Away! Run Away!

Re:Charlatans Exist Because We Love Them

[efuseekay]

Great, now that we have somebody who calls himself a skeptic, but then went ahead and compartmentalized cynics and skeptics into nice little separate boxes.

I'd like to see some testable, repeatable proof that being cynical is an attitude guaranteed to close minds.

As you have claimed, of course.

Re:Parallel case or same guy?

[tb3]

A cognitive disorder wherein they lie without guilt or concern
Gee, sound like a perfect description of this man.

Re:Huh? VisionTek?

[Anonymous Coward]

Take the cards apart. There's a VCR inside.

Re:Haha

[Gavitron_zero]

so i guess this makes it a Certified Hoax...

Re:So many suckers, so little time...

[Anonymous Coward]

I like that story, especially this part

"Stanley was born in the rural south, the son and grandson of Appalachian preachers."

I can't really figure out what combination of inbreeding would cause this , but it's hilarious!