The ubiquity of “vetted” as a scam buzzword and people falling for it, I think, reveals a lot about the relationship certain people have between words & concepts in their heads.
What do I mean by that? Well, to begin with, something being “vetted” doesn’t really mean anything in-and-of-itself. It just means it’s “been checked & approved”. But checked how and approved by whom, and why does their approval hold weight?
“Vetting” is a process, and it is only as good as that process is rigorous and the people who are engaging in that process are not only trustworthy but qualified.
A drug being vetted by the (pre-gutted) FDA is very different from a drug being vetted by RFK Jr., right? One has credentialed people with good track records doing the provably rigorous process of science & showing their work, while the other is just a guy who is well known & says things.
What does this have to do with the relationship between words and concepts in people’s heads?
Well, there are a lot of people who see “vetted!” and that word alone shortcuts whatever is supposedly “vetted” past ever needing to be checked. They don’t ask questions about the vetting process. They don’t ask for the credentials of the vetter. They probably don’t even have any idea what they should be looking for in a rigorous vetting process or vetter.
it’s essentially just seeing a sticker that says “APPROVED BY ME!” on it and saying “that’s good enough for me!”
This isn’t unique to this kind of scam, and it isn’t even new. Snake oil salesmen and con artists have been doing this sort of thing for forever. It’s what the “con” in “con artist” means: “confidence”. They gain your confidence, present themselves as an authority or your pal, your buddy, and then they take you for everything you’re worth.
It’s why Chiropractic & Scientology present themselves with the language of religion and science; it’s why chiropractic calls their four-year degree a “Doctorate”; it’s why your employer encourages you to think of the company as a “family”.
Because they know they can bank on a certain kind of person hearing the word, be it “doctor” or “family” or “vetted”, and shortcutting any critical thinking, without ever asking whether the concept is actually being fulfilled.
Did that “doctor” actually study for a decade in medical school and residency? Is this company actually motivated by keeping me safe and loved like a family would be, or do they want me to feel loved to so I feel obligated to serve their bottom line? Who is this vetter, why are they qualified to vet this, and what is their vetting process?
You gotta ask these questions or you’re gonna get got, man.
