It is disturbing the lack of class I see in the industry these days. It is every man, collective, doctor, lawyer, provider, scientist, and activist for themselves these days. Not that I mind some friendly discourse throughout my day, but it has gotten to be a bit pathetic the nature of the attacks and the methods by which people are choosing to make their points at the expense of one another. It is simply unacceptable. 

I think we all know that I ran a food-based medicine company for many years. Throughout those years we faced fierce competition and as the leaders of the industry we were constantly scrutinized by other companies. My ex-partner and sworn enemy opened a company called Bliss and in 2004 began the "candy wars." This gentlemen (which is a kind description) chose to go on the attack and try to tear down our company at every chance given. Collective operators would tell me of his rhetoric and try to get me to feed into the negativity. We refused. 

Tainted leadership and staff had strict orders to NEVER put down another person or company's product or staff in public or to a customer. We knew the quality and effectiveness of our products would speak miles above any attack and we chose to deflect these attacks by simply promoting our products. Never would we choose to get down in the mud and play the "so-and-so's product sucks" game. It just lacked class, professionalism, and was not our style. We knew that our product was superior in every way and if it were not in a particular instance we worked harder to make sure it was. We won the candy war you may say without ever firing a shot. I was even physically attacked and hit with a skateboard on Venice Beach by the owner of Bliss, and still never threw a punch. We were bigger than that.

 I see a lot of Bliss-like behavior in the industry and just want people to know it seems petty and unnecessary. I have read articles where one collective operator chooses to say statements like "before I opened a bunch of dirty hippies and gangster thugs used to be the only ones running collectives and now, the first time in the history of the world, there is a professionally run organization for patients, blah, blah, blah...I am so great....blah, blah, blah." It is one thing to have a great organization and be proud, but what gives with the stepping on everyone else in the industry to make that point? Wouldn't the statement "We think we have a great model because of A, B, and C" get that point across just as easily? 

I have heard of Doctors who chose to tear other organizations down for unethical practices, rather than highlighting their own superior service qualities. I have seen scientists choose to debunk the work of others instead of promoting their own work. I have heard lawyers preaching about why their clients are doing it right and most of the other guys are not. Growers who choose to tear at each other instead of taking their energy to make a better product. And of course the discourse between activist groups and organizations that go out of their way to discredit one another's work and to be overly critical (and often just plain mean) when discussing the work of another. Where is the class people? Why can we not find a common middle ground, debate fairly, and try to be more open to things we may not necessarily agree with? 

It does us no good to attack one another for our disagreements. If you do not like the way someone is doing something then say why the other way is better without expressing why you think this other person's or organization's project SUCKS, is WEAK, WILL NOT WORK, or the like. If you have a superior idea, product, service or whatever let that speak for itself. Rise above the nature to attack another in your travels, in your communications, and in your daily walk of life. It is petty, unnecessary, and makes you look like a hater. If what you are promoting is truly superior it should speak for itself. Period. I think we all need to take a step back and understand that it is unfair and unsavory to continue to attack one another to gain some moral higher ground. We are better than this. Join me in rising above the fray and being the bigger person. We will all be better for it. 

My new slogan is "PROMOTION WITHOUT THE NEGATIVE EMOTION." Live it, love it, and move on in a more positive manner. It will do you a lot of good.