Mate, it is nice to be able to correspond with someone who shares facts and history, rather than someone who angrily spews trash talk without substance.
You and I go back a long way--decades--long before you turned to "the Dark Side". :}
One cannot dispute the written statements you mention. They are there in print for all to see. Our differences lie in the understanding of the situation at the time those statements were made as well as the results or lack of results of what has been stated in the PRs throughout SMME's history.
Having been educated in and had a bit of experience in the business world I am aware that decisions are made and money is committed towards those decisions. There are times, however, when new information comes forth which causes more meetings to take place to reevaluate the decisions made, often times resulting in a change of direction and a new and different decision being made. Such reevaluations are made in all areas of development of a product or event--engineering included. In all cases, but especially in areas of developing something totally new and unknown, education takes place. In the process of developing an unknown product one enters unexplored areas in the product development requiring reevaluation of decisions and direction. One cannot enter an area of new and untouched development with knowledge of all aspects required to succeed in its development.
I believe this is the case in the history of SMME. I believe the statements you present were truthful at the time they were made. With new information presented to the developers of The Card a new and different direction in its development was required.
There are others who tend to see a purposeful misrepresentation in those past public statements. I totally disagree. Change in direction is life in the world of business--especially in developing a new product.
It must also be said that The Card spoken of back then is a far cry from what is being described today. I recall how a cardholder back then would need a charger in their home to be able to recharge The Card for use. Not so today. Progress has been made in the development of The Card--all of which has been stated along the way. Many new elements have been added to The Card of today vs the card back then, all which reasonably take money and time to accomplish.
I am also aware that apart from the statements made regarding the development of The Card, there were statements made about the marketing and distribution of The Card. That such was imminent. It is not for us to know why such statements were made. We'll have to wait for the book to come out to know.
There is a false belief that "truth" must be stated in governmental statements, but lies or purposeful misrepresentation of a product's progress may be stated in public release statements. Legally, whether in public statements or government required forms "truth" must be told. If there is misrepresentation of the company's progress in either kind of statements it is considered fraud and punishable as a crime.
We long timers, a long with Chaya, know a frustration in our SMME investment I've not experienced in my 50 plus years of investing. Decades ago I had hoped and truly believed that my SMME investment would reward me to the extent I would live a long, comfortable and enjoyable life. Being in my 70s now I am still hopeful that I will experience such a life--though apparently it will not last as long as I had earlier thought.
What we believe is based on our perception of the "facts". How one perceives the SMME PR statements of the past determines how we perceive the current SMME PR statements. I will still hold on to the hope of a better life because of my SMME investment, I also hope I'm not running out of time to enjoy it. :)
